WHAT IS THE PRS SPORTSMAN DIVISION?
Like many competitive sports, the Precision Rifle Series features various divisions to help level the playing field and provide more opportunities for people to get involved. New shooters often hesitate to compete in the "open" division, where the top Pros typically participate. Trust me, facing off against Keith Baker or Allison Zane is intimidating, let alone trying to compete in the same division as them when you're a novice. The rules for the open division are lax, with no strict restrictions on the firearms or optics a shooter can use other than caliber. (A shooter cannot exceed 30 caliber or 3200FPS.) Here, rifle setups can reach upwards of $10,000. For many newcomers, spending that amount on something new is a non-starter, especially now. In a previous article, I highlighted the production division, discussed the rules, and explained who it is for. It serves as a great starting place for shooters. However, new in 2025 is the Sportsman Division.
WHAT IS THE PRS SPORTSMAN DIVISION?
The Sportsman Division is a new avenue for shooters, both new and seasoned, to compete in PRS while maintaining certain limitations to level the field. Sportsman Division is the refresh the sport has needed. When the Production Division was first introduced, the goal was to create an avenue for beginner shooters to compete. Initially, this included factory rifles and optics that did not exceed $1,000. Over time, that amount has ballooned. Now, a rifle costing up to $3,000 and an optic up to $2,500 are allowed—hardly the budget-friendly division it was originally intended to be.
There is also a discussion to be had about NRL Hunter. The National Rifle League, often regarded as a competitor to PRS, has moved entirely into the NRL Hunter category—a type of field match designed to replicate real-world scenarios. In NRL Hunter, shooters face restrictions on rifle weight and cartridge power factor (a future article will explore NRL Hunter). There are several aspects of NRL Hunter that PRS could adapt, which is partly what they did with the Sportsman Division.
Photo Credit: Nick Setting.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
Section 2.1.5 of the latest PRS rules catalog states, "Sportsman Division rifles will be limited to 13 pounds, 0 ounces. Weight to include rifle, optic, muzzle device, bipod, empty magazine, and all detachable accessories (suppressor, level, dope card, night vision rail, diving board, etc)." Furthermore, shooters must weigh in with the magazine that will be used for competition. If a shooter plans to use a 12-round magazine, then it must be weighed. Any extra magazines equal to or lighter in weight may be kept on the shooter. Otherwise, a front plate or a plate with an attached bag cannot be used after the fact. It must be counted toward the rifle's overall weight.
Removal of a bipod or other attached accessories is acceptable. A sling or other mountable device used for transportation may be removed for weigh-in but cannot be used during a stage. Tripods used for support are not considered in the weight of the rifle, may only be used where allowed by the MD, and must follow the MD tripod deployment procedure.
To simplify, if the item is attached to your rifle and you plan to use it during a stage, it must be included in the weigh-in. For example, a bag like the Armageddon Gear Game Changer does not count toward weight because it is not attached to the gun. This leaves the shooter to consider whether to use a bipod or forgo it and add a bit more weight for recoil management. The following rule is the most striking. 2.1.5c states, "Sportsman Division rifles will be limited to 6.5 Creedmoor caliber only. Ammunition will not be controlled; factory or hand-loaded ammunition is acceptable but cannot exceed a muzzle velocity of 3,200 fps." Unlike NRL Hunter, which uses a power factor that must be confirmed before a match, the Sportsman Division restricts you to one specific caliber. Why? To prevent shooters from gaming cartridges to fit within a particular power factor. The most recent example of this is Hornady's new 25 Creedmoor, which barely meets NRL Hunter requirements. Part of what PRS is trying to do is cater to calibers that shooters hunt with while making the division competitive. People will also argue why not include 6.5x47 Lapua or .260 Remington, which have similar ballistic profiles to 6.5 CM. The answer: these aren't calibers commonly found at local retailers or offered by many manufacturers, which restricts many shooters looking to get into the game.
Photo Credit: Nick Setting.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The idea of the Sportsman Division, as discussed in a recent PRS podcast episode, is to encourage new shooters who may not have the traditional precision rifle setup to participate in a match. It's a way to motivate new groups of people, such as hunters or casual target shooters, to attend and compete. The division imposes limitations on rifle weight and caliber choice to better replicate the real world, limiting the "gamer" rifles of today. You know, the 25+ pound rifle that shoots a mild-mannered 6mm cartridge—not something you'd take out hunting. So really, it's for anyone, from seasoned competitors to novices. Due to the class's restrictions, there is increased emphasis on shooting fundamentals, leaving little margin for error.
ZOOMING OUT
I like the direction PRS is taking with the Sportsman Division. It serves as a callback to the original aim of the Production Division, where shooters use off-the-shelf rifles and optics. Although there are no spending restrictions on the division itself, it encourages using what you have, even if it's just a basic hunting rifle. However, the realism that the division creates by requiring the use of a rifle and caliber similar to those you might use in the field is the most beneficial aspect. I believe that's what PRS was missing. It's great to run and gun with an ultra-heavy, light-recoiling rifle, but it isn't always the most practical tool.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cory Ross has been working in the firearms industry for over 11 years. What started as a part-time job during college turned into a full-time career, allowing him to work with some great people and companies along the way. He also earned a master's degree in History from Cleveland State University. He's not shooting, reloading, or working on his fitness; he's usually reading, writing, or building something with Legos.
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