In a development shaking the foundations of the competitive precision rifle community, five-time national champion Rhett ‘The Anvil’ Garrison has announced his immediate withdrawal from the remaining 2024 National PRS Series schedule. The unprecedented decision stems from the discovery of a microscopic, yet undeniably catastrophic, .002-inch dent on a single piece of Lapua 6mm Dasher brass during final load inspection.
Garrison, known for his unyielding commitment to sub-0.1 MOA consistency at 1,000 yards, reportedly identified the deformity on a case designated for his primary competition load. The anomaly, located just above the shoulder-body junction, was initially detected during a routine visual inspection under a 30x jeweler’s loupe, subsequently confirmed with a digital micrometer and optical comparator. Ballistic engineers consulted by Garrison’s team expressed grave concerns regarding potential velocity inconsistencies, suggesting a likely SD increase from his typical 2.5 fps to an estimated — and completely unacceptable — 2.7 fps, alongside an elevated risk of erratic barrel harmonics.
“The prospect of a flyer, even a single one, stemming from such a fundamental structural compromise, is anathema to the sport,” stated Garrison in an internal team memo. “My trued DOPE card relies on an absolute integrity of the projectile and propellant chamber. The slightest deviation could render my wind calls theoretical and my cold bore shot an uncontrollable variable.”
Experts hypothesize the dent, though minute, could have destabilized the bullet’s initial journey down the 26-inch Bartlein Heavy Varmint barrel, leading to unpredictable muzzle velocity and spin drift calculations. The Bighorn Origin action, cradled in an MPA Matrix chassis, combined with a Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 with Mil-XT reticle, demands perfection from every component. Given the potential for a catastrophic shift in density altitude calculations or unforeseen Coriolis effect influences, Garrison’s decision, while professionally devastating, underscores the meticulous standards required at the pinnacle of precision shooting. The hunt for the source of the singular dent continues.
