The landscape of competitive long-range precision rifle shooting is evolving. For years, meticulous handloading was considered an absolute prerequisite for success at the highest echelons of the Precision Rifle Series (PRS). However, a recent analysis by precisionrifleblog.com reveals a significant shift: several top 25 PRS competitors are now achieving world-class performance using factory-loaded match ammunition.
Leading this charge is Clay’s Cartridge Company, owned and operated by Clay Blackketter, the 2019 PRS Season Champion and a perennial top-5 finisher. Four pros in the top 50, including Blackketter (#4), Dave Preston (#27), Jimmy Moore (#39), and Tate Streater (#48), trust Clay’s loads. Shooters using 6mm BR, 6mm Dasher, and 25x47 Lapua cartridges reported an impressive average 10-shot standard deviation (SD) of 4.0 fps and average 5-shot groups of 0.3 MOA, ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 MOA. Clay offers both standard loads for common PRS cartridges and a custom load development service, even accepting rifles for specific tuning, priced at $1 per round plus component costs.
Phalanx Arms also supports four top-200 shooters, notably #19 Matt Caruso, currently ranked 4th in the 2025 season. Owned by pro shooter Mike Burdis, Phalanx provides ammunition in 6mm Dasher, 6mm BRA, 6mm GT, and 7mm SAW. Competitors reported remarkable 10-shot SDs between 2.5 and 4.5 fps, with average 5-shot groups of 0.3-0.4 MOA. Trace Ammunition, founded by PRS Professional shooter Ammar Bazzaz, serves two top-200 shooters, including #40 Justin Domaguin. A 6mm Dasher bolt-action shooter reported a 4 fps SD and 0.3 MOA groups. Critically, Chris Garcia, the 2024 Gas Gun Division top shooter, achieved an SD of 7 fps and 0.5 MOA groups with Trace’s 6.5 Creedmoor in a semi-auto platform—exceptional consistency for a gas gun. Trace also provides a reloading service for customer-supplied brass and full custom load development.
Eagle Eye Ammunition accounts for two top-ranked shooters: #92 Garrett Preece and the formidable Morgun King (#192). King's 2024 ranking is an anomaly, as he previously held 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall ranks in prior seasons and was on the US Open Division team for the World Championship, making him one of the world's elite riflemen. Eagle Eye loads 6.5 Creedmoor with Berger 156 EOL or 153.5 LRHT bullets for King and Preece. The consistent single-digit SDs reported across these top factory ammunition providers — often matching or exceeding the 5.6 fps average achieved by the top 200 handloaders — underscores a definitive shift. For serious competitors not inclined to handload, these specialized manufacturers are clearly delivering match-winning precision, as first reported by precisionrifleblog.com.
