When I met Josh Cluff of H-S Precision at the Dallas Safari Club convention, I already had heard quite a bit about the company’s rifles. Top-of-the-line components, excellent manufacturing and superb accuracy. You never really know if second-hand information is correct, so I was looking forward to evaluating the glowing reports.
The rifle Josh showed us during our interview for TTAG was a redesigned PLR Long Range Hunting Rifle. Unlike the previous PLR models, thir brand new PLC Long Range Carbon Fiber rifle rifle has a carbon fiber-wrapped, H-S Precision proprietary cut-rifled barrel.
H-S Precision’s recently-released Pro-Series bolt action:
An adjustable cheekpiece is standard.
The carbon-wrapped barrel makes for a much lighter firearm and more comfort for the hunter tracking game over difficult terrain. At 7.5 pounds, this new model is 1 to 1.5 pounds lighter than the standard PLR. The addition of an adjustable cheekpiece allows the shooter to mount smaller or larger objective riflescopes, depending on the shooting or hunting application.
Though H-S Precision builds muzzle brakes in-house, the review rifle was equipped with an Area 419 brake.
H-S Precision is well-respected for the quality of their stocks which are used by lots of other rifle makers. The PLC wears one of their Kevlar + carbon fiber + fiberglass constructs with a full-length aluminum bedding block and a 1″ Decelerator pad. Combine that with the smooth H-S Pro Series action and you have the basis for excellent accuracy.
Four, five and 10-round capacities are available for the PLC model, with the magazine release lever located at the front of the trigger guard.
As this is a custom-built firearm, the customer can request a specific barrel length, twist rate, caliber, etc. The calibers most frequently requested have been the .300 PRC, 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor. The rifle provided for my review was chambered to 6.5 Creedmoor, with 1:8″ RH rifling.
While H-S Precision builds triggers in-house, the review rifle had a Timney trigger (a custom option). It was incredibly crisp, and facilitated precise shooting at long ranges.
The H-S Precision folks provided a 2-16x50mm Swarovski Z8i riflescope with an illuminated reticle.
We didn’t need the illuminated reticle (the day we were on the range was full-sun), but that would be very useful when hunting at dawn or dusk.
Accuracy Testing
Government Training Institute hosted Frances and me for our range work with the H-S Precision PLC on their ‘level range’ with targets at 100 yards out to 700 yards.
We used Hornady ammunition for our accuracy tests. This included both their 140 grain ELD Match and 140 grain BTHP American Gunner cartridges.
To estimate muzzle velocities, we brought along our LabRadar unit.
How accurate is the new H-S Precision PLC?
Our first step for our analysis was to record the muzzle velocity and accuracy of the ammunition, while zeroing the PLC at 100 yards. Both types of ammunition showed muzzle velocities right at 2750 f.p.s. Also, both the ELD and American Gunner cartridges produced sub-MOA groups. However, the American Gunner with BTHP bullets produced the smallest groups.
So, we zeroed this load at 100 yards and used it exclusively for the remainder of our testing.
H-S Precision guarantees sub-1/2 MOA accuracy and the PLC more than achieved that.
First we shot at the 400-yard target This was the smallest of the targets (< 12″x12″). Even so, I was able to hit this target ~80% of the time, eventually shooting off the top-right edge (apologies to our GTI hosts).
The next target we engaged was an ~12″ x 18″ bottle-shaped form at just over 450 yards. The following video shows Frances firing at this particular target, with me calling her shots. She never missed this target even though, as you can tell from the instructions I am giving, she was a relative newbie to shooting longer distances. This suggests that the PLC is an inherently accurate rifle. It also points to the off-the-rack fit of this custom rifle, and the advantage of having the adjustable cheekpiece.
We tallied our shots at the various metal forms and found that we had ~95% impacts for all target-distances combined. However, there was variation. As I mentioned, one of our toughest (actually our toughest) targets was at the relatively short range of 400 yards.
This was the smallest sized target, but I think what we were actually struggling with more was a change in the wind speed and direction at 400 yards. This conclusion came from observing the movement of vegetation and heat waves. Regardless, when we reached out and touched the furthest targets at 600 and just over 700 yards, neither one of us missed more than 1% of our shots.
Regardless of the distances, the PLC demonstrated just how accurate, smooth and easy-shooting a rifle it is, whether on the GTI ranges or in the hunting field.
Specifications: H-S Precision Long Range Carbon Fiber PLC Rifle
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Length: 46″
Action: H-S Precision Pro-Series Bolt action
Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
Twist Rate: 1/8″ RH
Muzzle Break: H-S Precision
Barrel: 26″ H-S Precision cut rifled barrel with a standard 13 ½ lop stock (barrel length and lop will vary based on end-user’s specifications)
Stock: H-S Precision (Kevlar, Carbon Fiber, and Fiberglass with a full length aluminum bedding block)
Trigger: H-S Precision
Buttpad: 1″ Decelerator
Capacity: 4, 5 or 10 rounds
MSRP: $4750
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style and appearance * * * *
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I prefer wooden stocks. However, as I’ve also stated before, most of my ‘trophy’ photographs show me holding a synthetic-stocked Model 700, so I’m a hypocrite. The PLC rifle’s all-over camo finish looks good (there are more than two dozen finish options) and its lines are eye-pleasing. Now, if it had just sported a top-grade piece of walnut….
Reliability * * * * *
H-S’s Pro Series bolt action is buttery-smooth was perfectly reliable throughout our testing.
Accuracy * * * * *
The 100-yard target above reflects the accuracy of this new model. Sub 1/2 MOA at 100 yards and well over 90% impacts on metal targets ranging from 400-700+ yards. We could not ask for better. performance.
Overall * * * * 1/2
I loved shooting this new H-S Precision Carbon Fiber model and it proved amazingly accurate. The adjustability of the cheekpiece and the contour of the stock fitted both of us perfectly. Since this was an ‘off-the-rack’ rifle that will normally be customized for the end-user, the design is likely well-suited to most shooters. This is not an inexpensive hunting rifle, but the reduced weight and smooth action make it a very tempting product for those of us who need to climb mountains (even these tiny Appalachians) or crawl through brushy areas for our hunts.
Mike Arnold writes for a number of outlets; links to other articles can be found here.
[Video and photos courtesy of Frances and Mike Arnold.]
Let’s not forget that HS Precision hired Lon Horiuchi who murdered Vicki Weaver
Was that hire made pre or post Ruby Ridge?
Post Ruby Ridge, after he left the FBI..
Listen to and respect the words of the inestimable James Campbell!
Came here to say that myself.
That and Creedmoor sucks.
You are delusional. 6.5cm rocks
Creedmoor’s a lame copy of the .260 Rem. named after a mental institution in NY. At least with a .260 you don’t look like a poser.
How do you know this? If this is true, this company should be put out of business.
The paint on that mag is FUGLY
Came here to say this.
Actually the stock and mag are butt ugly, seems like they could have come up with something more complimentary to that beautiful carbon fiber barrel.
Impressive, but I would have preferred they use an AICS-compatible mag well rather than whatever proprietary i.e., expensive mag they have in there. I can find PMAGs without breaking a sweat or the bank, PLC not so much.
HS Precision’s affiliation with Horiuchi has kept their products out of the USASOC downselect process numerous times that I’m aware of. I’ve voted them off myself.
Years ago I had a custom rifle built on a Winchester Model 70 stainless classic action. Kept the original .308 Winchester caliber. Although it was a Shilen barrel with a 1:10″twist. HS Precision stock. Great rifle. That said, I don’t understand this long range hunting. My definition of really hunting is how close I can get to my game. Longest shot I ever took at a game animal was a doe at 430 yards. She was crippled. It was a mercy killing. Otherwise, I don’t take a shot over 300 yards.
Totally agree on long range hunting. It’s about as ethical as strangling a puppy at an Antifa riot.
My deer rifle (Remington 700 BDL in .30-06) scope has no stadia marks, just the crosshairs. By measuring my load’s muzzle velocity and knowing the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, I calculated it stays supersonic to 425-450 yards. Its maximum rise is 2 MOA above the line of sight, and at 275 yards it has dropped 2 MOA below. At my meagre skill level, I can reliably shoot a circle of radius 2 MOA from a supported field position, or prone with a sling. At 250 yards, 4 MOA is 10 inches diameter, about the size of a dinner plate, and about the size of Bambi’s vitals.
So at any range within 250 yards and with dawn’s calm winds, I hold the crosshairs on the center of the kill zone, and depend upon Battle Sight Zero to deliver an ethical kill.
By the same math, better equipment and higher skills would increase the range. Each combination of rifle and load and marksman has its own limit; the key to ethical hunting is knowing that limit and exercising the self control to stay within it.
Honestly gun blogs like TTAG should boycott their products. Why is it always left to the commenters to point out what scum HS are? Remember Vicki Weaver.
The Weavers and their associates were far from innocent, but nobody, not even the dog, deserved to die over a few sawed off shotguns.
Sometimes Law Enforcement has a problem with perspective. Even if you adopt the old and brutal philosophy of “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life”, small scale illegal arms sales is not worth any life. There were better ways to handle the situation.
The FBI tried to use Weaver to spy on the White supremists group he had access to (they knew he was not a “spy” because he lived by their enclave for years), Weaver told them to stuff it.
Our tax dollars paid for an FBI agent to make believe he was a biker for OVER TWO YEARS, all to gain Weavers trust.
After over a year of pleading for Weaver to saw off a shotgun for the undercover FBI agent (at an insane price for Weavers services) Weaver finally did it.
The FBI attempted to used the firearm violation to leverage Weaver to spy for them. He still told them to stuff it.
After charges were filed, Weaver put the R Ridge home/property up up as colateral for his release prior to the hearing.
The authorities lied to Weaver before the court date, telling him he would lose the family home and property that was put up for bail, regardless of how the case played out in court. This caused Weaver to reach the decision that he would NOT come off his property, in order to insure his family had a place to live.
This is government harassment of a citizen to the MAX, hence the HUGE payment to Weaver after the congressional hearings.
The FBI fucked up royally.
The order was given by “someone” in the FBI top brass to “shoot to kill” ANYONE with a firearm on R Ridge. Everyone BUT his wife carried a firearm WHENEVER outside.
To this day, nobody in the FBI has been held accountable for giving that “kill” order.
The info is out there “Idaho Boy” (I would bet you reside over 1k miles from there, or have Leftist view, and/or hold a government funded job.).
I reside in Boise, I don’t work for the government, and I consider myself a Jewish moderate with strong Second Amendment positions who supports the State of Israel.
By “far from innocent”, I meant that Weaver was associated with far-right white supremacists groups who wanted to establish a whites-only “homeland” in North Idaho. I have no illusions about such groups, because I met the Reverend Butler when my sociology professor invited him to speak to our class. (I must admit that I purposely baited him by bringing a bagel and cream cheese to snack on).
When he told us about his “homeland” plans, I raised my hand and asked “What do you propose to do with the undesirables?”
His eyes fixed on me, full of hate, and I swear I could see the words “Jew Boy” written in his face.
So you will have to pardon me if I don’t have much sympathy for those types of folks.
Otherwise I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. It was a grave injustice.
“By “far from innocent”, I meant that Weaver was associated with far-right white supremacists groups who wanted to establish a whites-only “homeland” in North Idaho…..”
I find it odd that you use the term “associated”.
The governments OWN intel (that was brought up during the hearings), CLEARLY stated that Weaver was NO friend of the white supremists group.
In fact, the undercover FBI agents notes and statements described numerous disagreement between Weaver and the group, some EVEN reaching the point of physical altercations. He was no fan of their views on numerous topics.
Weaver was HARDLY “associated” with them.
I always find it telling when our government goes out of its way to connect a man of Weavers faith with white supremacist groups. Think there may be an adjenda there?
My sincere apologies for doubting where you reside. Unusual to see a first comment from someone on TTAG with a name tied to the topic, and it not being from a troll.
From the Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Weaver’s troubles with the U.S. federal government began when he attended several meetings of the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group, at its compound in Hayden Lake, Idaho, in the late 1980s. Weaver was not a member of the Aryan Nations, but he shared the group’s white supremacist and antigovernment views.”
Birds of a feather flock together.
Well, I didn’t see any data from Encyclopedia Britannica get brought up during the trial.
Do they reference their source?
So do the protesters condone all the looting, arson and murders going on in their midst, because, you know, birds of a feather and such.
HS Precision hired Lon Horiuchi who murdered Vicki Weaver at ruby ridge. I confirmed this. Horiuchi is in charge of a program the company has with the FBI. They must have a fat government contract. I won’t buy anything from this company. I’m also telling everyone I know about that murdering SOB working for H-S Precision. Then they will tell others. They won’t be buying anything from them either.
I personally find it unbelievable they hired him. His claim to fame is missing a shot (at Randy) by over a foot, from a little over 150 yards away (killing Vicky). This was his claim.
Being a top FBI sniper at the time, this claim insults the intelligence of everyone who hears it.
I wonder if some ship building company has hired the Captain of the Exxon Valdez…….hummmm.
I would also add that Lon’s claim to fame was taking a shot without being certain of what was behind the target.
I’m no fan of Lon Horiuchi. But I’m no fan of Randy Weaver either.
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