Dan Cogan of 360 Precision sits down with Joe Gentile, Director of the Mason-Dixon PRS Series, to break down what really matters in precision rifle shooting, especially for shooters trying to level up.
Joe’s story isn’t one of instant success. He started shooting young, grew up around firearms, and even struggled early on, failing to qualify on his first attempt in Marine Corps boot camp. That failure turned into fuel. With remedial training and persistence, he not only improved but eventually qualified expert and discovered a passion for competitive shooting that followed him after the Marines.
Finding PRS and Building Real Skill
After competing in High Power, Joe found Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and immediately knew it was his lane. Like many shooters, he started with limited resources, practicing at 100 yards on small targets because longer ranges weren’t accessible. That constraint forced discipline, fundamentals, and consistency.
One of the biggest themes Joe emphasizes is that practice alone isn’t enough.
Matches are the cheapest and most effective training you can get.
Matches introduce pressure, decision-making, and consequences, things you simply can’t replicate on a square range. You can think you’re good in practice, but competition exposes gaps fast.
Wind, Accuracy, and Misplaced Obsessions
Joe is blunt about what separates average shooters from top performers, wind reading. Wind is the great unknown and the ultimate separator. The best shooters aren’t guessing, they’re calling wind deliberately before every single shot.
He also clears up a common misconception about accuracy. You don’t need benchrest-level precision to succeed in PRS. Half-MOA accuracy is more than sufficient because PRS is about hitting steel targets, not printing tiny groups on paper. A hit is a hit.
Gear Advice Without the Hype
On equipment, Joe’s advice is practical and unsentimental.
Don’t waste time on barrels that don’t shoot.
Let the barrel tell you when it’s done.
Buy quality components instead of trying to save small amounts of money that cost you time and performance later.
His perspective reflects experience, not theory.
Community and the Mental Game
Beyond shooting mechanics, Joe highlights two often overlooked aspects of PRS, community and mindset.
PRS thrives because experienced shooters help new ones. Coaching on the clock, shared gear, and a low-stress environment are intentional parts of the Mason-Dixon series. That culture is what keeps people coming back.
Mentally, PRS is a thinking person’s game. When the timer goes off, preparation either shows up, or disappears. Managing stress, staying focused, and making decisions under pressure are just as important as trigger control.
Final Takeaway
Joe Gentilli’s message is clear. Improvement in PRS comes from competition, fundamentals, honest self-assessment, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Gear matters, but mindset and execution matter more.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about testing yourself, learning where you stand, and coming back better next time.
That’s what Accuracy Matters is all about.
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