First Build, 6.5 PRC

[huntinghuasna]

This will be my first rifle build and I'm definitely set on 6.5 PRC. This will be my primary hunting rifle so weight is a big consideration and I'm willing to spend a fair amount. Looking for opinions on what would be your dream build while staying under seven pounds (the lighter the better).

Some of my thoughts so far:

• Bat action
  
• 24" Krieger or Bartlein barrel
• McMillan stock
• TriggerTech trigger
  
• Talley Rings
• Leupold scope

 

[Korhil78]

Even on the light side of weights, it will be an 8 lb rifle with what you have.

32 oz for action (on the light side)
28 oz for carbon fiber stock
20 oz for scope
36 oz for barrel
7 oz for rings and some other misc stuff.

That's 7.8 lbs and I was being generous on some weights.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

Mack bros titanium action, Krieger skinny barrel or proof carbon, ah composites stock

 

[Korhil78]

Yup...you are going to have to spend some good cash on a titanium action, carbon wrapped barrel or a super thin contour on a regular barrel to get under the weight.

 

[highdrum]

I have a 6.5 saum, proof sendero light 24", lone peak razor ti, mcmillan game hunter, Hawkins bdl, Huber trigger, rifle weighs 6# 2oz. To get lighter, you'll need run a short fluted sporter, or a hells canyon ultra light carbon barrel with 750 muzzle, and run an even lighter stock, most don't give great cheek weld as they're more sporter than long range oriented. Keep in mind, it's harder to shoot accurately at longer ranges w/ a light weight rifle. I see nothing wrong with an 8.5# rifle with optics.
Here's my list:
Mesa Crux ti action: 21oz
Mesa altitude stock: 25oz
Bdl bm, follower spring trigger: 5oz
Hells canyon summit barrel 23": 40oz
Hawkins hybrid rings: 3oz
Ti muzzle brake: 2oz
Thats 6# without optics......
Another option is a barret fieldcract in 6.5x55, weighs 5.6# with 24" barrel, and will run within 150fps of the prc and you have lapua brass!

 

[snox801]

Yes don't go to light. When I first did my ultra lite it was to light and impossible to shoot. So I added a eh5 thumbhole and went to a bushnell 6500 scope. Just under 7 lbs done. But that all ti and carbon. Even the firing pin. Found the lightest stuff I could then added it back where I wanted it most.
I would say pierce ti action, recoil lug bolt would be a good start. Definitely proof carbon barrel. Make sure to spend some time thinking of twist rate. I'd do 1/7 or 1/8. That was the part I messed up on my first builds.

 

[CLP]

I built a 6.5 PRC last year with a Lone Peak Razor Ti, 20" Proof Sendero Light and Manners EH-8+ that it weights right at 5lbs 7 ounces (all in with a March 3-24x42 it weighs 7 lbs 2 ounces). I love the gun and wouldn't hesitate to build a twin to it. It's not a difficult rifle to shoot at distance (which for me is 600 yards based on the type of hunting I do) either because of the way it's balanced.

I did give up some velocity with the 20-inch barrel which might be a deal breaker. I'm pushing a 140 Berger right around 2,875 or so. I've shot several animals with it though and it delivered solid results every time.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

This will be my first rifle build and I'm definitely set on 6.5 PRC. This will be my primary hunting rifle so weight is a big consideration and I'm willing to spend a fair amount. Looking for opinions on what would be your dream build while staying under seven pounds (the lighter the better).

Some of my thoughts so far:

• Bat action
  
• 24" Krieger or Bartlein barrel
• McMillan stock
• TriggerTech trigger
  
• Talley Rings
• Leupold scope

I like you plan and the 6.5 PRC will be perfect in an ultralight LR setup.
I built a 6.5 SAUM off a LA magnum TIkka and it weighs 5.8 lbs with a 25" factory contour fluted barrel, and just over 7 lbs with a Leupold MK5 HD 3.6-18x44

It takes practice but in my opinion it's very easy to shoot a light weight 6.5 accurately at long range, I have no problem making first round hits beyond 1000.
I am considering adding a compact suppressor on it though, it'd help spotting shots and would be awesome in the timber..

I'd go with a Tikka personally, it's a very light action and an extremely accurate platform.
Plus you can use the factory LA magnum magazine, and factory trigger.
Good luck and have fun with your build!

 

[huntinghuasna]

I like you plan and the 6.5 PRC will be perfect in an ultralight LR setup.
I built a 6.5 SAUM off a LA magnum TIkka and it weighs 5.8 lbs with a 25" factory contour fluted barrel, and just over 7 lbs with a Leupold MK5 HD 3.6-18x44

It takes practice but in my opinion it's very easy to shoot a light weight 6.5 accurately at long range, I have no problem making first round hits beyond 1000.
I am considering adding a compact suppressor on it though, it'd help spotting shots and would be awesome in the timber..

I'd go with a Tikka personally, it's a very light action and an extremely accurate platform.
Plus you can use the factory LA magnum magazine, and factory trigger.
Good luck and have fun with your build!

I have heard great things about the Tikka's, definitely worth consideration. Thanks.

 

[sable tireur]

It takes practice but in my opinion it's very easy to shoot a light weight 6.5 accurately at long range, I have no problem making first round hits beyond 1000.

On what size target? Prone on a bipod or pack I'm sure, given a large enough target. Certainly not standing on your hind legs!

 

[alf]

I had another 6.5 PRC put together this winter. I wasn't trying for an ultra light, just a good "medium" weight rifle.

700 long action, 24" Bartlein 2b, McMillan Game Scout with Edge fill, Trigger Tech trigger, and regular BDL bottom metal. Weight was 7 pounds on the nuts before scope, rings, & base. Nightforce and Seekins added 1 lb, 12 ozs.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

On what size target? Prone on a bipod or pack I'm sure, given a large enough target. Certainly not standing on your hind legs!

Well here's my last target with 4 legs, 940 yards with the 6.5 last season.
I was hitting moa sized targets at 1000 yards every shot the day before I took that bull.
Yes from a bipod.
Shooting a lightweight rifle is no different than anything else if you practice..

 

[RockyRandy]

This will be my first rifle build and I'm definitely set on 6.5 PRC. This will be my primary hunting rifle so weight is a big consideration and I'm willing to spend a fair amount. Looking for opinions on what would be your dream build while staying under seven pounds (the lighter the better).

Some of my thoughts so far:

• Bat action
  
• 24" Krieger or Bartlein barrel
• McMillan stock
• TriggerTech trigger
  
• Talley Rings
• Leupold scope

I just bought a Seekin Havek in the 6.5 Prc. I've only shoot 65 rounds through it with factory Hornady 147 eld. It' weight at that 7 lbs range and was shooting .50 inch moa at 100 yards in 10 rounds. we were cleaning after every shot. so far i'm very pleased.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Lone Peak Fuzion TI medium action
26" 1:7.5" Proof Sendero Light
MBM Lil' Beast 4 port brake
Manners EH1 w. Pillars
Timney CE or TT Diamond
Hawkins BDL
Seekins rings
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50 or March F 3-24×52

Will definitely finish well under 8.5# all in. But won't be cheap.