Tikka 6.5 PRC build

[ChewMT]

I'm looking to start putting together a 6.5 build. I'm hoping you will look over my build sheet and make sure I'm not missing anything. I'm going with the Tikka mainly because I already have a couple others and I like the action (especially for this size cartridge). Plus it has a three position safety which is a must for me.

6.5 PRC build list:

-Tikka Stainless T3x Action, 300WM or 7mm Rem Mag (try to find a donor on sale or used)
-Mesa Altitude stock (Using the factory Tikka Plastic bottom metal and magazine)
-Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56
-Nightforce 20moa Aluminium base
-Seekins Medium 35mm aluminum rings (Or Vortex, pretty sure they are the same)
-Proof Research Prefit 6.5 PRC 24" carbon barrel
-APA Little Bastard Gen 2 Brake
-6.5 PRC go no go gauges
-Patriot Valley Tikka Action Wrench (I have a 31mm wrench for breaking the factory barrel loose)
-Barrel Vise (Unsure what to go for here)
-Marine-Tex

 

[25WSM]

Go with the 7mag and it has the longer magazines and the long bolt stop already.
Shep

 

[ChewMT]

I'm pretty set on the caliber, 7mag doesn't have enough magazine length in a factory Tikka to really be effective. The only other options I'd consider are 7 Saum or 300 WSM. Ultimately it came down to the Prefit barrels that Proof offers and their chambers for all their cartridges are SAAMI spec. So I wouldn't be able to take advantage of loading either the 7 or the 300 to max length without modifying the throats. Plus I already have a 300wsm that shoots lights out, I like the idea of shooting a light rifle with less recoil.

 

[25WSM]

I mean use the 7mag as your donor rifle.
Shep

 

[25WSM]

I thought you had 300wsm as one option. The 300wm and 7mag both are the same except barrel. Good actions. I just built one almost identical to what you want. Same stock but I went with aluminum bottom metal. I used a proof carbon in sendero lite and got the 1.2 tennon dia. So I faced off the front of the action and that barrel fits perfect to the flats. No muzzle brake required on this set up. Not much recoil even with 147s over 3000fps.
Shep

 

[Weatherby Fan]

I mean use the 7mag as your donor rifle.
Shep

As 25WSM says........7mag is perfect, but any of the LA mag cartridges make a great donor for a 6.5 PRC build.

I used a Sako A7 7mm Rem Mag donor for a 6.5 PRC build, the mag box had lots of room for loading as long as you wanted, they fed like a dream, no issues at all,

Your parts list looks good to me, should be a dandy build.

 

[highdrum]

The factory long action magazine works, but doesn't offer the best case head presentation. The billet mags from Hells Canyon Armory or Mountain Tactical(require light mods with a dremel to open feedlips) work great. I also modified a Tikka 300wsm magazine by removing the rear block plate and installing a long action follower.
Be careful on the prefit from proof. I've read a handful of accounts where the headspacing was off by quite a bit. Personally I'd get a carbon barrel from a reputable manufacturer and have a good smith chamber it not all tikka actions are exact headspace, as much as 10 thou variance recorded by a few smith's I talk too. Mike Johnson @ HCA will not do a prefit on a Tikka, and he probably does more Tikka builds than anyone. In fact take a look at his Tikka build option, you send a donor action, and for like 2k$ he builds exactly what you're wanting. I have 3 and they all shoot. 2 with his benchmark carbon barrels and one with a bartlein carbon. Enjoy the build, it's a lot of fun.

 

[Quicksilver338]

Mike Johnson at HCA...enough said! Contact him and pick his brain.

 

[Send it 284]

I'm looking to start putting together a 6.5 build. I'm hoping you will look over my build sheet and make sure I'm not missing anything. I'm going with the Tikka mainly because I already have a couple others and I like the action (especially for this size cartridge). Plus it has a three position safety which is a must for me.

6.5 PRC build list:

-Tikka Stainless T3x Action, 300WM or 7mm Rem Mag (try to find a donor on sale or used)
-Mesa Altitude stock (Using the factory Tikka Plastic bottom metal and magazine)
-Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56
-Nightforce 20moa Aluminium base
-Seekins Medium 35mm aluminum rings (Or Vortex, pretty sure they are the same)
-Proof Research Prefit 6.5 PRC 24" carbon barrel
-APA Little Bastard Gen 2 Brake
-6.5 PRC go no go gauges
-Patriot Valley Tikka Action Wrench (I have a 31mm wrench for breaking the factory barrel loose)
-Barrel Vise (Unsure what to go for here)
-Marine-Tex

I use a Remington action wrench with the bottom piece dipped upside down on its flat surface.
This is the barrel vice you need with a #5 or 6 bushing.
Just pulled a Tikka barrel tonight with that combo
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ories/barrel-vises/barrel-vise-prod41623.aspx

 

[ChewMT]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm kind of trying to avoid the fees associated with a gunsmith. Also that's the reason for the go no go gauges.

 

[25WSM]

And if your guages show the chamber is off then you still need a smith to reset the headspace. I myself haven't seen a Tikka be off enough to matter if the prefit has the chamber correct depth. And if your chamber ends up being even .010 too deep just fireform and set your dies up correct and it's a non issue. If it's too short take a little off your sizing die and size cases to fit. Guys do this all the time with older military actions that have excess headspace. Is it perfect, no it's not. Is it dangerous, no it's not. Will it work, yes it will. So it's up to you whether or not you want perfect or do you want something that will work. If you want perfect take it to a good smith. If you might want more barrels down the road have him write down what the head space is and you can give that number to any smith and he can cut you a prefit that is proper. Or when you take the barrel off you can measure your shank length and the protrusion of your go guage from the shank end. Or just measure from the shoulder to back of go guage. These measurements are all that's needed to make a new barrel fit your action. If I were getting a prefit I would take off the barrel and measure from the action face to the bolt face. Do this in several spots on the bolt face. This measurement given to your prefit company will help make sure your new prefit headspaces correctly.
Shep

 

[Chino Tom]

All my Tikka's have a 2 position safety. I put Timney Triggers on them because their two position safety allows
bolt operation in the safe position, unlike the the Tikka's.

 

[ChewMT]

You're right about the safety, really what I meant is that when it's on safe it locks the bolt closed. It's a feature I really appreciate in my hunting rifles. I've lost a number of rounds while walking through the woods and catching the bolt on a branch or something similar.

 

[highdrum]

And if your guages show the chamber is off then you still need a smith to reset the headspace. I myself haven't seen a Tikka be off enough to matter if the prefit has the chamber correct depth. And if your chamber ends up being even .010 too deep just fireform and set your dies up correct and it's a non issue. If it's too short take a little off your sizing die and size cases to fit. Guys do this all the time with older military actions that have excess headspace. Is it perfect, no it's not. Is it dangerous, no it's not. Will it work, yes it will. So it's up to you whether or not you want perfect or do you want something that will work. If you want perfect take it to a good smith. If you might want more barrels down the road have him write down what the head space is and you can give that number to any smith and he can cut you a prefit that is proper. Or when you take the barrel off you can measure your shank length and the protrusion of your go guage from the shank end. Or just measure from the shoulder to back of go guage. These measurements are all that's needed to make a new barrel fit your action. If I were getting a prefit I would take off the barrel and measure from the action face to the bolt face. Do this in several spots on the bolt face. This measurement given to your prefit company will help make sure your new prefit headspaces correctly.
Shep

With the base sizing issues on the 6.5prc, I'd really try to avoid a deep chamber. Shallow yeah might work on hand loads with a custom die. Would be a b¡tch with factory ammo tho.