7 PRC Build...your thoughts

[7.62 Gunner]

I currently have a 6.5 PRC Tikka T3x Roughtech

I want to turn it into a 7 PRC

My current gun is 100% stock, but I did purchase a new Tikka stock (and bottom metal) from Mesa Precision during their last sale. That stock will go on the 7 PRC build.

I am knowledgeable about barrels, suppressors, brakes, etc, but certainly far from an expert. I would love to hear your guys' opinions.

A little about my style of hunting:

Colorado guy, mostly elk hunter. I can take shots from 50-500 (pushing it) where I hunt. Mostly timber, long hikes, some glassing and stalking.

I will be taking it on deer hunts in a similar style as well.

Barrel:

Carbon (proof) barrel, or go steel? Bartlein?

Weight isn't a crazy concern, I am handle recoil just fine. But, I am a mountain hunter, so I don't want to lug around a 10# rifle.

Muzzle device:

Brake, or suppressed?

I currently have a brake on my 300 WM (current elk gun), and love it. Only issue I have is if I need to take a quick, crack shot at an animal, it's not easy to put ear protection on within a few seconds. Normally I carry plugs around my neck, and toss them in quickly if I know I might potentially take a shot. My former rifles were un-braked and I would shoot without ear protection on. You don't really notice it in the moment, but as I get older, I grow wiser I try to not fire any weapons without hearing protection, especially a braked big bore.

That said, I have been leaning towards a suppressor. I have been eye balling a Silencer Central - Banish 30 - 7". That way if I have to take a quick shot, I'm not overly concerned about wearing hearing protection.

If I went with a silencer, most likely would run a 22" barrel. If I went with a regular brake - 24"

So, with all that said, and all the options - help me build my rifle!

Are you a handloader?
If so I'd avoid the prc until we see if it's plagued by sizing issues like the others.
I run an 18" 7-300 wsm improved built on a tikka action, 180 vlds at 2800 with ridiculous accuracy from a factory contour steel barrel flared up to.730 at the muzzle.
I have a Banish 30 and a Nomad LT, get a Nomad it's the quietest can I've ever seen.
I hate CF barrels they've given me headaches multiple times, I'd get a 20" ss #3 or 4 contour.

 

[MallardAddict]

The PRC saami coal is 3.34" with a 180 which is the exact max that the factory tikka mags will allow so no room to chase lands as the throat grows if using factory tikka mags.

I wouldn't build a 7 PRC on a tikka unless you swap to aftermarket bottom metal that allows aics mags.

 

[Trm82]

Here we frickin go again !! First we had to listen to the 6.5 prc crowd say how good it was and all the media hype and this is just going to be a repeat of that
I love owning cartridges that kill just as good if not better and I can actually find components for them , unlike the components of the new ultra cool cartridges that every body has to have because gunwerks and hornady says are the way to go.
So much hype !!!

 

[landonm]

The 7 PRC is awesome. The 6.5 PRC is incredible. If the current 6.5 PRC is shooting well, I wouldn't mess with it. You mentioned primarily deer. IMO, the 6.5 PRC is among the best deer cartridges ever created.

Just my opinion, but I'd stick with the 6.5 PRC (assuming it's shooting well), and if you've still got the itch and need something bigger for elk, look at another 7 PRC build down the road once components come easily available.

 

[KR260]

and the 7 PRC is too long for it to run the heavies properly.

Red Snake makes bottom metal and magazines for Tikka that can accept up to 3.715" COAL.

 

[Taylorbok]

and the 7 PRC is too long for it to run the heavies properly.

It's really close. I'd need a bullet in my hand to say for certain. At saami length it fits perfect which is great for off the shelf buyers and Tikka

 

[huntforfood]

I just got my 6.5 prc tikka /bartlein back from the builder, here is what I have and weight numbers. Barreled Action, trigger, 22 " Bartleiin 3B barrel 5/8-24 threaded, burris veracity 3-15X50 mm scope, burris xtr sign rings and mtn tac al rail, and Cortana tuner brake is 8lbs. Factory tikka stock is 2 lbs, I have a grs bitfrost stockjust under 3lbs. With the grs bitfrost, barreled action and scope the total weight at 11 lbs. So, if you are trying to get under 10 lbs, you will need oem stock (will need to be opened up for 3b contour ) or carbon fiber stock. Also, you will have to go carbon barrel or < 3B contour Steel to remove weight as well. Fluting does very little for weight drop, maybe a few ounces. 3B contour is plenty beefy, probably could go 2b or something more sporter and be fine with a mtn/hunter setup. My guess is 22 inch 3B to 2/2B would be 3/4 lbs? So, #2 contour, carbon stock in similar setup, you could get to ~9 lbs. Gotta really skimp to get below 9lbs,

 

[huntforfood]

I just got my 6.5 prc tikka /bartlein back from the builder, here is what I have and weight numbers. Barreled Action, trigger, 22 " Bartleiin 3B barrel 5/8-24 threaded, burris veracity 3-15X50 mm scope, burris xtr sign rings and mtn tac al rail, and Cortana tuner brake is 8lbs. Factory tikka stock is 2 lbs, I have a grs bitfrost stockjust under 3lbs. With the grs bitfrost, barreled action and scope the total weight at 11 lbs. So, if you are trying to get under 10 lbs, you will need oem stock (will need to be opened up for 3b contour ) or carbon fiber stock. Also, you will have to go carbon barrel or < 3B contour Steel to remove weight as well. Fluting does very little for weight drop, maybe a few ounces. 3B contour is plenty beefy, probably could go 2b or something more sporter and be fine with a mtn/hunter setup. My guess is 22 inch 3B to 2/2B would be 3/4 lbs? So, #2 contour, carbon stock in similar setup, you could get to ~9 lbs. Gotta really skimp to get below 9lbs,

sorry, 3B to #2 contour in 22" barrel would net 3/4 lbs weight savings...

 

[Tex_Hunter]

I'll throw in my 2cents on the Carbon barrels discussion.

I just got my 26" Bartlein M24 Carbon wrapped barrel blank in the mail yesterday. In my hand at least, the blank feels on par with or maybe even a little lighter than the fluted all stainless #3B (also 26") that I had put on my 280Rem felt when it came back from fluting before I sent it to my gunsmith to chamber/install it on the rifle.

It's chunky though, so make sure your stock has a wide enough channel if you go this route (that's the main reason I when with the #3B stainless over a CF barrel on my 280 as its in a sporter stock and I dont intend to run a can on it).

I'll also echo what others have already said, if you are going to go suppressed go with a thicker contour, it'll give a better shoulder to mount against and less likely to see a big POI shift/change in harmonics.

 

[Starbuck]

Red Snake makes bottom metal and magazines for Tikka that can accept up to 3.715" COAL.

This is correct. Atlasworx and MT make bottom metal for 3.715 AICS in a Tikka as well. I'd add that if you're going that route, you'll need to trim the trigger assembly, notch the action, and cut out or replace the bolt stop as well.

I'm running the Atlasworx bottom metal for 3.715 on one rig. Required a fair amount of inletting and the release lever needed to be trimmed, but it does it's job well. Since the time I put that set up together, MT has come out with a version that fits factory inletting on standard models, IIRC, and has a nice design feature of a front protector that keeps the mag from getting knocked around when using a fore end rest.

I personally would want a 24" barrel on a .284 with a big case. Otherwise, if you want to go short, why not pick a smaller fuel tank?

I recently went through this same thought process. I decided on the 7mm rem mag instead of the PRC. Already had all of the components, and performance is close. Bullet and the particulars of how it's sent are more impactful than the case. Not saying that the PRC isn't by some measures a better case design, just stating that I've never had feed or function issues with a 7mm or any of the numerous belted magnum cartridges I've run through the years. If I wasn't already sitting with a spare Tikka action and stock that have been modified for full length AICS, I'd likely have gone 7mm WSM or 7mm SAUM twisted and throated for heavies and I'd feed it from long action MT Billit mags. Gives you all the COAL you can use and, to me they're less cumbersome to carry around than having an AICS protruding down. To me, short action magnums are the easy button for higher performance in the Tikkas.

 

[WoodPecker Hunter]

Unless Tikka builds their 6.5PRCs on a long action, the 7PRC isnt going to fit in your gun. The length of the 7PRC is somewhere more or less in between the 6.5 and 300 PRC, and the 6.5 is already on the long side for a true short action. I would confirm that before you start ordering any more parts.

There is only 1 length T3-T3X action - STD length you change lenghts of cartridges by a bolt stop and mags .
and Yes it's a perfect action fir a 6.5 PRC but a bit short for a 7 PRC with any thing over a 175-180 gr-er- JMO

 

[WoodPecker Hunter]

Here we frickin go again !! First we had to listen to the 6.5 prc crowd say how good it was and all the media hype and this is just going to be a repeat of that
I love owning cartridges that kill just as good if not better and I can actually find components for them , unlike the components of the new ultra cool cartridges that every body has to have because gunwerks and hornady says are the way to go.
So much hype !!!

Why so Bitter ? New stuff is Kool ! Doesn't change your life Grumpy

 

[Kimber7man]

Here we frickin go again !! First we had to listen to the 6.5 prc crowd say how good it was and all the media hype and this is just going to be a repeat of that
I love owning cartridges that kill just as good if not better and I can actually find components for them , unlike the components of the new ultra cool cartridges that every body has to have because gunwerks and hornady says are the way to go.
So much hype !!!

I've found the way to not read or listen to the hype or media, happy to share it if needed....

 

[Rick Richard]

Here we frickin go again !! First we had to listen to the 6.5 prc crowd say how good it was and all the media hype and this is just going to be a repeat of that
I love owning cartridges that kill just as good if not better and I can actually find components for them , unlike the components of the new ultra cool cartridges that every body has to have because gunwerks and hornady says are the way to go.
So much hype !!!

For some who don't like belted cases, over bored cartridges, excessive recoil, lack of brass availability, limited barrel life and etc., I would think this cartridge would fill that sweet spot in the 7MM caliber. Maybe?