7 PRC Build...your thoughts

[TheViking]

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!

 

[lancetkenyon]

First, 7PRC has no support...yet. Unless you want to shell out for RCC brass, which I have seen mixed reviews on. So if you want it now, it might not be the best option.

But, since you already have a braked 300WM, I would vote 22" and run suppressed. I LOVE hunting with suppressed rifles. It is a game changer. So, I would also suggest a CF barrel to get a bit of extra stiffness without adding a bunch of weight.

 

[TheViking]

First, 7PRC has no support...yet. Unless you want to shell out for RCC brass, which I have seen mixed reviews on. So if you want it now, it might not be the best option.

But, since you already have a braked 300WM, I would vote 22" and run suppressed. I LOVE hunting with suppressed rifles. It is a game changer. So, I would also suggest a CF barrel to get a bit of extra stiffness without adding a bunch of weight.

Yeah, the 300 won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I am guessing we will see some Hornaday brass next year (hopefully). This is a long term project for sure, just thinking out loud now.

I am leaning towards a CF 22" and suppressed as well.

 

[Roughrice]

FWIW... I did the carbon barrel thing like most others.
I tried to save even more weight on one of them by going with sendero light.
Shoots great alone, but...I had inconsistencies in poi when I hung the suppressor on the end. Bad choice on my part. I should have read more on this contour as several others have had the same issue.

I think a #3 or #4 cut to 20-22" would not weight much (if any) more than the full sendero @22" and will handle a suppressor just fine. That's what I'm doing now.

Substantial cost savings as well, if that makes a difference

Muzzle cap or suppressor...No brakes for me on hunting rifles.

Just my 2 cents

Best of Luck on your project!

 

[TheViking]

FWIW... I did the carbon barrel thing like most others.
I tried to save even more weight on one of them by going with sendero light.
Shoots great alone, but...I had inconsistencies in poi when I hung the suppressor on the end. Bad choice on my part. I should have read more on this contour as several others have had the same issue.

I think a #3 or #4 cut to 20-22" would not weight much (if any) more than the full sendero @22" and will handle a suppressor just fine. That's what I'm doing now.

Substantial cost savings as well, if that makes a difference

Muzzle cap or suppressor...No brakes for me on hunting rifles.

Just my 2 cents

Best of Luck on your project!

Great info - thank you!

 

[Taylorbok]

I'd wait until brass and dies are readily available

 

[General RE LEE]

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!

How is the accuracy with your 6.5 PRC Tikka?

 

[Tex_Hunter]

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!

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.

 

[adk hunter]

Cut and thread your .300WM.

Hang tight with your plan for the 7PRC until more components arrive...

Beware! It is a sickness...

 

[Taylorbok]

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.

Tikka only has one receiver body, the only difference between long and short is the bolt stop which can be easily changed

 

[elkaholic]

Tikka only has one receiver body, the only difference between long and short is the bolt stop which can be easily changed

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

 

[lancetkenyon]

FWIW... I did the carbon barrel thing like most others.
I tried to save even more weight on one of them by going with sendero light.
Shoots great alone, but...I had inconsistencies in poi when I hung the suppressor on the end. Bad choice on my part. I should have read more on this contour as several others have had the same issue.

I think a #3 or #4 cut to 20-22" would not weight much (if any) more than the full sendero @22" and will handle a suppressor just fine. That's what I'm doing now.

Substantial cost savings as well, if that makes a difference

Muzzle cap or suppressor...No brakes for me on hunting rifles.

Just my 2 cents

Best of Luck on your project!

I have not had issues with a Sendero Light or Bartlein #13 CF barrel and a suppressor.
My daughter's 22" Sendero Light 6.5SLR shoots tiny tiny groups way out, and has killed a bunch of game out to 771 yards.
My old 26" Sendero Light 6.5SS was the same.
My new 26" Bartlein #13 6.5SS, again, same story.
My old 26" Sendero Light .280AI...same.


I think if you build your load to your rifle how you will be shooting, you should be good to go.

 

[Roughrice]

I have not had issues with a Sendero Light or Bartlein #13 CF barrel and a suppressor.
My daughter's 22" Sendero Light 6.5SLR shoots tiny tiny groups way out, and has killed a bunch of game out to 771 yards.
My old 26" Sendero Light 6.5SS was the same.
My new 26" Bartlein #13 6.5SS, again, same story.
My old 26" Sendero Light .280AI...same.


I think if you build your load to your rifle how you will be shooting, you should be good to go.

Perhaps you are right.
I didn't adjust the load for the suppressor.
My full sendero's will hold consistent poi with the same load so I chalked it up as too much barrel whip or harmonics.

 

[Roughrice]

My Sendero lite is a 24" 280 AI that shoots 1/2" with a couple of loads and 1 1/2 with the Omega hanging on.
Proof Full Sendero 7 SAUM and HCA Heavy Hunter shoot 1/2" with or without suppressor.
Several Stainless barrels with .720-.750 OD shoot small with or without.

Maybe I was unlucky and got a bad carbon wrap.
I still love the barrel though.

For hunting...I don't shoot suppressed as often as I thought I would with the longer barrels anyway. Too awkward.
I stay 20-22" max now if I'll carry it suppressed.