6.5 Creed build - Impact 737r, pre-fit mfg, profile?

Shootermagavin · Jan 11, 2025

I put together a Zermatt Arms Rim-X this year as my first ever bolt action build (shooting a T1x Tikka prior) with a pre-fit barrel, MDT chassis and have been enjoying it very much...

Time to do a 6.5 Creedmoor build to go the distance.

Seems Impact is the most popular by far on PRS site.. any reason not to go with the 737r? Any preferred retailers on the hide to order from?

Looking for a 24'' pre-fit barrel open to mfg and profile suggestion here.

Looking at a U10 or U10-7 from McMillan for this build, wanting to go with a bit more traditional stock; open to a suggestion or two here as well.

Already have a trigger-tech in the safe ready to go.

FuhQ · Jan 11, 2025

The 737R is a great action. The Aero Solus is almost an exact clone if you look at them side-by-side. Both are excellent options.

As for barrels, I prefer to have mine built to my specs, so I buy my Proof Research carbon fiber blanks from Evolved Ballistics, and then have them ship it up to Eric Anderson @ Blue Mountain Precision for the barrel work, who then ships it directly to me, when he's done with it. His current wait times are good right now, I think 3-6 weeks. And he's one of the best barrelsmiths out there, and a really nice guy, too...Talked with him a few times on the phone.

Rob01 · Jan 11, 2025

Nothing wrong with an Impact but if you liked the Rim X why not go with a Zermatt TL3 or Origin? Ease of changing bolt faces if you wanted to change calibers also.

You building the rifle to shoot matches? Or just having fun? Either way with the Creedmoor I’d go at least a 26” barrel to get some free velocity. I run 28” on my match rifles.

Lots of good barrel makers out there. @bohem Josh from PVA does excellent work with his Osprey barrels. They are an excellent barrel. Something in a M24 or heavier will make it nice to shoot and cut some recoil with the weight.

Stocks are personal preference but you might be able to find a Manners stock similar to the McMillans but with the mini chassis so you can bolt in and go and it has a detachable bottom metal already.

ETA just did a little search in the PX and something like this Manners

Thread 'FS: Manners T6A SA R700 Mini Chasis Price Drop'
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/fs-manners-t6a-sa-r700-mini-chasis-price-drop.7242032/

tlg308 · Jan 11, 2025

Just did a 6.5 prc for a guy on the new impact 707r round action. Came with the Hawkins rings. Pretty sweet deal.

I agree with Rob01, if this is going to be a comp gun go 28” finished length. Got some buddies running the 144 bergers on 28” 6.5 creed’s and they hammer. I like the heavy Palma contour. Medium Palma if you want to go a little lighter weight gun

ma smith · Jan 11, 2025

+1 I'd also preserve the option to run the 153/156 and consider a 7.5 or 7.75 twist, with a longer barrel length as mentioned above.

Shootermagavin · Jan 11, 2025

Noted on going 28'', will do. Judging by the amount of out of stocks I see for the action I'm going to take a wild guess that there's a bit of a demand/wait list for it?

Rob01 · Jan 11, 2025

Shootermagavin said:
Noted on going 28'', will do. Judging by the amount of out of stocks I see for the action I'm going to take a wild guess that there's a bit of a demand/wait list for it?

I wouldn’t go that far. Just out of stock now. Happens in this sport.

Basic user · Jan 12, 2025

Shootermagavin said:
I put together a Zermatt Arms Rim-X this year as my first ever bolt action build (shooting a T1x Tikka prior) with a pre-fit barrel, MDT chassis and have been enjoying it very much...

Time to do a 6.5 Creedmoor build to go the distance.

Seems Impact is the most popular by far on PRS site.. any reason not to go with the 737r? Any preferred retailers on the hide to order from?

Looking for a 24'' pre-fit barrel open to mfg and profile suggestion here.

Looking at a U10 or U10-7 from McMillan for this build, wanting to go with a bit more traditional stock; open to a suggestion or two here as well.

Already have a trigger-tech in the safe ready to go.

For me, the reason would be there's too many other actions that dont cost SEVENTEEN HUNDRED dollars, that will be just fine. Sure they're good actions, but I could get an already done entire rifle, ready to shoot Tikka T3x super varmint that shoots super nice for the exact same price. I believe like most alpha tier'ed stuff, the point of diminishing returns is exceeded on that piece. Not many situations at ALL where if if a person had not mounted that 3rd gen razor and instead mounted a tangent, they wouldnt have missed that shot; but the price difference can be 2700 dollars. That's just too much to blow, to ensure you've placed yourself in that probably less than one percent situation, where you actually NEEDED that glass. Not worth it in my opinion. And all the comments you typically hear from ferrari owners like "But the transmission shifts just soo much smoother than my lexus." may be true, but was that little attribute worth 90,000 more? Up to you I suppose. It's just something to think about.
Custom actions are just nicer to play with (like for example the bolt removal vs a 700, or the smoothness vs a savage) but not necessary for good consistency. I have douglas barreled stock 700 action (face trued) that shoots in the ones, and that action was 480 some bucks at the beginning of the corona. So I guess it's all on how much disposable income you have. If you're like my buddy where he makes high 6 figures a year I guess it wouldnt be an issue.

kthomas · Jan 12, 2025

Impact is a great action.

Another similar one to consider is a Lone Peak Fuzion - it's 100 cock on open rather than 50/50 on the Impact, if that matters at all to you.

All the modern actions recommended on this forum are GTG, hard to make a bad choice in today's market.

ShtrRdy · Jan 12, 2025

kthomas said:
Impact is a great action.

Another similar one to consider is a Lone Peak Fuzion - it's 100 cock on open rather than 50/50 on the Impact, if that matters at all to you.

All the modern actions recommended on this forum are GTG, hard to make a bad choice in today's market.

Would you mind explaining how the Impact is a 50/50 cock on open?

kthomas · Jan 12, 2025

ShtrRdy said:
Would you mind explaining how the Impact is a 50/50 cock on open?

The firing spring gets compressed 50% on the up stroke and 50% on the downstroke.

In contrast, the Fuzion does all the "work" or compression on the up stroke of the bolt.

Both work, it's just a preference on where you want that work to occur and the translating feel/weight of the bolt lift and close.

ShtrRdy · Jan 12, 2025

I have an Impact 737R action and it looks to me like the striker/firing-pin is pulled back 100% on bolt open.

R_A_W · Jan 13, 2025

FuhQ said:
The Aero Solus is almost an exact clone if you look at them side-by-side.

FuhQ · Jan 14, 2025

R_A_W said:

Yes. Look it up for yourself.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

Basic user said:
For me, the reason would be there's too many other actions that dont cost SEVENTEEN HUNDRED dollars, that will be just fine. Sure they're good actions, but I could get an already done entire rifle, ready to shoot Tikka T3x super varmint that shoots super nice for the exact same price. I believe like most alpha tier'ed stuff, the point of diminishing returns is exceeded on that piece. Not many situations at ALL where if if a person had not mounted that 3rd gen razor and instead mounted a tangent, they wouldnt have missed that shot; but the price difference can be 2700 dollars. That's just too much to blow, to ensure you've placed yourself in that probably less than one percent situation, where you actually NEEDED that glass. Not worth it in my opinion. And all the comments you typically hear from ferrari owners like "But the transmission shifts just soo much smoother than my lexus." may be true, but was that little attribute worth 90,000 more? Up to you I suppose. It's just something to think about.
Custom actions are just nicer to play with (like for example the bolt removal vs a 700, or the smoothness vs a savage) but not necessary for good consistency. I have douglas barreled stock 700 action (face trued) that shoots in the ones, and that action was 480 some bucks at the beginning of the corona. So I guess it's all on how much disposable income you have. If you're like my buddy where he makes high 6 figures a year I guess it wouldnt be an issue.

There is a lot of truth in here.

I've been shooting precision for nearly a decade and just now going with my first custom barrel. Been running a factory Tikka CTR action/barrel/trigger that whole time. Replaced the factory bolt handle with a sterk and the factory stock with a Manners at the beginning. All-in under $2k and it shoots .5-.75" groups with my handloads very easily.

If you got unlimited funds then spend whatever you want. If you're budget limited like most normal folks and you've never even shot a centerfire bolt gun, the Tikka will last you a long time before you'd be able to even tell a difference between it and a full custom.

And if you decide to upgrade in 1-2 years and you haven't completely shot out the barrel, the Tikka can be sold for most of what you paid for it.

R_A_W · Jan 14, 2025

FuhQ said:
Look it up for yourself.

I am familiar with them, I’ve shot both

Shootermagavin · Jan 14, 2025

patriot07 said:
There is a lot of truth in here.

I've been shooting precision for nearly a decade and just now going with my first custom barrel. Been running a factory Tikka CTR action/barrel/trigger that whole time. Replaced the factory bolt handle with a sterk and the factory stock with a Manners at the beginning. All-in under $2k and it shoots .5-.75" groups with my handloads very easily.

If you got unlimited funds then spend whatever you want. If you're budget limited like most normal folks and you've never even shot a centerfire bolt gun, the Tikka will last you a long time before you'd be able to even tell a difference between it and a full custom.

And if you decide to upgrade in 1-2 years and you haven't completely shot out the barrel, the Tikka can be sold for most of what you paid for it.

Funny.. I was looking for a left handed Tikka T3 in at least 24'' with stainless steel barrel... seems to be very short supply / sold out across the board. I like Tikka's stuff, but the availability of stocks/triggers, modularity around Rem 700 action allows a little more availability than going Tikka not to mention I can't find the initial Tikka itself.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

Shootermagavin said:
Funny.. I was looking for a left handed Tikka T3 in at least 24'' with stainless steel barrel... seems to be very short supply / sold out across the board. I like Tikka's stuff, but the availability of stocks/triggers, modularity around Rem 700 action allows a little more availability than going Tikka not to mention I can't find the initial Tikka itself.

Blued barrel 24" left hand

https://guns.bridgeportequip.com/product/tikka-t3-jrtc382ca-t3x-compact-tactical-rifle-6.5-creedmoor-101-24-black-right-hand

Took 5 minutes. I'm sure you can find one in stainless if you look.

Or spend the extra $2k+ to build a R700 clone. No skin off my nose. They won't shoot much different in the end.

That said, if you're really dead set on significant mods rather than learning how to shoot, then R700 is a better platform for it.

Rob01 · Jan 14, 2025

patriot07 said:
Blued barrel 24" left hand

https://guns.bridgeportequip.com/product/tikka-t3-jrtc382ca-t3x-compact-tactical-rifle-6.5-creedmoor-101-24-black-right-hand

Took 5 minutes. I'm sure you can find one in stainless if you look.

Or spend the extra $2k+ to build a R700 clone. No skin off my nose. They won't shoot much different in the end.

That said, if you're really dead set on significant mods rather than learning how to shoot, then R700 is a better platform for it.

Yeah you can spend $1149 and then replace everything. lol You can get the PVA Solus barreled action and do the same thing and end up with a better product with more support for about the same price. The other thing people pushing the Tikka don’t mention are the slow barrels. Well known you get less velocity for some reason out of the Tikka barrels. They are accurate but slow.

Basic user · Jan 14, 2025

Rob01 said:
Yeah you can spend $1149 and then replace everything. lol You can get the PVA Solus barreled action and do the same thing and end up with a better product with more support for about the same price. The other thing people pushing the Tikka don’t mention are the slow barrels. Well known you get less velocity for some reason out of the Tikka barrels. They are accurate but slow.

How much slower are they?

Rob01 · Jan 14, 2025

Basic user said:
How much slower are they?

I don’t remember exact numbers but do some searches. You will find the info.

R_A_W · Jan 14, 2025

2023 CTR was 150fps slower than expected

I like Tikka, but man some of them are dogs

Shootermagavin · Jan 14, 2025

patriot07 said:
Blued barrel 24" left hand

https://guns.bridgeportequip.com/product/tikka-t3-jrtc382ca-t3x-compact-tactical-rifle-6.5-creedmoor-101-24-black-right-hand

Took 5 minutes. I'm sure you can find one in stainless if you look.

Or spend the extra $2k+ to build a R700 clone. No skin off my nose. They won't shoot much different in the end.

That said, if you're really dead set on significant mods rather than learning how to shoot, then R700 is a better platform for it.

O I'm lefty, not a lot of availability LH. and I would be replacing a good portion of it, I like the trigger tech in my rim-x to start and the stock on the tikka is a throw-away. To clear things up I've been out to 600 with an MK12 clone and then I've got an old PTR91, so this isn't first centerfire rifle.. just first bolt centerfire.

CK1.0 · Jan 14, 2025

There’s nothing wrong with an Impact, but if you’re planning on shooting off-the-shelf prefits, an Origin makes scoring in-stock barrels much easier IME.

I can almost always find an in-stock Origin barrel somewhere (or TL3 barrel when used with a Hunt’s Long Range lug, which also works with an Origin), and I’ve noticed while shopping that Impact prefits are harder to come by and are almost always out-of-stock due to their popularity (kind of like Dasher brass lol).

Dead Eye Dick · Jan 14, 2025

Any number of actions will work fine. Best bet, get one that has plentiful prefit options.

However, ditch the 24 inch idea. As others have said, go at least 26 inches. Go steel and an M24 or MTU profile. Helps with the balance. With the 6.5 Creedmoor get an aggressive brake and make sure the weight goes at least 18 and you’ll do fine spotting hits. Creedmoor stuff is everywhere.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

Rob01 said:
Yeah you can spend $1149 and then replace everything. lol You can get the PVA Solus barreled action and do the same thing and end up with a better product with more support for about the same price. The other thing people pushing the Tikka don’t mention are the slow barrels. Well known you get less velocity for some reason out of the Tikka barrels. They are accurate but slow.

If you're going to replace everything, buy something else and spend $2k more. You're already committed to big $ if you're replacing everything on a gun that already shoots great.

If you're buying your first centerfire bolt gun (like the OP), there is NOTHING wrong with the Tikka to get started. Worst case you replace the stock and you're still $1500 cheaper than any other option. And you have a half-MOA gun with a great trigger that can handle 8-10 shots. Yes it's a bit slower, but that's just a different number on the dope card...who cares really if you're brand new to the game? Is that 100 fps difference and extra .1 mil of wind hold at 800 yards really going to matter if you train and learn it that way?

Rob01 · Jan 14, 2025

patriot07 said:
If you're going to replace everything, buy something else and spend $2k more. You're already committed to big $ if you're replacing everything on a gun that already shoots great.

If you're buying your first centerfire bolt gun (like the OP), there is NOTHING wrong with the Tikka to get started. Worst case you replace the stock and you're still $1500 cheaper than any other option. And you have a half-MOA gun with a great trigger that can handle 8-10 shots. Yes it's a bit slower, but that's just a different number on the dope card...who cares really if you're brand new to the game? Is that 100 fps difference and extra .1 mil of wind hold at 800 yards really going to matter if you train and learn it that way?

Man you love making up your own savings numbers don’t you? Lol if you spent the same for that rifle and replaced the stock it would be the same as buying a PVA barreled actions and buying a stock for it. Only thing you would need to add is a trigger so maybe $150-200 more than the factory rifle for a custom with more options. Not thousands as you like to think. Lol

Shootermagavin · Jan 14, 2025

patriot07 said:
If you're going to replace everything, buy something else and spend $2k more. You're already committed to big $ if you're replacing everything on a gun that already shoots great.

If you're buying your first centerfire bolt gun (like the OP), there is NOTHING wrong with the Tikka to get started. Worst case you replace the stock and you're still $1500 cheaper than any other option. And you have a half-MOA gun with a great trigger that can handle 8-10 shots. Yes it's a bit slower, but that's just a different number on the dope card...who cares really if you're brand new to the game? Is that 100 fps difference and extra .1 mil of wind hold at 800 yards really going to matter if you train and learn it that way?

Longest Tikka is doing is 24'', and again availability for LH is tough.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

Rob01 said:
Man you love making up your own savings numbers don’t you? Lol if you spent the same for that rifle and replaced the stock it would be the same as buying a PVA barreled actions and buying a stock for it. Only thing you would need to add is a trigger so maybe $150-200 more than the factory rifle for a custom with more options. Not thousands as you like to think. Lol

I was referring to the option the OP mentioned.

Nothing at all wrong with the Solus action either. That's a very reasonable option - comparable to the Tikka as you mention.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

Shootermagavin said:
Longest Tikka is doing is 24'', and again availability for LH is tough.

The link I posted hours ago was a lefty.

R_A_W · Jan 14, 2025

the link you posted with a url that ends in "right-hand"?

Tikkas are great for hunters that don't want to build something. He already built a .22 on a RimX & has stated he'd be replacing much/most of the rifle. Tikka doesn't make sense for him.

patriot07 · Jan 14, 2025

R_A_W said:
the link you posted with a url that ends in "right-hand"?

Tikkas are great for hunters that don't want to build something. He already built a .22 on a RimX & has stated he'd be replacing much/most of the rifle. Tikka doesn't make sense for him.

Let me go find the dang link - posted the wrong one. That's the one I sent to a buddy asking about something.

We'll agree to disagree on the Tikka. You can learn a lot about shooting and reloading before you'd even know the difference between a moderately modified tikka and a much more expensive gun that he's wanting to build. If all you got is a 22, centerfire is another game. But if you budget isn't an object, build whatever you want.

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