.300 PRC Barreled Action Recommendations

[ecd1125]

I want to preface this by giving some background. This will be my first precision rifle, and with that, I want to build a quality rifle capable of shooting long distance & competitions. I plan on building the MDT ESS Chassis System, and currently I am looking at the Christensen Arms Mesa 300 PRC barreled action from Brownell's. Just wanted to put it out there and see if anyone has experience with this action/barrel or recommendations for a better option at, or around, the same price point (aprox. $800).

Just trying to learn and get information from you guys who are way more experienced. Thanks in advance to anybody helping out!

 

[Rob01]

A big magnum is a bad idea for a first precision rifle. Rethink that choice. Go with a short action cartridge and learn to shoot.

 

[ecd1125]

A big magnum is a bad idea for a first precision rifle. Rethink that choice. Go with a short action cartridge and learn to shoot.

I wasn't very specific in my original post, sorry lol. My long gun shooting currently is mostly hunting. I am comfortable shooting decent ranges with both my 6.5CM and .243. I want to specifically build a larger cartridge rifle, and I am mostly posting because I am unfamiliar with some the minute details that are more specific to target shooting. Assuming that I were to go ahead and build this rifle would an action/barrel like the MESA I mentioned from Christensen Arms perform well enough to shoot out to a good range?

 

[DocRDS]

A big magnum is a bad idea for a first precision rifle. Rethink that choice. Go with a short action cartridge and learn to shoot.

This.

You can find 6 and 6.5 cartridges at 600 and 1000 yards comps (yes all the cool kids shoot 7 mils for 1k)
Short action won't hold you back. (and you can always put a magnum bolt face on a SA and shoot 300 WSM or 7PRCW).
Get your fundamentals right.


What's your idea of long range?
600 yards? I'd shoot 223 (Cheap, gun is light--I'm old and get tired hauling those pig PRS guns around).
1000 yards and in, I shoot 6.5 creed, and am moving to 6GT. I shoot a 308 weekly at 1k. Do I post a 200-20X? nope. But it ain't the rifle round....

 

[NHPiper]

I have had really good luck with an Origin long action and PVA prefit for it. It hammers.

 

[Maurygold]

Do not buy Christensen. Do not buy Christensen.

Buy an origin barreled action. Also magnums are fine just make sure you have a big muzzle brake (a419 or apa)

 

[Chickentoast]

Asked every day in different ways - the answer is always the same - list of actions with available prefits at different price points (600-2K roughly) and then a cut rifled, stress relieved barrel from one of the top tier barrelers (500-1000 approx). Search for lists of manufacturers and then research for the reasons that apply to you.

Christensen is not regarded as a top manufacturer. Search why, and decide to take the risk or not.

 

[Defender3]

I shoot a 300PRC out to 1,035yds (longest available where I'm at) and it's a great long distance round, however my .260R shoots just as well with handloads. The PRC does have limited precision factory options, two from Hornady (212 and 225) and a 245 Berger. There are others who make hunting rounds, etc., but I've never shot them for "precision."

I also run a gun club where we shoot PRS and other centerfire events. Even with tens of thousands invested in the right steel for the matches, anyone who shows up with a magnum won't last long. There is little forgiveness from a squad and shooters when you have to call a cease fire every time a magnum shoots a target off a hanger.

 

[Emerson0311]

Christensen is even falling out of favour in fudd circles. Too many of their rifles have too many issues.

 

[Chickentoast]

Christensen is even falling out of favour in fudd circles. Too many of their rifles have too many issues.

Let's run the lowest cost remington copy we possibly can, but with modern specs and cool things like carbon fiber and fancy marketing! We could get venture capital, sell in every box store, and throw each other under the bus when the financials don't meet our projections!

Meanwhile at TacOps... crickets and happiness.

 

[davsco]

$800 is a bit skinny for a true match ready barrel, trigger and action. and you don't necessarily need to buy a barrelled action. places like Altus will most likely torque it all together for you if you spec out an action, barrel, etc if you don't have the tools. and yeah for a ten stage 100+ round count match, a big magnum may wear you out at the end of the day.

 

[Rob01]

I wasn't very specific in my original post, sorry lol. My long gun shooting currently is mostly hunting. I am comfortable shooting decent ranges with both my 6.5CM and .243. I want to specifically build a larger cartridge rifle, and I am mostly posting because I am unfamiliar with some the minute details that are more specific to target shooting. Assuming that I were to go ahead and build this rifle would an action/barrel like the MESA I mentioned from Christensen Arms perform well enough to shoot out to a good range?

Why? How far are you shooting you think you need a large magnum?

 

[ecd1125]

Why? How far are you shooting you think you need a large magnum?

Cartridge is just my preference.

 

[Wannashootit]

^^^
This. Yes, you can shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor or just about anything else out to 1k and beyond- just point the bore skyward.

Spotting your impacts needs to be considered, tho- and that's why I shoot a .300 WSM at 1K+ and a 7-08 inside of that.

 

[Rob01]

Cartridge is just my preference.

Fine but why? What is your thought process that led you to a big magnum as your first long range rifle that you also want to shoot in comps?

Reason I ask is you aren’t the first new guy to think he needs a magnum to do what you want to do and you won’t be the first new guy to regret it after he spends all the money on it. Just trying to make you think about it. You say you have a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .243. Both when set up right will work great in comps and reach out to 1500+ yards. You can put together a nice rifle in either caliber and shoot it w8th a lot less recoil and ammo/reloading component cost.

 

[ecd1125]

Decided on a barrel and action, thanks for feedback and recommendations fellas

 

[bobby1028]

Christensen actions are on par with a factory 700, but the barrels are a real crapshoot, very inconsistent. I'd rather an OE Savage barreled action than a Christensen.

 

[Rob01]

Decided on a barrel and action, thanks for feedback and recommendations fellas

 

[Gunny89]

Decided on a barrel and action, thanks for feedback and recommendations fellas

What Barreled action did you settle for and was it within your budget $800.

 

[ecd1125]

What Barreled action did you settle for and was it within your budget $800.

Not within that budget, but figured if going to go and build it, might as well do it right. Altus barreled action, well above what my price point was but I just got rid of an extra AR so it evens out lol.

 

[Maurygold]

Altus are great guys. You’ll be happy with that over CA

 

[Rob01]

Not within that budget, but figured if going to go and build it, might as well do it right. Altus barreled action, well above what my price point was but I just got rid of an extra AR so it evens out lol.

Definitely a much better choice over the CA. What specs?

I hope I am wrong about your choice. You would definitely be in the minority of what I have seen here in the past 25 years but hope it works out for you.

 

[Gunny89]

Good choice better to buy once and cry once. Lookin’ forward to hearin’ some good stories with solid results