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6.5 PRC Build

Doc12

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Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 26, 2010
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I'm in the process of putting together a new 6.5 PRC and wanted to run my build out there for any suggestions. I want this as a hunting rifle and hunt NY state so it's a lot of tree stand hunting. Shots won't be past 500 yds for the most part. I can't have a suppressor in this God forsaken state so that is not an option. I have a nitrided Defiance Ruckus GA action. Planning on going with a Bartlein steel barrel, 8 twist, contour 3 cut to 24 inches threaded muzzle 1/2-28 if I want to add a muzzle brake. I was planning on having Bugholes do the shoulder prefix barrel. Was planning on using Hawkins M5 Oberndorf bottom metal with Wyatt 6.5 PRC kit. Stock will probably be a McMIllan but yet to be determined. This is my first DIY build so looking for any advice or input. Thanks
 
Thats been one of my thoughts as well.... cut it to 20" or even 22" and add a brake if wanted. I was a little worried that 24" with a brake would be a tad long and I'm not shooting 1000 yds. Thanks!
 
Give Mike Manzella (Manzella Precision) a call for the prefit barrel. I had him chamber a 1:7.75 Bartlein carbon fiber in 6.5 PRC a few months back. Also take a look at Pure Precision stocks. They are pretty quick on shipping (4-7 weeks) and super light.
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I will second the notion to go with a 20" barrel over a 24". It would be different if you were shooting further than you will be. I would also second that Bugholes would be a fine place to have the barrel turned, and a 3B at 20" won't have a problem getting 5/8x24 threading. But my opinion is that if you can't legally own a suppressor, I would just not run a brake at all. A brake usually directs the blast towards the shooter, and while it does negate some kick, your ears pay a hefty price. Now I realize you can always hunt with hearing protection, but I personally hate it. A 6.5 PRC really doesn't recoil bad enough for me to warrant making the rifle twice as loud at the shooter's ear vs not running a brake, especially if you're just deer hunting and will almost always only shoot once and be done for the day. So with that being said, I would go no longer than a 22" barrel without a brake, or a 20" with a brake (preferably a radial).
 
AG Composites Alpine Hunter and a proof carbon prefit is a nice combo. Sucks there arent many short prefit options for a 6.5 prc. Proof website shows 22” prefit for the ruckus
 
I’ve got a 6.5 prc on an impact with a 22” proof carbon barrel with a suppressor in a manners lrh, and with factory eldx I’m averaging 2920 fps, been working up a load with some different Berger bullets lately. I would go shorter than 24” as others have stated, of course you could always have it threaded and just run a thread protector if you didn’t like it need the brake .