6.5 PRC thoughts

[Vasily]

First post gentlemen.

I have a fellow who asked me to load develop a 6.5PRC for his X-bolt. He offered to purchase all dies, equipment etc needed in return. I agreed as this is the perfect reason to buy another rifle. I've got 2 custom rifles in 300PRC and 300WM in waiting so this is going to start as a factory and will likely stay as so outside of perhaps a new trigger. Use of my new 6.5 PRC will be 500-1000yrd target and steel. Weight is no concern, will top with Leupold Vx5 or Mark 5 5-25 or similar. Budget is $1200 but I'd push past a few hundered if there's a valid reason for increased accuracy/reliability. This will be shot prone from bipod. Current considerations are as follows:
Sako S20
Christienson Mesa LR
Bergara B14 HMR
Sauer 100 Pantera
Ruger Hawkeye "I like CRF"
Howa 1500 TSP X

I realize there will be concessions but if I can't develop a load inside of 3/4 MOA it will be sold. I have sacrificed a long time creating a repeatable platform for shooting and I know many of you have also, this game is a lifestyle, a release and satisfying only when successful. I would be thankful to see your target performance and load developed if time permits as none of my rifles are fired with factory ammo especially with our current market.

Thanks for your time!

 

[M4guru]

The S20 is a great design, but like everything Beretta/Tikka/Sako it will be under supported and anything you can get will be expensive.

Bergara is a lot of gun for the money, and you can use a lot of 700 pattern parts on theThe stocks are decent and it can always drop into an R700 stock down the road.

I wouldn’t roll the dice on a Christensen. You can’t have the features of a $5k gun for $1750 and not give something up. It seems like you either get a decent one or a really bad one and you won’t know til you shoot it. YMMV.

Aftermarket support for the Sauer (and to a slightly lesser degree the Howa and Ruger) will be very limited. None of them are bad by any means but you need to like them how they come out of the box.

If it were me I’d definitely consider how difficult a rebarrel will be down the road with whatever I chose. None of those guns sucks except the Christensen (just my opinion). I’d probably grab the Bergara if it was me.

 

[Vasily]

M4,
I own a Bergara Ridgeback, for the price I feel I made a good buy.

 

[M4guru]

I think they’re a great value. Tikkas too, but I don’t think they’ve shipped 6.5PRC yet?

 

[Josh1978]

I have a RPR in 6.5 prc. I really like it.

 

[Vasily]

I have a RPR in 6.5 prc. I really like it.

Particular's ?

 

[Vasily]

I think they’re a great value. Tikkas too, but I don’t think they’ve shipped 6.5PRC yet?

 

[Josh1978]

Particular's ?

It’s just a factory rifle. I hope to build a rifle some day that I can complete with but for now what I have works fine.

 

[Vasily]

Tikka T3 Tac was recommended but not available in 6.5 prc and is a little over budget. Which Tikka's do you shoot?

 

[Vasily]

It’s just a factory rifle. I hope to build a rifle some day that I can complete with but for now what I have works fine

 

[Vasily]

What's the round count up to? Any feeding issues under fast cycle?

 

[Josh1978]

It has a blistering 56 rounds through it. I got it about a year ago and would have shot it a lot more if it hadn’t been for Covid-19.

 

[Vasily]

It has a blistering 56 rounds through it. I got it about a year ago and would have shot it a lot more if it hadn’t been for Covid-19.

That's a shame. Too bad I just sold 60 Precision Hunter. Do you reload?

 

[Josh1978]

That's a shame. Too bad I just sold 60 Precision Hunter. Do you reload?

Oh just a little here and there.