6.5 PRC LH Tikka Build

[Tmcgarrigle]

I just picked up a LH Tikka magnum long action. I'm planning to do a 6.5 PRC build since I already have a Tikka in 7rem mag (which will eventually get rebarreled to 7 PRC) and a 6.5 creedmoor. I want something in between the creedmoor and the 7RM so that is why I'm leaning toward 6.5 PRC. I'm looking at PBB barrels for it probably around 22" because it will be suppressed with a Scythe TI that is currently in jail. Any recommendations on barrels and lengths and any other suggestions? I'm kicking around stock options as well and will either go RokStock or XLR.

 

[Balderdash]

Also being a lefty and not being able to get an OEM 6.5 PRC from Tikka as of a few years back, I bought a take off 6.5PRC from JA. It's fluted and threaded. I run a long action bolt stop and LA Tikka mags. I did run Hells Canyon mags because they have a shoulder stop for short mags, but didn't care for how much they stuck down on a rig I carry in hand. Never had an issue with OEM Tikka mags.

The rig shoots great. Easily sub moa for 5 shots with a number of different loads.

I ran it in an altitude stock for awhile, which I shot very well, but I wanted a touch more comb hight so I recently put it into a KRG Echo. Haven't shot it in the new handle yet, but like the Echo very much and, based on other experiences with KRG stocks, I anticipate good things.

 

[Tmcgarrigle]

Also being a lefty and not being able to get an OEM 6.5 PRC from Tikka as of a few years back, I bought a take off 6.5PRC from JA. It's fluted and threaded. I run a long action bolt stop and LA Tikka mags. I did run Hells Canyon mags because they have a shoulder stop for short mags, but didn't care for how much they stuck down on a rig I carry in hand. Never had an issue with OEM Tikka mags.

The rig shoots great. Easily sub moa for 5 shots with a number of different loads.

I ran it in an altitude stock for awhile, which I shot very well, but I wanted a touch more comb hight so I recently put it into a KRG Echo. Haven't shot it in the new handle yet, but like the Echo very much and, based on other experiences with KRG stocks, I anticipate good things.
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Being a lefty, do you run into any issues with the comb adjustment knob on the right side of the stock or no?

 

[Balderdash]

Being a lefty, do you run into any issues with the comb adjustment knob on the right side of the stock or no?

No.

I'll add that a Bravo I have was bought used and has the added handle on the comb adjustment mechanism, and that doesn't bother me, either.

 

[Packmansion]

I just picked up a LH Tikka magnum long action. I'm planning to do a 6.5 PRC build since I already have a Tikka in 7rem mag (which will eventually get rebarreled to 7 PRC) and a 6.5 creedmoor. I want something in between the creedmoor and the 7RM so that is why I'm leaning toward 6.5 PRC. I'm looking at PBB barrels for it probably around 22" because it will be suppressed with a Scythe TI that is currently in jail. Any recommendations on barrels and lengths and any other suggestions? I'm kicking around stock options as well and will either go RokStock or XLR.

Id go 20" personal preference. The difference between your 6.5 cm and a 6.5 PRC is marginal. Id just rebarrel the 7rm to 7PRC.

 

[TeaGull]

Being a lefty, do you run into any issues with the comb adjustment knob on the right side of the stock or no?

Replace the knob with one of the spare screws that comes with the bravo. Have to use an allen wrench to adjust or take it off, but no knob in cheek.

 

[Tmcgarrigle]

Replace the knob with one of the spare screws that comes with the bravo. Have to use an allen wrench to adjust or take it off, but no knob in cheek.

I was wondering if I’d be able to do that

 

[Balderdash]

I was wondering if I’d be able to do that

You can NP.

 

[TurtleHerder]

I’ve been considering trying to do something similar - essentially a lefty build of the MGLite from Bergara. Don’t have any experience building a bolt gun yet though so haven’t moved forward yet

 

[mthunter1989]

I picked up a lefty 300 win a few weeks ago for the exact same thing. Ordered a 20 inch PBB Hybrid Lite contour in 6.5 PRC. @Balderdash good to know that you have no issues with the factory long action mags. My biggest problem with the Roughtech 6.5 PRC I have, besides being right handed, is I hate the extended mag they came with.

 

[JDMBEND]

With a can, don’t go over 20”. For a while I ran a 24” barrel with a can and it felt like I was packing around a pole vault.

 

[Balderdash]

I picked up a lefty 300 win a few weeks ago for the exact same thing. Ordered a 20 inch PBB Hybrid Lite contour in 6.5 PRC. @Balderdash good to know that you have no issues with the factory long action mags. My biggest problem with the Roughtech 6.5 PRC I have, besides being right handed, is I hate the extended mag they came with.

What do you plan to run for a handle?

 

[Tmcgarrigle]

Id go 20" personal preference. The difference between your 6.5 cm and a 6.5 PRC is marginal. Id just rebarrel the 7rm to 7PRC.

Looks like I’m doing both. The CM is going to be made into a light compact rifle and then I’ll do 7 PRC at some point.

With a can, don’t go over 20”. For a while I ran a 24” barrel with a can and it felt like I was packing around a pole vault.

I’m going to opt for 22” because it will have a folding XLR and I want to try and get more velocity

 

[JDMBEND]

A folder works great

 

[mthunter1989]

What do you plan to run for a handle?

Are you talking bolt handle? If so, I was looking at the UM handle and ball. Seems they're on backorder, at least last time I looked. But it will be a bit before the barrel shows up so I will keep checking periodically.

 

[Balderdash]

Are you talking bolt handle? If so, I was looking at the UM handle and ball. Seems they're on backorder, at least last time I looked. But it will be a bit before the barrel shows up so I will keep checking periodically.

I apologize for not specifying. I meant stock/chassis.

 

[mthunter1989]

I apologize for not specifying. I meant stock/chassis.

Ha, gotcha. I'm going to just use the factory stock for now with a vertical grip. Down the road, when the budget is there, I'd like to put something on. I don't think I'd be opposed to modifying an Echo like you have, but would really like for them to just release a lefty version. I've looked at Peak 44 and Manners as well, but it would be a ways out so I haven't made up my mind. I would like to keep the factory bottom plastic to use factory mags in this, as I do the same and carry in hand a lot while hunting. Couldn't stand it the last two seasons with the extended mag.

Also, I did just read where you called the Echo the new handle in your post. That's what I get for skimming once I saw the pictures.

 

[mthunter1989]

OP, after carrying my Roughtech last season with the suppressor for the first time, I basically made up my mind that 20" would probably be the longest I would go. I'm running the Omega 300 without the anchor brake, so longer and heavier. The weight out front wasn't terrible, but getting it closer to the center without completely neutering the cartridge was the goal.

 

[Balderdash]

Ha, gotcha. I'm going to just use the factory stock for now with a vertical grip. Down the road, when the budget is there, I'd like to put something on. I don't think I'd be opposed to modifying an Echo like you have, but would really like for them to just release a lefty version. I've looked at Peak 44 and Manners as well, but it would be a ways out so I haven't made up my mind. I would like to keep the factory bottom plastic to use factory mags in this, as I do the same and carry in hand a lot while hunting. Couldn't stand it the last two seasons with the extended mag.

Also, I did just read where you called the Echo the new handle in your post. That's what I get for skimming once I saw the pictures.

I used a 5/8" reamer to make the bolt opening. First took the aluminum bedding block out and made it match the opposing side. Then opened up the plastic, then painted the aluminum and reinstalled.

I don't buy a stock like the Echo for esthetics, so wasn't very concerned if the added bolt cut out wasn't perfect, but it came out well enough.