6.5 PRC Lightweight Backcountry Rifle

[Benjblt]

I'm looking to go with a lightweight backcountry rifle in PRC. I would like to be about 6lbs max bare rifle, 20" barrel. I'd prefer a LOP of 13" or less but I can't find any. My question is what's everyone's overall experience with these two rifles and which one would you go with? The Bergara Premier Canyon and the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT (significantly lighter at a published 5.5lbs vs 6.2lbs). My impression is that the Bergara is a safer bet as far as quality goes but I really am motivated by weight. I also thought about the Howa Randy Newberg carbon rifle as it comes in at 6.2lbs but it's got a 24" barrel. I'm also not against buying a gun and putting a custom stock that fits my desired LOP of 12.5-13" but it'd have to come in at $2,000 total and around 6 lbs, maybe 6.2lbs. . . and of course shoot well. Thoughts? I'm open to all constructive feedback. . or alternate suggestions.

Side question: Do you think the 6.5 PRC is here to stay and what common calibers would you compare the recoil too? I was originally considering the 7mm-08 but I like that production rifles are chambered for longer bullets in the PRC's.

 

[swavescatter]

Just go Tikka, see my thread on Bergarbage.

You can probably get a super lite and drop that into an XLR chassis if budget allows.

Edit - all I'm seeing are Lites, which are close to 7lbs but are 24" barrel. You can chop it to 20" and probably lose a pound.

And yes, the 6.5PRC is definitely here to stay. Just a faster/flatter 6.5CM with amazing factory cartridges.

 

[fisherman983]

Get a seekins... or expand your budget and go custom.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Ralphie]

Seekins element.

Im biased because I have a 6.5 prc but I’m thinking it’s here to stay.

 

[Benjblt]

Just go Tikka, see my thread on Bergarbage.

You can probably get a super lite and drop that into an XLR chassis if budget allows.

Edit - all I'm seeing are Lites, which are close to 7lbs but are 24" barrel. You can chop it to 20" and probably lose a pound.

And yes, the 6.5PRC is definitely here to stay. Just a faster/flatter 6.5CM with amazing factory cartridges.

How's the recoil on the PRC?

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

 

[ReddingArcher]

I think the prc is here to stay as well. I have the Mesa fft and really like the gun. I had a minor issue with a nick in the brake but it has zero affect on accuracy. It’s a 30 caliber hole so it’s a non issue. I was bummed at first but after shooting it I haven’t given it a second thought. I know there’s plenty of guys that have had issues but it was worth the gamble to me and I’m happy with my choice. Recoil is very minimal.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

How's the recoil on the PRC?

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

Look at this and take it a grain of salt:

Rifle Recoil Table: Updated for 2024 with all popular cartridges – Backfire

backfire.tv

We're all different on felt recoil. Some dainty ladies are fine with shoulder artillery while some of the manliest of men can barely handle a 30-06.

 

[Weldor]

PRC suppressed is like a 223. Even without a brake its not terrible. with a brake its nothing to worry about.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have the ridgeline FFT in 280 AI and love it. Threw a Trijicon 2.5-15 on it and its the perfect back country gun.

 

[HuntandFly]

I have the ridgeline FFT in 280 AI and love it. Threw a Trijicon 2.5-15 on it and its the perfect back country gun.

Just put that same Trijicon on my X-bolt mountain pro (based on Form’s reviews) and I love it

 

[Ryan Avery]

6.5 PRC suppressed has some pop. It's at the point where I have to pay attention to spot impacts.

Similar to a .308 for recoil.

It's here to say.

 

[Nicaburns]

I snagged a savage superlite and put it in a stockys CF stock… it is a tack driver and fits most of your descriptions… also put a lumley titanium bolt lever with a CF knob on it once I saw how well it shot and knew Inwas going to stick with it. Setup makes 6.5 Prc a real pussy cat with the anarchy arm’s titanium brake.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Just go Tikka, see my thread on Bergarbage.

You can probably get a super lite and drop that into an XLR chassis if budget allows.

Edit - all I'm seeing are Lites, which are close to 7lbs but are 24" barrel. You can chop it to 20" and probably lose a pound.

And yes, the 6.5PRC is definitely here to stay. Just a faster/flatter 6.5CM with amazing factory cartridges.

The premiers series is garbage? They are as close to custom as you will see in a factory rifle. I have an approach in 6mm and it is one of my favorite rifles. The premiers are nothing like the imports. They are made in Georgia.

 

[axeforce6]

You’ll be super pleased with a ridgeline fft.

 

[The_Whitetail_Kid]

I vote Christensen. They always shoot well in my experience.

 

[Kimber7man]

Just put that same Trijicon on my X-bolt mountain pro (based on Form’s reviews) and I love it

Is the advertised weight spot on? 23 oz?
Thinking of giving one a try as well. Thx.

 

[1991Bushman]

Or... you could build one. All tikkas. Top to bottom 30-06 / 338wm / 300 wsm / 6.5prc.

 

[1991Bushman]

The factory Tikka roughtech models are a good option in the 6.5 prc. Also the Seekins havak pro hunter line "PH" is pretty much a custom rifle from the factory. I had a Seekins PH in 308 and was pretty happy with it.

 

[Jimss]

Don't do it! If you read through post after post in regard to the 6.5 PRC you'll notice so many guys questioning if it is big enough for larger, tougher critters. When I pull the trigger I want to make 100% sure my critter is going to the ground with 1 shot. With that said, take a look at the ballistics with the same bullet of the 6.5 vs 300 WSM. I love my 300 WSM and only put one shell in the chamber when I'm hunting....I'm that confident!

I use my 300 WSM in Sako Finnlit and it barely kicks for everything from pronghorn to elk to mtn goat/moose.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Don't do it! If you read through post after post in regard to the 6.5 PRC you'll notice so many guys questioning if it is big enough for larger, tougher critters. When I pull the trigger I want to make 100% sure my critter is going to the ground with 1 shot. With that said, take a look at the ballistics with the same bullet of the 6.5 vs 300 WSM. I love my 300 WSM and only put one shell in the chamber when I'm hunting....I'm that confident!

I use my 300 WSM in Sako Finnlit and it barely kicks for everything from pronghorn to elk to mtn goat/moose.

If the 223 is adequate, your comment makes zero sense. The 6.5 PRC has plenty of horse power to kill elk and moose out past a grand.