7mm PRC Build with a 20" Barrel - Elk Rifle for 2024 - Advice?

[ID_Matt]

Reviewing all these options from the thread here’s where I’m landing based on all the great feedback. Please continue to share your thoughts as this has been extremely helpful. Note, with further researching 1) I’m not as sold on the 700 clone action and Tikka would be nice 2) I’m more sold on the hnt26 chassis immediately rather than waiting 3) A compromise of a 22” barrel is okay… would still like a 20” though.

Here is a comparison of buy/build options… missing anything? Better deals on components out there or alternatives?


BUILD option…

Action, bolt, trigger: Tikka TX3, $655
https://jaoutdoors.com/product/t3x-magnum-long-action-2/

Bolt Handle: Lumley titanium black with intermediate carbon fiber knob, $65

https://lumleyarms.us/titanium-bolt-handles/t3-t3x-superlite-bolt-handle

Barrel: Tikka Proof Research 22” $939
https://jaoutdoors.com/product/proof-research-tikka-carbon-fiber-pre-fit-barrels/

Chassis: HNT26 $1699

https://mdttac.com/hnt26-chassis-system/

Rail: $50?

Magazine: $80?

Labor: $500?

Estimated cost = $4000 before suppressor, scope, and scope rings.


VS BUY option…

Weatherby Model 207 Alpine, $2999
https://weatherby.com/store/model-307-alpine-mdt/

Estimated cost = $2999 before suppressor, scope and rings which would be same regardless of build.

Or of course the Proof Research Elevation MTR previously mentioned at $3800 but does not have a <24” barrel or the foldable chassis.

You can get the HNT26 with an arca rail, if that is what the $50 was referring to. I am probably in the minority, but I'd get a blank and have a good gunsmith chamber the barrel over a prefit just to hopefully avoid any headaches.

 

[cwpepper]

You can get the HNT26 with an arca rail, if that is what the $50 was referring to. I am probably in the minority, but I'd get a blank and have a good gunsmith chamber the barrel over a prefit just to hopefully avoid any headaches.

I am looking for a picatinny rail between the action and the scope rings. Not sure what one to get with a Tikka and what the cost would be at this time.

 

[ID_Matt]

I am looking for a picatinny rail between the action and the scope rings. Not sure what one to get with a Tikka and what the cost would be at this time.

Look in to the new UM scope rings that are direct mount. There is a thread on here about them!

 

[Dunky]

We just wrapped up this similar tikka build for a local.

20” 7 PRC running a TBAC Ultra 7.

These just flat out get it done.
View attachment 567550

What stock is that? whole thing looks great

 

[rockymtnsam]

I had one built like that for elk this year… we’ll see how it goes.

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Nice looking setup! What’s the build on this?

 

[DiabeticKripple]

i might be retarded, but why not just buy a 18 or 20 inch Proof blank and get it chambered? Im doing this with a 24" IBI barrel

 

[J&A Outdoors]

Any idea the weight on this build?

6 pounds 11 ounces (would’ve shaved off a few ounces with a 1.130 tikka shank - however this guy we faced the tikka action and used a 1.200 shank proof.

What stock is that? whole thing looks great
Pure precision Altitude

 

[LightFoot]

Nice looking setup! What’s the build on this?

It’s a Gunwerks Magnus, steel receiver, 20” barrel, 7PRC, shooting factory ELDM at 2734.


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[todd458]

I had one built like that for elk this year… we’ll see how it goes.

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Hill country rifles. is a company that a couple of friends have used out of new Braunfels Texas for quite a few years. I have a proof tundra that is a phenomenal rifle, but went with Hillcountry on the 7 mm PRC at the advice of these two friends, I was skeptical, if for no other reason the action. Defiance versus Tika. Of course Hill country will build you one with the defiance, they’ll build you anything you want. However, they do offer the Tika action and after talking to Matt at Hillcountry, listening to testimonies, and seeing the rifle shoot, I took a gamble. And could not be happier.

 

[SloppyJ]

I'm still wondering why a 7PRC if you're going to chop it to 20"? Why not look at something more efficient? A 280AI comes to mind with the same bullet and probably opens more doors for you.

 

[todd458]

It’s not gonna have the velocity of the PRC in a 20 inch barrel. I don’t believe. Study the two cartridges. Then make a decision. 2877 ft./s with a 162 grain bullet out of a 20 inch barrel it’s pretty impressive.. only 25 rounds down the barrel so I’m being told I could expect anywhere from 30 to 75 feet increase at 100 rounds. We will see.. 2877 ft./s and a 162 gr. .0316 bc will fly forever. I think you would be shocked at when that bullet gets below 1800 ft./s. Just can’t recall.
I want to say 850 yards.

 

[Scottyboy]

We just wrapped up this similar tikka build for a local.

20” 7 PRC running a TBAC Ultra 7.

These just flat out get it done.
View attachment 567550

Check your DM’s please

 

[Wahlfactor]

I'm in danger, you guys are giving me ideas here.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Im In Dange The Simpsons GIF - Im In Dange The Simpsons Ralph Wiggum - Discover & Share GIFs

Click to view the GIF

tenor.com

 

[SloppyJ]

It’s not gonna have the velocity of the PRC in a 20 inch barrel. I don’t believe. Study the two cartridges. Then make a decision. 2877 ft./s with a 162 grain bullet out of a 20 inch barrel it’s pretty impressive.. only 25 rounds down the barrel so I’m being told I could expect anywhere from 30 to 75 feet increase at 100 rounds. We will see.. 2877 ft./s and a 162 gr. .0316 bc will fly forever. I think you would be shocked at when that bullet gets below 1800 ft./s. Just can’t recall.
I want to say 850 yards.

I think you'll be within 100 to 125fps with about ~8gr less powder. That's a win in my book for this application but I get that it's not as "sexy" or trendy.

 

[todd458]

280 AI great cartridge as well. I just think it needs the 24 inch barrel. Almost pulled the trigger on one of those. I don’t know if I would’ve have said its a sexier cartridge.

 

[Gonewest]

‎Backcountry Hunting Podcast: 7mm PRC vs. .280 Ackley Improved on Apple Podcasts

‎Show Backcountry Hunting Podcast, Ep 7mm PRC vs. .280 Ackley Improved - Jan 26, 2023

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Zvestal]

Not much of a poster here, more of a poser, I mean, watcher/reader/learner. I'm happy to avoid all the debates: carbon vs steel, folding vs. rigid, what the pros use vs. what actually works, chassis vs. traditional, 20" vs 26", suppressor vs brake vs nothing, etc. So feel free to not light me up over my choices.

BUT for the sake of it I thought it was coincidental that OP was looking at something quite like what I just built. Tikka LA, HNT 26 folder, CarbonSix 18", 6.5 PRC, Gunwerx 6IX, Steiner T6Xi. It's 10lbs 13.7 oz fully dressed, could shave 5oz by doing a modified Magpul magazine (there's a poster here who cut one to fit the Tikka LA inlet) and another 6 oz with a Ti suppressor. It started life as a Tikka T3x Superlight in the Alpine Veil color, then I got ideas.

Don't ask me the cost, I don't math and I'm trying to forget. Cheers to Black Canyon Customs & Fritz for the barrel swap.

Zeroed but not load developed yet. Looking at Hammer Hunter 124gr, should be quick ish I hope.

 

[Gadjet]

Not much of a poster here, more of a poser, I mean, watcher/reader/learner. I'm happy to avoid all the debates: carbon vs steel, folding vs. rigid, what the pros use vs. what actually works, chassis vs. traditional, 20" vs 26", suppressor vs brake vs nothing, etc. So feel free to not light me up over my choices.

BUT for the sake of it I thought it was coincidental that OP was looking at something quite like what I just built. Tikka LA, HNT 26 folder, CarbonSix 18", 6.5 PRC, Gunwerx 6IX, Steiner T6Xi. It's 10lbs 13.7 oz fully dressed, could shave 5oz by doing a modified Magpul magazine (there's a poster here who cut one to fit the Tikka LA inlet) and another 6 oz with a Ti suppressor. It started life as a Tikka T3x Superlight in the Alpine Veil color, then I got ideas.

Don't ask me the cost, I don't math and I'm trying to forget. Cheers to Black Canyon Customs & Fritz for the barrel swap.

Zeroed but not load developed yet. Looking at Hammer Hunter 124gr, should be quick ish I hope.

View attachment 570498

Very cool build! Any idea what velocities you're getting with the 18 inch barrel?

 

[Zvestal]

Very cool build! Any idea what velocities you're getting with the 18 inch barrel?

have not yet chrono'ed anything, will do so in a week or so. Will get back to you.