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

[cwpepper]

Original poster here. I still haven't purchased anything aside from getting my Thunderbeast ordered so I am continuing to weigh my options while I save up funding. I've dialed down my three options below and created a chart comparison with estimated costs and ounces. I'm completely guessing on my labor costs, and have also not determined a scope to run (I'm partial to something light and doesn't need more than 10x magnification). If you have any further recommendations on any of the components or anything, please advise. I appreciate all the expertise on here - this would be a first build for me and has been my first original posting, so this has been incredibly helpful. Thank you!

 

[todd458]

On the first build, the proof research 20 inch is not a pre-fit? proof makes the pre-fits that just basically screw on to the tikka action.. I believe this to be true if somebody can chime in

 

[cwpepper]

I can answer this. They make prefits in 22, 24, and 26 for the 7mm PRC Tikka Prefits. I reached out to them by email recently on this. They do not plan to make a 20... but their response was such that it 'could' come in the future.

 

[todd458]

Yes, I believe you are correct about that. I’m sitting on a 22 inch pre fit, as I wanted a 20 inch barrel as well. I went with the 20 inch benchmark(steel) number five contour, but if I am not mistaken, they said that they would have 20 inch proof pre-fits in in the next 3 to 5 months.” don’t quote me on this” I believe it was only an ounce maybe two difference between the 20 inch benchmark and the 22 inch proof

 

[cwpepper]

Yes, I believe you are correct about that. I’m sitting on a 22 inch pre fit, as I wanted a 20 inch barrel as well. I went with the 20 inch benchmark(steel) number five contour, but if I am not mistaken, they said that they would have 20 inch proof pre-fits in in the next 3 to 5 months.” don’t quote me on this” I believe it was only an ounce maybe two difference between the 20 inch benchmark and the 22 inch proof

Did Proof say they WERE going to have them in the future? They were much more wishy-washy in their response to me in that they "could" as the industry was heading that direction, but wouldnt say anything definitive. Would love to hear that they expect to make them, even in the next year would be great.

 

[todd458]

I’ll check with the company that built mine. I thought they said that the 20 inch would be available. The owner was very partial to the benchmark 20 inch. I went in that direction and I have been extremely happy so far.
Some say that the proof is a little faster of a barrel, I don’t know if this has been proven. I was looking for a little more speed out of mine, but the accuracy could not have been improved as this is a tac driver. The factory 175 ELDX ammo was showing pretty heavy ejector marks and the person who was developing my load wanted to dial it back. I believe we ended up at 2770 ft./s. for 175 gr. We opted to go with the 162 eldx and achieved 2877 f/ps with single digit es . Maintaining the same accuracy.

 

[J&A Outdoors]

Don't bank on proof unveiling 20''. We've been asking for 20'' pre-fit barrels for years in several cartridges. No dice!~

 

[todd458]

Don't bank on proof unveiling 20''. We've been asking for 20'' pre-fit barrels for years in several cartridges. No dice!~

You’re exactly right! They were waiting on the 22s. My bad.

 

[Gear-Reviewer]

Maybe this was said but if it’s a 600 yard and under backpack elk rifle, why not run a short barreled 300wsm? Do you reload? It would be perfect for that kind of hunting.

 

[cwpepper]

Maybe this was said but if it’s a 600 yard and under backpack elk rifle, why not run a short barreled 300wsm? Do you reload? It would be perfect for that kind of huntin

 

[cwpepper]

I thought a bit about a short action cartridge for the weight and length savings and even thought about the 6.8 western as well for this reason, but ultimately I’m pulled toward the 7 prc with the 20” barrel but may just get the 22” with the better velocities but the tradeoff on the length. I’m no expert on cartridges either.

I also don’t reload and don’t really plan to anytime soon.

 

[Gear-Reviewer]

I thought a bit about a short action cartridge for the weight and length savings and even thought about the 6.8 western as well for this reason, but ultimately I’m pulled toward the 7 prc with the 20” barrel but may just get the 22” with the better velocities but the tradeoff on the length. I’m no expert on cartridges either.

I also don’t reload and don’t really plan to anytime soon.

If you don’t reload then you’re on the right track. That’s why I asked.

 

[todd458]

I could not be happier with this rifles accuracy, and feel in general. This was built by Hill country rifle,’s.
20 inch benchmark number five contour.
The factory 175 ELDX bullets shoot basically one hole at 100 yards. I only got a chance to shoot it out to 200 and put eight rounds down the barrel. All eight rounds between me and my buddy were sub 1 inch at the 200 yard range. The best being a .082 I sent the rifle off to the person that has always worked up my loads, and he said these factory loads are very hot, (as you can see the ejector marks) Wasn’t thrilled with the velocity, and we moved to the 162 Eldx’ s and currently sitting at 2877 I believe. (can see it on the workup sheet). This was achieved with once fired, Hornady brass, as we or rather, he has not received his ADG brass yet. He says once that brass comes in he thinks he may be able to get me a little bit more speed. Of course, we are going for all out accuracy, and he shot a .0162 with this load and bullet set up, Hope this helps a little.
From left to right is the 175 factory loading‘s. The next pic is the velocity from those loads. The third pick is the 162s, which he says mirrors the accuracy of the 175’s. just with 97 ft./s more velocity. Fourth pic is the rifle of course and fifth pic is the final work up sheet with the 162s.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

The 162gr ELD-M is honestly a better bullet than the ELD-X. Same weight, different performance. The ELD-M is a killer. It is my go-to 7mm bullet.

 

[Zvestal]

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

Finally got out and shot this last weekend.

Hornady ELD-X 143gr factory 2750fps, probably sped up a bit now that 100rds or so down.

Copper Creek Cartridge, Lapua brass, loaded with Barnes LRX 127gr 3000fps. No pressure signs.
I dismantled one to see what was inside and it had 57.5 gr of something that looked an awful lot like my 4831sc but I don't look at a lot of powder so I couldn't say.

I loaded some Hammer Hunter 124gr, Lapua, CCI 250, 4831sc, and reached 2850fps easily before needing to take a break, clean the barrel, etc. I am pretty confident in 3k fps. But it will be a few weeks before I resume the project.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

said these factory loads are very hot, (as you can see the ejector marks)

those ejector "swipes" look an awful lot like the scratches my (and others) tikka ejectors put on case heads. Run a couple of cases through the action without firing a round and see if they get scratched too.

 

[Gadjet]

Finally got out and shot this last weekend.

Hornady ELD-X 143gr factory 2750fps, probably sped up a bit now that 100rds or so down.

Copper Creek Cartridge, Lapua brass, loaded with Barnes LRX 127gr 3000fps. No pressure signs.
I dismantled one to see what was inside and it had 57.5 gr of something that looked an awful lot like my 4831sc but I don't look at a lot of powder so I couldn't say.

I loaded some Hammer Hunter 124gr, Lapua, CCI 250, 4831sc, and reached 2850fps easily before needing to take a break, clean the barrel, etc. I am pretty confident in 3k fps. But it will be a few weeks before I resume the project.

Very impressive numbers for an 18 inch barrel! You're going to make me go out and spend some money! LOL!

 

[todd458]

those ejector "swipes" look an awful lot like the scratches my (and others) tikka ejectors put on case heads. Run a couple of cases through the action without firing a round and see if they get scratched too.

That is very interesting I will do that first thing tomorrow.

 

[doc holiday13]

Carbon barrels are overrated

Are referring to weight savings ? Cost benefit?
From a casual observation it would appear that a sporter #3 profile weighs 3.75#. A similar length carbon wrapped sendero weighs about 2.75 #

I don't have a carbon wrapped barrel but a pound is a pound

 

[TaperPin]

I love all the new cartridges, scopes, heavy ass chassis systems, and suppressors……but I must be officially over the hill, because as hard as I try it just doesn’t fit my old fashioned view of a mountain rifle. Getting a cartridge bigger than a 7 rem mag, then cutting the barrel down so it has 7mag performance, but requires a heavy suppressor just made my head hurt. I think it’s cool, don’t get me wrong - I’d love to see it in action. I’ll be the old guy with slim 26” shillen 7 mag barrel, pounder Kevlar stock, and fixed 6x scope.