Action to run 6.5prc hunting and 223 in the offseason

[bwp]

Just wanting some ideas. I’m currently running two tikkas in 6.5 and 223. I’ve got the itch to put together a custom rifle. Is it reasonable to go all out on a custom action like an impact and have a 2 barrel setup for it. One for practice and one for hunting season? This would keep me in the exact same stock/feel for all of my shooting. Or am I better off just sticking with my dual Tikka setup?

 

[MuleyFever]

Every time this gets asked the consensus is to just stick with 2 rifles.

J

Post in thread '1 Action - 2 Bolts - 2 Barrels - what would you build?'

May 16, 2026

You’re going to have $11k in one rifle with 2 barrels?

Yep. Or $19,000 for two. We pay $1.40 for 1.00 USD. Not good up here. Thats the price.

I am looking at a switch barrel set up as 2 rifles for $11K. It get cheaper as you buy more barrels.

• jayquiver

 

[43.6N]

I’ve got to think the prices of two identical stocks would be less than any switch barrel rifle that’s actually worth owning.
Plus you don’t have to re-zero every time you change the barrel.

I’m scanning the web right now, and the 223 bolt face seems to be the hard one to find.

 

[bwp]

Every time this gets asked the consensus is to just stick with 2 rifles.

J

Post in thread '1 Action - 2 Bolts - 2 Barrels - what would you build?'

May 16, 2026

You’re going to have $11k in one rifle with 2 barrels?

Yep. Or $19,000 for two. We pay $1.40 for 1.00 USD. Not good up here. Thats the price.

I am looking at a switch barrel set up as 2 rifles for $11K. It get cheaper as you buy more barrels.

• jayquiver

Fair enough. I’ve done some more reading. It sounds like I just need to stick with the Tikkas. They’re both ina Rokstok. What else can I do to them to “upgrade” them?

 

[43.6N]

Blaser R8 could do it. Some would even say it was made to do exactly what you are wanting.
And would definitely be a cut above any custom action on the market.

 

[omicron1792]

Love my Blaser r8 setup. Just know it’s addictive and expensive!

 

[DangerRanger]

I would keep the 6.5 and 223 setups and get a tikka prc barrel and magnum bolt and use it when you need it but keep the creed barrel on most of the time (or vice versa). Upgrade the tikka setups with matching custom stocks (rokstok) and great glass

 

[DangerRanger]

Fair enough. I’ve done some more ready. It sounds like I just need to stick with the Tikkas. They’re both ina Rokstok. What else can I do to them to “upgrade” them?

having had custom actions in manners and mcmillan stocks and having switched to tikka in rokstok it is my opinion that the other options are not upgrades.

 

[bwp]

having had custom actions in manners and mcmillan stocks and having switched to tikka in rokstok it is my opinion that the other options are not upgrades.

I’ve got the itch to do some tinkering. I think I’m going to replace the bottom metal on them. May do the barrel on the 6.5prc

 

[dkim]

I have a rifle built on a Zermatt Origin short action with 6.5 PRC and 223 barrels. I'd also like to get a 6.5 or 6 Creedmoor barrel some time in the future. Zermatt actions as well as the Aero Precision Solus and Falkor LW7 (and maybe some others) have interchangeable bolt heads. I have the magnum, standard, and 223 bolt heads. Combined with Hawkins Hunter bottom metal, and different mag boxes you can run all kinds of stuff.

The only limit in a short action could be mag length when running a 6.5 PRC or 7 saum. I've also use a long action with/without a mag block with 6.5 PRC and 280 Ackley barrels.

It is nice having the same stock, scope , etc.

If you go this way, I'd recommend using a pic rail for scope mounting - makes changing barrels much easier. I went the with ringmounts and need to remount and level my scope each time I change barrels.

 

[flyfisher117]

If you have 2 Tikkas both in RokStoks then it sounds like you’re ready to roll.. Are the optics the same? You’d be north of $2,000 to get an action set up with two barrels and bolts/bolt faces. The juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze IMO.
I’m also a fan of taking both my .223 and 6.5 to the range and shooting them back to back. Usually take a couple cold shooter shots with my hunting rifle then switch to the 223 and work on fundamentals or pushing myself.

 

[bwp]

If you have 2 Tikkas both in RokStoks then it sounds like you’re ready to roll.. Are the optics the same? You’d be north of $2,000 to get an action set up with two barrels and bolts/bolt faces. The juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze IMO.
I’m also a fan of taking both my .223 and 6.5 to the range and shooting them back to back. Usually take a couple cold shooter shots with my hunting rifle then switch to the 223 and work on fundamentals or pushing myself.

I have the RS1.2 on both of them. They are identical outside of an arca rail on one of the stocks.