Buy or Build- Sheep Edition

[OXN939]

Headed up to AK full time soonish and want to put together a dedicated sheep/ goat mountain rifle setup. Basic idea is a 20" 6.5 PRC that can do 500 consistently with 124 grain Hammer hunters, probably wearing a Credo 2.5-15.

Tempted to go full custom, but tough to envision a scenario where there'd be a noticeable difference between that and the newer semi customs a la Bergara Crest, Seekins Element etc at almost half the price.

So, for guys who have one or both of the above- happy you did what you did? Wish you'd gone a different route? Stop being a tryhard and spend the money and resources on training with my trusty 7mm-08 instead? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[TaperPin]

I don’t know if it’s considered a full custom, but a custom barrel is always money well spent. They save time and energy working up loads, you feel better with a more accurate rifle and even if it’s a placebo effect, makes you a better shot. Practice gives better feedback with an accurate gun - there’s no wondering if a flier was the rifle, you, or the wind.

I giggle like a school girl shooting varmints with a big game rifle more accurate than most varmint rigs.

There’s nothing wrong with a 7mm-08, even getting a second rifle in the same cartridge. Every year someone here is about to go on an important hunt and their primary rifle develops the yips at the last minute. A second good rifle ready to go is always money well spent.

The 6.5 PRC is the modern 270 so it’s hard to fault either as a sheep rifle.

 

[PNWGATOR]

MRC Marshall is the answer.

 

[199p]

Will go good man,
Its hard to outshoot a standard tikka or sako barrel in the field

Get the standard fluted barrel superlite and a carbon stock and your away laughing

 

[OXN939]

tikka or sako

Know what's wild, I'd never had a Tikka so I listened to everyone here and picked one up last year. Thing's headspace is off from the factory- bolt barely closes on 3 of 4 kinds of factory ammo I tried leaving deep ejector marks when I load them without firing. Sent it back to "Tikka" (Beretta) and they said "Works fine for us. Your problem."

So yeah Tikka a no go

MRC Marshall is the answer.

That does look interesting. I gotta be honest I've read a few threads on the rokstock and would have to handle one in person before sinking several grand into it

 

[handwerk]

I would handle some of your factory top contenders and see how they shoulder/feel to you.
Personally I enjoy the process of getting a donor rifle and then picking the chambering/stock/barrel I want.

 

[z987k]

Headed up to AK full time soonish and want to put together a dedicated sheep/ goat mountain rifle setup. Basic idea is a 20" 6.5 PRC that can do 500 consistently with 124 grain Hammer hunters, probably wearing a Credo 2.5-15.

Tempted to go full custom, but tough to envision a scenario where there'd be a noticeable difference between that and the newer semi customs a la Bergara Crest, Seekins Element etc at almost half the price.

So, for guys who have one or both of the above- happy you did what you did? Wish you'd gone a different route? Stop being a tryhard and spend the money and resources on training with my trusty 7mm-08 instead? Thanks in advance for any input!

My sheep/goat rifle has a pierce titanium action, a 20in 22cm barrel and an echelon stock. Right at 5.5lbs scoped and suppressed.
It started as a 270(balistic twin to 6.5prc) but theres no need for that much on either of these animals, so why deal with all the recoil on such a light gun?

If youre not going to get something really light just run what you already have.

 

[OXN939]

why deal with all the recoil on such a light gun?

I shoot copper and all the smaller bore offerings I've looked into get pretty unimpressive past 350ish. Strong possibility this becomes another "best option is to stick with the rifles I already own" thread

 

[6.5x284]

My sheep/goat rifle has a pierce titanium action, a 20in 22cm barrel and an echelon stock. Right at 5.5lbs scoped and suppressed.
It started as a 270(balistic twin to 6.5prc) but theres no need for that much on either of these animals, so why deal with all the recoil on such a light gun?

If youre not going to get something really light just run what you already have.

This is very similar to my sheep rifle. Ti action, 20” barrel, echelon stock but in 6SST. Love that thing! I have the little NF 2.5-10 and it’s been bombproof.


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