CF Barreled action under $1500?

[T3clay]

looking for recommendations on barreled actions under $1500. Hoping to build a 20” 7 PRC preferably with CF barrel and having limited success finding options where I can choose barrel length.


Thank you

 

[wind gypsy]

Are you willing to source action and barrel separately?

A donor Tikka, Savage, Howa, etc could hit or be close to budget with a number of options.

Personally if I were on a particular budget I'd skip wasting $200-300+ on carbon and focus on getting the highest quality action/blank/gunsmithing instead.

 

[SloppyJ]

While I have plenty of carbon barrels and some of them are some great shooters, I second gypsy. Skip the carbon barrel and go with a quality steel barrel of the same or less weight.

 

[Kaleb]

Agreed CF flutes and cerakote is not money well spent when on a budget. Nothing wrong with cool factor when funds allow and I’m as guilty as anyone from time to time. Like said above maybe not the best money spent on the investment.

 

[hereinaz]

Agree^^^^

A 20” barrel does not benefit from CF for stiffness or weight.

Buy Tikka, Solus or Origin action and a pick your CF barrel of choice if you want. You can be at or under $2000, with the Tikka for sure under $1500.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Should be able to get a savage ultralight for that cost pretty easy….but it’s a savage.

 

[hereinaz]

Should be able to get a savage ultralight for that cost pretty easy….but it’s a savage.

The sample of two Ultralights I have seen shoot. Buddy’s rifle in 280 ai has killed elk out to 630. Not the nicest actions but they get the job done. Take care of it and you could be happy if you understand what you’re getting.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I own several rifles with CF barrels, they are gimmicky. A steel barrel will do everything I need and then some. Those rifles will get replaced with steel someday, but I guess if you are just after the look go for it. They really aren’t much lighter either

 

[wapitibob]

Defiance Classic $1000
Ace steel $385
my smith does a complete barrel for $400

 

[T3clay]

Are you willing to source action and barrel separately?

A donor Tikka, Savage, Howa, etc could hit or be close to budget with a number of options.

Personally if I were on a particular budget I'd skip wasting $200-300+ on carbon and focus on getting the highest quality action/blank/gunsmithing instead.

Thank you everyone for the replies and suggestions!

I’m willing to do whatever I need to to get the best gun in my budget. But, I’m new to the whole “gun building” thing, and there’s so many options and opinions it’s difficult to navigate.

I have a local gunsmith who does very good work, and has done a number of jobs for me and built custom rifles for friends.

It seems difficult to balance lightweight vs quality vs cost. Like the old saying goes you can only get 2 of the 3…..

My plan is to use a HNT26 chassis

My goal is:
Under $3500(ish)
Compact
.5 or .75 moa would be great
As lightweight as my budget allows

I do know that if I end up with a stainless barrel I want it cerakoted.- I do like the “cool” factor of CF and if it saves me the cost of cerakote on a stainless barrel is it worth it?

I also considered just buying a stainless t3x and having my gunsmith shorten and rethread the barrel.

So many options it’s hard to decide!

 

[wind gypsy]

Man, I'd slap a factory tikka in the chassis and see how you like it.

If it shoots to your liking, leave it be and maybe put some lipstick (cerakote) on it if that increases your satisfaction of ownership.

If it doesn't, pull the barrel, sell it, and put a new one on. Bet you could get $200 pretty easily for a barely used 7 PRC tube. That puts your donor action + new barrel in line with your budget but I'd make sure you have a reason to dump $ on another barrel first.

A 22" barrel is still pretty handy without a muzzle device.

0.5-0.75" groups with a meaningful # of shots from a sub 7# 7PRC on command isn't a walk in the park regardless of how much $ is in it.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Man, I'd slap a factory tikka in the chassis and see how you like it.

If it shoots to your liking, leave it be and maybe put some lipstick (cerakote) on it if that increases your satisfaction of ownership.

If it doesn't, pull the barrel, sell it, and put a new one on. Bet you could get $200 pretty easily for a barely used 7 PRC tube. That puts your donor action + new barrel in line with your budget but I'd make sure you have a reason to dump $ on another barrel first.

A 22" barrel is still pretty handy without a muzzle device.

0.5-0.75" groups with a meaningful # of shots from a sub 7# 7PRC on command isn't a walk in the park regardless of how much $ is in it.

My stock tikka stainless in 6.5cm shortened to 16” and threaded in an ultra dyne chassis is one of my favorite rifles! I have a stainless tikka with a CF barrel in an xlr mg that I love as well, it’s just a bit heavier

 

[SuperDUECE22]

Thank you everyone for the replies and suggestions!

I’m willing to do whatever I need to to get the best gun in my budget. But, I’m new to the whole “gun building” thing, and there’s so many options and opinions it’s difficult to navigate.

I have a local gunsmith who does very good work, and has done a number of jobs for me and built custom rifles for friends.

It seems difficult to balance lightweight vs quality vs cost. Like the old saying goes you can only get 2 of the 3…..

My plan is to use a HNT26 chassis

My goal is:
Under $3500(ish)
Compact
.5 or .75 moa would be great
As lightweight as my budget allows

I do know that if I end up with a stainless barrel I want it cerakoted.- I do like the “cool” factor of CF and if it saves me the cost of cerakote on a stainless barrel is it worth it?

I also considered just buying a stainless t3x and having my gunsmith shorten and rethread the barrel.

So many options it’s hard to decide!

What do you consider "lightweight" ?
IMO consistent shootabillity of a "lightweight" 7 PRC is going to suck unless you consider 9lbs lightweight

Have you looked at the options here ? They have some options that could get you close to what you want and keep some money in your budget for optics.

Custom Rifles -

Custom rifles by J&A Outdoors! Variations include full turnkey customs to barreled action options that include Tikka, Remington, Kelbly, Defiance & more!

jaoutdoors.com

 

[Axlrod]

X-Caliber has Carbon blanks and pre-fits from 9" to 28" in 1" increments. They are also having a 20% off sale. I have a couple of their steel barrels, but no carbon. Both are good shooters.

X-Caliber - X-Caliber

Your home page description

www.x-caliber.net

 

[Tahoe1305]

The sample of two Ultralights I have seen shoot. Buddy’s rifle in 280 ai has killed elk out to 630. Not the nicest actions but they get the job done. Take care of it and you could be happy if you understand what you’re getting.

Mine have shot great too. I just don’t like the action feel.

 

[T3clay]

What do you consider "lightweight" ?
IMO consistent shootabillity of a "lightweight" 7 PRC is going to suck unless you consider 9lbs lightweight

Have you looked at the options here ? They have some options that could get you close to what you want and keep some money in your budget for optics.

Custom Rifles -

Custom rifles by J&A Outdoors! Variations include full turnkey customs to barreled action options that include Tikka, Remington, Kelbly, Defiance & more!

jaoutdoors.com

I’m not necessarily trying to build an ultralight rifle, but its purpose is backpack hunting, so I’d like to keep it reasonably light. I’m currently shooting a Bergara B-14 Ridge 7mm RM (7.9# without optics) so I’d like to be in that weight range or slightly lighter

 

[Marshfly]

8# without optics is not exactly what I look for in a backpack rifle. You'll be almost 10# all in scoped. That's not light at all.

Reasonably light starts at 8# all in IMHO. I like to be there MAX with the suppressor. And I definitely wouldn't want to be shooting any magnum out of that.

I would spend some time thinking hard about whether you want a cool sub MOA 7PRC (nothing wrong with that) OR a light backpacking rifle. IMHO those are mutually exclusive.

 

[SloppyJ]

You've received some great advice and some truth that should make you question a few things. The Tikka buildout is the most logical of the options and has the potential to be the cheapest because really all you need is a stock, cut/thread job, and some time to put it together.

If you want a light backpacking rifle then your cartridge choice is going to hinder you on sbootability. I'd go back to the drawing board and be 100% honest about your needs and goals. If it's elk at 600yds then you could do that with a much smaller round and be more accurate. With that comes increased ability to get meaningful practice.

If you want the chassis 7prc shorty because you like it then go for it. Nothing wrong with that either. Just be real with yourself. Everyone here is trying to steer you in a more practical direction.