Dilemma: Semi custom Tikka build on budget vs. 7PRC factory rifle. UPDATED: Decision Made and Build Complete

[ManOfSteel]

Yes, but can't tell. A rep for a major retailer that carries most rifle brands (including Tikka) mentioned it to me. We were talking about good value accurate long distance shooting rifles don't require a second mortgage to purchase. I've pretty much boiled down my 7PRC choice to the X-Bolt (suppressor ready, 20") or Tikka (If they come out with a long range version with adjustable stock. That may be too much of a reach for this European rifle maker (Sako/Tikka).

This makes me so happy to hear, really hope it’s early in the year so I can shoot it all summer.

 

[2BrownDogs]

So, I sold my Tikka. I’m still not sure I made the right choice but it was mostly a financial one. I only hunted 2.5 days of rifle season this year and a new stock and barrel were going to be more than I wanted to spend with the considerations I have. If some of the barrel companies and stock companies have significant sales for Black Friday, I may end up regretting it. I am going to wait until after Shot Show to see what shakes out and in what direction things are going before deciding on a rifle. I need a decent workhorse of a rifle that can carry me through the next 5-7 years to see where I go in terms of rifle hunting and shooting. 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western and 7 PRC are all still in the running. Thank you all that gave input.

Any update on this? After reading the thread, I’m curious to hear how your build may have turned out if you’ve completed it. Apologies if I’ve missed it elsewhere. I’m new to the forums. I’m in a relatively similar position as I’m wanting to begin accumulating components for my own 7 PRC build.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Any update on this? After reading the thread, I’m curious to hear how your build may have turned out if you’ve completed it. Apologies if I’ve missed it elsewhere. I’m new to the forums. I’m in a relatively similar position as I’m wanting to begin accumulating components for my own 7 PRC build.

Welcome. This forum is a great place to soak up information.

So, I sold my Tikka. Then after after hours (days) on Rokslide, I decided to build a semi-custom Tikka. I decided on 6.5 PRC after reading and buying into the shift to lighter calibers. I used the holiday sales to stretch my budget. I purchased a Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-15 and a new Tikka 300WM that I sent to CarbonSix for a rebarrel to a 20” 6.5 PRC. I also ordered a Stocky’s VG Hunter. I am still waiting on my barreled action and stock, so I haven’t updated this thread yet. I want to get it all put together and be able to shoot it to see if I made the right decision. Once I’ve had a chance to dial it in, I will report back with a longer post about weights, accuracy and the process of the build. This is my first time dipping my toe into these waters so I am still waiting with bated breath to see how it turns out.

 

[2BrownDogs]

Welcome. This forum is a great place to soak up information.

So, I sold my Tikka. Then after after hours (days) on Rokslide, I decided to build a semi-custom Tikka. I decided on 6.5 PRC after reading and buying into the shift to lighter calibers. I used the holiday sales to stretch my budget. I purchased a Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-15 and a new Tikka 300WM that I sent to CarbonSix for a rebarrel to a 20” 6.5 PRC. I also ordered a Stocky’s VG Hunter. I am still waiting on my barreled action and stock, so I haven’t updated this thread yet. I want to get it all put together and be able to shoot it to see if I made the right decision. Once I’ve had a chance to dial it in, I will report back with a longer post about weights, accuracy and the process of the build. This is my first time dipping my toe into these waters so I am still waiting with bated breath to see how it turns out.

Congrats! Thanks for the update. I have questions that I will (try to ) wait to ask once you post the full summary so as not to be redundant.

 

[Gila]

Welcome. This forum is a great place to soak up information.

So, I sold my Tikka. Then after after hours (days) on Rokslide, I decided to build a semi-custom Tikka. I decided on 6.5 PRC after reading and buying into the shift to lighter calibers. I used the holiday sales to stretch my budget. I purchased a Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-15 and a new Tikka 300WM that I sent to CarbonSix for a rebarrel to a 20” 6.5 PRC. I also ordered a Stocky’s VG Hunter. I am still waiting on my barreled action and stock, so I haven’t updated this thread yet. I want to get it all put together and be able to shoot it to see if I made the right decision. Once I’ve had a chance to dial it in, I will report back with a longer post about weights, accuracy and the process of the build. This is my first time dipping my toe into these waters so I am still waiting with bated breath to see how it turns out.

Congrats! Very nice rig!

The inlets on the stock are a bit tight, so will most likely need a bit of sanding. I don’t have a Sendero barrel channel but the other two contour profiles are tight. The turrets on the Trijicon HX are a bit stiff out of the box, but should loosen enough after you twist them a few times. The 6.5 PRC is a better choice IMO. Plenty for just about anything you can get a tag for out here. Some hand loaders like the 6.5 x 284 Norma which is a sweet round in a Tikka as well. I went with the 284 Win and stick a 162 eld on top. No factory ammo available for the 284 Win though.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Congrats! Thanks for the update. I have questions that I will (try to ) wait to ask once you post the full summary so as not to be redundant.

Ask away. Or you can PM me. However, I’m not sure I’m the best person to be answering your questions as this is my first attempt at this. But the nice thing about this place is that others with way more experience are sure to chime in.

 

[2BrownDogs]

Ask away. Or you can PM me. However, I’m not sure I’m the best person to be answering your questions as this is my first attempt at this. But the nice thing about this place is that others with way more experience are sure to chime in.

I’m in a similar position so I think I can definitely benefit from your experience. I would PM but I’m still figuring this out and don’t see that as an available option, perhaps because my account is new and I don’t have enough interactions to activate that feature yet? Either way, look forward to hearing more about the process and the $$ side of things, as much you’re willing to share, when you’ve got it all wrapped up. Thanks again.

 

[therealblanket]

Tikka stainless action $700-$800. Shouldered prefit of your choice $500
Stock of your choice $500

This is the route I decided to go. You can get an entire rifle for the 800 and throw it in a new KRG Echo when it drops, or even throw it in a Stocky's VG for around $450.

I just have to decide on which stock to go with - and which barrel to upgrade to, if at all.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

So the decision and build is done. Thank you to all the people on this forum that have taken the time to answer questions about their builds and post about their experiences. It has saved me countless dollars compared to if I would have attempted this on my own. I would have spent money on products that didn’t work or wasted hours of my time and hundreds of dollars to later figure out the product wasn’t what I was looking for. This forum is an amazing resource.

I couldn’t be happier with my build. After spending hours on Rokslide, I ended up with:

Tikka T3X action

CarbonSix 21” 6.5 PRC barrel

Stocky’s VG Hunter

UM Tikka Rings and level

Trijicon Credo 2.5-15

Silencerco Harvester Evo


I started with a new stainless 300 WM T3X. I was patient and purchased everything on sale. I did pay for CarbonSix spin on the new barrel because I thought this was going to be my one and done, semi custom rifle build. However, spending time on Rokslide is expensive and I’m not so sure that is the case anymore.


The weights are as follows:

Factory T3X - 6 lbs, 4 oz

New bare rifle - 6 lbs, 2 oz

New rifle with mounted scope and suppressor - 8 lbs, 10 oz


Here is a 1.3 inch 10 round group before a final elevation adjustment.





The Stocky’s VG and suppressor, combined with a mid-weight rifle, make it a pleasure to shoot. It is night and day compared to the 30-06 T3X I sold to fund this build. The Harvester EVO does a good job at sound suppression and I am really starting to like the Credo reticle.


I am getting really crazy velocities from factory 143 ELDX that I posted about in the link below. If these are the real velocities I’m getting from a 21” barrel, I would have ordered an 18” instead.

Crazy factory 6.5 PRC 143 ELDX muzzle velocity with limited data points.

I know the easy answer is to find a better chronograph and go back to the range, but unfortunately with family and work obligations, I will probably not be able to do that anytime soon and this has been bugging me. Newly built Tikka 6.5 PRC with a 21” CarbonSix barrel and a SilencerCo Harvester...

rokslide.com

Would I do it all the same again - I’m not sure. I’ve had almost a year of soaking up Rokslide info. Since then, UM has started carrying stainless T3Xs in 6.5 PRC. Maybe I would have just had them chop and thread one of those. However, I am really happy with the rifle I put together within my price range.


There are few small things that aren’t perfect- the balance of rifle is not great and the short forend of the VG makes sling carry awkward, but none of these are dealbreakers.


If you can’t find the exact factory rifle that you want and are considering a Tikka build…go for it.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

A pic of the rifle might have been a nice touch.