Seekins Element Hunter – Early Thoughts

[voltage]

Thanks for the information and reviews on Seekins. There just isn’t a lot of good info from guys who own them. Super tempting, but I would like to get my hands on one somewhere before committing.

If you are close to a Scheel’s, I believe most have at least a couple calibers in stock.

 

[TheViking]

Thanks for the information and reviews on Seekins. There just isn’t a lot of good info from guys who own them. Super tempting, but I would like to get my hands on one somewhere before committing.

I have a few PH3s and they are hammers. My 6cm and 7 PRC shoots groups like the guy posted above - all factory ammo. After hunting with these guns for a season I am definitely a fan! I like the machined pic rail into the actions. Don’t have to worry about an aftermarket rail getting loose. The mags on the Seekins are ok; not great. But they accept AICS so aftermarket mag works too (and better). The MLOK rail is awesome - you can switch out arca rails, or other accessories with ease and don’t have to drill holes. Adjustable comb is very nice. Never shot a gun with one and always said ‘I don’t need that’ but I have both mine adjusted up. Weight is on the heavier side, but I don’t mind that either. My 20” 6 CM comes in at 9.6#s w/ suppressor and 7 PRC is a little over 10# w/ suppressor. The actions are not quite on par with Tikka but they are damn nice. I have never had an issue with mine but I am on a Seekins Owners Facebook group - Glen Seekins frequents it weekly. Issues have come up with a few rifles and every single one has been taken care by Seekins - no questions asked. Glen responds to complaints/issues personally and that says a lot to me! Stand up guy and great American company.

 

[Kfraz]

I have a few PH3s and they are hammers. My 6cm and 7 PRC shoots groups like the guy posted above - all factory ammo. After hunting with these guns for a season I am definitely a fan! I like the machined pic rail into the actions. Don’t have to worry about an aftermarket rail getting loose. The mags on the Seekins are ok; not great. But they accept AICS so aftermarket mag works too (and better). The MLOK rail is awesome - you can switch out arca rails, or other accessories with ease and don’t have to drill holes. Adjustable comb is very nice. Never shot a gun with one and always said ‘I don’t need that’ but I have both mine adjusted up. Weight is on the heavier side, but I don’t mind that either. My 20” 6 CM comes in at 9.6#s w/ suppressor and 7 PRC is a little over 10# w/ suppressor. The actions are not quite on par with Tikka but they are damn nice. I have never had an issue with mine but I am on a Seekins Owners Facebook group - Glen Seekins frequents it weekly. Issues have come up with a few rifles and every single one has been taken care by Seekins - no questions asked. Glen responds to complaints/issues personally and that says a lot to me! Stand up guy and great American company.

Thanks for the information. That’s definitely helpful! You have the ideal calibers to cover anything you’ll ever come across. Good choices.

 

[Tweeder]

Anyone know when they are gonna sell the element hunter chassis as a component? I called them a couple months ago and they said they may release it at shot show

 

[Sully21]

Anyone know when they are gonna sell the element hunter chassis as a component? I called them a couple months ago and they said they may release it at shot show

I've inquired about this recently as well and was told end of Feb. Just keeps getting pushed back it seems. Hopefully they will have them available the end of Q1 this year.

 

[Sully21]

I have a few PH3s and they are hammers. My 6cm and 7 PRC shoots groups like the guy posted above - all factory ammo. After hunting with these guns for a season I am definitely a fan! I like the machined pic rail into the actions. Don’t have to worry about an aftermarket rail getting loose. The mags on the Seekins are ok; not great. But they accept AICS so aftermarket mag works too (and better). The MLOK rail is awesome - you can switch out arca rails, or other accessories with ease and don’t have to drill holes. Adjustable comb is very nice. Never shot a gun with one and always said ‘I don’t need that’ but I have both mine adjusted up. Weight is on the heavier side, but I don’t mind that either. My 20” 6 CM comes in at 9.6#s w/ suppressor and 7 PRC is a little over 10# w/ suppressor. The actions are not quite on par with Tikka but they are damn nice. I have never had an issue with mine but I am on a Seekins Owners Facebook group - Glen Seekins frequents it weekly. Issues have come up with a few rifles and every single one has been taken care by Seekins - no questions asked. Glen responds to complaints/issues personally and that says a lot to me! Stand up guy and great American company.

What muzzle devices are you running?

 

[mthayr]

What muzzle devices are you running?

The ‘Lil Chub – Salmon River Solutions

www.salmonriversolutions.com

 

[TheViking]

What muzzle devices are you running?

TBAC ultra 7 6.5 on one and Silencer Central Backcountry on the other.

 

[Bater]

I’m curious if my Airlock 7mm can will make a 22” 7PRC too long. Probably just go with a SRS Ti Pro 2 (Chub) if so.

 

[Tweeder]

I've inquired about this recently as well and was told end of Feb. Just keeps getting pushed back it seems. Hopefully they will have them available the end of Q1 this year.

Awesome thanks for the info. I’m sure it’s tough for them to keep up with the demand, these rifles are pretty sweet but I really want to get that chassis for my nrl hunter and start tinkering

 

[Dbl_Deezer]

So I bought my element hunter 6.5 prc last summer. Shot roughly 180 rounds at the range in practice. And ended up taking a whitetail buck with it on an Idaho backpack hunt last September. Overall I am very pleased, with a couple complaints (most have already been resolved by Seekins or myself).

My set-up: Element Hunter 6.5 prc. NF NX8 2.5-20x50 F1. B&T Print Ranger X suppressor. Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELDX. MDT Mountain Bipod.

Pro’s:
-Shoots great, average 5 shot groups have been ~0.60” to 0.80”.

-ergonomics feels great in my hands.
Needed extra LOP. The available spacer kit works perfectly.

-Balances well with a can. I took a quick 115 yard offhand shot at a whitetail buck. One shot and the buck dropped dead. Perceived wobble was very mellow for such a light rifle. The shot was easy on the buck as it was in practice.

-The installed tripod arca works really well too. some say it’s not very balanced. Mine with a suppressor and bipod is very well balanced for tripod work.

-When folded and on my pack, it is so very light. This makes it very easy to balance the other side of the pack with water and my spotter. Plus even with the suppressor, it doesn’t stick up very high past my head. Really no taller than my head… love this.

Cons:
-definitely needs a bag rider. Was going to machine up my own. But I’ll wait since Glen is making one.

-the carbon fiber cheek piece on my face with any amount of stubble is very uncomfortable. I put a 1/16” black neoprene foam piece over it. Feels great now!

-once during break-in, once in practice, and on the hunt, I had the magazine lifter get stuck resulting in a failure to feed. Luckily I didn’t need a second shot on my buck… I could not find the reason why? Seekins CS sent me a new mag free of charge. No issues with new mag. All good.

-I want a 223 barrel, mag, and bolthead to have it as an inexpensive trainer and do all Western mountain rifle. The bolt head, mag, and barrel are on forever back order it seems…. I’ll find a barrel/have a barrel made elsewhere, same with the mag, but I need them to get me the 223 bolt head… still waiting…

Overall I am very happy with my purchase. The folder is my first on a bolt gun. I have to say they did a great job (except needing a bag rider).