Seekins opinions?

[toddh]

I have the PH2 in 6 creed. What a fantastic gun. I don't see how you could beat it at the price point.

 

[Lucas22]

Anyone get their hands on the new element hunter yet?
Wondering about the folding stock and the shoot ability in a larger caliber like the 7mm PRC

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

Anyone get their hands on the new element hunter yet?
Wondering about the folding stock and the shoot ability in a larger caliber like the 7mm PRC

Curious about the same thing! I’m debating offloading my ph2 to help fund the new element hunter. Love my Seekins and they have made me a customer for life.

 

[Lucas22]

Anyone have a new ph3 or element hunter yet?

 

[Gulogulo]

Anyone have a new ph3 or element hunter yet?

Took my 6.5 PRC PH3 to the range today. Played with N565, N560 and H1000 with 140gr Berger EH and 143gr ELD-X. Sweet shooter for sure. Only thing I don't much like is the magazine and mag release but hoping it grows on me. Excited to put another 50 down the tube tomorrow then start dialing in a load with seating.

 

[Idaho Mtns]

Took my 6.5 PRC PH3 to the range today. Played with N565, N560 and H1000 with 140gr Berger EH and 143gr ELD-X. Sweet shooter for sure. Only thing I don't much like is the magazine and mag release but hoping it grows on me. Excited to put another 50 down the tube tomorrow then start dialing in a load with seating.

Did you go with the 20" barrel? If so, by chance do you have approximate velocities? Thank you.

 

[sveltri]

Did you go with the 20" barrel? If so, by chance do you have approximate velocities? Thank you.

With factory 147's and the first shots on the gun I was getting 2740 with a 20" tube.

 

[Gulogulo]

Did you go with the 20" barrel? If so, by chance do you have approximate velocities? Thank you.

Yes, 20" barrel. I started with virgin Lapua brass for initial barrel break-in and powder testing. I was able to get to 2950fps with no pressure signs using N565 and N560 with the Berger 140gr EH. However, pretty much across all powder testing, the fire-formed brass at the same initial powder loads were giving pressure signs (e.g. heavy bolt lift) so will need to test a bit more with powder and redo the seating tests. I had figured that the once fired brass would give a bit more pressure/speed but this time it was a bit much.

I also tested H1000 and 143gr ELD-X but pressured out before getting the speed I was looking for and the accuracy was not nearly as good as the 140gr EH. Most/all of the 140gr EH testing (mostly 5 shot groups with some 3s) were in the 1/2"-1" range with a few groups 3/8"-1/2". Also noticed that ES and SD were lower (mid single digits) with a majority of the high end powder loads (even the over pressure loads) and accuracy was great.

 

[Idaho Mtns]

Yes, 20" barrel. I started with virgin Lapua brass for initial barrel break-in and powder testing. I was able to get to 2950fps with no pressure signs using N565 and N560 with the Berger 140gr EH. However, pretty much across all powder testing,

Thank you for the response. That is some great information and also encouraging. I feel much more comfortable now with the 20” barrel setup. You are getting some very good accuracy out of the gate as well as some nice velocity with those slower burning powders. Again, thanks for the info.

 

[4th_point]

Anyone have a new ph3 or element hunter yet?

FYI - I heard end of May, early June timeframe for the first batch of EH to ship. But that could change so I would not count on it.

 

[4th_point]

Some EH have shipped. Not sure how many though.

ETA: fake news, sorry about that - disregard the EH shipment

 

[Gulogulo]

For you future Seekins PH3 6.5 PRC owners and if you're a reloader (factory ammo users have nothing to worry about), get a AW2 reamer ready to put to use and avoid a frustrating headache. There is a member on this site that rents out the AW2 reamer.

 

[Lucas22]

Some EH have shipped. Not sure how many though.

ETA: fake news, sorry about that - disregard the EH shipment

They allegedly have started production this week so we shall see when they ship the first batch out, I speculate that they are stockpiling and will one large batch as the first round I wouldn’t be surprised if early June to July the first appearance is made

 

[4th_point]

Thanks for the info. If production is this week, then that would align with shipping at the end of May or beginning of June as I heard

 

[KBs]

I have a PH2 in .300WM. Shoots great sub moa groups with factory and even tighter with hand loads. After about 100 rounds the bolt had a failure. Sent it back to Seekins awesome customer service. They sent it back in 2 weeks with an upgraded bolt and new receiver no questions asked.
Got it back in time for hunting season and got a decent CA muley in an over the counter hunt. 190 grain Barnes LRX hand loaded with 4831sc is my go to CA lead free load. It’s light enough but not too light. I’m happy with it.

 

[AKFreezerFiller]

Strongly considering a Seekins Havak Element as my next rifle. Seems like most feedback is positive. Watched a video on the factory and pretty impressive.

 

[Idaho Mtns]

I'm considering buying the new Seekins PH3 later this year. I've seen the PH2 at my local Scheels and have to say the action didn't feel all that smooth... It actually felt kind of sticky. I wasn't sure if it was something in the store or not... The Tikka actions felt just fine. What has been your experience with the Seekins action?

Also, they had the Seekins Element on hand and I was amazed at how light that rifle was! Is it worth the extra money for the Element over the PH series?


Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk

Agree. In hand, the Element Hunter feels crazy light.

 

[Idaho Mtns]

Anyone have a new ph3 or element hunter yet?

Purchased the Seekins Element Hunter in 6.5 PRC 20” a few days ago.

Some observations as I was unable to view one in person before purchase and could not find a single independent review.

• Weighed in at 5lb 13oz w/magazine, the brake/cap, but no ammo. I have another rifle in 280ai at the exact same weight but this Seekins rifle feels lighter. Probably because virtually all the weight is between the receiver and the front of the stock versus being a little more spread out.
• Every aspect really feels top quality. And it should at the price! Always seems like something quirky on a rifle but not this one, at least so far.
• The rifle is “tight”. Just feels like the tolerances everywhere are really close.
• Action is fairly smooth, but again tight. It has already started loosening up after cycling the bolt a few dozen times. Came pretty dry so a little lubrication should help out.
• Like everything about the magazine setup. The mag itself, the release, how it seats, etc. Top notch.
• Might be picky here but the recoil pad has some stiff areas. Will cycle rounds through it but might change the pad.

Zero buyers remorse and happy with the acquisition. Time to throw a scope and can on it, find what it likes to eat, and see if this dog can hunt.

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

Purchased the Seekins Element Hunter in 6.5 PRC 20” a few days ago.

Some observations as I was unable to view one in person before purchase and could not find a single independent review.

• Weighed in at 5lb 13oz w/magazine, the brake/cap, but no ammo. I have another rifle in 280ai at the exact same weight but this Seekins rifle feels lighter. Probably because virtually all the weight is between the receiver and the front of the stock versus being a little more spread out.
• Every aspect really feels top quality. And it should at the price! Always seems like something quirky on a rifle but not this one, at least so far.
• The rifle is “tight”. Just feels like the tolerances everywhere are really close.
• Action is fairly smooth, but again tight. It has already started loosening up after cycling the bolt a few dozen times. Came pretty dry so a little lubrication should help out.
• Like everything about the magazine setup. The mag itself, the release, how it seats, etc. Top notch.
• Might be picky here but the recoil pad has some stiff areas. Will cycle rounds through it but might change the pad.

Zero buyers remorse and happy with the acquisition. Time to throw a scope on it, find what it likes to eat, and see if this dog can hunt.

View attachment 896361

Oh lawd I want one.

 

[TheLoamRanger]

Purchased the Seekins Element Hunter in 6.5 PRC 20” a few days ago.

Some observations as I was unable to view one in person before purchase and could not find a single independent review.

Thanks for the info, and what a nice rifle. I have a couple questions.
Does it have any adjustment, height or angle, at the cheek riser?
What do you think of the little arca mount in front of the mag?
Folding mechanism seems robust?

I was seriously considering pre-ordering one, but decided I didn't want to wait so long. They also did mention about making this chassis for a Tikka, so that's potentially another option for us after they catch up to existing rifle demand. EuroOptic shows that chassis price to be about $1k, and it appears to check a lot of boxes for me.