Seekins PH3 - Review / Competitors?

[Timwinjr]

Hey Guys - In the market for a new 7 PRC for my elk trip this year. It’s hard to not seriously
consider the PH3 after reading up on them, however, I can’t seem to find any in depth reviews or feedback on it. Does anyone have first hand experience with it? If not Seekins, for 2k, what compares/competes for a semi light elk rifle? Thanks!

 

[Ophidian]

You aren’t going to get much better without spending more money. I had an element that I loved and just got my 22” 7 prc ph3 a few days ago. Just waiting for my ammo shipment to show up.

 

[Timwinjr]

Seems like the consensus from what I’ve read! I have a really nice Blue Mountain Precision 6.5 prc that’s unfired I may just use - thought about getting a little more horse power and always like having “excuses” to buy more rifles.

 

[Ophidian]

6.5prc for elk is fine. But if you want another rifle I’d never try to talk someone out of it.

 

[Mtank79]

I have a standard 24” CA ridgeline in 7prc that’s a shooter. I put my vx5hd 3x15x56 on it, ready to hunt its 8lb14oz.

 

[probablymissed]

I have a ph3 in 300wm with the 22" barrel. Shot roughly .6 moa with 200g terminal ascent at 300yds. Thinking about picking up one in a short action too to replace my Bergara.

 

[nantzh]

Seekins is putting out crazy good rifles for the money right now. My Seekins 6.5 prc is easily my best shooting rifle. I think the PH3 is probably the best value available right now. And if you ever have an issue the Seekins customer service is excellent which can't be said about a lot of their competition.

 

[Jdeck09]

The closest competitor is the Bergara Crest. As a Bergara fan, I’ll admit the comparison isn’t all that close—Seekins offers a better overall package. The Tikka Roughneck is also in the running, but it still doesn’t match the quality of the Seekins setup.


Seekins will be my next rifle—unless Bergara starts releasing Premier 7PRC rifles that aren’t priced over $2K

 

[wind gypsy]

The other one that would be in the conversation at that price point for me is the weatherby 307 Alpine ST. PH3s are pretty heavy, especially if one wants a durable scope and suppressor on it. Great weight for something that isn't carried a ton but for real strenuous hunts i'd prefer a little lighter. I dont get the feeling that the lighter element models are strong on the reliability front.

 

[Ophidian]

The other one that would be in the conversation at that price point for me is the weatherby 307 Alpine ST. PH3s are pretty heavy, especially one wants a durable scope and suppressor on it. Great weight for something that isn't carried a ton but for real strenuous hunts i'd prefer a little lighter. I dont get the feeling that the lighter element models are strong on the reliability front.

My setup weighs in at 10.2 lbs unloaded/sans bipod (22” 7 prc, nx8 2.5-20 plus the pic rail up front). For a majority of the hunting I do there isn’t a ton of walking involved. It’s going to more of a walk/trek half a mile and set up on the edge of a clear cut/field for whitetail. Only thing I may change is the brake provided it’s not sufficient for my use case and the rings. The rings came with the viper hd and it saved me having to buy another set of mountain techs which currently reside on the howa.

If I need something lighter my howa mini action in 6 arc is currently 7lbs kitted out
(22” mini action in Stockys VG stock, viper hd 3-15, hellfire 2 port brake, Jefferson bottom metal, pic rail up front)

 

[probablymissed]

I have the 300wm in the 22" length and it's at 10.6lbs with a Viper HD 5-25×50 and the rxd30ti can. I personally don't think it is that heavy.

 

[Mtank79]

One thing to note on seekins & my only experience is with a PH2 & not 100% they’re the same. If you’re a taller person the lop may be an issue. I currently have a ridgeline & a ph2 & Im more comfortable shooting the ridgeline. I bought a set of spacers from seekins but still didn’t get me where I wanted.

 

[Ophidian]

I have the 300wm in the 22" length and it's at 10.6lbs with a Viper HD 5-25×50 and the rxd30ti can. I personally don't think it is that heavy.

I’ve had heavier guns in the past but 10lbs is right about the max of what I like lugging around. It’s not too heavy for a quick off hand shot (for me) but I prefer sub 8.5 for a more versatile gun especially if I’m in thicker stuff where my shots are going to be under 100y. I could probably get sub 9 with this with a lighter scope but I gotta put my nx8 somewhere

 

[Mtank79]

I’ve had heavier guns in the past but 10lbs is right about the max of what I like lugging around. It’s not too heavy for a quick off hand shot (for me) but I prefer sub 8.5 for a more versatile gun especially if I’m in thicker stuff where my shots are going to be under 100y. I could probably get sub 9 with this with a lighter scope but I gotta put my nx8 somewhere

Not sure of weight difference between the ph2 and the ph3’s but I’m @ 9lbs4oz w/a nx8 2.5x20 ,Hawkins rings & three 6.5 prc rounds.

 

[Ophidian]

That tracks, the longer action of the PRC adds some ounces for sure. Granted I am using a bathroom scale so it may simply not be accurate.

 

[Clark33]

Doesn’t the PH3 have a quick barrel change design? If so I’m sure there will be a few 3rd party barrel options in the future which also adds value in my opinion. My element has been my go too for a while now.

 

[Ophidian]

Has anyone with a ph3 figured out how many rounds can be thrown down the barrel before heat affects accuracy.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

10+ pounds is ridiculous. Why do that?

 

[Ophidian]

not every application requires a 6 pound rifle