Seekins PH3

[big217boy]

Love my seekins PH3 in 308 shoots great groups. I live in Colorado and kind of wish I would have got a larger caliber like 7mm PRC or 300 win mag.

If desired, you could always have a 300wsm barrel made for it…switch the bolt face…and now you have your mag.


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[AndrewMT34]

I thought this is the emergency vent/pressure hole in the event a case ruptures.

I went and looked at a few of my rifles and noticed they all have a small hole on the side of the action… I learned something new today.

The seekins just caught my eye because I could see the lugs turning in it when opening/closing the bolt.

 

[nm.otter]

I thought this is the emergency vent/pressure hole in the event a case ruptures.

Right -- and if you expect real risks of water intrusion, a dab of silicone should be safe.

 

[Ophidian]

Does the ph3 come with the Hunter brake or are they shipping without?

E: it does. Got to visit the one I just bought to do paperwork.

 

[duckcarver]

Disclaimer: this is not a bash on Seekins.

You draw your own conclusions on this information. My PH3 in 6.5 PRC was not the expected accuracy based on Seekins reputation. Ragged crown so bad that the patches would tear on the edges. It was a bit challenging to get a response from customer service but once the return was initiated the process was smooth sailing.

Seekins lows .....

View attachment 882859

Which NF scope is this? Planning to use NX8 4-32x50. Was expecting to need at least mediums.

 

[Gulogulo]

Which NF scope is this? Planning to use NX8 4-32x50. Was expecting to need at least mediums.

NX8 4-32x50

The only downside to using lows is you have little room to adjust for eye relief but luckily the position was perfect. I have the comb in the first up position.

 

[Ophidian]

I have Warne mountain tech lows and I can’t mount my nx8 2.5-20 on it so time to grab some taller ones. At least I can use the lows on my other rifle.

 

[ELKhunter49]

That's an interesting thought. So I wouldn't have to get a new magazine the WSM would fit in the mag?

If desired, you could always have a 300wsm barrel made for it…switch the bolt face…and now you have your mag.


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[Timjohnson11]

Seekins sells prefits and bolt heads for the ph3. Mine is chambered in 6 Creed and I have a Seekins 20” prefit in 22 ARC on order (along with the ARC bolt gear and MDT magazine Seekins customer service recommended.

Prefit was $500 I believe and another $100 or so for the bolt head.

(all available to order in Euro ).

That's an interesting thought. So I wouldn't have to get a new magazine the WSM would fit in the mag?

 

[hunt1up]

I was impatiently waiting on a long ago ordered Element Hunter in 6cm. I’d been routinely checking online for a PH3 if one popped up. Last week Midway showed one in stock so I cancelled my Hunter and bought the PH3. Put $1200 back in the bank and got the gun in a few days. I can always buy the Hunter chassis when they start selling them.

I got it all set up last night and plan on shooting this weekend. First impression is that it’s really well thought out. The bolt functions smoothly and I really like the throw and handle. It’s quick and intuitive. With the mag in, the bolt slides across the carbon of the magazine and you feel it. It doesn’t impede its function, but it adds a slight grittiness to the motion. I’d imagine that’ll smooth out with use and it’s not a deal breaker. I like the MLOK rail. It’ll see both tripod and bipod use, and in 2 minutes I had both attachments mounted where I wanted them.

All done with a Trijicon 2.5-15 and Seekins lows, it weighs 9lbs 6.3oz. Not the lightweight version I was going for with the Hunter but it’s fine. My other rifles are in this weight range. With the 20” barrel and the weight of the adjustable stock it balances really well and doesn’t feel heavy in the hand. I’m sure I’ll get curious and get the chassis later, which will make it a steel barreled version of the Hunter.

Edit: It also didn't come with a thread protector. I thought that was lame. I'm not hunting with a brake on a 6 creedmoor. I just ordered a $10 thread protector rather than calling Seekins about it.

 

[hunt1up]

I shot my 6 creedmoor PH3 today. I didn’t do any break in procedure. Just went straight to shooting. Got it around the bullseye after 4 shots. Shooting factory ELDX 103s. Groups measured 1.1-1.5” at first. By the end I measured the last two at .8-.9” at 200 yards. It tightened up as I went. I didn’t stretch it any further yet. Chrono right at 2900. I really like the fit and feel of the gun. It functioned smooth throughout, with only one exception. If loading from the mag it would cycle great. If I dropped a single into the chamber and attempted to load it, the bullet would catch the lower face of the barrel and stop. They’d go if I gave them some help. From the mag though, totally fine.

I’ve got a custom Alamo 6cm that shoots the same ammo at a 1/2”. So this one might be a little pickier. Time will tell. Overall I really like the rifle and think it’ll be a good one.

 

[Ophidian]

Got the 22” 7PRC PH3 out to the range today for data collection. Zeroing at 50y and taking some measurements with the athlon

Federal terminal ascent:
2 moa (need to re-test this as this was the first batch of ammo through the barrel)
Avg speed: 2887 fps
SD: 16.7
SPREAD: 46

Federal ELDX:
.8MOA
AVG: 2854 fps
SD: 16.4
SPREAD: 44.3

Barnes 160gr LRX
Looks to be sub moa probably .7 but I was adjusting elevation while grouping but most were touching each other
Avg: 3005
SD: 10.2
SPREAD: 26.6

It was 90F today, no wind at sea level and I was pretty rushed (public range) so I didn’t do any barrel rest between groups. All groups were 5 other than the TA since I used one as a fouling shot (not counted in the accuracy).

I think even with less ideal conditions either the ELDX or LRX will be awesome options. I’m very happy with the initial results. If this is what I can expect I’m not even going to bother reloading.

Recoil was very manageable with the included brake (bipod with rear bag for support. My dad’s .270 featherweight had way more recoil and it only weighs 1.5lbs less.

 

[stilesg57]

Got the 22” 7PRC PH3 out to the range today for data collection. Zeroing at 50y and taking some measurements with the athlon

Federal terminal ascent:
2 moa (need to re-test this as this was the first batch of ammo through the barrel)
Avg speed: 2887 fps
SD: 16.7
SPREAD: 46

Federal ELDX:
.8MOA
AVG: 2854 fps
SD: 16.4
SPREAD: 44.3

Barnes 160gr LRX
Looks to be sub moa probably .7 but I was adjusting elevation while grouping but most were touching each other
Avg: 3005
SD: 10.2
SPREAD: 26.6

It was 90F today, no wind at sea level and I was pretty rushed (public range) so I didn’t do any barrel rest between groups. All groups were 5 other than the TA since I used one as a fouling shot (not counted in the accuracy).

I think even with less ideal conditions either the ELDX or LRX will be awesome options. I’m very happy with the initial results. If this is what I can expect I’m not even going to bother reloading.

Recoil was very manageable with the included brake (bipod with rear bag for support. My dad’s .270 featherweight had way more recoil and it only weighs 1.5lbs less.

Really nice to hear about the felt recoil of the 7 on that specific PH3 model, thanks!

 

[Ophidian]

Really nice to hear about the felt recoil of the 7 on that specific PH3 model, thanks!

I was a little concerned but I had to remind myself I hunted with a sako finnlite (no brake) in 7RM for a while without issue. The only thing I may change is get a side discharge brake like the SRS but I’m in no rush to do that right now. Next purchase is some brass bullets and dies.

 

[handwerk]

They seem like a well put together rifle, too bad they turned up being on the heavy side.

 

[stilesg57]

They seem like a well put together rifle, too bad they turned up being on the heavy side.

Just an excuse to use them as a larger caliber rifle for recoil wimps like me haha

 

[ELKhunter49]

Do you guys think I should ditch my new PH3 in 308 for a 7PRC or 300 Win Mag. I most often use it as an elk rifle. I'm not afraid of recoil, but I am a little afraid the 7PRC is going to fizzle out like the 7mm WSM that I have did.

 

[Timjohnson11]

Do you guys think I should ditch my new PH3 in 308 for a 7PRC or 300 Win Mag. I most often use it as an elk rifle. I'm not afraid of recoil, but I am a little afraid the 7PRC is going to fizzle out like the 7mm WSM that I have did.

7 PRC wouldn't be my first choice for a dedicated elk rifle, though not because of any fears of it fizzling out. Hate it or love it, 7 PRC will around for the long haul at this point. All of my rifle kills on elk have been with 108 Bergers (6mm) or 156 Bergers (6.5mm). I've yet to have an elk go more than a couple yards with either of these two bullets. Concurrently, there are some awesome 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges available today that can push these bullets to long ranges while also exhibiting high inherent shootability and accuracy, and great factory ammo offerings.

With all that said, I'd take a 6.5 PRC or 6mm Creed over each of the three options you mentioned if I was in the market for a new elk rifle.. You'll have improved hit rates and a great selection of bullets to choose from that will wreck havak on any elk in their path.

 

[Brigham @ Outdoor Vitals]

I got my PH3 set up a couple weeks ago, and finally got out last week and got it zeroed. Setup is a 20" 6 CM, with Nightforce NXS 2.5-10, and Unknown OG suppressor. Rounds were fed with the factory carbon fiber magazine as well as a MDT polymer AICS 5 rd mag. Rounds fired were factory loaded Hornady 108 ELDM. 20 shot MV average was 2843 fps.

I did not clean the rifle prior to first shots. Just took it out of the box and put it together and shot it.

A couple things I noticed:
1 - Inserting the factory CF mag is not smooth, in fact I'd call it a frustration. It's a very tight fit, which I'm sure I'll develop a better process to load it more smoothly, but compared to any other rifle I've owned I would call it a deficiency. Operation with the MDT mag is better, but still a little tight. Not really a problem.

2 - I do like the bolt throw, but when chambering a round it is a bit rough. There is a false stop about 1/4 to 1/2" from actually being fully in the chamber. It's a moderate annoyance, but the action is still functional. Again, compared to other rifles I have, it's a deficiency. It definitely required what I might call a 'forceful' operation. My GA Precisions, Sakos, and Tikkas never required this much effort. It's an issue because I like to cycle another round immediately after firing, while keeping my reticle on the target. The significant force required to cycle the next round significantly disrupts the sight picture. I'll see if this improves over time. Extraction and ejection were fine.

3 - It was mentioned by someone above, but I also experienced difficulty single feeding a round with an empty mag in. Not desirable, but I personally hardly ever do that so I don't care too much about that issue. But it is a deficiency.

On the positive side, I'm happy with the first 10 round group. This is after a zeroing procedure of walking the impact into point of aim, one round at a time. Once I got 1 round to impact close to my zeroing point of aim, I switched targets and shot this 10 round group to know where to adjust for an actual zero. The picture below is that group.

 

[handwerk]

Interesting reports, appears there are still some bugs for Seekins to work out..... they also seem a bit heavier then originally stated.