Tikka 6.5 PRC Lite Cut Barrel Length?

[Gooden123]

I ordered a Tikka 6.5 PRC T3X Lite with 24" barrel hoping it came threaded. It didn't.

I'm sending it out to Silencer Precision to be threaded (5/8 x 24?) and guessing I'll have them cut it while they're at it. What length do you all suggest? I'm using it for western hunting and not into long range. Maybe 500-600 yards max. I'm in NJ and can't own a suppressor but I want to put a brake on it.

Also looking for suggestions on brakes in another post with no replies yet.

 

[Matt5266]

20 " for your purpose.

 

[Presswood_936]

I did 22” on mine . It’s had no problems taking elk out to 600 yards

 

[HairyScandinavian]

My 20" gets 2788 fps with factory 147's and I like it a lot. Any less and may as well just go with a CM.

 

[Gooden123]

My 20" gets 2788 fps with factory 147's and I like it a lot. Any less and may as well just go with a CM.

20" is where I'm at right now. If I do that I can get foam and cut it to fit in my Pelican Air double bow. Saves me from buying a gun case. I was thinking 22" originally so glad to see folks are going much shorter.

 

[J.B.]

My 20" gets 2788 fps with factory 147's and I like it a lot. Any less and may as well just go with a CM.

Huh, my 22 verified at 2715 with factory. Brand new barrel, haven’t chronied it since. Plan to hand load for it going forward.

Thats said, 20” will get you to 600 no problem.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Huh, my 22 verified at 2715 with factory. Brand new barrel, haven’t chronied it since. Plan to hand load for it going forward.

Thats said, 20” will get you to 600 no problem.

Might speed up after it breaks in. The 2788 was average with Athlon Rangecraft and I've not verified with drops or anything. Factory Bergara barrel.

 

[Gooden123]

My 20" gets 2788 fps with factory 147's and I like it a lot. Any less and may as well just go with a CM.

I decided I'm not going to have it threaded for a brake mostly due to the potential concussive danger to others. Still thinking 20" but was curious if you have a brake or suppressor, or just open muzzle? Would that even make a difference with velocity?

Sorry I'm an archery hunter entering the rifle world and this is my first rifle.

 

[omicron1792]

I decided I'm not going to have it threaded for a brake mostly due to the potential concussive danger to others. Still thinking 20" but was curious if you have a brake or suppressor, or just open muzzle? Would that even make a difference with velocity?

Sorry I'm an archery hunter entering the rifle world and this is my first rifle.

I would still thread it 5/8x24. Might want a brake in the future, might hunt in another state and use a suppressor. No downsides.

 

[Gooden123]

I would still thread it 5/8x24. Might want a brake in the future, might hunt in another state and use a suppressor. No downsides.

Agreed. But my thought was that this place is local. Almost walking distance from my house. I don't know anything about them but they seem legit. I would trust them cutting and crowning the barrel but I'm not sure I would with threading it. It would save me from having to send it out.

No reason not to trust them threading it. I just have lived here my whole life and never heard of them. But they were recommended on a local Facebook group for cutting barrels.

KI Precision

ki-precision.com

 

[omicron1792]

Threading seems pretty cut and dried to me. Most gunsmiths can do it fine.

 

[Gooden123]

That makes me feel better. I thought cutting the barrel was more of a process then I watched a video if the Midwest USA guy whack one off with basically a piece of angle iron for a jig and a crusty hacksaw

 

[Backofbeyond]

Mine is cut to 18”. Still getting 3150 fps with a 125 HHT and R26. Also get 2810 with a 139 Scenar over R26.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

20”

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I decided I'm not going to have it threaded for a brake mostly due to the potential concussive danger to others. Still thinking 20" but was curious if you have a brake or suppressor, or just open muzzle? Would that even make a difference with velocity?

Sorry I'm an archery hunter entering the rifle world and this is my first rifle.

Mine is suppressed, yes, which can sometimes increase speed a little bit. I've not Chrono'd it unsuppressed. It wouldn't be much though guessing maybe 20-30 fps just based on reading other people's reports.

If that shop can cut and crown then they can thread it, I wouldn't worry too much unless their Google reviews are bad. Do a quick search on them and see.

 

[wind gypsy]

I would leave it at 24” if you’re not suppressing it. No reason to take it down to 6.5 creed level performance and make it louder if you’re going to put a brake on it.

You might not have enough barrel diameter at 24” for 5/8 threads and if you do you still need to add a shoulder. If you don’t add a shoulder you can just thread it 1/2”.

 

[justin davis]

Leave it at 24”.

 

[TradLife406]

Honestly if you can't suppress it I'd leave it at 24. Reason we're going shorter out west is purely for the cans. The 6.5 PRC loses a lot of speed when on start cutting the barrel down. You'll basically have a 6.5 Creed with a full length pipe.

 

[Shortschaf]

If just using a brake, I would absolutely not cut it shorter.
24" balances great

Suppressors are the only reason I cut barrels shorter than 24"

 

[Gooden123]

@wind gypsy @justin davis @TradLife406 @Shortschaf

Well this got interesting. The main reason I wanted to cut it is to avoid spending $500 on a double gun case for air travel when I have a PelicanAir double bow case. I can fit the bow along with all my clothes, trekking poles, tripod, camp, etc. Plus the added benefits of wielding a shorter gun.

FWIW, I was only going down to 22" originally since that's what Tikka Roughtechs come with from the factory. 22" would be tight as far as cutting a foam insert. It would have to be 2 pieces of foam which is fine. It does fit diagonally though, likely even with the scope....