Tikka T3 7mm PRC

[TxLite]

From my reading, it seems the 7 PRC can get away with a shorter barrel and push heavier bullets than the 7 mag.

Anyone seeing different? The ballistics I've seen show that tit for tat, the 7 PRC pushes the factory loads a little faster than the 7 mag. Curious if handloads would hold up the same.

I’m averaging 2750ish from factory 175 ELDX in an 18” barrel with my prc. Still working up a load that I like with the 175 Berger but last range trip I hit 2650 without seeing pressure signs so I’m going to keep going.

 

[atmat]

I’m averaging 2750ish from factory 175 ELDX in an 18” barrel with my prc. Still working up a load that I like with the 175 Berger but last range trip I hit 2650 without seeing pressure signs so I’m going to keep going.

I thought you would’ve had more velocity even with the 18”. Doesn’t Hornady advertise 3000 from a 24”? That’s >40 loss per inch.

 

[jblanchrd]

After 3 boxes of factory 175 ELDXs through my 7 PRC 24" barrel I was right at 2900. With 67g RL26 I'm at 2970. I should be able to hit 3000k easy in the 67g-68g with RL26. Right now shooting .5" with the 67g load.

 

[TxLite]

I thought you would’ve had more velocity even with the 18”. Doesn’t Hornady advertise 3000 from a 24”? That’s >40 loss per inch.

Box velocities are usually way off anyways so I’m about where I was expecting to be with them

After 3 boxes of factory 175 ELDXs through my 7 PRC 24" barrel I was right at 2900.

Based on this I’m sitting closer to 25fps/inch

 

[atmat]

Makes sense. You still have plenty of velocity for big game out to very long distances on the 18” — particularly if you eke out some more velocity with handloads.

 

[eyeguy]

I loaded the 175 eldx in my 24 in sako with retumbo. Would have to check my notes but was near or at 70 gr and getting 3040 fps but either my gun didnt like them or was poorly stabilzing them as they shot poorly 2moa ish. Tried 3 other powders with ladder tests and it didnt shoot the 175 eldx well with any of them. 9.5 barrel twist. My experience with my 6.5 prc and 140-156 bergers and 7mm rem mag with 168 and 175 eldx is that bearing surface area/length has more to do with how many grains of powder can be used and velocities attained than the grains in weight of the bullet.

 

[Hausser]

The tikka 7 PRC is built, I went with Iota stock instead of a Mesa precision. I waited 10 weeks with Mesa and still no stock with no info on how much longer. I order a Iota from optics planet and it showed up in 3 days later but was missing the recoil lug, so now I am waiting on Iota to send me a recoil lug, factory tikka recoil lug does not fit. Still need to get a weight of the complete set up.

Tikka T3 action cerakoted black
Proof research 24” 7mm prc barrel cerakoted ends
Factory Tikka trigger and factory bottom metal.
Little bastard gen 2 muzzle break.
Yes I set it in my Christensen arms box since the box was sitting on my table.

 

[bmart2622]

It sure looks good!! I apologize if I missed it but did you have a bullet picked out to try in it?

 

[Hausser]

It sure looks good!! I apologize if I missed it but did you have a bullet picked out to try in it?

I am going to run factory 175 eld x and hopefully the rifle likes them.

 

[bmart2622]

I want one!! Going to hold out for a bit and see what comes out for other bullet options. Did you go with a pre-fit? If you dont mind me asking, what would you guess you have into the build?

 

[TxLite]

The tikka 7 PRC is built, I went with Iota stock instead of a Mesa precision. I waited 10 weeks with Mesa and still no stock with no info on how much longer. I order a Iota from optics planet and it showed up in 3 days later but was missing the recoil lug, so now I am waiting on Iota to send me a recoil lug, factory tikka recoil lug does not fit. Still need to get a weight of the complete set up.

That iota looks great on there

 

[Hausser]

I want one!! Going to hold out for a bit and see what comes out for other bullet options. Did you go with a pre-fit? If you dont mind me asking, what would you guess you have into the build?

I bought the proof pre fit barrel. I would say I have probably 2000.00 into the build not including the tikka rifle I have had for years. I had a gun smith put the rifle together and that cost me almost 600 for cerakote, area 419 arca rail and putting Rifle together.
Barrel was little over 900 to my house
Gun smith was 540.00
Stock bought from optics planet 640.00
Little bastard muzzle break was 172.00

 

[Hausser]

That iota looks great on there

I have never owned a non factory rifle before. All mine are either Christensen arms, Cooper firearms are other factory rifles like savage and I really like the iota stock, I may buy another one when I have another rifle built.

 

[TxLite]

I have never owned a non factory rifle before. All mine are either Christensen arms, Cooper firearms are other factory rifles like savage and I really like the iota stock, I may buy another one when I have another rifle built.

I’ve never had a “true” custom but I’ve built off a few tikkas and a Weatherby MkV. The end result has always been much better than what I’ve found with factory rifles. I’ll be interested to hear how you like it after shooting.

 

[bwilsonj10]

Any updates from these builds? Specifically what COL you are able to run and what accuracy you're getting?
I've always been a remington 700 guy and never owned a Tikka. Had great results with factory 700 actions, but interested to see if I can do the same with a T3x.
I would get a lightly used T3x (please correct me if this is a bad idea), proof 22" 7 PRC pre-fit, and XLR 4.0 magnesium chassis. I would be hoping for around 0.5 MOA after handload refinement.
Does this seem feasible and are there any other Tikka-specific steps I'm missing?

 

[Hausser]

Any updates from these builds? Specifically what COL you are able to run and what accuracy you're getting?
I've always been a remington 700 guy and never owned a Tikka. Had great results with factory 700 actions, but interested to see if I can do the same with a T3x.
I would get a lightly used T3x (please correct me if this is a bad idea), proof 22" 7 PRC pre-fit, and XLR 4.0 magnesium chassis. I would be hoping for around 0.5 MOA after handload refinement.
Does this seem feasible and are there any other Tikka-specific steps I'm missing?

I am not going to reload my tikka 7 PRC, I put the round in my factory tikka mag and it seems to be maxed out. I finally received my Hawkins Laing range hybrid rings so I have not mounted the scope and shot it. I will have a better idea on accuracy next week. I also still need to weigh it.

 

[Hausser]

Little follow up on my Tikka 7mm PRC. The rifle with nightforce NX8 scope and Hawkins hybrid rings the rifle weight 7lb 8 oz. With the atlas bipod on it it weighs just over 10lbs.

 

[TxLite]

Little follow up on my Tikka 7mm PRC. The rifle with nightforce NX8 scope and Hawkins hybrid rings the rifle weight 7lb 8 oz. With the atlas bipod on it it weighs just over 10lbs.

Which atlas is that? The bt46 is advertised at 13.6 oz. Should not be 2.5lb+ for the bipod

 

[Hausser]

Which atlas is that? The bt46 is advertised at 13.6 oz. Should not be 2.5lb+ for the bipod

Not sure which one, bought it used off Rokslide.

 

[Kickernate]

Any one build a Tikka T3 7mm PRC yet? I ordered a proof barrel and muzzle break. I have an older Tikka T3 in 7mm rem mag that will soon be a 7mm PRC and trying to get some ideas on a stock. Thinking about MDT HNT 26 folding Chassis for Tikka. If you have built one show off some pictures if you do not mid.

Building mine in 7mm prc right now. Used a 7mm rem mag Tikka I got cheap on gun broker as the donor.
22” proof Tikka pre-fit
Lumley machine ti handle, bolt shroud, and recoil lug
mesa precision altitude stock in alpine
Meraki machine self timing ti muzzlebreak
Mountain tactical 12-24 ounce trigger spring
LRI bolt flute in wrought iron with black cerakote.
Will be topped with a nightforce
Haven’t done the barrel switch yet or cerakoted the action body yet. Will update as build progresses