What to do with 7 PRC Tikka

[Bluefish]

Just took out two new Tikka builds to the range. 7 PRC and a 7.5 twist 25-06. The prc build was started before I read all the small caliber discussions. Now after using it, I have decided it’s not the right rifle. Now what to I do with it, new barrel in ? Swap the bolt for a smaller bolt face and swap to a new barrel in a 6mm?

The 25-06 can handle 135g match bullets or lighter varmint options so not sure I need a second 25 cal like a 25-6.5 prc. The 510 bolt face limits choices for smaller lower recoiling calibers. Suggestions?

 

[nobody]

6UM

 

[The Guide]

Just took out two new Tikka builds to the range. 7 PRC and a 7.5 twist 25-06. The prc build was started before I read all the small caliber discussions. Now after using it, I have decided it’s not the right rifle. Now what to I do with it, new barrel in ? Swap the bolt for a smaller bolt face and swap to a new barrel in a 6mm?

The 25-06 can handle 135g match bullets or lighter varmint options so not sure I need a second 25 cal like a 25-6.5 prc. The 510 bolt face limits choices for smaller lower recoiling calibers. Suggestions?

Sell/trade for a 223 then shoot a lot and be happy!

Jay

 

[TxLite]

Realistically what are you trying to achieve that your fast twist 25-06 can’t do? That’s where I would start

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Your 25-06 is a Tikka? Are you using Tikka mags? I thought the 135gr couldn’t be used in the factory mag.

Just sell the 7 PRC. It’s a popular round, I’m sure it will sell.

 

[Bluefish]

Your 25-06 is a Tikka? Are you using Tikka mags? I thought the 135gr couldn’t be used in the factory mag.

Just sell the 7 PRC. It’s a popular round, I’m sure it will sell.

I have longer mags. Have not built up any 135 rounds yet, but I believe they will fit. Was shooting 80g and was a bit disappointed in the speed. Only 3400 fps with a mid data load. I knew it would be a little slower due to only being a 22” barrel, but was about 100 fps slower than the data suggested.

Already have a nice 223 national match style AR, so don’t want other 223. So I guess I am looking for something that fits between the two. Don’t really want to sell off the whole rifle, but will probably pull the 7 prc barrel off and sell it.

 

[TxLite]

So I guess I am looking for something that fits between the two.

Between the 223 and 25-06 or between the 25-06 and 7prc?

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I have longer mags. Have not built up any 135 rounds yet, but I believe they will fit. Was shooting 80g and was a bit disappointed in the speed. Only 3400 fps with a mid data load. I knew it would be a little slower due to only being a 22” barrel, but was about 100 fps slower than the data suggested.

Already have a nice 223 national match style AR, so don’t want other 223. So I guess I am looking for something that fits between the two. Don’t really want to sell off the whole rifle, but will probably pull the 7 prc barrel off and sell it.

If the 25-06 is new, it will speed up with more rounds through it. If it’s a mid data load, I wouldn’t worry about that speed yet.

I did a 19” tikka 25-06 for a friend, and we are shooting 87gr Berger (bullet isn’t made anymore) at 3430 using below book max 87 gr data if h4831SC. That was just a random load I put together for him with no development, there are zero pressure signs at all with room to go. This is with a can. The barreled action was purchased used from a RS member who said it had roughly 2-300 rounds through it, so it should be “broken in” and therefore shouldn’t exhibit any increase from use.

The velocities we got (have only shot the rifle in one session so far) were the same as his 22” barreled Marlin XL7 25-06 the Tikka build replaced.

Which mags and bottom metal are you using? Based on some preliminary data we got off my buddy’s rig, I’m thinking of building a 25-06AI with an 18”.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Imho, you're asking what would be good between the two as one question (6creed would be fun, or if sticking with stock tikka 243win fast twist). If asking what to do with a magnum bolt face it doesn't really fit the first question well, imho. Sell the 7prc (popular as noted) and get a 243 or a standard bolt donor action for 6 creed.

 

[Bluefish]

Between the 223 and 25-06 or between the 25-06 and 7prc?

Between 223 and 25-06. After shooting the 25-06, don’t see any reason to go bigger.

 

[Lawnboi]

Buy a 223 bolt off Midwest gun works, buy a 223 prefit.

Save your magnum bolt at a minimum, sell the barrel.

Buy a suppressor.

 

[Bluefish]

If the 25-06 is new, it will speed up with more rounds through it. If it’s a mid data load, I wouldn’t worry about that speed yet.

I did a 19” tikka 25-06 for a friend, and we are shooting 87gr Berger (bullet isn’t made anymore) at 3430 using below book max 87 gr data if h4831SC. That was just a random load I put together for him with no development, there are zero pressure signs at all with room to go. This is with a can. The barreled action was purchased used from a RS member who said it had roughly 2-300 rounds through it, so it should be “broken in” and therefore shouldn’t exhibit any increase from use.

The velocities we got (have only shot the rifle in one session so far) were the same as his 22” barreled Marlin XL7 25-06 the Tikka build replaced.

Which mags and bottom metal are you using? Based on some preliminary data we got off my buddy’s rig, I’m thinking of building a 25-06AI with an 18”.

I was right at 3400 with 60g of h4831 sc with a can. max load is 62g per barnes data. May try some different powders as the data suggests 3700 should be possible.

Bottom metal is mesa precision and mag is mountain tactical.

 

[Bluefish]

Buy a 223 bolt off Midwest gun works, buy a 223 prefit.

Save your magnum bolt at a minimum, sell the barrel.

Buy a suppressor.

Already have a handful of 30 cal cans. Barrel is coming off and will be sold.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Bottom metal is mesa precision and mag is mountain tactical.

I suggest seating a dummy round at your preferred OAL to see if it will feed before loading any rounds. There may be an action constraint even with aftermarket bottom metal.

 

[TxLite]

Between 223 and 25-06. After shooting the 25-06, don’t see any reason to go bigger.

Depending on what you’re going for (effective range, bullet selection, etc) I’d look into trading your magnum bolt for a standard and then look at prefits in either 22 cm or 6 cm. The 6 cm would be easier on barrels. 25 cm is cool but I really don’t see any purpose when you have a fast twist 25-06.

But at the end of the day your 25-06 would do everything just fine.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

For me, I'd sell/trade the 25-06 before the 7 PRC. I'm certainly a fan of less recoil and the majority of my powder burning is done with a .223, but when playing long, the 180's with a bit of velocity make a difference in wind.

Seller's choice, but between the 25-06 and 7 PRC, I'd keep the PRC.

Either way, I'd replace the one that left with a T3x .223. For volume shooting, it's impossible to beat.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I was right at 3400 with 60g of h4831 sc with a can. max load is 62g per barnes data. May try some different powders as the data suggests 3700 should be possible.

Bottom metal is mesa precision and mag is mountain tactical.

What’s weird is I get more velocity out of 4831 SC than with straight 4831 with the same charge. As in 200fps more with the same 87gr bullet mentioned above… I would definitely try some different powders. With the bullet weight you’re using, look at some faster burn rates.

I personally would ditch the 7PRC and keep the 25 all day. Break it in, try different powders etc.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

For me, I'd sell/trade the 25-06 before the 7 PRC. I'm certainly a fan of less recoil and the majority of my powder burning is done with a .223, but when playing long, the 180's with a bit of velocity make a difference in wind.

Seller's choice, but between the 25-06 and 7 PRC, I'd keep the PRC.

Either way, I'd replace the one that left with a T3x .223. For volume shooting, it's impossible to beat.

You may want to review the numbers on a 134 ELDM at 2900 MV vs. a 7PRC with a 180 and see if all that recoil is worth it. Spoiler alert, that 134 ELDM doesn't drop below 1800 FPS until around 975 yards. With 15mph wind you're looking at 2 Mils windage.

BC	0.645	lbf/in^2
Drag Function	G1
Muzzle Velocity	2900	fps
Angle of Fire	0	degrees
Wind Speed	15	mph
Wind Heading	90	degrees
Temperature	40	ºF
Pressure	24.80294559	mmHg
Altitude	5000	feet
Humidity	40	%
Sight Height	1.5	in
Zero Range	100	yards
Range	Velocity	Elevation	Windage
yards	fps	milliradians	milliradians
0	2900.1	0.0	0.0
50	2836.5	-0.1	0.1
100	2773.9	0.0	0.2
150	2712.3	-0.2	0.3
200	2651.4	-0.4	0.3
250	2591.5	-0.7	0.4
300	2532.3	-1.0	0.5
350	2474.0	-1.3	0.6
400	2416.4	-1.7	0.7
450	2359.6	-2.1	0.8
500	2303.5	-2.4	0.9
550	2248.2	-2.8	1.0
600	2193.6	-3.2	1.1
650	2139.7	-3.6	1.2
700	2086.6	-4.1	1.4
750	2034.2	-4.5	1.5
800	1982.7	-5.0	1.6
850	1931.9	-5.5	1.7
900	1881.9	-6.0	1.8
950	1832.7	-6.5	2.0
1000	1784.4	-7.0	2.1

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Here is some Berger data for the 25-06AI. It has about 6% more capacity than a standard 25-06.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

What’s weird is I get more velocity out of 4831 SC than with straight 4831 with the same charge. As in 200fps more with the same 87gr bullet mentioned above… I would definitely try some different powders. With the bullet weight you’re using, look at some faster burn rates.

Here is some load data for 87s from Hodgdon.