Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka 6.5 PRC..anyone ?

I've had the 6.5 PRC bug off and on since it first made the news. Talked myself out of a custom build a few times now. Was pretty much over it ,until a friend bought one(CVA) and I help set it up.
A few trips to the LGS has me thinking about a Tikka T3X of some configuration .

Any campfire members have one ? If so what do you think ? Wondering what the max COAL the mag will handle also ?

Thanks in advance.

I don't have a 6.5 PRC or other short action Tikka, but I have or have had multiple long actions. With a 6.5 PRC, COAL may be a limiting factor if you reload and want to use long high BC bullets. Depends on the throat, but using relatively high BC bullets, my previous Tikka barrels have all allowed longer COALs than the factory magazine would permit.

Fortunately, with the Tikka short action (which has a long action receiver), COAL can be mitigated by increasing the bolt travel and adjusting or purchasing a different magazine.

Thank you

I've had an interest in the 6.5 PRC as well but I have two 270s and they are so similar that I don't really see the point unless you are committed to a short action (or is it a mid-length action?).

From what little I know, a 6.5PRC is shoe horned in a short action. Medium length is about perfect. Some factory offerings come in long action .

I have never owned any 270 or 6.5s of any kind.

I've been hunting the 270 for years but am thinking very seriously about getting a Tikka T3 in 6.5 PRC. I shoot to 1000 yds a lot for fun and am very good at it. 600 yds is a chip shot and my self imposed limit for hunting although I don't stretch my 270 out to 600 because I'm not 100 % comfortable with the wind drift and retained energy of my 270. The 6.5 PRC is a noticeable performance improvement at 600 yds in both retained velocity and wind drift. It's a win IMO. Furthermore the design of the PRC does offer an accuracy upgrade as well although if your not into serious accuracy you might not notice the difference. I am into accuracy and I can definitely see the difference

My 17 year old daughter’s hunting rifle is a Tikka 6.5 PRC. It’s the veil camo pattern with cerakoted barrel and brake. She practices with the brake on and hunts with the brake removed.

The magazine is pretty well maxed out with a factory Hornady 147gr ELD-M round

Thank you for the info .

I've found that the 6.5 PRC in my rifle (Cooper) was much more accurate than my 270 Winchester (CZ 550 Sonoran). It seemed to have less recoil also, but I had a brake on the Cooper. I sold the CZ. As one of the other posters mentioned, other than the increase in accuracy, (observed in my rifles only) I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two calibers inside 500 yards. That said, I am firmly on the 6.5 train. Owning both the Creed and the PRC. I got rid of all my other sub 338 calibers as I just couldn't match the accuracy of these relatively new cartridges.

I'm with you. The cartridge intrigues me. I also think that the Tikka is a superb platform for it.

Stick with me.

As it comes it is adequate. Have a look at Mountain Tactical. With the addition of a full-length (the one used for 30-06 length cartridges, the proper verbiage is escaping me) bolt stop and their magazine you can hand load about any bullet to your hearts content. Been mulling over this set myself up for a while.

Pretty likely factory 143 eldx will be the start . If I find time down the road ,I may look into the 156 Berger. The 156 may need more mag room ?


Thanks and keep the info coming.

Wonder if we’ll get a plain SS T3X sporter in 6.5PRC sometime soon?

I've been waiting for just that. It will show up after I buy something else. haha

Have a look at the Tikka web site. They appear to have several versions, one of which is the T3X super light. Of note, they are at least cataloging a few nice options for this lefty.

My excuse list shortens.........

I've looked at all the current models they list on their site. Not sure if they are importing that T3X light/super light or not, or it's just not in production yet ? Many google searches did not produce any in stock anywhere.

Might have to contact EuroOptic for info.

Looks like both of the SS versions of the 6.5PRC are fluted. While that's better than nothing, I'd only be interested in the non-fluted, as I'd cut it back to 20-21" for a can. Flutes jack that all up......

I've got the Tikka T3x Roughtech in 6.5prc. Great little gun. I've been getting an itch to do some horse trading for a larger caliber or save up and throw a 7prc barrel on it. It's very accurate and recoil is light. I recently got a can and my barrel is fluted so chopping it down like I'd like just isn't a real option which is why I'm considering the things I am.