Thread: 6.5 PRC in Tikka T3X lite or Bergara B14 Extreme Hunter

I'd google the weight of a 7mm08 superlite. Should be about the same as that I'd think?

If there's a 6.5prc superlite being released next year I'd definitely wait for that. Slap on an aftermarket CF stock n you'll be away

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

Hey guys, having a toss up between the above rifles...

I'm pretty sure the Bergara is a tiny bit heavier and I know the Tikka will be a shooter but probably no better than the Bergara. I will probably end up with a suppressor on the end but may run a brake to save weight.


I think the stock is a bet better for my frame on the Bergara as I have another Tikka and it's a wee bit short in the length of pull.

As far as aftermarket bits, I have no plans to change anything like stock, magazine etc. Is the mag length on the Tikka suitable for the long slippery pills?

I'm certain. There is something I haven't thought of, anyone have experience with either rifle? Reloaders especially.

Cheers

The Bergara is way heavier. The specs are for the 6.5 Creed and 308 which have a shorter barrel. Mine was pretty heavy. Shot bloody good but with a fairly hefty barrel profile its heavy. Most of the extra weight is in the metalwork so not easy to save.

Also the tikkas longer magazine is something that will help if you plan to reload.

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

How lite are they? Serious question I don't want to go too lite, somewhere around 3.8kg scoped and suppressed should be doable with a lite.

Not a huge difference in weight, it comes fluted and threaded. From what the agent said there's only 4 that made it to NZ.

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

How lite are they? Serious question I don't want to go too lite, somewhere around 3.8kg scoped and suppressed should be doable with a lite.

That’d be achievable with a t3 maybe depending on scope can and rings

So I got to hold a Bergara the other day, felt heavy even without the bolt and they even had some scales. 3.3kg bare rifle, rifle with the bolt in, no ammo, no rings or scope. Very nice solid feel to it, just not quite what I'm after.

My scope and rings are 650 grams, I'd love to splash out on a fancy light weight scope but it's just not in the budget. I've got a Tikka T3X lite lined up, pretty sure they're around or just under 3kg. So should be bang on or just under 4kg scoped and suppressed.

A carbon stock would also be a nice addition but again, not in the budget. if the weight really bigs me I'll go for a brake or try and find a lighter can.

My Tikka t3 with heavy (19mm at the suppressor bush) 19inch barrel 243, scoped suppressed, ready to go hunting with a 3-9 Bushnell elite is band on 8 pounds or 3.6 kg. So should be close with the set up I've got for the prc.

After a long (very short) wait I finally had the Tikka 6.5prc and a bit of time to get it sighted in.



The weather was questionable but managed to get a close enough zero.



After I got it on paper and zeroed I let it cool while I played with the two for free and managed a quick just on one inch group at 100 yards.



I think there is a lot of potential here. By quick I mean almost a mag dump, in the rain

Norma bondstrike was the ammo used, very expensive outing after 13 shots. I have no idea on speeds as again, not exactly chronicgraph weather but they seemed reasonably snotty because I had a few light ejector marks and a couple of swipes on the brass.



Next time out I'll validate drops and hopefully bag an animal in the next couple of weeks.

I think you find the Norma isn’t that fast but it does the business

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

I think you find the Norma isn’t that fast but it does the business

Yeah I have heard mixed reviews on speed so I have realistic expectations. Looking forward to loading my own in the next couple of weeks.

Be intetesting to see what velocity you getting with those stamp marks on the cases. Are they all from the same batch? What's you thought on recoil comparison?

Originally Posted by DBD

Be intetesting to see what velocity you getting with those stamp marks on the cases. Are they all from the same batch? What's you thought on recoil comparison?

Yep all from the same box even. I've only out 13 rounds through it so far but you definitely need to hold onto it. It's quite a sharp recoil like a shove, not a push like the rem mag was. But I'd say no more than a 308 with a stout load.

Update time, had the rifle threaded and shortened to 20 inches, suppressor fitted, looks great, points well, balances nicely, very happy with all that.

Needed zeroing again with all the changes so I got out for a bit of 100 yards target, chronicgraph action and validation today.

Now I have been told that the Norma Bondstrike ammo was slow, now brace yourself, through a 20 inch barrel they are going an average of 2520fps. Yes that's right, 2520 said the chroni, I thought surely they're not that slow

They are that slow. All good though, factory ammo and all that. What I can say is they are accurate and consistent which is good. Running the numbers through strelok I've still got 1000 foot pounds at 600 yards at 1777fps. They handled the wind very well, it was gisty and swirling to probably 15mph and I hit the clump of dirt I was aiming at at 620 yards twice so really can't complain there.

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

Update time, had the rifle threaded and shortened to 20 inches, suppressor fitted, looks great, points well, balances nicely, very happy with all that.

Needed zeroing again with all the changes so I got out for a bit of 100 yards target, chronicgraph action and validation today.

Now I have been told that the Norma Bondstrike ammo was slow, now brace yourself, through a 20 inch barrel they are going an average of 2520fps. Yes that's right, 2520 said the chroni, I thought surely they're not that slow

They are that slow. All good though, factory ammo and all that. What I can say is they are accurate and consistent which is good. Running the numbers through strelok I've still got 1000 foot pounds at 600 yards at 1777fps. They handled the wind very well, it was gisty and swirling to probably 15mph and I hit the clump of dirt I was aiming at at 620 yards twice so really can't complain there.

Surely that's not right.

I get 2500 fps with factory 143 eldx out of my 16 inch creedmoor barrel. I've got a box of the norma to test through my new prc so will chrono some this weekend see how it goes.

Interesting stuff, I'm of the fence about a 20" chop. The word is that the Norma is running very slow. Could it be because 1-8 twist and loosing 4inches?

Yeah I think the shortening has definitely had an effect. The PRC is designed around an 8 twist so don't think that would be a factor, just ammunition manufacturers covering their arses, I think the light ejector marks are just from the soft brass. Also it's brand new, it has had a total of 26 rounds down it, 26 pieces of brass I'll be filling with as much powder as I can to make it go faster than that

But seriously though, the 6.5 swede has been killing deer and bigger for over a century, this will kill deer and bigger. The wind today had almost no effect on the rounds and it is very soft to shoot with the can on. I'll start a reloading thread in the next day or so.

Also it came in at bang on 3.5kg with the shortened barrel and scope, ready to hunt. 3.9 with the hardy gen 5 stealth.