What are my options with this 6.5PRC build

[kenner27]

Long story short, I traded a fantastic hill country rifles .300wm for a lemon of a rifle on here a few months back. I’m stuck with it... The rifle has problems, period. Took it to a gun smith and the chambering is very rough causing the casing to stick after firing. Someone tried to clean it up some, but his guess is they didn’t use a finishing reamer. After firing, there are two distinct “ring” marks around the casing. The action is hard to close with a live round (was not properly torqued to action to hide this), it was built on a short action 700 so you can’t put rounds in the magazine and them properly cycle. The threading on the muzzle is horrible, has a big “dip” in the middle of the threads. Still shoulders up good with a suppressor tho. (Guy glued the muzzle break on to hide this). The rifle shoots great, but I’m just disgusted with it and need to either change something up or get rid of it. Thoughts?

Proof 6.5PRC barrel
Iota krux stock
Timney trigger
700 Short action

[Mike D]

IMO if you want to keep it as a PRC, order you a 6.5PRC AW2 reamer from JGS, take it to a competent smith, have the barrel set back and rechamber it.

Or you could set it back and rechamber it to a 6.5SAUM.

Or you can trash a $700 barrel and start over.


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[kenner27]

Mike, thanks. Another item I forgot is the extractor is riveted and damaged as well. If I was to get a reamer and keep as a PRC, what would the mag fix be? Currently it’s a single shot.

[Cajun Blake]

Just my opinion as I’ve seen similar custom rifle mistakes in the past. I think the original owner of the PRC rifle did not do enough homework or research on the cartridge and components used, specifically the Remington 700 short action. Maybe the gunsmith sold him on the project and he ran with it. A little research would’ve confirmed the PRC case will not fit in a 700 short action magazine. I seem to recall that another option would’ve been using a Winchester model 70 action that has a 3 inch magazine box and will accommodate the PRC cartridge. the simplest solution would have been using a 700 long action. Similar occurrences have been realized when an individual wants to chamber a 6 mm Ackley improved in a short action, and the loaded rounds will not fit in the magazine, therefore rendering the rifle, a single shot.

With regard to the trading of rifles. I think you acted upon impulse and may have fallen in love with the PRC cartridge and components, including the iota stock, and the proof barrel. I am personally guilty of this, and have acted upon impulse buying rifles and then later, realizing that I made a mistake and have buyers remorse.

The major problem with buying a used custom rifle is you’re buying someone else’s dream build. I have purchased quite a few used custom rifles later realizing that I should have saved a few more nickels and built exactly what I wanted the first time and I would’ve been 100% satisfied. You’re not alone, brother, as many of us have also been there before, and will continue to feed our addiction of owning and shooting custom rifles.

I agree with Mike on re-chambering the barrel with the correct reamer while setting the barrel back one or two threads. There may be an aftermarket option for a detachable box magazine that will accommodate a loaded round. However, you would have to do some additional research to find the correct fit if it’s even out there. Best of luck and feel free to reach out for additional help and guidance. There are many knowledgeable people on the forum who can share their insight and possible fixes. Ultimately we want you to be happy.

[kck]

PM sent.

[Mike D]

Mike, thanks. Another item I forgot is the extractor is riveted and damaged as well. If I was to get a reamer and keep as a PRC, what would the mag fix be? Currently it’s a single shot.

I’m lost on the riveted extractor. Can you post some close up pics?

As to the magazine, the PRC is less than ideal with a short action but there may be hope. If the internal feed rails are intact you could open up the bottom of the receiver and install a 3.1” baney box that would allow cartridge length of 3.1”. A competent gunsmith will know how to do this and modify the bolt stop as neeed to allow the bolt to travel further to the rear.

If the rails have been removed for a DBM, you can still get a Wyatts CFE5 center feed box that will allow 3” cartridges.


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[Radar]

The receiver is a standard short action 700 with the bolt face opened up to accept a 6.5 PRC? That would explain the riveted extractor(which is repairable).

I am not sure about your barrel, if I understand correctly the chamber and the muzzle threads are buggered up. Is there enough meat left at the muzzle to cut new threads? Mr. Mike has the best idea to rechamber to a 6.5 SAUM, but I would get the action trued, extractor replaced, re bed it and try to salvage the barrel. Johnny Stigall would be the best guy to call and talk to, he can make things work out and it wont break the bank. Bad thing to all of that is you have to buy brass, dies and start all over again. Ends up being a rabbit hole.

I have been down this road several times on rifles I got jipped on, I never end up liking the gun no matter how much money I put in it. Probably sell the dang thing to someone that wants a project and apply that money toward a nice 6.5 PRC.

[kenner27]

Thanks for the comments. I think I’m gonna call Johnny at Crimson Accuracy and discuss the options. If I can get the chamber reamed properly and get the rounds to feed with a mag setup I’ll go that route. Given that I have over $2,000 in this I hate to walk away from it. Worse case is I’ll have it fixed correctly then sell for a loss but I just can’t sell it in the condition that its in to anyone.

[Mike D]

Johnny is definitely the man to fix this up.


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