New Build and Looking for help

bahabill

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
58
Location
Arizona
OK i am looking to build either 7prc or 300 prc in a long action setup. this is my interest ....

Terminus Zues LA with quick change option
Proof Carbon barrel
McMillan stock
TT diamond trigger ( already own extra )
EC Tuner break ( already own a few )

Thought about Defiance Ruckus ???

I am confused on the Zeus only accepting ai/aw style magazines.... Ignorant being I have 8 Bolt actions all bought from LGS never felt or used a custom action and really want one...
Already own SAC barrel vise and universal action wrench ( will buy action wrench specific for NEW action I use.

Can some one help in my choice and explain the Bottom metal AI/AW I can use. I looked at Hawkins But says BDM M5 and such and i am lost. Need help

Riffle will be mostly hunting and I do shoot steel out too 1000 yards every now and then and I am in Tucson AZ so most shots at deer are pretty far out usually 400 is a short shot. Hate dragging em out tho LOL....

Dont own any 7mm guns so most likely will go with 7 prc but like my 300 prc round thats why the switch barrel sounds good to me...

thought and info please greatly appreciated....
 
Welcome from about 2-2.5 hours north (depending on what part of Tucson you are in).

Defiance actions are very nice. I have a few Deviants and a few AnTi X. II have shot a few Ruckus as well.
You can get them for BDL with feed rails, or DBM without. Pretty much any M5 DBM will work as long as you get the stock inletted to match.

I have shot some Terminus actions too. Depends on if you like a 90* or 60* bolt throw. Very nice actions.
I don't think the Zeus are compatible with a BDL setup though. The Kratos is compatible with both BDL and DBM.

Either way, if all you have owned are factory rifles, you will be well pleased with the custom actions.

As far as 7PRC vs 300PRC, they are beltless versions of the 7RM and 300WM. They both have their place in someone's safe.
7PRC will have less recoil
300PRC will have heavier bullet available
7PRC uses less powder per round
300PRC has more brass choices available (for now)

7PRC 180gr @ 2950-3000+.
300PRC 215 @ 2950-3000+.

Either are plenty for all N American game up to the big bears. For AZ, unless you are going Bison hunting any time soon, flip a coin. Although, I know a guy who took a huge bison with his .280AI. Pretty comparable to the 7PRC.

I run my 300PRC suppressed. With a 230 Hyb @ 2995fps, recoil is "stout".
I run my 7SS suppressed. A 184 Hyb @ 2916fps is much nicer to shoot.
A suppressed 28 Nosler running a 195 Elite @ 3060 is easier on the shoulder than the 300PRC too.
 
Last edited:
One thing that might help sort this out is the AW magazine is only for short actions.

For a hunting rifle do you really want a AI type of magazine? They're on the heavy side.
 
That's it. Not really looking for it would rather low profile magazine or hinge plate. I just don't know if it will work. If I can't may have to go with Defiance Ruckus but I really do like the quick barrel option.
 
That's it. Not really looking for it would rather low profile magazine or hinge plate. I just don't know if it will work. If I can't may have to go with Defiance Ruckus but I really do like the quick barrel option.
Take a closer look at The Terminus Zeus because the long action may be cut for BDL and AICS use. You might have to send them the question or call them. I couldn't find anything on their website that would indicate AW mag is for short action only.
 
Last edited:
Hawkins M5 Bottom Metal.

Just curious, what is it you like about that particular action? I ask this question, because it weighs almost 1 pound more than the ANTI-X and 9 oz more than the Ruckus.
 

Attachments

  • M5-DBM211.jpg
    M5-DBM211.jpg
    18.4 KB · Views: 20
@HawkinsPrecision you had a great video that described all of this and I cannot find it. Could you re-post?

In short, by the info you've given (I'm not knowledgeable on Zeus) the action is cut for AI/AW which means it doesn't have feed lips machined in the action. If you want to run a hinged foorplate (called bdl) you can't easily…you need to run a magazine setup. Hawkins Hunter (your stock needs an M5 bottom metal inlet) is the low profile mag setup you'd want to run, my opinion theirs is the best.

Sounds like the Kratos does have the BDL feed lips you need if you're going with a BDL setup.

I prefer the lighter actions myself. Defiance is fine and but I like Kelblys ejector better. I've grown to prefer the mechanical ejectors versus the plungers.

Good luck and enjoy the research as much as the build.
 
OK now you guys got me thinking.......
This riffle is mostly hunting and will be some steel plinking out to 1k or longer if I can find good spot....

Not looking for a heavy comp PRS gun.

What I liked about the Zeus was the quick change but to be honest I am not gonna change in field or at range. I liked all the reviews on the action and alot of the local Police Dept guys are using them and Barbourcreek gave good review.

So what would you guys rec I look into. here is my basic goal.....
Hunting
7mm prc
Non Chassis stock
Hinge plate orlow profile drop box
Proof PREFIT carbon Barrel
 
I like where you are going with this. I think I would use the Terminus Kratos, or to save 7 ounces, the Kratos-lite.

I haven't been able to handle a Terminus action but I keep hearing good things about them.

Here's a review on the kratos:

And a review on the terminus Zeus:
 
Last edited:
I sent a question to Terminus and received an answer this morning"


Todd,
The LA Zeus will accept any AI style mag or any center feed internal box. The LA Zeus is cut to accept 3.850" CIP length mags and boxes.

Hope this clears things up.

Thanks

Joel Russo
 

Recent Posts

Top