6.5 PRC or 280AI, build of buy

[Huskershooter6.5]

Hey everyone, first post here. So as the title says, I'm looking at either building or buying a 6.5 prc or 289ai. I've been wanting a prc for awhile now, but after reading through lots of forums on here I feel that I may be better off with the 280ai. The price range I'm looking at is around 3k for the rifle. Mainly used on whitetail in Nebraska with the occasional elk hunt. I do own a lee reloaded, although I've never found the time to get it set up after owning is for 3 years, so I'm not against reloading but currently will be using factory ammo.
My first thought was to build on a bighorn origin action with a proof barrel and manners eh1 or Mesa precision stock.
Next would be a CA ridgeline and swap out the stock for the manners or Mesa.
I've noticed the Proof elevation mtr has most of the components I was looking at with a similar stock.
Last one would be the new fierce rival. Not much info on that yet, but everyone on here seems to love fierce firearms.
Hoping to knee the rifle around the 6 1/2 pound mark before optics.
Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[blacktail 8541]

I really find it hard to recommend a caliber other than the 280 AI for general big game. As it does it all very well. The 6.5 PRC has struck an itch with me though. The biggest issue that I see is that it really needs a intermediate or long action to work well. As for custom or factory, it really boils down to if you can find a factory option that full fills your wants and needs. If not, then it is the custom route and a lot of patience until parts are available and still more patients while you chosen smith completes the build.

 

[blacktail 8541]

double tap

 

[whirlwindjml]

I killed 6 elk now with a creedmoor (i know im unethical) so the 6.5 prc is in the mail because i love my freinds264 (low recoil and accurate).
The 280ai is a good choice. If you buy factory make sure the mag length and twist will work with the bullets you wany to use.
I bought the 6.5prc sav tactical..im finding out the throat may be to far out for the mag length. 50 thou bullet jump.

I may buy a new barrel with a shorter throat.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Hey everyone, first post here. So as the title says, I'm looking at either building or buying a 6.5 prc or 289ai. I've been wanting a prc for awhile now, but after reading through lots of forums on here I feel that I may be better off with the 280ai. The price range I'm looking at is around 3k for the rifle. Mainly used on whitetail in Nebraska with the occasional elk hunt. I do own a lee reloaded, although I've never found the time to get it set up after owning is for 3 years, so I'm not against reloading but currently will be using factory ammo.
My first thought was to build on a bighorn origin action with a proof barrel and manners eh1 or Mesa precision stock.
Next would be a CA ridgeline and swap out the stock for the manners or Mesa.
I've noticed the Proof elevation mtr has most of the components I was looking at with a similar stock.
Last one would be the new fierce rival. Not much info on that yet, but everyone on here seems to love fierce firearms.
Hoping to knee the rifle around the 6 1/2 pound mark before optics.
Any advice is much appreciated!

I was in this exact spot last year - 6.5 PRC vs 280AI...build or buy etc. i ended up with a Christensen BA Tactical ($2500 at sportsmans) in 6.5 PRC and I love it. It is my elk, Mule deer, black bear rifle. I have no regrets going with the CA or the 6.5 PRC. I actually really like the stock that comes on the BA Tactical. The Trigger Tech trigger that it came with is breaking at a crisp 1.25lbs. Its a sweet set up.

I should also add that I haven't had time to reload for it yet, so I have been shooting factory ammo. Its shoot the 147gr Match .3-.5 moa and the precision hunter .5-.7 moa.

This group includes the cold bore shot (top left) from a couple weekends ago. Its the precision hunter:

 

[lancetkenyon]

Build a custom. But for $3k, you are going to be hard pressed with your list of components you listed.
.280AI is my preference when elk is on the table.
6.5 PRC if not.

 

[adk hunter]

Lance is on it as usual. If you have time to build great. Or you can take that same time (or much less) and just watch the classifieds here... Many top tier rifles go out the door when safes are too full. Simple to change cerakote colors and paint or dip and viola your very own flavor. CA, fierce and the new savage with a proof barrel all good bets too.

With the CA route you may find that checks all your boxes. Only thing I am not in love with is the sticky recoil pad.

With factory ammo, being your most likely weak link to your ensemble, I might look at a more middle classed cartridge. Since you are in mid to long length actions '06, 7RM, 300WM all have so many flavors your sure to find one you and your rifle like.

 

[Huskershooter6.5]

I was in this exact spot last year - 6.5 PRC vs 280AI...build or buy etc. i ended up with a Christensen BA Tactical ($2500 at sportsmans) in 6.5 PRC and I love it. It is my elk, Mule deer, black bear rifle. I have no regrets going with the CA or the 6.5 PRC. I actually really like the stock that comes on the BA Tactical. The Trigger Tech trigger that it came with is breaking at a crisp 1.25lbs. Its a sweet set up.

I should also add that I haven't had time to reload for it yet, so I have been shooting factory ammo. Its shoot the 147gr Match .3-.5 moa and the precision hunter .5-.7 moa.

This group includes the cold bore shot (top left) from a couple weekends ago. Its the precision hunter:
View attachment 180672

Not opposed to that rifle at all, my only concern is it may be a bit to heavy for what I'm after, any idea on what it weighs?

Build a custom. But for $3k, you are going to be hard pressed with your list of components you listed.
.280AI is my preference when elk is on the table.
6.5 PRC if not.

Here is the list I was looking at...
Bighorn Origin- $850
Proof bighorn Prefit- $830
Mesa or manners stock- $600–$700
Hawkins bottom metal- $170
Trigger (undecided)- $200
Total- $2650-$2750
Does a guy need a smith with a Prefit barrel? Serious question as this would be my first build.

Lance is on it as usual. If you have time to build great. Or you can take that same time (or much less) and just watch the classifieds here... Many top tier rifles go out the door when safes are too full. Simple to change cerakote colors and paint or dip and viola your very own flavor. CA, fierce and the new savage with a proof barrel all good bets too.

With the CA route you may find that checks all your boxes. Only thing I am not in love with is the sticky recoil pad.

With factory ammo, being your most likely weak link to your ensemble, I might look at a more middle classed cartridge. Since you are in mid to long length actions '06, 7RM, 300WM all have so many flavors your sure to find one you and your rifle like.

As far as other cartridges goes, I actually just sold a 700 7mag because call me a girl... but the recoil was more than I liked. I do a fair amount of shooting so I want something that I can get a lot of practice in with and actually enjoy it ha. I can't say I have shot the PRC or the 280ai before, just going from what I've read. Mainly shot my dads CA ridgeline 6.5 creedmoor, I don't think the PRC is too much more than that (I could be wrong) but I also don't really have any idea about the 280ai...

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Today's factory ammo is great - as good as a lot of guys handloads. Right now, the 280 has a few more offerings, but IMO the PRC will surpass it in no time. Federal and Nosler have already come out with ammo for it. I wouldn't be surprised if they expand their offerings and Berger and others get involved. Its a great round. Where the 280 AI shines is with 180gr bullets. If you are going to shoot 140-150gr bullets in the 280, you might as well get the PRC and take advantage of the higher BCs and velocity.

I've shot both in similar set ups - the PRC has less recoil.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Not opposed to that rifle at all, my only concern is it may be a bit to heavy for what I'm after, any idea on what it weighs?


Here is the list I was looking at...
Bighorn Origin- $850
Proof bighorn Prefit- $830
Mesa or manners stock- $600–$700
Hawkins bottom metal- $170
Trigger (undecided)- $200
Total- $2650-$2750
Does a guy need a smith with a Prefit barrel? Serious question as this would be my first build.


As far as other cartridges goes, I actually just sold a 700 7mag because call me a girl... but the recoil was more than I liked. I do a fair amount of shooting so I want something that I can get a lot of practice in with and actually enjoy it ha. I can't say I have shot the PRC or the 280ai before, just going from what I've read. Mainly shot my dads CA ridgeline 6.5 creedmoor, I don't think the PRC is too much more than that (I could be wrong) but I also don't really have any idea about the 280ai...

Just under 7.5 lbs in a short action. It comes with a 26" barrel which is what I wanted. I think the ridgeline has a 24" barrel and comes with a lighter profile. I have a leupold VX6HD 4-24x52 on mine and am just over 9lbs.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Not sure how handy you are.
Don't forget to add up some of the smaller item costs.
Magazine box/spring/follower (BDL) or magazines (DBM)
Action screws
Cerakote (if wanted)
Headspace tools (go/no-go gauges)
Bedding the stock and pillar install
Muzzle brake (if wanted, I would suggest with the .280AI if the 7RM rocked you)

I agree with Predator Slayer. If you plan on shooting 150 and down, shoot the 6.5PRC. If you plan on 160 and up, the .280AI is the only choice. I shoot the 175 Berger Elite and 160 TMK in my .280AI. It runs almost step for step with the 7RM. I would not shoot anything lighter than a 160 in it though.

I could have lightened mine up by another 6oz or so, but here is my build.
R700 LA built by Axisworks
Fluted bolt by LRI
Alloy bolt shroud
TI firing pin and Wolfe Blitzschnell spring
Tac Ops carbon fiber bolt knob
PT&G .250" recoil lug
26" 1:9" Proof Sendero Light
Hawkins 3 port brake
Manners EH1 w. Pillars only and bedded
R700 LA factory alloy BDL w. Factory box/spring/follower
Shilen Match trigger
Seekins alloy 20MOA Picatinny rail
Seekins alloy 30mm low .82" rings
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50

All in, weighs 9lbs on the dot now.

 

[257RobertsMan]

I've shot the 280 for years starting when I weighted 135#'s to currently at 165#'s. It's a sweet shooter and recoil to me is less than a 270 with like wt. projectiles. However recoil has never bothered me, none of my rifles (several) have brakes and I can shoot my 300wm, 338wm and 45/70's all day long with some pretty substantial reloads. I've never shot a 6.5 PRC, but from my research and from what others on this Forum have stated it seems like a mighty fine offering. Study the ballistics of both for your intended purpose and then pick the one you want, your the one building and paying for it so make yourself happy. As much as I like every rifle I have, each one has it's best suited purpose, it's advantages and dis-advantages. If recoil could potentially be a problem the 6.5 prc might better for you.

 

[FEENIX]

Hey everyone, first post here. So as the title says, I'm looking at either building or buying a 6.5 prc or 289ai. I've been wanting a prc for awhile now, but after reading through lots of forums on here I feel that I may be better off with the 280ai. The price range I'm looking at is around 3k for the rifle. Mainly used on whitetail in Nebraska with the occasional elk hunt. I do own a lee reloaded, although I've never found the time to get it set up after owning is for 3 years, so I'm not against reloading but currently will be using factory ammo.
My first thought was to build on a bighorn origin action with a proof barrel and manners eh1 or Mesa precision stock.
Next would be a CA ridgeline and swap out the stock for the manners or Mesa.
I've noticed the Proof elevation mtr has most of the components I was looking at with a similar stock.
Last one would be the new fierce rival. Not much info on that yet, but everyone on here seems to love fierce firearms.
Hoping to knee the rifle around the 6 1/2 pound mark before optics.
Any advice is much appreciated!

For your consideration >>> https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57577

Good luck!

 

[25WSM]

The 6.5 prc will have more factory ammo options and kick less in a lighter rifle. I'm a big fan of both and would not complain about owning either. Both will kill anything in North America so basically just go with what you can find available or build which one you think you will like best. The 280ai is going to be very much like the 7mag you had. 280ai handloads will match 7mag factory ammo. So I would say go 6.5 for the lighter recoil. Look at the Berger 156 people are having great luck with it. I still like the 147eldm for my 6.5.
Shep