Help me spend $2500

[fishbone821]

If I was buying now it would be Seekins PH3

I actually had one on back order from EuroOptic but talked myself out of it so I cancelled that. The PH3 does have some cool new features but the PH2 with more barrel length choices and perhaps an adjustable cheek piece would have made a lot of people happy. While I think the PH3s are well thought out and designed rifles it seems like you're going to run into some speed bumps if you change multiple things at once. I hope I'm wrong. I honestly think I am heavily leaning towards the PH2 Element based on the excellent reviews and the fact that Seekins takes care of their customs if there are ever any issues.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I have 2 Bergara HMRs, a 6.5CM and 300WM and both are real shooters. My 6.5 shoots 1/4 MOA. Still working on loads for the 300 but lots of promise. They make it in the 7 PRC. Or if you want lighter you can go with the Bergara Sierra Wilderness.
Hmmm....the Element! A 6 lb rifle (7 with scope) in 7PRC will let you know it went off. What are your intentions with the rifle. Steel, hunting, both?

 

[Panthers59]

Seekins ph3 hands down, Or a Barreled action with a Stock and trigger you can find for a deal on here or elsewhere

 

[Window]

I'm sure the newest MkV's are better, but I've owned 5 and only 2 were legitimate sub MOA for 5 shots; and those 2 were finicky. None liked heat and had to have the shots spaced out in order to squeeze the best accuracy out of them. The ones I had were produced early 90's to early 2000's. Smooth working, beautiful rifles, though, and certainly they were all sufficiently minute of deer to as far out as I used them. To be fair, it seems that all rifles have gotten more precise these days, but I'll just say that the MkV's I had/have couldn't quite hang with many of the Tikkas, 700's or X and A-bolts I had/have from the same vintage.

As far as the OP, for hunting rifles I greatly prefer low bolt throws and safeties that lock the bolt down. As such, I'd buy a Tikka action from JE, pick up a pre shouldered 7 PRC barrel from maker of choice and then select the stock that best fits your sensibilities. Triggers are generally good as is with a little adjustment and or a new spring. IME, the Tikkas group as tight as anything out there and they are exceedingly tough and reliable. Spend the rest on ammo and get to hammering away!

Never had one that i couldn't pillar bed and work up a load that wouldn't shoot. More than a hundred at this point and love the mark V actions. I get that everyone has their preferences but I'll keep recommending the old school and will open up to anyone who will take me up on anyone who will shoot for cash or bragging rights on any cold bore shot at any reasonable hunting distance out to 700 or so.

 

[Starbuck]

Never had one that i couldn't pillar bed and work up a load that wouldn't shoot. More than a hundred at this point and love the mark V actions. I get that everyone has their preferences but I'll keep recommending the old school and will open up to anyone who will take me up on anyone who will shoot for cash or bragging rights on any cold bore shot at any reasonable hunting distance at 700.

Certainly can't fault a guy for loving MkV's. They are a classic that everyone should own at least one of.

I'm sure I could've done more on a few of mine to massage more accuracy out of them. I didn't float them all and my load development wasn't near as extensive as it could've been. Good enough being the enemy of better and such.

I still have a couple LH models I plan to work with more extensively at some point. Was just recently thinking of picking up a peak 44 stock for a 300 WM ULW I have that's never hit it's likely potential.

 

[Window]

Certainly can't fault a guy for loving MkV's. They are a classic that everyone should own at least one of.

I'm sure I could've done more on a few of mine to massage more accuracy out of them. I didn't float them all and my load development wasn't near as extensive as it could've been. Good enough being the enemy of better and such.

I still have a couple LH models I plan to work with more extensively at some point. Was just recently thinking of picking up a peak 44 stock for a 300 WM ULW I have that's never hit it's likely potential.

That's awesome and you should definitely do so. Most of mine are on their second, third or fourth barrel and triggers that I've worked to break between 14 and 16 ounces. All shooters that I cherish and will keep pouring the love into them.

 

[ColonelGoose]

Savage 110 Ultralite - comes with 22" carbon fiber wrapped PROOF Research barrel

 

[338weatherby]

Traitor!!!

My 338-378 sailed about 4 years ago. Replaced by a LPR 338 Reaper. I did pick up a Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 6.5 RPM but only got around to seeing how fast I can push a 99gr Hammer. I like the new Peak 44 stock a lot. Just not enough time with it to necessarily recommend. So far I like it. I also had a Weatherby Apex in 257 but never pulled the trigger. I think I would have liked it but felt like why have both. I've made stupid choices before and in hindsight should've kept it.

 

[azsugarbear]

Buy a gently used Tikka T3x action, or an entire rifle just for the Action: $650-$700. Buy a new Proof Research carbon prefit barrel (you can usually find them in the classifieds for about that amount): $800. That leaves you with $1,000 to buy the ultimate custom stock or chassis of your choosing.

 

[Treeslug]

My 338-378 sailed about 4 years ago. Replaced by a LPR 338 Reaper. I did pick up a Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 6.5 RPM but only got around to seeing how fast I can push a 99gr Hammer. I like the new Peak 44 stock a lot. Just not enough time with it to necessarily recommend. So far I like it. I also had a Weatherby Apex in 257 but never pulled the trigger. I think I would have liked it but felt like why have both. I've made stupid choices before and in hindsight should've kept it.

At least you are still a 338-378 Weatherby man at heart. Unfortunately, I'm left-handed and none of my kids are. Fortunately, it is gun that none of them enjoy shooting. They are all three bigger than me, but a chip-off-the-old block—they are not! 338's forever.

 

[MT-JONAS]

I wouldn't buy a Fierce after the issues a buddy had with the rifle, and their CS.

He bought a 6.5PRC Fierce Carbon Rogue for his Dad, and asked me to work up a load for it.

Lapya brass, I tried 6 different bullets, 4 different powders, 7 different primers, 2 different scopes, checked crown, checked torque on everything, cleaned twice. After 160 rounds, it was sent back, as nothing met their "accuracy guarentee". I had two groups that were under .5 MOA, but they would not repeat.

It was sent in to Fierce. It took MONTHS for them to look at it. They test fired it with every ammo they had per the representative I personally talked to. A single group shot .650", and they said it met their accuracy guarantee and were going to send it back. I asked if it would repeat that group, so back into the rotation for another test. Not sure how many more times it was fired, but 6+ months later, it was deemed to meet their accuracy guarantee. My buddy had to pay almost $400 for this "service" to even get his rifle shipped back. They shipped the target back with the rifle...with a 4 shot group that measures over 1". The "flier" marked as "clean bore fouler shot" and 3 more in a .650" group. Must be nice to be able to throw out a bad shot and still say the group is sub-MOA. 1.063" or 1.015 MOA.

It was sent to Fierce in Nov 2023, It took over 13 months to get the rifle back. I just got it back last week.

So, here's how my brain tends to work. I have no need or time for the type of poor experience Lance just illustrated. Therefore I will lump every rifle of the brand under the umbrella of poor customer service regardless. If someone else has $2,000-3,000 to throw around hoping they get 1 of the 80% that are good and if not, it's no big deal, they'll spend another $3,000 on another gamble while the first fiasco gets sorted out, than go for it.

I don't have the time or the finances for that sort of headache. I'd buy a CVA or a Savage Axis before I buy a $2,000+ rifle from a company with a reputation like these two are establishing. I don't need the potential (20% chance) of a headache.

I used to bellyache for a Christensen Ridgeline FFT. Sad, sad, sad.

 

[Treeslug]

My 338-378 sailed about 4 years ago. Replaced by a LPR 338 Reaper. I did pick up a Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 6.5 RPM but only got around to seeing how fast I can push a 99gr Hammer. I like the new Peak 44 stock a lot. Just not enough time with it to necessarily recommend. So far I like it. I also had a Weatherby Apex in 257 but never pulled the trigger. I think I would have liked it but felt like why have both. I've made stupid choices before and in hindsight should've kept it.

I forgot to tell you that I am now thinking about a new 257 Weatherby. Just a little disappointed in the bullet drop rate. Why? I can't figure it out!

 

[lancetkenyon]

I forgot to tell you that I am now thinking about a new 257 Weatherby. Just a little disappointed in the bullet drop rate. Why? I can't figure it out!

Get a fast twist and run the numbers on a 131, 133, 134, 135, or 138 around 3200-3300 and then get back to us...

 

[Starbuck]

I forgot to tell you that I am now thinking about a new 257 Weatherby. Just a little disappointed in the bullet drop rate. Why? I can't figure it out!

BC always wins when it comes to trajectory and drift.