Convert 6.5 CM to 6.5 PRC?

saunders278

saunders278

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Hi,

I've heard conflicting opinions on this. I have a Tikka T3x CTR in 6.5 CM which I'll need to re-barrel in the next year or two.

Can I convert the 6.5 CM CTR to a 6.5 PRC while re-barreling? Is widening the bolt face an easy task for a gunsmith?

I guess I'm also left with problem of the CTR 6.5 CM mag length. But could I get a new bottom metal with ACIS mags? As I understand, 6.5 PRC is a short action but the CTR mags would be too short.

Thanks.
 
PR precision makes tikka bolt bodies you can use your existing internals with. Then it saves you widening your existing bolt face.

You can change the bolt stop as all tikkas are a "long" action. I can't speak about ctr magazines and the oal they allow. AICS mags are cheaper by quite a bit compared to ctr mags, so perhaps a worthwhile change
 
laker415 said:
PR precision makes tikka bolt bodies you can use your existing internals with. Then it saves you widening your existing bolt face.

You can change the bolt stop as all tikkas are a "long" action. I can't speak about ctr magazines and the oal they allow. AICS mags are cheaper by quite a bit compared to ctr mags, so perhaps a worthwhile change
Click to expand...

Oh nice, thanks. I see the bolt bodies are about $350. Then some ACIS-compatible bottom-metal (maybe Atlasworks, $300, I think) and a new IBI barrel, I think I'd be good to go.

The only question is whether I'd need long-action or short-action bottom-metal, I think those ACIS mags are longer than the CTR ones. Short-action might be fine.

Also, I'm getting a custom stock made by PSE in Ireland. Does anyone know if that would affect whether long-action bottom-metal would fit?
 
Opening up the bolt face is probably not wise. Might be safe, but it's a risk.

It's a shame that LRI isn't currently making their Tikka bolts. That would be a nice upgrade that would help you out in this endeavor.https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lri-direct-replacement-tikka-t3-bolts.7044482/

I'm guessing that you would have to get a new stock to accommodate the larger DBM. But that could also be an opportunity to upgrade (the OEM Tikka stocks are not great). Probably the most budget friendly option is to inlet the OEM stock to the larger DBM, but then you are spending money on upgrading a stock that's probably not worth spending money on.
 
kthomas said:
Opening up the bolt face is probably not wise. Might be safe, but it's a risk.

It's a shame that LRI isn't currently making their Tikka bolts. That would be a nice upgrade that would help you out in this endeavor.https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lri-direct-replacement-tikka-t3-bolts.7044482/

I'm guessing that you would have to get a new stock to accommodate the larger DBM. But that could also be an opportunity to upgrade (the OEM Tikka stocks are not great). Probably the most budget friendly option is to inlet the OEM stock to the larger DBM, but then you are spending money on upgrading a stock that's probably not worth spending money on.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I maybe should've mentioned I have a custom one in the works right now. Although I these these mags are compatible with short-action bottom-metal. I can reach out to MDT to find out.

https://mdttac.ca/300wsm-6-5-prc-mdt-metal-aics-magazine/?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=organic
 
saunders278 said:
Oh yeah, I maybe should've mentioned I have a custom one in the works right now. Although I these these mags are compatible with short-action bottom-metal. I can reach out to MDT to find out.

https://mdttac.ca/300wsm-6-5-prc-mdt-metal-aics-magazine/?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=organic
Click to expand...

MDT make 2 kinds of mags for 6.5 PRC/7WSM: 3 & 7 round mags for AICS and a 10 rnd mag for XM pattern. XM is the ideal length for the short mags running heavy bullets but I don't know of any chassis or DBM for a Tikka that is at XM length (which is an action size between SA and LA in which a few brands like Defiance make actions). Your options with your Tikka for 6.5 PRC is to get a Tikka short mag bolt and have your stock inlet for a SA AICS DBM or get a chassis that comes setup for a SA Tikka with AICS (like say an MDT XRS) or to get the LA bolt stop for your Tikka and drop it in a chassis/stock setup for LA Tikka and just run it as a long action.

The MDT mags in your link will work in any AICS short action DBM.
 
If you want some more speed without touching the bolt face or replacing the bolt, I would replace the mag and bolt stop and get a 6.5-.284 Norma barrel put on. That'll end up a lot closer to the PRC than the Creedmoor speed-wise. Dies, brass, and loaded ammo are all available.
 
I haven't really been considering other cartridges because I want something popular and readily available. If the 6.5 PRC doesn't seem like it's "here to stay" in a couple years, I'll probably just stick with 6.5 CM. Seems like a lot of people seem to think it'll stick around though.
 
Might want to consider that 6.5 PRC uses magnum primers at $450 per brick and up. I’ve used standard LRP and couldn’t really tell the diff, but they’re pricy as well.
Also magnum powder, which can be a challenge to get.

Why not sell the 6.5 CM and buy a 6.5 PRC.

I sold my Tikka 6.5 PRC last year… kinda kicking myself in the arse now though.
 
saunders278 said:
Oh nice, thanks. I see the bolt bodies are about $350. Then some ACIS-compatible bottom-metal (maybe Atlasworks, $300, I think) and a new IBI barrel, I think I'd be good to go.

The only question is whether I'd need long-action or short-action bottom-metal, I think those ACIS mags are longer than the CTR ones. Short-action might be fine.

Also, I'm getting a custom stock made by PSE in Ireland. Does anyone know if that would affect whether long-action bottom-metal would fit?
Click to expand...

Do you have a stock on order from PSE? Or an existing stock?
I have not yet had a XM mag system for a T3 but have heard of a MDT XM version. Apparently it would fit into the CTR inlet. This would be great as any stock with CTR inlet could use this mag system with the longer XM Mags, finally a solution for the 284/6.5x55/x57 etc.
just found this : https://riflemags.co.uk/mdt-xm-bottom-metal-for-tikka-t3x-ctr-upr-arctic/
edi
 
EJG said:
Do you have a stock on order from PSE? Or an existing stock?
I have not yet had a XM mag system for a T3 but have heard of a MDT XM version. Apparently it would fit into the CTR inlet. This would be great as any stock with CTR inlet could use this mag system with the longer XM Mags, finally a solution for the 284/6.5x55/x57 etc.
just found this : https://riflemags.co.uk/mdt-xm-bottom-metal-for-tikka-t3x-ctr-upr-arctic/
edi
Click to expand...

The stock is on order, this bottom-metal might be the answer though, I hadn't seen this.

Thanks for the help.
 
saunders278 said:
The stock is on order, this bottom-metal might be the answer though, I hadn't seen this.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Just shout if there are any changes on bottom metal configuration on the stock. I will try get one of those XM bottom metals for myself to see how they fit into a CTR inlet stock.

edi
 
I bought a used magnum tikka bolt to do the same thing. Keep an eye on the ee. Find one where a guy crashes his quad and fubars the barrel.
 
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