Another Kimber project rifle

[MCMXI]

In June of 2016 I converted my 8400 WSM chambered in 300 WSM to .308 Win. In February of 2018 I started a thread about converting it to 6.5 PRC.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...on-this-time-to-6-5-prc.832942/#post-10840608

The short version is that I bought the rilfe NIB in 2012 from a store in Jacksonville, AR .. Fort Thompson or something like that. I paid $1050 which was basically dealer cost and it was my first Kimber rifle, and in some ways led to my eventually working for Kimber up here in Montana. I converted the rifle from 300 WSM to .308 Win by changing the bolt and barrel. I then decided to try the 6.5 PRC using the original bolt. I was less than impressed with the performance shooting both factory ammunition and handloads with 1 moa being the best it would do. The project has sat for a few years but now I've decided to give the 6.5 PRC another try but with a better barrel and a throw back stock.

So here are some of the components I'll be using. The stock is a McMillan from a few years ago and I'll need to add pillars since there aren't any. I'll be screwing on a 24" Proof Research barrel (Sendero) with a 1:7.5 twist, a TriggerTech trigger, some form of canted rail and a suitable optic. If this combination doesn't work I'll be sorely disappointed.

I'm not sure of the lead time on the barrel (I ordered two), but hopefully before Thanksgiving. I'll be sure to report back.

 

[LoonWulf]

Looking forward to hearing how this round goes for you. Hopefully you'll get better results this time around.

 

[troy fairweather]

Should be a nice build, I'm liking the 6.5prc so far. Mine is just for deer now and I did a quick load up on the cheap, 140speer hotcor h1000 with hornady brass. Shooting very well, 3 shot groups were about one hole.

The brass is the only bad, even with starting loads there's ejector marks. I'm only on the 3rd firing with the 57gr h1000 which is not max, but still don't expect the brass to last to long. Hope to get some adg brass and work some different loads. Like to see if I can find somewhere to reach out a little.

 

[gotboostvr]

The 6.5PRC looks like a great cartridge. Not too bad of a barrel burner, more velocity than the 6.5creed. Nice short action cartridge.

Only major downside I can see is brass is pricey and not terribly common. Brass life not being great isn't terribly helpful either.

 

[MCMXI]

Looking forward to hearing how this round goes for you. Hopefully you'll get better results this time around.

Thanks ... and me too! I'm hoping that either the Kimber stock or Bergara barrels, or both, had something to do with the average performance.

Should be a nice build, I'm liking the 6.5prc so far. Mine is just for deer now and I did a quick load up on the cheap, 140speer hotcor h1000 with hornady brass. Shooting very well, 3 shot groups were about one hole.

See ... this is what I was expecting but just couldn't get there. Admittedly I only tried H1000 for handloads, but the factory stuff didn't shine either which is suprising given how well Hornady's 140gr and 143gr ammuntion shoots in any 6.5 CM rifle I own or have shot.

@gotboostvr, the 6.5 PRC is interesting enough for me to try to get it to shoot. I have factory ammunition (a bunch), brass (even bigger bunch), dies, bullets etc., and don't have a 6.5 PRC "lightweight" tactical rifle so this could be a cool project if I can get it to shoot well. I'm pleased with how rounds feed from a modified AICS magazine ... super smooth ... so that's a start. I really like the 8400 actions over the 84s because they're a lot smoother and feed a lot better so I'm optimistic for this build. I can get the stock squared away while I'm waiting on the barrel.

 

[troy fairweather]

Like I said I just did a quick load up for a deer load no tuning. Started .030 off the lands, which is about 2.850 with the 140 speer hc. You can kinda see in the picture 57-57.5 show promise.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm interested in the cartridge for hunting, admittedly in a much cheaper Ruger Predator or Mossberg Patriot as one of the more interesting cartridges offered in either rifle.

Good luck, hope you can get it to shoot as well as you'd like.

 

[horsemen61]

@MCMXI great project!

cant wait to see your results it should be a real shooter!

 

[MCMXI]

@troy fairweather, you show some excellent results there. I was nowhere near close to that with the Kimber and Bergara barrels. What rifle do you have in 6.5 PRC?

 

[troy fairweather]

@troy fairweather, you show some excellent results there. I was nowhere near close to that with the Kimber and Bergara barrels. What rifle do you have in 6.5 PRC?

thanks, That was the mauser m18, has a 24" hope to get a chronograph someday to check the fps, but think that load should be 2900ish. Plenty for a deer rifle, I can go more then a few more grains of needed. Apart from h1000 being a little pricey and harder to get it a nice cheap load.

 

[MCMXI]

Just got word today that the barrels are in the plan. I sure hope they shoot since I've ordered two!! I'd better get a rail ordered and figure out some pillars for the stock.

 

[horsemen61]

Awesome!!!! Can’t wait to see it!

 

[troy fairweather]

Nice, your getting carbon wraped barrels?

 

[MCMXI]

Nice, your getting carbon wraped barrels?

Yes, Proof Research barrels. I have two Proof barrels chambered in .308 Win that shoot very well so I'm hoping that the 6.5 PRC barrels shoot as well as your Mauser.

 

[horsemen61]

So excited!!!!!

 

[MCMXI]

So excited!!!!!

I have a McCrees chassis that I'm trying to sell on Gunbroker, but if it's not sold by the time the barrels are done I might do a comparison shoot to see if the chassis is markedly better than the McMillan stock. The chassis (not including the stock pack) is about one pound heavier than the McMillan at 5lb 4oz compared to 4lb 5oz.

 

[horsemen61]

I have a McCrees chassis that I'm trying to sell on Gunbroker, but if it's not sold by the time the barrels are done I might do a comparison shoot to see if the chassis is markedly better than the McMillan stock. The chassis (not including the stock pack) is about one pound heavier than the McMillan at 5lb 4oz compared to 4lb 5oz.

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not going to lie I absolutely Hate chassis on a rifle I am not the terminator I don’t my rifle to look like I am trying to be the terminator I understand why they are popular just for me this is one thing aesthetically I can’t get around so if it works for you great! It’s just not for me I hope you use the stock! Ymmv that’s my take

 

[MCMXI]

not going to lie I absolutely Hate chassis on a rifle I am not the terminator I don’t my rifle to look like I am trying to be the terminator I understand why they are popular just for me this is one thing aesthetically I can’t get around so if it works for you great! It’s just not for me I hope you use the stock! Ymmv that’s my take

I like a good chassis such as those from MPA (just sold one on GB) and of course anything from Accuracy International. However, I'm not a fan of the aesthetics, ergonomics or function of the McRees and that's why I'm trying to sell it. I definitely want to use the McMillan since it's lighter, looks better, and has all the features I need and none that I don't. My only point was that it would be interesting to compare the two if I'm able since I've found that the McRees doesn't do a good job of mitigating felt recoil.

I ordered a set of Nightforce XTRM rings yesterday along with an HD Picatinny rail from EGW. I've found this to be an excellent combination on other rifles. I'll be using an older Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm FFP mil/mil scope to start out with and will upgrade if the rifle deserves a better optic.

I have 180 rounds of Hornady 147gr ELD Match and 100 rounds of Hornady 143gr ELD-X ammunition on hand, along with plenty of new and unfired Hornady brass, good 6.5mm bullets, powder and primers. After shooting some factory ammunition for a baseline I'll start reloading and continue with H1000 which might tell me something about the issue with the Bergara barrels.

Hopefully I'll have an update re the barrels soon.

 

[LoonWulf]

I just ran across my stash of 6.5 PRC ammo from my old gun......Now I wanna try again too.
I also want to try the CVA Cascade, which appears to be a Bergara made gun. So perhaps instead of getting on in 7mag, ill get one in 6.5 PRC......this sounds awfully familiar......

 

[MCMXI]

@LoonWulf, you were the one encouraging me to try a powder other than H1000 after the disappointing results I got last time. Given the cost of the two Proof barrels I will definitely try other powders if H1000 doesn't produce the results that I'm looking for.

 

[LoonWulf]

I still have the small stash of h1k i got from my buddy up the street. I dont THINK any I actually used any of it before I gave the rifle to troy. If (ok when) I get another PRC, ill probably start there, then go back thru some of my other powders to see if theres any changes. H1K SHOULD be about perfect for it tho, the superslows, were just too slow....Im thinking RL-22/23, H1k, and maybe 7977 might be worth working with.

 

[troy fairweather]

I just ran across my stash of 6.5 PRC ammo from my old gun......Now I wanna try again too.
I also want to try the CVA Cascade, which appears to be a Bergara made gun. So perhaps instead of getting on in 7mag, ill get one in 6.5 PRC......this sounds awfully familiar......

Huh I didn't know they were made by bergera, have to look more info them. I kinda like the new Springfield, they got 6.5 prc to.

 

[rbernie]

Man, I wish somebody offered a Kimbage prefit option.... <sigh> I love the action, but really want to be able to install my own barrels in the garage....

 

[troy fairweather]

A few weeks ago I stopped in one shop they had a pound of rl25 for $20, I said I'll get it when I leave. I ask to look at a cz rifle and they buy says were not sitting here all day looking at guns. I said then your not selling them then. I'm tired of the gun shops with piss poor attitude, and they wonder why nobody buys there guns. My friend with me pulled out his wad of cash after the guy said that, my buddy said buy whatever you want. I said na I'll go to the shop down the road. Should have seen the guys face when the roll of money came out, probably 5k.


so in discuss I walked out without the powder.

the one shop in pa has some U.S. 869 is like to try. Again I really need to get a chronograph lol. I'd like a cheaper non temp sensitive powder. H1000 has been great nuts is $35-$40 here if you find it.

 

[Spats McGee]

....The short version is that I bought the rilfe NIB in 2012 from a store in Jacksonville, AR .. Fort Thompson or something like that....

The name of the store is, in fact, Fort Thompson, and they are still in the same place.