Follow along for my 25 PRC build

[stagpanther]

Since I received notice from preferred barrel blanks that my barrel should be shipping soon, I have started the wheels in motion to get parts together. The 25 PRC is still a wildcat, so parts and components involve some improvising. First things first, I chose a savage 110 receiver as a base, and a year ago I had bought a synthetic stock 110 from buds in 280AI and as usual didn't read the fine print (or maybe there wasn't any to begin with) and didn't notice it had both a bottom bolt release and smooth barrel barrel nut--along with savage's teensie extractor-- my least favorite aspects of their firearms and really wish they would improve or get rid of altogether.

I tried spinning off the action with an action wrench--but that didn't work because the barrel nut just spun along with the action eventually locking it, so plan B was to put the action in a receiver vise and use a pipe wrench on the barrel nut. That worked easily and the nut came right off, though distorting it but who cares, I would never reuse it anyway.

Because of the accutrigger's bottom bolt release and the likelihood I'll run the COL's of the cartridges pretty long (and also the fact I already have one)-- I decided to base the build in an MDT chassis which dispenses with the bottom bolt release silliness in a savage for the simple side slot and the ability to load cartridges long in an AICS magazine.

Be it ever so humble, here is the start:

 

[std7mag]

Ok, Savage 110.
But then ya lost me....
How does an MDT chassis change a bolt release?

IF that 280AI barrel was 24", it needs a propper home in PA.
Prefferably at my house!

 

[stagpanther]

How does an MDT chassis change a bolt release?

Quite simple, really, they simply cut a slot in the side of the receiver which exposes the sear bracket, all you need is something like a hex key to reach it and pull back. Not quite as handy as a built-in bolt release, but still an improvement over the trigger guard bottom-release IMO--plus the chassis will still work with top-releases.

As for the barrel, it's little used, but I think I'll keep it as a back-up since I do have a 280 AI build. Sorry bout that.

 

[stagpanther]

Next step in receiver prep; truing receiver face, receiver barrel threads and receiver lugs with PTG raceway piloted reamer and replacing recoil lug with thicker magnum type lug (though probably not necessary). Test fitting of a barrel and receiver--without any lubrication or anti-seize applied the barrel threads on smooth as silk. Getting Savage's "micro-bead" thread locking out takes quite a bit of work, especially if you pre-heat the barrel nut since I'm guessing it's made of some kind of plastic judging from the melt and flow I discovered--but that's speculation on my part.

 

[stagpanther]

I found 4 boxes of very expensive 6.5 PRC factory ammo--I had no choice but to pay what amounted to $3.75 per cartridge and empty them just for the brass. Now I have to get the right bushings to neck down for the .257 bullets.

 

[BornFighting88]

Just curious. How much do you want for those 6.5mm pills?? Got that PRC I am building, and could always use components.

Want to talk price? PM me.

 

[stagpanther]

Word to the wise--there is a slight ring on the some of the bullets where it was gripped by the collet remover, even the ones that don't might be altered--in other words you may not get consistent stability from them. PM me if you're still interested. (more than happy to trade for brass!!!)

 

[sako2]

$3.75 per round for factory 6.5 prc ammo was cheap. Brass is goinr $2.50 per case.

 

[stagpanther]

Brass is goinr $2.50 per case

Where are you finding it?

 

[sako2]

Gunbroker. Check creedmore sports, precision reloading. Lapua, ADG, Peterson, Norma,Nosler are all making it. There's a listing for 200 pieces of Lapua on Gunbroker for $500.

 

[sako2]

Here's a pretty good deal on Nosler brass https://tacticoolammoshop.com/produ...s-6-5-prc-17885-caliber-6-5mm-prc-500-rounds/ Here's some morehttps://www.gunbroker.com/item/913507881 Here's the lapua https://www.gunbroker.com/item/913204485 I have some Hornady brass that has 17 firings on it.

 

[stagpanther]

I checked tacticool out--and I don't like their reputation and I've checked your other "usual suspects" as well and still can't find any that's actually in stock. In the meantime I completely forgot about needing a .25 caliber expander for the sizing die.

 

[sako2]

You don't do gunbroker?

 

[stagpanther]

I do--but these days many listings are dead or not up to date.

 

[std7mag]

So, what looks like leftover shot blast is a thread locking system?
What the heck!??!!

And, yeah, i'll agree. It was a PITA getting it all out of the Axis action i'm using for my bench rest build!
Even worse was getting it off the barrel so i could unscrew the nut getting ready for sale.

 

[stagpanther]

So, what looks like leftover shot blast is a thread locking system?
What the heck!??!!

And, yeah, i'll agree. It was a PITA getting it all out of the Axis action i'm using for my bench rest build!
Even worse was getting it off the barrel so i could unscrew the nut getting ready for sale.

I don't know what the stuff is--but I've taken apart enough new unfired savage rifles that I'm pretty sure it's not residue from firing or production debris.

 

[stagpanther]

Necked down with a .282 bushing--easy peasy with the prazi, I'm loving the Prazi more each time I use it. I'm going to wait until the barrel comes in and I get a better idea of what the chamber is like before I fiddle any more with the cases. Just found and ordered some 120 gr Seneca bullets from Patriot Valley. Fedex has lost track of the Bergers I ordered last week and they have no information where the package may or may not be.

 

[sako2]

Stag I've been checking on brass almost daily. That listing is up for a few weeks.

 

[stagpanther]

Stag I've been checking on brass almost daily. That listing is up for a few weeks.

The two hundred Lapua cases for minimum bid of $500--or buy now at $550? I think I actually do come out a bit ahead buying factory ammo and taking it apart once you calculate the costs of the bullets and primers separately from the cases. I filled a 1lb jug with about 11 ounces of the powder out of 80 cartridges.

 

[sako2]

With the price of primers now you most likely do. Anyone that has them under 15 cents a primers don't have any.