“Custom” Christensen Ridgeline Ti 6.5 PRC

[G8ters]

This is the beginning stage of a build I have been looking forward to for a long time. I always wanted a 6.5 PRC. Yep the hype got to me. I was going to build a PRC out of a tikka action but it was too much work with change of the standard bolt face from an action I already have. The Christensen interested me because I already have a tack driver of a ridgeline 7mm rem. But it had too long of a barrel for my liking.

So I got a ti ridgeline. Also got a used proof stock that weighed 20oz. I had to do some inletting work with the Dremel tool as the stock was previously bedded. Also had to get the bottom metal to fit. I will need to re-bed the action to the stock. Probably do some slight camo sponge paint to break up the profile of the stock.

5.0lb on the dot. Will probably add an oz with the bedding. With Talley and vx6 3-18 50, it should be 6.5 lbs.

Loaded up some 143 eldx to break in the barrel and a load ladder for 156 eol with rl26. Let’s see where this baby goes with the load development

 

[Silvereagle50]

Tuning in.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Trees91]

I like that stock

 

[G8ters]

Yeah man. It’s light. Thanks for the transaction.

 

[archp625]

Very nice. I would swap out that radial brake for a sideport brake. I have a regular Ridgeline in a Manners EH1. To me the CA stock is what is lacking on these rifles.

 

[G8ters]

I have a Ascend Armory titanium side brake that Weighs about 1.5 ounces that I’ll probably put on when the rifle is completed. I’ll probably use the ti radial brake on another rifle. Just like how flush the Christensen to brake is to the barrel.

 

[G8ters]

Bed job done. Scope mounted. Still waiting for the titanium bolt knob. Right now it is at 6lbs 10 oz.

 

[G8ters]

So I tried some loads with rl26 with both 143 eldx and 156. Started with 54.5 to 56 for 143 and 53.5 to 56 in .5 grain increments. I had found some once fired hornady brass nad used Winchester large magnum primer.

I was getting pressure signs with 55.5g for 143 and 54.5g for 156. Heavy bolt lift, slight ejector marks and slight cratering of primer. So I stopped there.

Not sure why the Christensen was getting pressures this early. Others have loaded higher with the same grains and had no problems. I guess different rifles and different lots of powder.
Rl26 is hot I guess.

Now I have 10 rounds of 143 eldx at 56g and 10 156 eol at 55. 5 at 55.5 and 5 at 56.
what should I do with the 30 rounds.


Pull the bullets? These are some expensive components now. I want the brass more than anything

 

[G8ters]

Settled on 54g for 156 Berger eol and 55.5g 143 eldx with RL26. Had a good shot at a doe at 130 yards to test the rifle out for the 156 eol. Blew an orange size exit hole on the opposite ribs

final setup at a tad over 6,5 lbs.

 

[Cole]

Nice looking blaster! I did the same thing with my 6.5 PRC Ridgeline but I opted for a gunwerks stock instead.

 

[hodgeman]

Very nice. What model is the stock?

 

[Kimber7man]

If you don’t mind measuring, how long is the factory Ridgeline mag box? Did the proof stock mag well need any work? Thanks!

 

[G8ters]

I ended up using a remington short action BDL floorplate, with the original prc ridgeline mag box. I could have used the ridgeline floorplate, (which was lighter) but I decided to keep that with the original christensen stock so I can build a 20" 308.

Mag box looks to be 3". It's a tight fit for the PRC rounds, but it works. The proof stock is the lightweight mountain hunter.

 

[khuber84]

I ended up using a remington short action BDL floorplate, with the original prc ridgeline mag box. I could have used the ridgeline floorplate, (which was lighter) but I decided to keep that with the original christensen stock so I can build a 20" 308.

Mag box looks to be 3". It's a tight fit for the PRC rounds, but it works. The proof stock is the lightweight mountain hunter.

That's odd, my ridgeline and Mesa long range prcs came with 3.056" mag boxes.

 

[JakeSCH]

That's odd, my ridgeline and Mesa long range prcs came with 3.056" mag boxes.

He probably didn't measure to that detail. My mesa is the same as yours.

@G8ters great setup! Do you have any large rifle primers around instead of magnum? I've heard that the PRC can pressure a bit early with magnum's and RL26.

ADG Brass, 210M, 56.9 gr of RL26, and the berger 140 EH is my Mesa's combo (20 shot average: 3068 fps, ES 14, SD 5)

I want to eventually try the 156's out but it hard to change when the 140's shoot so well.

 

[G8ters]

Thanks Jake. I’ll try that. I have some Remington large rifle (basically 1000 that I scored at the bass pro) and I will try.

 

[G8ters]

Tried the regular large rifle primers. Worked better. I’m getting 2840 fps on 55.5g rl26 for the 156 and 2940 fps on 56.5g for 142 ablr. This is on a 22 inch barrel. Both grouped pretty good. Now I need to load for precision.
Thanks for the tip Jake.

 

[JakeSCH]

Tried the regular large rifle primers. Worked better. I’m getting 2840 fps on 55.5g rl26 for the 156 and 2940 fps on 56.5g for 142 ablr. This is on a 22 inch barrel. Both grouped pretty good. Now I need to load for precision.
Thanks for the tip Jake.

Glad it worked out!

 

[Oregonmuley]

Nice build! And really nice job on the camo paint job. Those Proof stocks are sure nice, I have one build already with one and just sent off parts for another one in the Proof.

Congrats on your rifle - well done