Estimated studying time: 11 minutes
My Seekins PH3 in 6.5 Creedmoor didn’t simply print one fairly group. After a fast manufacturing unit tune, it drilled repeatable sub half-inch clusters and held that precision to 775 yards.
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Seekins PH3 6.5 Creedmoor: Predator Rifle Targets Met
I lately bought a Seekins PH3 in 6.5 Creedmoor. Whereas the entire new options on this rifle are thrilling and enjoyable to speak about, I needed to do a assessment on what issues most on a high-end rifle. How correct is it? All the brand new options are nugatory to me if a gun isn’t correct sufficient for my taking pictures calls for.
This rifle was bought as my predator rifle, primarily for coyotes, with occasional big-game hunts. Anybody who has hunted coyotes is aware of how small a goal they’re. After the pores and skin is peeled away, you’re roughly a 4-inch goal from the highest of the again to the underside of the chest.
Over time, I discovered that if I don’t have a gun that can persistently produce a half-inch group at 100 yards, then I’ll persistently miss coyotes, and it’s not correct sufficient for predator searching. I shoot a good distance at predators, and inconsistencies in accuracy add up rapidly.
My calibers for this endeavor have been ever evolving. I began with a 22-250, then a 25-06, then a .223 in an AR platform, after which, by chance, on to six.5 Creedmoor. I bought a 6.5 Creedmoor in 2012 with the concept it might be my deer gun. However it rapidly grew to become my favourite caliber from rock chucks to elk.
I initially needed the PH3 rifle chambered in 22 ARC, however barrels for the 22 ARC weren’t out there but, so I went with the trusted 6.5 Creedmoor, realizing that I may swap in a 22 ARC barrel when it turns into out there with the quick-change barrel system on the PH3.
Will It Shoot Sub Half Inch With Manufacturing facility Ammo?
I’ve owned and shot many 6.5 Creedmoor rifles through the years, and most of them shoot Hornady ammunition nicely. I made a decision to stay with Hornady for the PH3. I started with the 143 ELDX and the 147 ELDM. I used to be capable of get below a half-inch group with every of those manufacturing unit hundreds, however I couldn’t repeat them from group to group.
For instance, I’d shoot a .4-inch group with both load, I’d zero the rifle and go searching. Then I’d miss a shot that I knew I used to be able to making, return to the 100-yard goal, and shoot a 1-inch group or bigger with the identical ammo, and the zero would shift as nicely.
This drove me completely loopy. I even shot some Nosler and Berger ammo with the identical outcomes. I shot a number of suppressors and scopes to rule them out as an issue; the consequence was the identical. Then I’d shoot the identical scope and suppressor on a distinct rifle. They’d shoot nice, so it wasn’t a scope or suppressor challenge.
Subsequent, I’d shoot the ammo by a distinct rifle that I knew shot nicely. The ammo would shoot nice, each group was persistently the identical measurement, and the zero didn’t change. Hmmm. This was maddening, as each time it shot an excellent group (½ inch or below), I believed the rifle was good to go, however it wouldn’t do it each time.
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Past MOA: Seekins Makes It Proper
There was just one choice left: the rifle. Usually, I’d have by no means tried to ship again a rifle to the producer that had shot a number of sub-half-inch teams with manufacturing unit ammunition. However Seekins has a buyer satisfaction assure, not an MOA assure. I had full confidence that they’d make the rifle shoot to my requirements, as that they had fastened a rifle for me prior to now.
I’m lucky in that I get to shoot a number of rifles, and folks will rent me to both work on their rifles or set them as much as shoot for them. I had one particular person convey me a Seekins Component in 6.5 PRC that he had purchased used; it was the outdated mannequin, and he had gotten an excellent deal on it. After I went to set it up for him, I couldn’t get it to group below an inch with any manufacturing unit ammunition. A few of the teams have been nearer to 2 inches, most likely why he had gotten such an important deal on the rifle.
I emailed Seekins to elucidate the scenario, they usually responded with an RMA type and a transport label. No questions requested, although he was not the unique proprietor of the firearm. I bought a cellphone name from them just a few weeks later, asking if a .6-inch group with Precision Hunter 143 ELDX manufacturing unit ammunition was passable. I informed them it was, they usually shipped the rifle again to me. Your entire course of took lower than a month.
After I acquired the shopper’s 6.5 PRC rifle, I shot the Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELDX by it and bought a .6-inch group! I used to be more than happy as I couldn’t get below an inch with any ammunition earlier than. The shopper had a number of completely different containers of manufacturing unit ammo to check, and the subsequent field I attempted was Federal 130 gr. Ascent. They shot a .298-inch group. I zeroed the rifle for the 130’s and confirmed the shopper his group. He was ecstatic to say the least.
After I acquired the RMA type and transport label for my rifle, I made certain to incorporate the whole lot I had finished for the blokes at Seekins who could be engaged on the rifle. I included photos of a dozen completely different teams, each good and dangerous, together with a press release detailing the whole lot I had finished to rule out something aside from the rifle. In addition to explaining, it might shoot a sub half-inch group, however not each time.
After just a few weeks, a consultant from Seekins known as me to say that the rifle was driving tacks. I requested him what number of teams he had shot with it, and he informed me three completely different teams, and the largest group was below a half inch. I requested which ammo he was utilizing, and he acknowledged they wish to shoot the Hornady 140 gr. ELDM, because it was probably the most constant lot-to-lot. I thanked him, and he stated the rifle could be on its method again to me. Seekins included a receipt of what had been finished to the rifle:
Cleaned and bumped the barrel
De-burred and trued bolt head
Trued mating surfaces
Accuracy examined
Take a look at fired
Buyer Satisfaction You Can Financial institution On
I then purchased a field of Hornady 140 ELDM to check alongside the 143 ELDX and the 147 ELDM. I shot the 140s first and shot a .439-inch group.
Subsequent, I shot the 147 ELDMs and bought a .416-inch group. I had a number of containers of the 147s, so I shot one other group with them. The second group was .476 inches.
I needed to look forward to the subsequent day to shoot the 143’s, and after lining out some suppressor points (I had put in a brand new finish cap and skilled baffle strikes), the PH3 shot a .380-inch group.
The PH3 was now taking pictures three completely different manufacturing unit hundreds at below a half an inch. No extra teams going from small to large and in every single place in between, no extra shifting zeros, it flat shoots. I’ve by no means shot a rifle that shoots three completely different manufacturing unit hundreds below a half inch, together with customized weapons with aftermarket barrels. If I had extra time, I’d reload for this rifle, and I’m optimistic I’d get to a one-hole group.
However with a rifle that shoots manufacturing unit hundreds this nicely, why reload? I’ve shot every of the above-mentioned hundreds within the .3’s. All of them shoot near the identical zero. I can load all three into my Sig Kilo 10k’s and select between them with out challenge. Whereas I desire the 147’s, they’ve the perfect BC at a G1 of .697, all of them fly amazingly, and are able to hitting coyotes nicely previous 1000 yards. Whereas I can get my SDs into single digits once I reload, it takes a number of effort and time in comparison with taking pictures manufacturing unit. I’ll put up the FPS and SDs for every load under. (20-inch barrel)
Hornady 140 gr. ELDM: AVG FPS-2635. STD-12.5 FPS Hornady 143 gr. ELDX: AVG FPS-2596. STD-12.1 FPS Hornady 147 gr. ELDM: AVG FPS-2612. STD- 11.3 FPS
I’m very proud of the outcomes, and really grateful that an organization like Seekins Precision exists. I don’t know of one other firm with this sort of dedication to its prospects, at the least not for the value level.
Confirmed At 775 Yards: Actual World Drops And Wind
After I used to be satisfied the gun was taking pictures the way in which I needed it to at 100 yards, I made a decision to take it out to distance. I used to be taking pictures persistently excessive at 1000 yards and knew I wanted to true up my B.C. to get my holdovers appropriate. I made a fast goal, painted a line throughout its middle, and set it up at 775 yards. After adjusting my B.C to hit the road, I shot this group.
Greatest Bang For Your Buck: Why PH3 Wins On Worth
The PH3 retails for $1850; it’s a number of gun for the cash. The brand new 60 diploma motion is buttery easy and quick to cycle, the Set off Tech set off is crisp and simply adjustable (I bought mine right down to 1.9 lbs.), the inventory is snug and nicely thought out, the toolless adjustable cheek piece is ideal, and the short change barrel is ridiculously simple to make use of, your scope doesn’t have to come back off, no gun vise or barrel wrench required. These are solely among the enhancements over the outdated mannequin (which continues to be nice), however even with all of the revolutionary adjustments that the brand new Seekins bolt rifle provides, the primary cause to purchase one is the customer support.
Glenn Seekins is totally altering the rifle trade; not solely are his rifles extra revolutionary than the competitors, however his customer support can also be unmatched. The one query with Seekins Precision Rifles is whether or not they can sustain with demand. I actually hope they do!
Seekins PH3 6.5 Creedmoor Specs
Professionals And Cons: What Stands Out
Professionals: Repeatable sub-half-inch teams with a number of manufacturing unit hundreds, easy 60-degree motion, crisp TriggerTech set off, toolless adjustable cheek piece, quick-change barrel, standout customer support. Cons: Preliminary inconsistency required a return journey, some specs depend upon configuration, reloading positive factors could also be marginal given manufacturing unit efficiency.
Jorden Doggett brings real-world expertise and precision to the GunsAmerica staff as a regulation enforcement sniper, licensed firearms teacher, and devoted long-range shooter. His background in tactical coaching and real-time decision-making within the discipline provides him a novel and credible perspective on gear, ballistics, and marksmanship.Off-duty, Jorden is a passionate hunter who spends as a lot time as doable within the mountains chasing elk, deer, bears, coyotes, and wolves. Whether or not he’s behind a scope, within the discipline together with his rifle, or coaching the subsequent era of shooters, he brings self-discipline, perception, and grit to the whole lot he does.Expertise:– Legislation Enforcement Sniper – Energetic-duty LEO sniper with in depth tactical coaching and operational expertise.
– Licensed Firearms Teacher – State-certified LEO firearms teacher with a give attention to rifle and precision taking pictures.
–Licensed TacMed Teacher- State licensed TacMed teacher with a give attention to fight medication.
–Lengthy-Vary Marksman – Deeply skilled long-range shooter with a robust background in precision rifle work.
– Huge Sport & Predator Hunter – Hunts elk, deer, coyotes, bears, and wolves throughout rugged terrain.
– Ballistics & Gear Knowledgeable – Trusted voice on tactical tools, rifles, optics, and efficiency below stress.
– Mission-Pushed – Dedicated to excellence, security, and advancing firearms information in each skilled and civilian circles.
