I have bought several deer rifles. Some I liked. Some I didn't. None were exactly what I wanted. To be honest I can't find exactly what I want. The last one is a Seekins havoc 6.5 prc. Absolutely love the gun. Absolutely hate the caliber. Personal opinion. I called Seekins and asked if they would make me that gun in caliber of my choice? Answer was no! So I bit the bullet. TS Customs. I called him. Told him what I wanted and he said he would build it. Not Cheap. I wrestled with it and been paying monthly while he built. He emailed and asked me the color I wanted? Holy crap we near the end. I've got it paid for and he's finishing up. I hope it's all I thought it would be because no way you should pay that for a deer rifle when a 200 dollar pawn shop rifle will kill em! I'm so excited to have it. Shoot it. I pray I love it! Lord how mercy this deer hunting bug is tough!!! I can't wait!
Beyond Excited
- Thread starter muddyboots
- Start date
So… what cartridge did you pick?
Good choice on Travis, he's working on a 22GT barrel for me now. What cartridge did you chamber it in?
It will be worth it
FARMTOFIELD
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Did you have the element or the ph2? What caliber did you pick, and what do you not like about the prc? I'm about to order a ph2 in 7 mag I think
7/08. With whitetail it just kills!
Element. 6.5 prc. Shoots outstanding. Shot 3 deer with it. Terrible tracking jobs with all. I got Travis to build a 7/08.
I hope you are right. I've lost sleep thinking about how much I spent! Lol. I'm by no means a rich man! In the money category!
I wouldn't expect much difference between the 2 in terminal performance. I'd be more concerned with shot placement and bullets selected.
7/08
Mine has killed a few …………..
Mine has killed a few …………..
We shot 2 with a 124 hammer and 1 with a 130 Barnes. Just not for me.
I shot a few whitetail with monos and went back cup and core. Unless you're busting the cns you'll get longer tracks with monos. I'll shoot the 80ttsx some from my 243 but the 95 NBT and the 105hpbt kill quicker.
Eldm's would change your mind on the PRC.
But, congrats on the new rifle.
Eldm's would change your mind on the PRC.
But, congrats on the new rifle.
I'll try some eldm. Just hated to keep shooting deer with it. I've shot a truckload with 7/08 140 Barnes and they just collapse.
Other than a velocity difference, why do you feel the prc doesn't do as well at the 7-08 with a mono. And for what it's worth, there's some threads out there of the hammers failing. There's also threads out there on the lack of terminal destruction with monos compared to cup and core bullets.
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I've used the Barnes 130's in .308" from my 3006 and a few others, with monos they just track a little farther because they don't do as much trauma.
I bet the 140 eldm or 147 eldm will probably change your opinion.
Certainly nothing wrong with a 708, I have two and I heart both of them.
I bet the 140 eldm or 147 eldm will probably change your opinion.
Certainly nothing wrong with a 708, I have two and I heart both of them.
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Since building a 6.5prc and having the same issue as you with the hammer bullet, I've been experimenting on other legal game this winter and spring. Loaded up the Berger 156 EOL and have killed 3 coyotes, 2 hogs and a few others. I'll be deer hunting with them this year.
I have a box those I have not tried yet.
This right here. I have a built 6.5 PRC now for a couple years and shoot the Berger 156 EOL with Vihtavuori N565 and very impressed with it on deer and yotes.
Small pool sample but 3 deer shot with 6.5 prc. Terrible tracking jobs. 2 found 1 not. The 2 found shot exactly where I put it. 7/08 I've shot a bunch with it. Can't remember ever tracking one of them. Like I said just personal experience. I prolly could keep trying things with the prc and find something that works but I'm getting old and I 100 per cent know what the 7/08 does. So that's why I picked 7/08.
You should give them a try muddyboots, we have crop damage tags and every year when the beans is planted behind the wheat crop we take out some of the doe's and I have seen them shot with about every caliber, between several farmers and different calibers and that 6.5 PRC with the 156 Berger EOL is awesome. And like you my daughter and granddaughter love the 7-08.
My experience as well with whitetails.
You could put sorry bullets in the 7-08 and leave disappointed as well. Like you I would probably move on, but it would be in my bullet choice.
Either way, congrats on your new rifle. Regardless of the reason, new rifles are always fun to tinker with. Post some pictures when you get it.
Hard bullets and whitetail aren't a good combo. I think most people buy monos because they think they cost more so they kill better, and they don't unless you're after big stuff or you're breaking bones. One thing I've found is a lot of hunters don't know deer anatomy and are terrified of a deers shoulder blade so they shoot them mid ribs rear lung and liver, the deer runs, and the cartridge used is junk. You may have center punched both shoulders, but I doubt it.
The 2 you found, rib shots?
I used a 140 Accubond left over from my elk hunt in my 708 last year on a huge old doe. Put it right where I wanted it and she ran quite a ways with zero blood, not a drop.
Know what that tells me? Use a softer bullet.
139 BTSP is up to bat year.
The 708 is never a bad choice. You will certainly enjoy it
The 2 you found, rib shots?
I used a 140 Accubond left over from my elk hunt in my 708 last year on a huge old doe. Put it right where I wanted it and she ran quite a ways with zero blood, not a drop.
Know what that tells me? Use a softer bullet.
139 BTSP is up to bat year.
The 708 is never a bad choice. You will certainly enjoy it
I guess I don't understand the science. Those same bullets are awesome in the 7/08.
backstraps
Well-Known Member
Congratulations on the new rifle! Always a ton of fun and exciting
Hey regardless of caliber you choose, having the caliber you want and a gun you love…. simply hard to beat!
DA shared a load on here many times for the 7-08 Since using that load my daughter has hammered them all dead in their tracks. We have not tracked a one. Even a perfect double lung shot on a doe, sent her straight down. Like they deer swallowed a grenade lol
Hey regardless of caliber you choose, having the caliber you want and a gun you love…. simply hard to beat!
DA shared a load on here many times for the 7-08 Since using that load my daughter has hammered them all dead in their tracks. We have not tracked a one. Even a perfect double lung shot on a doe, sent her straight down. Like they deer swallowed a grenade lol
FARMTOFIELD
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The accubond is my choice of bullet out of any caliber
They're great bullets, just not one I'll probably use again on whitetails.
Top to bottom my favorite whitetail bullet is the Nosler ballistic tip. They have done more damage, left better blood trails if needed and I've never had one not exit. They're typically my first choice for the rifles I hunt with.
With NABs I have almost always gotten an exit wound, thus great bloodtrail, but also devastating expansion. Most often I get a bang-flop. Seems to be the perfect balance to me.
In full disclosure I had some bad experiences with some of the earlier NBTs which soured me on them for decades but I'm now warming back up to them for cartridges with velocities under 2800 fps like a 308
Nothing I hunt with breaks 2800fps at the muzzle except my 243 and my 708 with 120's.
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/deer/articlegad.html
Some bullet and caliber info near the bottom. An interesting read
I never had good experience with the ballistic tips.
