Long time lurker, finally signed up. Have read many threads over the years on this site that has helped me. Just a question for you pro’s out there. What is your opinion on Seekins bolt action rifles? After 2 years of contemplating a better bolt action rifle, came down to either a RPR or a Seekins. I wanted a 24 inch barrel. Only Seekins sold one in 308. Bought the seekins HAVAK HIT. Not the pro. Still in the process of finding the right pill and powder for 1000 yards. Been reloading for 10 years. Just looking for opinions. Thanks.
Seekins opinions
- Thread starter Bearcatrp
- Start date
Haven't played with the HIT, but have a ph2 and had the Ruger RPR. I'd buy another RPR if it was just for a range gun. However I doubt you would ever tell much difference in accuracy, both should be good.
Havak Hit and Hit Pro only differ in the added ARCA rail and slightly better trigger in the Pro, I'm pretty sure.
I have a prior gen Havak Hit Pro, with 6.5 CM and .308 Win 24" barrels. I shoot PRS lazily, and shoot paper and steel regularly at 300-600 yds. I don't want for a nicer rifle. Not in any way. Aside from that, Seekins customer service is about one of the best in the business.
My first bolt gun, which I still have, is a Ruger American Hunter 20" .308 Win. Heavy contour barrel and the same brake used on the RPR, as stock/original from Ruger. It shoots very nicely for its cost. Action more buzzy / less refined than the Seekins. I used it happily for 3 yrs, but I'm not a good enough wind reader to shoot that short barrel in PRS, so I got the Seekins in 6.5 CM.
Between the two I'd choose the Seekins.
I have a prior gen Havak Hit Pro, with 6.5 CM and .308 Win 24" barrels. I shoot PRS lazily, and shoot paper and steel regularly at 300-600 yds. I don't want for a nicer rifle. Not in any way. Aside from that, Seekins customer service is about one of the best in the business.
My first bolt gun, which I still have, is a Ruger American Hunter 20" .308 Win. Heavy contour barrel and the same brake used on the RPR, as stock/original from Ruger. It shoots very nicely for its cost. Action more buzzy / less refined than the Seekins. I used it happily for 3 yrs, but I'm not a good enough wind reader to shoot that short barrel in PRS, so I got the Seekins in 6.5 CM.
Between the two I'd choose the Seekins.
Seekins makes good stuff.
The rifle you have is very likely more than capable
Look at the 169 TMK, 177, or the 185 Juggernaut from Berger.
Try 2000 MR powder with the 185.
The rifle you have is very likely more than capable
Look at the 169 TMK, 177, or the 185 Juggernaut from Berger.
Try 2000 MR powder with the 185.
I must have misread your question. I thought you were asking about seekins vs the RPR. For 1000yd 308 loads, I've had decent luck with the 168eldm, but the 185gr juggernaut was a lot easier to get to shoot. I cannot remember the powder I used with the juggs, but varget with the 168gr bullets
I have some nosier 190 match I plan on trying. Also loaded up some Hornady 178 BTHP and Berger 175 match to try. Was going to hit the range today but came down with a dam bug. Have to wait awhile. Am trying to get the heaviest bullet to shoot cloverleafs at 100 yards.
One thing I am finding out is I am limited by magazine on length. Did check on each bullet I am trying. Can go 2.890 but due to magazine limits, can max out at 2.875 with AICS mags. The mag that comes with the rifle is 2.850. Will see how my loads go but may have to single load for optimum accuracy.
That 190 has a .530 G1 BC which isn’t great today. You a get lighter bullets with better BCs going faster.
The 190’s shot pretty good but am looking at better G1 pills. The 190 noslers are discontinued. Got these awhile back dirt cheap. The Berger 175’s shot pretty good too. Some of the match pills I looked at recently are almost a buck a pill. Will keep researching for now.
They are easy to get to shoot though. And make a mess out of pdogs from my 300wm. Lol. SPS had blems a few years back for cheap.
Have fun with them but just trying to help him to get more performance for his money.
Mine are long gone, and they aren't making more. So if he has them, not using them wouldn't be very economical.
I mostly got them plink with my 308. I.E. "practice." There are way better performing 30 cal bullets for sure. There are 168s with a higher BC.
Mine are long gone, and they aren't making more. So if he has them, not using them wouldn't be very economical.
There are way better performing 30 cal bullets for sure. There are 168s with a higher BC.
Understand that but like you said there are 168s with close or better and you can get them going a good deal faster. That’s why I brought that up to him. Lol
Trying to figure out depth to seat the bullet. Most hunting bullets seat to length. For 308, it’s 2.800. But this is a boat tail bullet. Usually load .020 off the lands on match bullets. Suggestions? Cost to much to try both.
I load mine at 2.860” so I get reliable feeding from my AICS mags. That is about .045” off the lands and they shoot great. If the mag you use will allow .020” off then give it a try. I definitely wouldn’t load them at 2.800”.
Loaded a series today. My max COAL is 2.850 with the magazine that came with the rifle. Supposed to be able to use AICS mags but the mag pull I have doesn’t work. Have to find a different manufacturer of AICS mags.
I have seen a DBM that are tight with the magpul and fine with steel mags.
Might have even been this Seekins one I have?
Might have even been this Seekins one I have?
You can get to 2.960” with MDT mags without the binder plate it longer is needed.
Check out the mdt 10 or 12 round aics mags. We shoot a ton of seekins and those mags work well. Also, check out the 175 smk and Hodgdon H4350 combo. Its a very common combo in the long range community. Good luck!
How do you remove that binder plate without destroying the magazine? Just tried but not budging.
Just buy one without it. Guys used to drill out the welds and get it out before they were offered buy now no reason to do that.
The price is nuts for one without that plate. Think I saw $79 bucks from the link provided.
Those were 12 rounders but even with the plate they are about that much. They are a thing that lasts though and you will have them for years. I have my original AI AICS mags from 2004 and still use them.
Also look at them on Black Friday as the MDT sale is usually close to half price.
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