The Seekins HAVAK PH3 Is (Almost) Everything You Want in a Modern Hunting Rifle

After all, that’s to not say we haven’t seen any enhancements during the last century. Bolt weapons at this time are smoother and extra correct than their predecessors, and trendy manufacturing has lowered the prices of attaining that high quality. Should you don’t imagine me, look no additional than the PH3, the most recent innovation from Idaho gunmaker, Seekins Precision.

The PH3 is just about every little thing you need in a contemporary looking rifle. It combines an modern new motion with all of the bells and whistles: a TriggerTech set off, an adjustable inventory, a 20-MOA scope base, a full-length M-LOK rail, a 60-degree bolt throw, a silky {smooth} motion, and Seekins’ quick-change barrel system. It’s robust to consider a characteristic the PH3 doesn’t have, and its sub-$2000 value level ought to make it a horny possibility for anybody trying on the high-end looking rifle class.

Nonetheless, regardless of that characteristic set, the PH3 hasn’t loved an unlimited quantity of consideration because it was introduced at SHOT Present final yr. A fast Google search reveals that few main gun or looking shops have revealed a full hands-on assessment, and other than discussion board posts and SHOT Present protection, there isn’t a ton of knowledge on the brand new rifle.

Does the PH3 endure from a serious flaw thwarting its success, or might or not it’s top-of-the-line trendy rifles nonetheless flying underneath the radar? That’s the query I goal to reply under.

Seekins despatched me the “NRL” model of the PH3, a mannequin tailored to enter the manufacturing class of NRL Hunter competitions. It’s much like the bottom mannequin, however it provides a Seekins ATC Muzzle Brake, a TriggerTech Diamond set off, and a inventory with a Glacier Shadow hand-painted sample.

It’s solely accessible within the following caliber/barrel configurations:

6mm Creedmoor / 24” / 1:8 twist
6.5mm Creedmoor / 24” / 1:8 twist
6.5mm PRC / 24” / 1:8 twist

I choose a shorter barrel to compensate for a suppressor, however I can see why a rifle designed for NRL can be set as much as squeeze as a lot velocity as doable from these three calibers.

Nonetheless, the bottom PH3 mannequin (picture under from Seekins’ web site) is on the market in much more configurations. Right here’s the total record:

Brief Motion: Barrel size 16”

.277 FURY / 1:8 twist
.308 Win / 1:11.25 twist

Brief Motion: Barrel size 20”

6mm Creedmoor / 1:8 twist
6.5mm Creedmoor / 1:8 twist
6.5 PRC / 1:8 twist
.277 FURY / 1:8 twist
.308 Win / 1:11.25 twist

Brief Motion: Barrel size 24”

6mm Creedmoor / 1:8 twist
6.5mm Creedmoor / 1:8 twist
6.5 PRC / 1:8 twist

Lengthy Motion: Barrel size 22”

7mm Rem Magazine / 1:8 twist
7 PRC / 1:8 twist
7mm Backcountry / 1:8 twist
300 Win Magazine / 1:10 twist
300 PRC / 1:10 twist

Lengthy Motion: Barrel size 26”

7mm Rem Magazine / 1:8 twist
7 PRC / 1:8 twist
300 Win Magazine / 1:10 twist
300 PRC / 1:10 twist

This cartridge choice is extra restricted than you’ll see at Ruger or Savage, however I feel it nonetheless affords one thing for everybody. Previous-school aficionados can be glad to see .300 Win. Magazine. and .308 Win. whereas new-school lovers have their PRCs and Creedmoors. Plus, the assorted barrel lengths will let you match your suppressor or muzzle brake with no matter bullet velocity you’re hoping to realize.

Base PH3 fashions ship with the next options:

PH3 Motion, interchangeable with the Seekins M3 Chassis and Shares
Seekins Mini Chassis
3 lug toolless detachable bolt (Magnum or Customary)
Seekins Fast Change Barrel System
Open-source head area and tenon specs
60-degree bolt throw
Built-in 20 MOA Picatinny rail
Built-in full-length MLok rail
Adjustable cheek riser (comb)
Barrel: 416R Stainless Metal
Set off: Set off Tech, person adjustable 2.5-5lbs
Inventory: Seekins PH3 carbon composite
3 Seekins Shadow collection paint choices
Prolonged cartridge total size (COAL) permitting as much as 3.14 in 6.5 PRC and three.9 in 300 PRC and 300 Win Magazine
Threaded Muzzle: 5/8×24

All these bells and whistles include a value, in fact. For the bottom mannequin, the MSRP is $1,895.00. For the NRL mannequin, that jumps to $2,295.00. That is likely to be greater than most hunters hope to spend on a rifle, however in the event you examine the PH3 with different rifles in its class, it’s not unreasonable.

As with every bolt gun, the guts of the PH3 is its motion. The bolt contains a new three-lug design that comes with an extractor inside one of many lugs. The extractor doesn’t seize the rim of the cartridge till the push-feed motion closes, however as soon as a spherical is fired and the bolt is pulled to the rear, the dual-plunger ejector flings the spent circumstances to the facet.

I can’t communicate to the long-term sturdiness of this design, however I’ve had zero points throughout my journeys to the vary. The bolt easily strips cartridges from the carbon fiber journal, and spent circumstances are extracted and ejected with none sticking or stuttering.

In actual fact, the PH3’s motion is among the many smoothest I’ve examined. The 60-degree throw helps, however locking and unlocking the motion requires noticeably much less power than different bolt weapons I’ve owned. It feels extra like a bolt that’s been damaged in with hundreds of rounds fairly than one thing simply pulled out of the field. The bolt physique slides forwards and backwards by means of the receiver with little or no friction or wobble, which makes follow-up photographs marginally quicker. Plus, the bolt deal with is detachable, so in the event you don’t like the dimensions or angle, you may change it with an aftermarket possibility that makes use of the identical thread sample.

The security retains the set off from being pulled, however it doesn’t lock the bolt deal with in place. Some choose this performance as a result of it permits the rifle to be unloaded with the security “on.” Nonetheless, because the bolt deal with is really easy to lift and decrease, it would by accident work its approach open if the rifle is carried with a sling or strapped to a backpack. That potentiality could be mitigated, however it’s one thing to remember.

The motion is {smooth}, however so are many older rifles. What actually brings the PH3 into the Twenty first century is its quick-change barrel system.

That begins with the bolt head. Except you’re switching to a cartridge that makes use of the identical bolt face as your earlier one, you’re going to want to alter the pinnacle. The PH3 simplifies that course of by permitting customers to take away the bolt head with out instruments. As you may see on this video, disassembling the bolt requires a number of easy pushes and twists, after which the firing pin can be utilized to slip out the pin holding the bolt head in place. Seekins affords 4 bolt face sizes for $99 every, and the bolt provider is straightforward to reassemble.

After you have the right bolt face, you’re prepared to put in the brand new barrel. A Seekins rep instructed me they hope to supply their very own HAVAK PH3 barrels someday this yr, however as of this writing, you’ll need to fee your individual from a distinct gunsmith. The excellent news is that Seekins revealed all the knowledge wanted to spin up an aftermarket barrel, and it’s free proper right here. If you’d like a brand new barrel to your HAVAK PH3, simply ship that doc to the barrel maker, they usually’ll know what to do.

Putting in that new barrel is remarkably simple. Seekins’ quick-change barrel system has been round for a number of years, however this was my first time getting my arms on it. Right here’s the way it works:

Take away the bolt from the motion
Take away the motion from the inventory
Loosen the barrel clamp screw (T-25)
Take away the barrel from the motion. It must be simply hand-tight (about 10 ft.-lbs.), however in the event you’re eradicating it for the primary time, it would take some convincing. Seekins recommends wrapping the barrel with some type of padding and securing it in a vice. That ought to provide the leverage that you must unscrew the receiver. I’ve a barrel vice, so I simply used that to safe the barrel and eliminated the receiver with a pair of vice grips and an outdated leather-based glove.

Clear the face of the motion the barrel shoulder face
Apply a teardrop-size drop of grease to third thread within the receiver
Thread on new barrel and torque to 10 foot-pounds. Except you will have an motion wrench, you received’t really be capable to use a torque wrench for this step. However Seekins instructed me that simply getting the barrel hand-tight is enough.
Tighten barrel clamp screw to 30 inch-pounds
Reassemble rifle (motion screws are 55 inch-pounds)

That’s it. I accomplished every step, reinstalling the identical barrel that got here with the rifle. Apart from needing a vice to take away the barrel, I didn’t expertise any points.

It’s a reasonably ingenious system. The barrel is safely secured to the receiver as a result of the barrel clamp is threaded to interface with the threads on the barrel extension. The clamp solely must be tightened to 30 inch-pounds (about as tight as scope rings to a picatinny rail) to maintain the barrel from transferring and harming accuracy. Shade me impressed.

The HAVAK PH3 could be completely disassembled and reassembled utilizing nothing however a number of Torx wrenches.

After all, simply because a system works doesn’t imply it’s helpful. A hunter who solely shoots his rifle a number of occasions a yr would possibly by no means want a brand new barrel, and most of us simply purchase a brand new rifle if we wish a brand new caliber. Seekins’ system is fast and handy, however it’s not faster or extra handy than choosing a distinct rifle out of the protected. Plus, a good-quality aftermarket barrel will run you at the least $500, which isn’t that a lot lower than what you’d spend on a mid-tier rifle.

It’d look like I’m throwing chilly water on the PH3, however I’m actually not. If you wish to use the PH3 for aggressive taking pictures, with the ability to swap out barrels with out particular instruments or tools is an unbelievable asset. It permits you to change a worn-out barrel and even change calibers in the event you determine what you will have isn’t working. Even for hunters, the quick-change system could be helpful. Should you’re touring for an out-of-state hunt, and also you hope to focus on elk and prairie canine, the PH3 permits you to take a single motion with two barrels. That’s a lot simpler to pack than two separate rifles, which leaves room for additional gear or permits you to use a smaller rifle case.

The Seekins quick-change barrel system may not attraction to everybody, however I feel it undoubtedly has its functions. What’s extra, on the finish of the day, I feel this rifle is priced competitively even with out that Twenty first-century characteristic.

Talking of Twenty first-century options, the PH3 inventory deserves a more in-depth look. Its major (although not solely) distinguishing characteristic is what Seekins calls a “mini-chassis.” There are three metallic elements to this chassis: the bedding space, the M-LOK slots, and the underside metallic (set off guard/journal properly). These elements could be separated from one another, however when the rifle is absolutely assembled, they’re mated along with the entrance motion screw.

The aluminum bedding space permits the receiver to be torqued to the chassis/inventory with 55 ft-lbs. of power, which reduces motion and promotes accuracy. Aluminum additionally doesn’t warp or shift like wooden or polymer, so the receiver maintains the very same place relative to the chassis after each shot. This minimizes level of impression shift and will increase consistency even throughout a protracted day on the vary. Most hunters and sport shooters perceive the advantages of a chassis, however Seekins’ “mini-chassis” design affords these advantages with out including an excessive amount of weight and sustaining the standard feel and appear of a looking rifle.

The metallic M-LOK rail permits customers to put in quite a lot of metallic M-LOK equipment, together with the full-length ARCA rail you see on the rifle I examined (bought individually). Torquing metallic on metallic permits these equipment to be held in place extra securely, which is very helpful for bipods and tripids.

The underside metallic options what I feel is likely one of the finest journal releases I’ve used. It’s included into the set off guard, so it doesn’t stick out and get snagged on something. Nevertheless it’s additionally bigger and extra textured than comparable releases I’ve used on different rifles. That makes it simple to control even with gloves on, which, imagine it or not, I’ve really been needing to make use of over the previous few weeks right here in East Texas.

Transferring to the rear of the inventory, the comb peak could be adjusted utilizing a small, springloaded button. The button protrudes ever so barely from the facet of the rifle, however it’s not conspicuous. Nonetheless, not like what might look intuitive, you may’t depress the button all the best way by merely pushing it together with your finger. As an alternative, the mechanism can solely be adjusted utilizing a small instrument or bullet tip pressed into the center of the button. This ensures that the button isn’t by accident bumped whereas giving a hunter a solution to regulate the comb within the discipline.

Regardless of these advantages, I’d say the hunt for the right inventory adjustment system continues to be ongoing. The comb will not transfer from any of the 5 adjustment heights, so in the event you do not plan to fiddle with it within the discipline, it will work simply high quality. However the button is harder to depress than you are pondering, and the method will mar a bullet tip if that is what you determine to make use of. You can too use a pencil, small screwdriver, or equally sized merchandise, however then you need to keep in mind to carry it. There are all the time tradeoffs in life, and that is certainly one of them.

I figured the PH3 can be nice to shoot, particularly with a MeatEater Banish suppressor hanging off the top. The TriggerTech Diamond set off is, in my view, the perfect aftermarket set off cash should purchase, and the soft-recoiling 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges are good for a protracted day on the vary.

I wasn’t disillusioned. The HAVAK PH3 is a great-shooting rifle. That {smooth} motion made fast work of the three-round magazines, and I by no means skilled any malfunctions or failures. (Notice: The NRL model of the PH3 usually ships with a five-round journal.)

My one gripe with the configuration of this explicit mannequin is the general weight and the size of the barrel. At only a hair over eight kilos (no scope, unloaded), it’s a bit on the heavy facet for offhand photographs, and it wouldn’t be my first alternative to hold up and down a mountain for every week. With a six-inch suppressor on the top, the efficient size of the barrel will increase to 30 inches, which I do know from expertise is cumbersome in a tree stand.

After all, that’s a reasonably minor grievance within the grand scheme of issues, and the bottom mannequin PH3 is on the market in a wide selection of barrel lengths and corresponding total weights.

Can you discover lighter rifles? Certain. However can you discover lighter rifles with the identical options on the similar value? Possibly, however that record is far, a lot shorter.

The PH3 is a well-built, sturdy rifle, and the Seekins Lifetime Guarantee implies that if one thing breaks, they’ll change it. However, as everybody is aware of, the true take a look at of any rifle is its accuracy.

As with all looking rifles we take a look at, I shot 5, three-shot teams from 100 yards with every kind of ammo and recorded the typical group measurement and the smallest group. Bullet velocities had been recorded with a Garmin Xero C1, and people averages and normal deviations had been famous as properly.

These outcomes are extra frequent amongst high-end looking rifles than you would possibly suppose, however they clearly didn’t blow me away. Every kind of ammo besides the monolithic copper achieved at the least one sub-MOA group, and the match and GameKing choices averaged lower than one inch.

Two of the perfect teams, each shot utilizing 140-grain open tip match bullets loaded by Sig Sauer.

However I’d have favored to see higher outcomes from the three looking bullets. Maybe one other type of ammunition would have produced teams extra constantly within the .75-inch vary, however with these three, this rifle struggled to hit that mark. If I used to be a Seekins buyer, I’d contemplate making the most of what Seekins calls its “Past MOA Assure.” The corporate doesn’t assure that their rifles shoot teams of any explicit measurement. As an alternative, they are saying, their precedence is “your satisfaction.”

“We refuse to lump our clients right into a singular class guaranteeing them 1/2 MOA at 100 yards,” they are saying on their web site. “The way in which we take a look at it, you may’t put a value on accuracy. We acknowledge and have thought-about that every of our buyer’s calls for are distinctive, and due to this fact refuse to ship a cookie-cutter assure out with every new rifle. As long as it’s a Seekins rifle, unequalled innovation and out of the field precision is our assurance.”

If for any motive you’re unhappy with a rifle’s efficiency, they’ll pay to ship it again. They have a look, discipline take a look at it, and restore or change it if one thing is damaged.

I’ve been important of accuracy ensures as a result of virtually any rifle can shoot one sub-MOA group given sufficient makes an attempt. I like this strategy from Seekins, so long as they comply with by means of. Working by means of accuracy points with clients could be irritating and time-consuming, but when they’re prepared to do this, I say extra energy to them.

Right here’s what I like concerning the PH3: not like another gunmakers, Seekins doesn’t slap a $2,000 price ticket on a fundamental bolt-action rifle and ask you to belief that the supplies and manufacturing justify the price. They provide actual, modern options you received’t discover wherever else. From the barrel swap system to the “mini-chassis” to the adjustable inventory to the super-smooth motion, every characteristic is thoughtfully designed and helpful within the discipline.

It may not be good–a few of these options you may not like, and on the finish of the day, accuracy is all the time a very powerful issue. However a lot of Seekins’ opponents are extra like gun assemblers than precise gunmakers. They purchase elements from different firms, match them collectively, and cost a revenue. The PH3 really tries to be modern, and for that I feel its designers deserve a whole lot of credit score.