Precision Rifle Network: Bergara 6.5 PRC MDT CRBN Hunting Rifle

Joel, from the Precision Rifle Network YouTube channel, is a strong voice in the precision rifle community. His opinion not only matters but is respected by both viewers and his peers. In a recent video, Joel discusses his new deer rifle and takes us through his sight-in and tuning process.

THE RIFLE BUILD

At the core of this setup is a Bergara Premier barreled action equipped with their CURE carbon fiber barrel and chambered in 6.5 PRC. The action is mated to MDT’s CRBN rifle stock, a true crossover design that combines hunting practicality with precision rifle features. The ARCA rail is fully integrated into the forend, making tripod or barricade use straightforward, while the adjustable stock allows Joel to fine-tune the comb height for a consistent cheek weld. For the stock, he selected MDT’s Precision bottom metal, which includes a built-in barricade stop—a small detail, but one that truly matters in real shooting situations. Mounted atop is a Leupold Mark 4 6–24×52mm scope, offering a balanced mix of magnification, durability, and weight suitable for hunting.

SIGHTING IN

The plan is straightforward: zero at 100 yards, then verify ballistic data at 300 yards. Remember, this rifle is designed for deer hunting, and Joel is clear about his ethical limits. Six hundred yards is his maximum range to take game. It’s about respect for the animal. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Now, for the actual sighting in.

If you’ve watched Joel before, you know he’s candid about results. The initial groups with Hornady 140-grain Match ammo were disappointing. With a standard deviation of 19 fps, the ammo was adequate, but the groups hovered around 1.5 MOA—acceptable for hunting but not what he expected from this rifle.

To see if the results improved, Joel switched to Hornady’s 143-grain Precision Hunter load to see if the barrel preferred it. The difference was immediate. Standard deviation dropped to 16 fps, and groups tightened to roughly 1 MOA. Not spectacular by competition standards, but clearly an improvement and far more in line with the rifle’s intended role.

TRUING DATA

With a solid zero and better consistency, Joel moved back to 305 yards to true his ballistic data. Shooting steel, reading the wind, and making small corrections, he adjusted his Kestrel by 0.1 MIL to reflect what the rifle was actually doing. The trued data is what matters in the field and serves as a reminder to everyone to verify beforehand.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In the end, the build remains a 1 MOA rifle that fires a 143-gr ELDX bullet at 2900 FPS. Suitable for hunting and for the parameters Joel is looking for. Not every rifle needs to shoot .5 MOA. While that is crucial for a competition gun, factors like reduced weight, balance, and ease of carrying matter more in a hunting rifle. It’s all about building a rifle that fits your needs, not forcing it into something it's not.

For more videos like this, check out the Precision Rifle Network YouTube channel.