Winchester XPR Thumbhole Varmint 6.5 PRC 24in

The Winchester XPR Thumbhole Varmint 6.5 PRC 24in is a factory-built precision rifle that skips the custom-shop wait. Chambered in 6.5 PRC, it pairs a 24-inch threaded barrel with a laminate thumbhole stock and an adjustable M.O.A. trigger system. This is a production varmint gun that actually shoots sub-MOA out of the box — no bedding, no gunsmithing, no excuses.

Key Features

• 24-inch threaded barrel (5/8×24 pattern) — WHY IT MATTERS: Lets you mount a brake or suppressor without a gunsmith. The 24-inch length maximizes velocity for the 6.5 PRC, giving you flatter trajectories past 800 yards.
• Laminate thumbhole stock with raised cheekpiece — WHY IT MATTERS: The raised comb aligns your eye with a high-mounted optic instantly. The thumbhole grip keeps your trigger hand locked in the same spot every shot, reducing vertical stringing.
• M.O.A. Trigger System — WHY IT MATTERS: Factory-adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds. Per Winchester specs, this trigger breaks clean with zero creep. A consistent 3-pound pull is standard from the box.
• Bolt unlock button and two-position thumb safety — WHY IT MATTERS: The bolt unlock lets you cycle rounds with the safety engaged. The thumb safety is intuitive and fast for cold-line conditions or walking between stands.
• Drilled and tapped receiver — WHY IT MATTERS: Accepts standard Winchester XPR bases. No custom machining needed to mount your preferred 20 MOA rail or ring setup.

Who It’s For

This rifle is for the shooter who wants to reach past 600 yards on varmints or steel without dropping $2,000 on a custom action. The 6.5 PRC delivers 140-grain bullets at 2,950+ fps from the 24-inch barrel, giving you wind-bucking performance that edges out 6.5 Creedmoor by 100-150 yards. If you’re running PRS Gas Gun or NRL Hunter production class, the XPR Thumbhole Varmint fits the rules and the budget.

Pros and Cons

• Pro: Sub-MOA accuracy guarantee from Winchester — most shooters report 0.5-0.75 MOA with factory Hornady ELD-M loads.
• Pro: Threaded barrel with a factory-installed thread protector. No adapter needed for 5/8×24 brakes.
• Con: The 3-round detachable magazine is proprietary. Spare mags are $45-60 and harder to find than AICS patterns. Plan to buy two extra at purchase.

Comparison: Winchester XPR Thumbhole Varmint vs. Ruger American Predator vs. Bergara B-14 HMR

The Ruger American Predator is lighter and cheaper but lacks the laminate stock and adjustable cheekpiece of the Winchester. The Bergara B-14 HMR offers a better stock and AICS mags but costs $330 more. The XPR sits in the middle: better stock than the Ruger, lower price than the Bergara.

FAQ

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Last updated: April 2026

According to NSSF 2025 data, the 6.5 PRC is the fastest-growing long-range cartridge in production-class rifles, with a 34% increase in SKUs over the prior year.

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