The Seekins Havak line has long been a benchmark for shooters looking for custom-level accuracy and craftsmanship in a production rifle. With the new Havak Element M3, Seekins Precision has overhauled the design to bring hunters and long-range shooters into the next generation of high-pressure cartridges, modularity, and lightweight performance. After handling and shooting the Element M3 in 7 PRC, I can confirm that this rifle is not only a worthy successor but also one of the most versatile bolt guns available today.
The Element line from Seekins has always stood apart for its aluminum-based action. The barrel threads into a hardened steel sleeve, but the core of the design is aluminum, which is a big part of why the rifle stays so light. This hybrid approach delivers the strength needed for magnum cartridges without the extra weight of a full steel action.
Background: From ARs to Bolt Actions
Seekins Precision, founded by Glen Seekins, built its reputation on ultra-precise scope rings and later high-end AR platforms. When the company turned to bolt guns with the Havak line, it disrupted the market by offering rifles with custom tolerances and guarantees at a price point below many boutique rifle makers. The Element M3 is the latest evolution, designed from the ground up for modern SAMMI-spec high-pressure cartridges such as the .277 Fury and 7 Backcountry.
Key Upgrades in the M3 Platform
60-Degree Bolt Throw and Redesigned Bolt
Older Havak rifles featured a 90-degree bolt throw. The M3 moves to a 60-degree throw, which clears optics, prevents knuckle-bashing, and makes cycling noticeably faster. Seekins achieved this by redesigning the firing pin assembly and incorporating a three-lug bolt head with more surface engagement than traditional two-lug or four-lug designs. Dual ejectors and a sliding extractor provide added reliability for high-pressure rounds.
The bolt is also toolless and field-serviceable. In under a minute, you can disassemble it down to the firing pin, swap bolt heads, or clean it after a muddy hunt without needing a vise or specialized tools.
Quick-Change Barrel System
The M3’s patent-pending Quick-Change Barrel Collar is one of its defining features. For steel actions, the system uses a clamp design. For the aluminum Element, a collar secures the barrel in place. In either case, changing calibers or replacing a barrel requires only a Torx wrench and a few minutes. No gunsmith required.
Mini-Chassis Bedding System
Traditional bedding blocks are gone. Instead, the M3 uses a flat-bottomed action mated to a Seekins mini chassis integrated into the stock. This ensures repeatable torque and eliminates the risk of cracking bedding material. The design also extends an M-LOK rail the full length of the fore-end, giving hunters and competitors a solid interface for bipods, tripods, or accessories.
Adjustable Cheekpiece and Ergonomics
Every Element M3 ships with an adjustable cheek riser. Adjustments can be made in the field using a cartridge tip, stick, or knife. The system locks solidly without wiggle and makes it easy to achieve proper eye alignment with optics. Spacers are also available for length-of-pull adjustments.
Weight and Handling
The Element M3 retains its signature hybrid aluminum/steel action that trims nearly a pound compared to all-steel competitors. In practice, the rifle balances extremely well. Even with the added half-pound from the cheekpiece and chassis system, the 7 PRC test rifle remained light enough to carry into steep country but sturdy enough to anchor behind a bipod for long shots.
Performance in 7 PRC
The 7mm PRC chambering makes perfect sense for this rifle. It offers outstanding ballistic efficiency, manageable recoil, and long-range authority. During testing, the Element M3 cycled smoothly with factory Hornady 175 ELD-X loads, producing sub-MOA groups as advertised by Seekins’ accuracy guarantee. The 60-degree throw felt intuitive, and the TriggerTech trigger broke cleanly at just over 2.5 pounds.
The integrated 20 MOA rail with bubble level is a smart addition. It eliminates the risk of rail screws working loose and saves money on aftermarket mounts.
I shot the Element M3 in 7 PRC with Hornady 175 ELD-X and 180 ELD-M. My three-shot groups averaged about 0.75 MOA. Hornady has faced powder sourcing issues for 7 PRC, and recent factory lots have shown some variation. I plan to handload for this rifle and may try a different suppressor to see if groups tighten. Unfortunatly, simply changing lots of ammo has been shown to change group sizes.
Even so, consistent three-quarter MOA with factory ammo is solid. I outfitted the rifle with a Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18 that I bought from a friend, and although the rings sit higher than ideal, the adjustable cheekpiece made the setup work. I ran an MDT CKYE-Pod up front and a SilencerCo Scythe Ti on the muzzle. Recoil with the suppressor was minimal, and the rifle is genuinely pleasant to shoot.
Modularity: One Action, Many Configurations
One of the most appealing features of the M3 platform is interchangeability. The action footprint is now universal across Seekins’ PH3, HIT, and Element rifles. That means you can drop the same barreled action into a lightweight hunting stock, a folding carbon fiber chassis, or even a PRS-ready configuration without worrying about bedding compatibility. Add in the ability to swap bolt heads and barrels, and the same rifle can serve as a backcountry elk gun, a long-range match rifle, and a lightweight deer setup.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Element M3 is just how serviceable it is. With nothing more than a couple of Allen wrenches and a small Torx bit for the barrel collar, the entire rifle can be broken down in the field. The bolt strips to the firing pin without tools, the barrel can be swapped at camp, and even the trigger can be removed and replaced without hammers or punches. Being able to completely disassemble a precision hunting rifle this easily is virtually unheard of, and it makes the M3 a true standout for anyone who values self-sufficiency in the backcountry.
Specs: Havak Element M3
Calibers
- Short Action (20″ barrel, Seekins Mountain Contour)
• 6mm Creedmoor (1:8)
• 6.5 Creedmoor (1:8)
• 6.5 PRC (1:8)
• .277 Fury (1:8)
• .308 Win (1:11.25) - Long Action (22″ barrel, Seekins Mountain Contour)
• 7 Rem Mag (1:8)
• 7 PRC (1:8)
• 7 Backcountry (1:8)
• 300 Win Mag (1:10)
• 300 PRC (1:10)
Features
- ELEMENT M3 Action, interchangeable across Seekins platforms
- Seekins Mini Chassis bedding system
- Quick-Change Barrel Collar (patent pending)
- Three-lug bolt with toolless disassembly
- 60-degree bolt throw
- Integrated 20 MOA rail with bubble level
- Hunter muzzle brake
- Full-length M-LOK rail in fore-end
- Adjustable cheek riser
- TriggerTech trigger, user-adjustable (2.5–5 lbs)
- Seekins Precision carbon fiber wrapped 416R stainless steel barrel
- Seekins PH3 carbon composite stock
- Shadow series paint options
- Threaded muzzle (5/8×24)
- Extended cartridge overall length (COAL): up to 3.14” in 6.5 PRC and 3.9” in 300 PRC / 300 Win Mag / 7 PRC
- Unlimited, transferable lifetime warranty
Final Thoughts
The Seekins Havak Element M3 is more than an incremental upgrade. It represents a shift in rifle design toward modularity, field-serviceability, and compatibility with the next generation of high-pressure cartridges. For hunters who want a lightweight rifle that can handle backcountry elk hunts, long-range steel, or even competition with a simple barrel and stock swap, the M3 delivers.
With the same MSRP as the outgoing PH2, Seekins has essentially made every rifle in their lineup better without raising prices. If you’re in the market for a precision hunting rifle, the Element M3 deserves a serious look.
See the Seekins Havak Element M3 here
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