May jump on the Creedmoor wagon... which way to go?

[cajuntec]

After seeing reports on the 6.5 Creedmoor on this page, along with many others, I'm about ready to give up on ever seeing a .260 in my gun safe. So I started looking into which direction I want to go.

Regardless of which rifle, the stock will probably be the first to go. Everything I've seen on the Ruger American, Savage Axis, Thompson Center Compass, and most Remington 700's lately has been cheap plastic, and I don't like them.

I've never owned a Ruger, Savage, or Thompson Center (bolt action) centerfire rifle, so I'm tempted to try one of those. Boyds makes aftermarket stocks for the Ruger and Savage, but not the T/C. That drops the T/C off the list.

But I've also heard that T/C is going to be putting out 6.5 Creedmoor barrels for the Encore, of which I own several. So T/C is back on the list for barrel only.

But I can get a whole rifle for just a little more than T/C usually charges for their barrels. Hmmm... not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing. What does that say about the quality of the cheap bolt action? But then again, T/C has become pretty low-quality since S&W bought them years ago... so there's that to consider.

I could also go with a custom MGM barrel for my Encore. Expensive, but probably very good quality. Maybe. I've heard good and bad.

Which way would you go for a budget to mid priced 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting Texas whitetail and target shooting (no competition - just fun)?

All the best,
Glenn

[Big pig]

Ruger American for hunting. I have one in .270 that shoots great straight out the box.
But I wish I had a threaded 6.5 just like it.
Stock is lightweight and mine is rattlecanned Love the dropout magazine. Straight stock and Thumb safety is great for a left eyed right handed hunter.
I killed 4 pigs out of one sounder recently. Missed the fifth!

[Balcones_Walker]

$400 range: Ruger American Predator
$1000 range: Tikka T3x CTR
$2000 range: have APR make you one

[J-Carp]

I have a weatherby vanguard h-bar in 6.5. It's their new line of rifles. Has a 20" threaded barrel to run suppressed if you choose. It shoots great, only shot out to 415 yards so far with it and had no problem connecting on steel. It runs 620$ at champion firearms in college station. Best of luck

[Slick8]

$400 range: Ruger American Predator
$1000 range: Tikka T3x CTR
$2000 range: have APR make you one

If they offer one, I'd add a savage to that mix for something between $5-800.

Both the ruger and savage can benefit from a boyds stock for 129. Also some options in bell and Carlson and McMillan but the coin is increased considerably.

I will also second the Apr as you can have it built to you're liking if budget allows. Of course if you venture into the custom world I'm going to suggest the 260ai.



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[snipermedic]

Hunt GunBroker and get a bergara HMR. After trying them nothing can compete for the money.

[Horitexan]

What kind of rifle do you want? I mean, do you want a traditional shaped stock, a tactical stock or a chassis style? Do you want a more compact rifle or do you like a long barrel that squeezes as much velocity as possible out of the barrel? Lightweight barrel or heavy barrel? Do you want a target rifle with plenty of weight or do you want a hunting rifle or one that's decent for either? Are you planning to customize it, in which case the amount of aftermarket products is a big consideration, or do you plan to buy something and just shoot it as is??

In general, I would recommend a Savage or a Tikka. Both companies offer plenty of choices in 6.5CM that will be out-the-box shooters with little or no customization needed. There's a decent number of aftermarket upgrades if you need them - not like a Remington but certainly more than most other big name manufacturers. Now that Tikka has the new Tac-A1 model, I'm not as big on the Ruger RPR. IMO, the Tikka is a superior rifle. Although, if it's in your price range, you're approaching a APR rifle - if you prefer a non-chassis rifle.

I have a Tikka CTR in .260 that I bought on here that's a serious shooter although the stock feels like a piece of plastic junk. I believe the new CTRs have better stocks, though; and the TAC-A1 looks awesome. I also have a Savage 10/110 in 6.5cm that shoots as well as many custom rifles and it's bone stock. It shoots consistently in the low .3s. The stock on it is all hunting and it's really well made for a factory rifle. Either of those rifles would fit your bill in terms of affordability and price. I love the Creedmoor (especially with the new Lapua brass) so much that I'm building a custom right now - a hybrid hunting/competition rifle.

Give a little more info on what kind of rifle you ultimately want and maybe more specific rifles can be suggested. Good luck with your choice!



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[cajuntec]

I'm a "Buy a Remington 700, replace the trigger and cheap stock with something from Jewell / Timney and Boyds / Stockys kinda shooter. I want an accurate rifle, but in all honesty, will probably never shoot it at ranges it was designed for. Much like my .270 and .308 (both Remington 700's), that have never been taken out past 150 yards. I'm not looking for a heavy barrel, chassis, custom, etc... I want a factory rifle that is easy to customize over time (trigger one month, stock a half year later, etc...)

Hope that lays out a better picture of what I'm looking for.
All the best,
Glenn

[Horitexan]

I'm a "Buy a Remington 700, replace the trigger and cheap stock with something from Jewell / Timney and Boyds / Stockys kinda shooter. I want an accurate rifle, but in all honesty, will probably never shoot it at ranges it was designed for. Much like my .270 and .308 (both Remington 700's), that have never been taken out past 150 yards. I'm not looking for a heavy barrel, chassis, custom, etc... I want a factory rifle that is easy to customize over time (trigger one month, stock a half year later, etc...)



Hope that lays out a better picture of what I'm looking for.

All the best,

Glenn

Well, Remington just came out with some 6.5 CM models, at least they announced them. I started a thread last week on it. I was the same way about Remington but I tried some Tikkas and Savage and found out that getting a rifle that, out of the box, doesn't need a new trigger or a stock or a action trued ended up being WAY cheaper. Given the range you're shooting, I'd go shoulder some Tikka T3x or CTR (20" and 24") and some Savage rifles (like the 10/110 Predator I have) and a Bergara B-14. Pick the one that feels best to you. ALL of them should shoot sub moa and likely approx .5 moa (or less) with the right hand loads.


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[TCB]

Welcome to the Dark Side!!! All of the recommendations already presented are great options. I picked up a Savage 11 several years ago from a gun store for $400 and it's the best rifle I've ever owned. I just bought a Ruger American for my son and put a Boyds stock on it. The first trip to the range with it was promising and it looks like it will be just as good of a shooter as my Savage.

I have a buddy that picked up a Begara Hunter (green stock) and he absolutely loves his gun.

[bermise]

Good article to read for those on board the 6.5mm band wagon

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/06/josh-wayner/the-truth-about-6-5mm-ammo/

[bermise]

.

[-HIC-]

I have the Bergara LRP Elite in 6.5, a touch higher in price than some listed. For the money you get a very nice Orias chassis system, Timney 517, etc. The Bergara will shoot sub .5 at 300 and about a minute at 600. I will admit that my scope is not ideal for target shooting (Heavy crosshairs).

I have put my cousins Savage on the Magneto Speed and that thing shoots over 100 FPS faster than my Bergara, same ammo on the same day. The guns were side by side at the range. He has some signs of over-pressure on the brass with factory Hornady 140's - Ejector marks on the case head, black around the primers and in some cases popping the primers out.

I feel like the cheaper long range guns may be cutting the chamber tighter to get the improved accuracy at a lower cost - just my opinion.

Find one that has Cerakote, or similar, coating on the metal. At the lease my cousin's will show signs of light rust if just left on the porch overnight. He is constantly chasing that issue with oil and scrubbing. I have never had that issue with the Bergara and again these guns see the same work when we have them out.

After this long post, I will say this: The Savage will shoot one hole 5 shot groups at 100 and has a sweet feeling trigger right out of the box. My Bergara seems to shoot better at 300 than 100 and my cousin always lets me know about it when we shoot 100 - again this my be the heavy crosshairs that I am using. Also, the factory Savage trigger felt so much better than the Timney 517 that I actually replaced the Timney with a Jewell to get a clean 2 pound break that I felt confident would hold the firing pin in any situation.

Finally, we recently picked up a Ruger RPR v2 in .223. That thing has been flawless at the lease. I cant compare accuracy because of caliber but I have been impressed with the gun overall. The trigger rivals that of the Savage and everything on that RPR seems well thought out.

You have a lot of options out there in the same general price range right now. I have had good luck with most names listed, including: Bergara, Weatherby Vanguard, Howa, Savage and Ruger. I am sure I am forgetting some details but wanted to give an honest comparison of the Bergara and Savage. Good luck!

[-HIC-]

Group from the Bergara at 300 with factory Winchester 140. This was shot at Westheimer, not hot wells.

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[dclifton]

Im in the same boat. I had a Ruger precision and i really liked it but wasn't crazy about the length. I should have kept it and just cut it down.

Now Im looking to pick up another since i have several other remingtons i think i may just pick up one of the SPS aac models and change out the stock and build it up from there.

Or i may go the 5R route i dont know yet.