Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5 Creedmoor - what would you do?

I bought a 7-08 Kimber Montana with the plan to rebarrel to 6.5 Creedmoor.

Later, found a good deal on a NIB Ruger Hawkeye Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor, so I bought that too.

One needs to go, but I am struggling to decide which one.

The rifle will be used for mostly stand hunting, so light weight isn't much of a need. I do favor light rifles, but have others in the safe.

On the other hand, given the accuracy potential of the Creedmoor and the good results guys have had with Ruger rifles in this caliber, I have high confidence that the Ruger will shoot well. And, with the long range potential of the 6.5 Creedmoor, the Hawkeye Predator just seems to suit the cartridge.

Then there is the cost differential. Figure $450 additional to finish the Montana vs. keeping the Ruger.

What would you do, and why?

I'd trip the Ruger and shoot 162 Amax in the Montana until there was no throat left. Then I'd start thinking about the Creed. Just one mans opinion...

I'd shoot the Ruger and see if it meets your accuracy expectations. Might make your decision easier…

John

I'd keep the Kimber as is, for hunting and get the Predator for sitting in the stand......

Keep them both, shoot them until both barrels are shot out, then rebarrel them....start over the same process...

Another vote to keep both, if possible.

A bud and I shot his 6.5 RAR Predator for the first time today. I/we struggled with the trigger but did have a promising 4-shot group that was basically one hole.

Also shot my Montana 7-08. The Kimber and 162 AMAX are like cheating out to 500 yards

I don' think he will 'struggle' with the Hawkeye 2-stager....great triggers.

How low can you take the 2-stager to Don?

Bud's RAR trigger with spring yanked is probably at 2.5-3 lbs. Just a guess as we never weighed it. Not a bad trigger really, just heavy for me. I need a light trigger as a crutch, otherwise my shooting and enjoyment go downhill rapidly

I should have mentioned that it was compared to the Timney in my 223 RAR, which is ounces and makes shooting the lightweight RAR soooo easy in comparison. At the end of the day, we spent a bunch of time comparing triggers. The Kimber vs factory RAR vs Timney RAR. We dry fired from prone shooting position. It took a lot of concentration to stay on target with that heavier trigger.

In actual shooting, the 223 with Timney just doesn't miss. Its so easy to shoot that you can get sloppy with shooting technique. We shot 2-mags each, and all 20-rounds between the two of us were under 8" at 490 yards. Shooting at a fairly rapid pace. I've seen that rifle do even better, but its easy to get lazy with shooting form. Of course the 223 has low recoil, but that Timney makes a huge difference, for me at least.

For shootin' deer, it's pretty much a wash between the two rounds. The Montana might well bring more cash if sold, which could be spent on optics, components, dancing girls, etc.

With Kimber dropping the 7-08 from the Montana line it shouldn't be hard to sell.

maybe some help... I never had a 7/08 but always liked this cartridge. Anyways I do have a Creedmoor and love this cartridge to the max!!!! Best shooting rifle I've ever owned. Mine is a semi custom so I'll let that be but as for a deer rifle you will love it. I have shot Pa deer up to 384 yds. with a 120 gr Nosler bal. tip. My friend has one in a sporter a Savage which I talked him into and he loves his also. Mine is on a 700 action Ruger makes a nice rifle have two an older tang safety .270 and a Mk.III .220 swift both have served me well

You're going to lose money selling either one as a used rifle, so you may as well shoot a hundred rounds in each one.

After that, the decision will be very clear for you.

The Kimber was purchased used at a pretty good price, so I think I can get my money out of it.

The Ruger, on the other hand, will surely lose a little value once it is fired.

I'd love to keep them both as many suggested, but with the other rifles I have in the safe it just doesn't seem to make much sense.

As far as ballistics are concerned, they seem pretty close, and my 280AI launches the 162Amax just fine.

In that case, how much for the Kimber

You'll get first shot at it if I let it go. Guaranteed

Tell me you're fuggin kidding....

Nope. SAS mentioned it in another thread and if you check the Kimber website the 7mm-08 isn't listed.

If I could afford it, I would get what I wanted, exactly the way I wanted it. Regardless of whether it made sense or not.

David

Bingo.