Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Least expensive way to a 6.5 Creedmoor

I'm curious as well. They are an "honest", quality rifle with no plastic or MIMed action parts (except the follower, which is easily replaced), and most of the folks that bombed Pearl Harbor and raped Nanking are dead.

That said, it seems to be turning into a mostly Ruger operation around here; 77s and one Number 1. I can't seem to get interested in cheap rifles, just good ones at bargain prices, like the Number 1V I got from Darrik for $879 (last Whittaker plug, I swear!).

Granddaughter took mine, she got her’s for free. I’ve bought two, but only have one. I’m trying to figure that out.

powdr,

Since you just want to play with a 6.5 Creedmoor to see if you like it, I'd go with the Ruger American Predator. I've owned several Creedmoors, and due to my job played with a couple of others. The most accurate of the bunch has been the RAR Predator I have right now, and at $350 was also the cheapest. I threw together a handload with 140-grain Berger VLD's and the standard "accuracy" powder charge of 41.5 grains of H4350, and it's very first group at 100 yards had all 5 shots touching. The only modification I made afterward was to the trigger spring, so I could get the pull under 3 pounds, which took about 20 minutes. Have heard similar stories from others who bought 6.5 Creedmoor Predatots.

Now, of course others are going to advise you to buy something "classier," but you want to try a Creedmoor, not marry one.

It won’t be confused for classy, but the RAR (on left) does shoot well! I believe you said no threaded barrel, which the RAR has though.

The non-cataloged run of cerakoted standard weight RARs in 6.5 Creedmoor is starting to hit the market at around $450, Ruger's stock #16942.

I've owned 3 RAR-Ps in 6.5 Creedmoor and all have been good shooters. My V2 that is bedded in a McM Hunter is an all-around better fitting package for me, but it cost 3x has much as a NIB RAR-P and it will never be 3x as accurate as the RAR-Ps typically are.

Howa for me. Head and shoulders above the RAR in terms of build quality. And dozens of Howas I’ve shot or been around have all been 0.75moa or thereabouts out of the box (3 shot groups).

The Hogue stock is a little chunky yes, you could toss it for a Boyd’s and whittle to your desired shape, or go with any number of options designed for the Vanguard as a replacement. Personally I don’t find the Hogue that bad anyway.

Yes the actions are a little chunky re weight; see above comment re build quality. They are made of steel rather than having a heap of plastic parts.


Happy to be pulled up if I have this bit wrong but I am pretty sure the Howa 1500 is a copy of the Sako L579 action and a well executed one at that.

I have had the RAR Predator in 6.5 CM. It was a great shooting Gun no doubt. I do like my heavy barrel Howa in 6.5 CM a lot more though. It has been more accurate, but only by a tiny bit. The Howa just feels better made. Although I’m not fond of the hogue stock the one that came on my Howa multicam is suprisingly stiff, and feels better than the RAR stock. But I’ve seen a lot of great groups posted by cheaper 6.5 CM’s, and apparently it’s rare to get any of them that don’t shoot good.

Guys, I just don't like the Howas. It's just one of those personal quirks. Their heavy, I hate the stock, and I detest the bolt shroud they use. Looks like a veterinarian dart gun. Looks like I'll just get a Ruger, buy a box of shells and take her for a test drive. If I don't find love I'll divorce her. powdr

Me too. And for the cheap price, I doubt any of them will outshoot the RAR Predator. That's the one in 6.5 CM I've decided on. I'm super impressed so far with my RAR in 7.62 X 39. Shoots easily under an inch at 100 yards with the cheap Russian HP ammo

That's okay. You're allowed a quirk or two so long as you don't make a habit of it. I'm currently without any Howas or Howa-like objects myself, though not because I don't like them. Good luck with your Ruger. I was thinking about one of those chambered for the Other Creedmoor myself for a bit.

There's a Remington take off barrel on ebay as we speak, you could buy that, screw it on, and if you didn't like it take it off, sell it, and put your old barrel back on the 722. I can't even imagine someone not liking the creedmoor.

I highly recommend that you consider buying the Winchester/Olin 125 grain Deer Season XP factory ammo, both accurate and inexpensive, currently the least expensive 6.5 Creedmoor factory ammo that I've seen as it is priced at $18.77 at our local Wal-Marts.

+1 on the RAR Predator

My first three shot group that I ran through my RAR Predator went .278" using the 140gr Amax and 42.4 grains of H4350. Some folks on the 6.5 Creedmoor forum was using this load with success in their Predators.

It shoots the 130gr VLD's into 1/2" at 200yds.

Yep, my Wally had three different factory loads for 6.5; and have never carried chow for my .260.

Closest local gun store that has .260 and their cheapest is near twice the price of the Winchester 125s at Wally.

It's getting close to joining the most popular big game calibers club.

MBadger, that is exactly what I was thinking last night after I posted. powdr

Dick's Sporting Goods has the T/C Compass at $179 after $75 Mfg. Rebate right now.

Damn that's cheap and mighty tempting! I've read that those rifles shoot well. Unfortunately we don't have a Dick's here. I'd have to drive to either Dallas or Lubbock.

That's a great deal, the Compass looks like a good rifle to me. I've been watching them on Gunbroker, but with shipping and and FFL transfer I think you'll be doing well to come in much below $250 after the rebate. $179 + tax here (8% on the non-rebate price) comes out at $199.32 if bought locally. I'll go see what my local Dick's has access to tomorrow. They've been off my radar since they dropped AR type rifles, but I'll make an exception... heh

I hope aftermarket stocks come along...

Thanks for the information!

Another vote for the Ruger American Predator. Best of the budget rifles.

There's no doubt the RAR stock is more flexible in the forend, and benefits from some extra free float work. That flexibility doesn't seem to matter though; it's a more advanced action design that doesn't rely on a stiff stock for accuracy.

My results with the RAR Predator in 6.5 C echo what MD and TN deer hunter posted above. I recommend them based on how they shoot, not how the stock feels.

I did add a cheek piece to mine though; even with low rings the RAR stock cheek piece is too low, although the angle is right.