Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New Hunting Rifle... Opinions???

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a new hunting rifle, I mostly stand hunt in Indiana, but also enjoy plinking on the range a bit out to extended distances.

I'm eyeing a Barrett Fieldcraft ($1540) and a Kimber Montana ($1140) both in 6.5 Creedmoor. Just not sure about the 5lb weight of them both...

There is also a wildcard in for consideration that really has my interest but has a few things that turn me off.... Winchester 70 ($1800) PF in 6.5x55 with a 20" Proof barrel threaded for my suppressor, McMillan Varmint Stock, great looking gun very well put together weighs in 2lbs heavier then the 2 before mentioned guns. The only thing turning me off is it has a 13" LOP... not sure what difference that makes as I'm a bigger guy? I also think the extra 2 lbs might be a positive for shooting along with the gun still being short and maneuverable. I'm also not very familiar with that round but do know Lapua brass is reasonable for it and can buy loaded lapua ammo for it...

Whatever gun I purchase will likely go on a elk hunt next year in CO also.

I will probably be mounting a Zeiss V6 from RickBin on whatever gun I purchase as he's offering a smoking deal on those! Obviously the Montana is going to give me the most extra $$ for this purchase..

I know there are a lot of Fieldcraft and Montana owners on here so lets here it... I have not been able to hold a Fieldcraft yet. Thanks for any input/insight!

This summer I was looking at the same thing. I don't hunt in the mountains and rarely walk far to a stand, but do like to walk our lease when no one is there and wanted something comfortable to carry, with a high quality stock that would be a real shooter.

I was torn between the Fieldcraft and M70 EW. Two very different rifles really. However a great deal on a used Fieldcraft came up in 6.5 creedmoor and the M70 isnt avaialble in that cartridge yet (though it has been announced). I do not have any regrets with the fieldcraft. It is far and away the highest quality bolt gun I have owned, and have been very impressed with the accuracy, fit and finish, feel of the stock, etc.

The only time I wish I would have gone with the M70, and it really is the ONLY time, is at the bench. The pencil barrel on the Fieldcraft gets hot very quickly. I had to learn to slow way down shooting groups with this gun.

I have no experience with the Kimber, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.

I have yet to hear of Barrett Roulette.

Same here. If you have the money I would go with the FC. The Kimbers seem to be too much of a hit or miss.

Thanks for the insight guys... I've cut it down to the Barrett or the custom Win 70... i'm still leaning towards the WIN just cause I like to punch paper and i'm not sure about the Barrett performing on the range with the thin barrell...

Anyone have any experience with a 13" LOP rifle? do you notice it much.. i think the majority of mine are 13.75"

I don't want to scare you away from the Barrett. I know a lot of people don't mind letting the barrel cool between shots. It was just something I had to adjust to. More time for dry firing I suppose.

No experience with the Barrett, but my next rifle will be something from Europe, likely a Sako. US made guns are severely lacking in the quality control department, at least the last couple I bought were.

What happens when you don't slow down shooting? What happens with 10 in a row in maybe 5 minuets?

Let me get this clear. You're making this statement based on 2 guns?

R H Clark: I cant say exactly what temperature the barrel will heat to, but it gets extremely hot. I've always gone by the "if its too hot to touch it is too hot to shoot" rule, and by that rule it is beyond too hot to shoot after a quick 5 shot group. I would guess 10 shots in 5 minutes would be too much.

Now what happens if the barrel is "too" hot and you keep shooting? I am not qualified to say exactly but it is my understanding it is not good for the barrel.

Last time I was testing different factory loads, I used 3 shot groups and at least 5 minutes between groups.

The Fieldcraft is nothing special. A well tuned model 70 crf is my preference.

Oh man.......here we go.

I'd make that statement after having owned a couple hundred and working on several thousand more. An awful lot of crap leaves the factories that never should have or would have if they had decent quality control/inspection and adequate training of workers.

I have used 6-8 Fieldcrafts and all of the barrels were properly stress relieved. Shoot 10-20 round groups consistently and none of them walk.

The internal temperature of the barrel is the same whether it’s a #1 barrel or 1.25” the whole way.

You could consider buying the Win and then getting a new stock in Edge technology, cutting down on the weight.
Or buy the 18” threaded Fieldcraft and use your suppressor. Make it heavier....

I’d say go 20” or less with whatever you choose. I have a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 6.5 Creedmoor I’ve been playing with. I really like the rifle and it shoots little bitty groups. The only downside - the 24” barrel with a suppressor. It’s a long beast to be carrying around in the woods, but I’m doing it anyway. Pic below to represent length with suppressor:

that's a beaut!! ShortActionSmoker!!!

I’m begging for them to do some 20” Creedmoors.

If I’m hunting with a suppressor, I prefer a short barrel. Truth be told, I’ve become really fond of shorter barrels in general. I bought NH Classic Stainless short action that’s going to be “done up” soon. As soon as I decide on the cartridge, I’ll order the blank. I’m considering a 20” Proof for that build. Just can’t decide....

20” barrel without a suppressor is even better ... for totin’