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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490 |
I have recently done some consolidating/condensing with my herd. Too many guns sat in the safe bored from non-use. I felt bad for them, so I set them free. As of right now I have several 223 semi-autos, a 223 ultralight bolt gun and a 257 Roberts Ruger Ultralight. I am going to get a heavy barrel 223 to cover my target needs. The Ruger 257 is my woods or stand rifle. I want to treat myself to a really nice higher end factory/semi custom rifle. I'll give you a list of criteria.
* I am not looking for a lightweight rifle. Something in the 7-7.5 bare weight would be close to ideal. I could go either side of that though. * I want a US made rifle that is not a Ruger * Flush magazine. No goiters. * Not a 6.5 Creedmoor. I am well aware of their virtues, I just can't warm up to the chambering. * Because of a bum shoulder, something milder recoiling. Think of something in the 257 Roberts-6.5 PRC range, maybe a 257 WBY. * Probably in the $1000-$1500 price range.
Contenders at this point.
MRC X3 Nosler M-48 Christensen Arms Mesa
The Mesa in 6.5 PRC is in the lead. I have read reviews, and it is getting almost universal praise. With the factory brake, recoil is said to be minimal. I am thinking shoot off the bench with the brake and hunt with the thread protector provided POI is consistent. I like the looks and lines of the rifle. The weight is just right as well.
The MRC in 257 Roberts makes some sense as well. I already have dies, brass and bullets and have a decided soft spot for the chambering. I done kilt more deers with it than all others combined.
Anything else out there. Anyone want to talk me into or out of anything.
I want to reiterate that the almighty 6.5 Creedlord is OFF the table.
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Joined: May 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
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Not mine and no affiliation, but someone has a Nosler Professional model in 257 Bob in the classifieds that seems to fit what you’re looking for. Not sure if you’ve seen it or not, or are interested in a used rifle.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,814 |
Interesting "reasoning" there.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,159 |
Cooper? Doesn't Japan build the actions for Nosler?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,235 |
Interesting "reasoning" there. He needs to stick to Huffy's and Schwinn's.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,814
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,814 |
That wasn't even on my radar.
I was just poking fun about how people rationalize preferences. I'm guilty too. One of my favorite rifles is a 700 Classic in 300 Savage. It won't do anything a 308 can't, and there's no Lapua brass for it yadda yadda. Still I love it just like it is.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490 |
Interesting "reasoning" there. If I had further detailed my "reasoning" y'all would have wanted to have me committed. Is that not the essence of loonyism?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
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Well I'll throw some gas on the loonyism campfire. Pick up a cheap donor, barrel it in the caliber you want and have it custom stocked for you. Depending on how close the donor is to your intended and how wild you care to go on the stock, you could do that for $1500 bucks and have something that is "yours".
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,589
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,589 |
Definitions of "high end" and "factory" are obviously subjective. 1000-1500 is in my view not anywhere near "high end"...
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27,908 |
There is or was a perfect rifle in the classifieds . $1275 or so? I don’t recall the exact model. I’ll go look.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27,908
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27,908 |
Not mine and no affiliation, but someone has a Nosler Professional model in 257 Bob in the classifieds that seems to fit what you’re looking for. Not sure if you’ve seen it or not, or are interested in a used rifle. This is the one I was referring to
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,159
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,159 |
One of my favorite rifles is a 700 Classic in 300 Savage. It won't do anything a 308 can't, and there's no Lapua brass for it yadda yadda. Still I love it just like it is. That's a great rifle, my daughter loves her .300 Savage Classic.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
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What you listed are all synthetic rifles. Is that intentional? Wood can have a lot more appeal, and be quite durable too. Just food for thought. Perhaps something with a stock like this shaped to fit you? Could be with whatever action and barrel floats your boat. Might break your price point though.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490 |
Definitions of "high end" and "factory" are obviously subjective. 1000-1500 is in my view not anywhere near "high end"... Yeah, That's why I used the word "higher." So it's not down there there in the Tikka, Savage Axis category. Not in the mid grade Winchester M70, Ruger 77, Remington 700 class. Something on the higher side of mid grade for factory rifles or as some say "semi-custom." But we both know that's a misnomer as well. If nothing else, the $1000-$1500 should have been enough to help thinking people understand what I was looking for. But there are those who always need to ring in with something other than a constructive comment right?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490 |
Not mine and no affiliation, but someone has a Nosler Professional model in 257 Bob in the classifieds that seems to fit what you’re looking for. Not sure if you’ve seen it or not, or are interested in a used rifle. This is the one I was referring to https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...257-bob-nosler-professional#Post14346549That is a very nice rifle. The guy has good taste in granite, flooring, and appliances too. I had to do a double check to make sure it wasn't my house. His fruit basket is nicer. Here's mine.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354 |
* I am not looking for a lightweight rifle. Something in the 7-7.5 bare weight would be close to ideal. I could go either side of that though. * I want a US made rifle that is not a Ruger * Flush magazine. No goiters. * Not a 6.5 Creedmoor. I am well aware of their virtues, I just can't warm up to the chambering. * Because of a bum shoulder, something milder recoiling. Think of something in the 257 Roberts-6.5 PRC range, maybe a 257 WBY. * Probably in the $1000-$1500 price range.
Contenders at this point.
MRC X3 Nosler M-48 Christensen Arms Mesa
MRC X3 I would say NO Nosler M-48 I would say NO Christensen Arms Mesa Maybe I would pick a 6mm Creedmoor, Dasher, BR, Something or other I would try to piece together parts and have Shaen build it up but that would be out of the $1500 range
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,226
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,226 |
I've done full blown customs a couple of times. Today I fired for the first time my most recent purchase, a CA Mesa (won't mention the caliber as I fear you might reach through my monitor and choke me...).
As set up ready to shoot it weighs a bit over 7 3/4 lb. After zeroing, the next 4 factory rounds produced a tight clover leaf shooting from a front pedestal and rear bag. Not too shabby.
Yea, consider the CA Mesa.
It's you and the bullet, and all the rest is secondary.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,490 |
I've done full blown customs a couple of times. Today I fired for the first time my most recent purchase, a CA Mesa (won't mention the caliber as I fear you might reach through my monitor and choke me...).
As set up ready to shoot it weighs a bit over 7 3/4 lb. After zeroing, the next 4 factory rounds produced a tight clover leaf shooting from a front pedestal and rear bag. Not too shabby.
Yea, consider the CA Mesa. Thanks for the feedback and the comedy! I am liking the concept of a removable brake. My shoulder will really appreciate having it during load development on the bench. My ears will appreciate not having it afield.
Last edited by PaulBarnard; 12/09/19.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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How bout a 6.5x47 Lapua? Not sure if you've considered Cooper rifles, who could do one of those for you. Might be higher price range than you want. I really like the Kimber Montanas, mine is a 280AI.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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