There is a couple things you’re guaranteed to see when reading the Fire and looking over many subsections..The 6.5 Creedmoor or some other 6.5 X ??? Version is being discussed. Or, it’s the 6.5 bullets, powders and load curiosity...Both dominating many threads. Throw in a couple helpings of Tikka and your have a 5-8 page thread going for several days...

Mule Deer has a thread going on right now where he’s explaining why the 6.5 Creedmoor is such a damn good shooting cartridge even out of factory rigs. It appears for those living under a rock, owning a 6.5 Creedmoor will bring a smile of satisfaction to a fellers face...

With that said...If a guy wanted to buy a 6.5 Creedmoor, which rifle maker would he get the best accuracy from? Which rifle would hold up to volume shooting and possibly hard hunting? Price range for the rig alone would be $1200 or there about out of the box.

You can suggest a rifle, but add, that you’d have it restocked with “Blank” aftermarket furniture. Or, replace anything plastic to metal...Anything to improve upon the rifle if it’s lacking in certain features...Basically giving me a quick garage build of improvements to the rifle you’ve suggested, if you believe it’s warranted and or needed to make it perfect in your mind.

I have looked at and held a Bergara B14 HMR last week. I liked the stock capabilities to raise or lower comb height if desired. I also found the stock to feel solid and stiff....Front end balance wasn’t bad. Overall, it felt like a well made rifle. I also like the appearance of the Tikka T3x CTR in 6.5....But, I’ve never fondled one...I know next to nothing about the Bergara or the Tikka, Educate me on them if you see them as a good choice.

Feel free to suggest another manufacturer except Kimber. I lost at the Lottery Roulette on my last Kimber...It still stings a bit, No Kimbers.

Thanks for the ideas in advance...Oh, What would I do with it? Shoot it at my range. Maybe use it for coyote hunting. Likely make it into my truck gun for opportunities than come up while rolling in the woods...😎

My top pick would be that HMR. But then again I have one so I am a little biased. My next pick would be Bergara's Ridge rifle. Same action and barrel taper as the HMR but in a hunting stock. 3rd would be the Tikka

For my money, Barrett Fieldcraft. I like the 21-inch barrel.

This. "Quick garage build improvements" of adding scope and mounts............

I have a tikka it shoots well lot of people on here have a the ctr

On a $1,200 budget I would buy a Weatherby Weatherguard and bed the barreled action in a McMillan Hunter stock.

I did this with a Vanguard2 and it made a really good rifle great. It isn't a light mountain rifle, but it would be a prime candidate for use within the parameters that you set; "Shoot it at my range. Maybe use it for coyote hunting. Likely make it into my truck gun for opportunities than come up while rolling in the woods...😎".

I have 6.5 Creedmoors from Howa, Marlin/Savage, Remington, Ruger, Savage, and Weatherby.

CTR for the win.... by a mile.

Sauer 100 XT is my recommendation. Mine shoots tight groups, meaning around .75" with several factory loads. I've worked up a load it shoots really well, 42.5 gr of H4350 and 143 ELD-X bullets, shooting sub MOA 5-round groups at 2750 fps. It also shoots 140 gr Nosler Partitions with 41.5 gr IMR4350 equally well and at the same velocity. It has a 1-8.66" twist, but that sure seems fast enough to stabilize these heavier bullets. The trigger on this rifle is just outstanding, too, IMO even better than my Tikka. The Sauer also has all metal bottom metal and a flush five round magazine. You should really check these rifles out.

While having no need for a Creedmoor, since I'm more than happy with the 260s I've been shooting for
20 years now....

if the need were there, it would be a Vanguard, no question at all....

The FC is about $400 more for the cheapest place I've found (Whittaker's).

At your limit, I'd look at a Ruger Hawkeye Predator ($900), a Vanguard (?), or a Tikka. I like SS myself, and laminated over plastic (not FG or Kevlar, etc) when weight's not an issue.

Or buy a cheapo, great glass, and a bunch of whatever factory ammo it likes.

Beaver,


Having used every rifle mentioned, most quite extensively, except the Sauer; it takes a very specific reason for me not to go Tikka T3.

Now I may use rifles and equipment different than most, but they get used heavily and a barrel on any individual rifle seldom lasts a year.

With seeing multiples of identical rifles shot side by side the Tikka T3/x offers-

1) The best factory barrel available. Even on match guns for PRS/sniper matches we haven’t replaced the factory barrel until it’s shot out.

2) The smoothest action, with very good extraction and ejection that is consistently not as effected by blowing sand and dust as most others.

3) Great triggers out of the box. Not only in weight and feel, but again in bad conditions with dust and freezing slush they do not suffer the reliability problems that most others do (Remington 700 based triggers).

4) Factory synthetic stocks that are entirely usable, and FAR stiffer than any Remington, Winchester, Savage, etc factory plastic stock.





When laid out side by side there just isn’t an objective reason from a function standpoint to choose most others. For instance the Weatherby Vanguard suggestion. I have shot and seen shot several Vanguards and we have a Howa Alpine (which was the best version of it). And while solid rifles, none of them have been as accurate or as easy to find loads for as the worst of a couple dozen T3’s. Barrels not as good, triggers decent with only minor issues so far, action is nowhere close, and stock design/shape not as good.

For the Ruger 77- barrels haven’t been as accurate, though they have been decent and others have seen great precision, triggers OTB not as good, action is extremely rough, less options and compromised options for rails unless you want the factory setup, stocks good but not better. The Ruger American... no. They can shoot good to great, but stocks are garbage, mags show issues.. just the stocks alone... It’s a cheap gun.

Remington 700- quite possibly the worst major manufacturer. Actions not machined square, base screw holes miss-aligned, the worst trigger design, barrels are extremely variable- some good, some horrible, stocks not as stiff, etc.




As an objective view if I (and I have) need to pick a rifles setup for 20-30 guns that will just work and show excellent precision, excellent reliability, ease of use, and just generally no problems- the T3 is an easy choice. I’ve done the same with Remington. I’ve done the same with Winchester. I’ve done the same with Ruger. We’ve had considerably more problems with all of those than any of the Tikkas.

Yeah, Tikkas are fine, until you have a magazine fall out.....just enough to not cycle a round, from the junky release being tripped by brush. Or having the safety inadvertently pushed off by brush, because the safety is both easy to move and short in stroke. Major negatives that I've encountered with the Tikka T3, which I haven't seen happen with Ruger 77s or Remington 700s.

But at least Tikkas make holes close together in paper, which so many here like to brag about. So they have that going for them, which is nice.

I have a Ruger Hawkeye Predator in 6.5 CM and it's been a very good rifle. Action smooths out with use, trigger is good, it's very accurate, the stock is laminate. Only trade-off is it weighs a bit more, which can be good or bad depending on use and the user.

I'm really liking a Kimber Montana (this one is in 280AI) so far but working on shooting it more accurately from field positions, it's light so that makes it a bit more challenging. It has an excellent trigger and stock. No complaints at all so far on the Kimber either.

I just picked up a 21" Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 CM. My garage fix were Talley LWTs and a Swarovski scope.

My 5th, 6th and 7th shots were touching with Hornady ELD-X. (The first 4 shots were with Hornady Whitetail to find the paper and dirty the barrel.)

My buddy wouldn't spend the extra bucks on the Fieldcraft and bought a Browning Hells Canyon in 6.5 CM.

I'm certainly not envious, but he likes his, as well.

donsm70

Bergara. Scope it up, sight it in, and see if you can wear it out.

^^^^ 😉 ^^^^

I must be lucky. Never had an issue with any one of 10 T3s mags not being in battery. Ill go one better. I fired a 280 Remington cartridge in a T3 7 Rem mag. Let's just say it was exhilarating. The bottom of the mag was blown completely out of the rifle. Found it a few ft from the bench. I couldn't locate the rest of the mag. While holding snow on my cheek to take the sting out,I examined the rest of the rifle. The outer magazine was still in tact,and in battery. People have been berating Tikkas plastic mags since their debut. Like I said. I must be one lucky summitch.

Man you must be one unlucky SOB. I’ve dragged Tikkas up and down the mountains sheep hunting, slung to a pack , on 4wheelers, in and out of gun boots, in river boats, experienced slips and falls and have literally never experienced any of the above. Nor has any of my buddies that shoot Tikkas or I’d surely hear about it!

Yeah, I've owned and hunted many Tikkas since 1998, and drug them around Mexico, Afica, and several US states. I've never had any of these so called "issues" with functionality. Not with the plastic, mags, rings, safety, nothing, nada. I've probably "sold" 50 of them to various friends, hunters, etc we've had in camp. They are a no-brainer in my book anyway.

I had a 6.5 Creed in a Savage 16 Weather Warrior. It was very accurate with 120 Barnes and 123 Scenar and Varget. I couldn't love it as much as my .30-06s and I let a girl I go to church with have it. She paid the price of a brand new one reasoning that it was broken in, like new, and we knew it was sub minute accurate. I will say it was very pleasant to shoot recoil considered. We own a Tikka in .308W and a Vanguard 2 in .30-06 both stainless/synthetic and both very good on accuracy. So I would guess the 6.5 CM in those rifles would be likewise. I would buy a Vanguard2 for the price and sub minute guarantee, plus like the other two I mentioned, it is a good foul weather weapon with no wood to warp or iron to rust. Remingtons are not under consideration by me anymore.

I like the idea of a 140 grain .264 bullet sluffing along at 2600 or so fps. Kind of like a stripped down suped up 30-30.

As to picking a rifle. Anything in a six to six and a half pound or so, 20 to 22 inch barreled, short action rifle ought to do...for me.
But I'd be most tempted by the lowly X-Bolt Stainless Stalker, or maybe even the Micro Midas

If I wanted a fancy target rifle I'd surely pick a straight six.

I have a Mesa that I bought last week and will probably be scoped by next weekend if UPS delivers it on time. I like the triggertech trigger that comes with these rifles a lot. Only Creedmoor I would consider would be a Tikka or a Mesa.

Must be some bad brush? Probably have issues with belts shoe laces and hats too.

I'm not a Tikka fan, haven't seen a Barrett, and the ergs of the Bergara stocks don't work for me.

I have 2 Vanguard2s and both have been sub-MOA shooters straight out of the box, even with multiple brands and bullet weights of factory ammo. The V2 stock ergs work well for me, definitely a top 10 factory stock, but I not perfect. I tried a Boyds Heritage laminated, but found it to be too heavy and while the ergs were OK, they weren't good enough. I tried a B&C Weatherby style and liked it, but still not quite good enough. Then I bit the bullet and got a swirly McM Hunter and that is the stock that made a good rifle a great rifle for me. I put the B&C on a Howa 1500 and put the Boyds stock on a shelf to gather dust.

Thanks for all the imput you shared on the 6.5 Creedmoor rifles you own...What comes through crystal clear is you all like the cartridge for accuracy, making little clustered holes...I love the 222 Remington cartridge because it’s always been an inherently accurate round. I own 4 rifles chambered in the 222 Rem.

It would be almost “full retard” being a gun-loon to not own a 6.5 Creedmoor. I’m going with a Tikka T3x CTR in blue for a solid truck gun.

Based on what you Tikka owners have said...I can buy it and shoot it without upgrading the furniture, only dropping the trigger down to what I like 2lbs.

Mark 😎

260...I know that feeling. I’ve bought more stocks then sold them off trying to find the fit I want...Frustrating, until you hit the right one. I’ve been liking the Grayboe stocks for a mid range price point...Since I have a lot of Rem action rifles, it’s been gold for me...😎

1/2 Mile Dog...I’ve seen your target. CTR is coming home with me soon...😎

Loaded up some 123 ELDs (finally ran out of 123 Amax) for my wife’s CTR .260 today, 45 grains of H4350 for 2900 fps and some change.

You going 20” or 24”?

I think you meant “to a mile”

24”... I’m not gonna load for this one...Straight off the shelf box ammo. Find what ever it really likes. Buy 10 boxes and have some fun.
I just missed a NIB SS CTR for $899.

Keeping it simple all around by throwing a 6x or 10x SWFA on it...Done 😎

Whelen...Copy. On it. Thx 😎

Beav - I just deleted the post because I noticed you wanted a 24". Wasn't sure they had one.

Their site seems to be down right now?

When I logged on to this site for the first time in 2002 I had around 15 McM stocked rifles, now I have more than 70 in several different styles. 16 years later I find that I prefer the McM Hunter and Mountain Rifles styles to any of the other current styles for most of my applications. The McM Hunter is, for me, a nearly perfect match for the 24" V2 and Remington 700 CDL-SF barreled actions.

Yeah...Site is down..Went there right away. All good Whelen. I will check what they got when they’re back up...Mark 😎

My introduction to the 6.5CM was via a $300 Howa Lightning. The first 3 shot group through it was .4 at a 100 yds. Says a lot for a cheap rifle.

my Fierce in 6.5 Creedmoor, IS the most accurate rifle I have ever shot, not cheap, its worth it.

If the stocks work for you, the Howa 1500s are probably the best buy of rifles selling in the sub-$400 market niche.

I bought a Howa 1500 from SAS at Whittaker's for around $350 delivered, but, the stock didn't fit me particularly well, so I swapped one of the surplus V2 stocks onto it and that small change was a significant improvement for me in terms of ergs. With "as new" V2 stocks regularly selling for between $50 and $75 on eBay, the Howa 1500 with the V2 stock upgrade makes it, IMO, a better value than the RAR-P in the sub-$500 market niche if for no other reason than the lack of sub-$100 stock options for the RAR-P.

Where is the best place to purchase a McM Hunter stock?

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/gearshop/

Sounds like a good plan, I've had a 20" .308 CTR since they first came out. The rifle has been an absolute hammer with a few different bullets, and delivered my only honest .25" 5 shot group from a hunting-ish weight rig, with plenty of <.5" groups to round things out. The only two things I would change about my CTR is to have it in stainless instead of blue, and 6.5 CM instead of .308. I ran an SWFA SS 12x on it for years, which worked great for a range gun, but switched to an SS 3-9x this year since I'm probably going to try to use it suppressed for Muleys and maybe Antelope (basically my hunts that won't require long hikes).

In terms of 6.5 factory fodder, both of my rifles have really liked the 143gr ELDx Precision Hunter ammo, in fact it was the load to beat in my Montana. If you want tougher bullets for something like elk, Federal now has a 140gr Accubond factory load that looks a lot like the handload I used last year. I haven't tried any factory loadings of the 127gr LRX, but that bullet really shoots in my handloads, definitely worth a look.

A 24” CTR isn’t a CTR..... it’s just a TR...

20” all the way, canned/up or not. A rifle that’s under 40” OAL, and under 10lbs all-up... with the LR capability of a .260/Creed CTR + 10x SS, is aweful handy in a lot of situations.

Still like the idea of a 22" Tikka, 6x something, and the mountain tactical BM (if you must)

First and probably last time we’ll agree...22” inch would be the schit! Thinking 24” then chop 2” and crown. 😎
10x SWFA. See, your wrong once again....😂

You’d never notice the difference between 22” and 20” in the field..... but you certainly notice it in the truck...

Harder to poke out the window at a moment's notice??

Looked at the CTR SS online today. Lots of good stuff for about a grand, and only 8lbs.

Is that rail integral or screwed on?

Rail is screwed, pinned, and epoxied on there.... no schitt. It’s removable, but sometimes it takes a little elbow grease.

That's what I did. I bought a Vanguard stock from the classifieds on here. The original Howa Houge stock pretty much sucks, and the LOP doesn't suit me, and I'm not a short guy, being 6 foot. The new stock fits ne better, although I'm not a fan of that style stock. As much as I like Howa's, I have never understood why they make them so heavy.

As far as a comparison between the Howa and a Ruger American, it's not close as far as I'm concerned. The Howa is a much better made rifle.

Yeah, I get there’s not enough increase or loss from a 22” to a 20”. 2” inch, albeit a slight length increase, has a more appealing and aesthetic look to me...As for maneuvering the barrel out my truck window...I would never do such a thing...😉

“Because it looks better” is a great reason to do something..... if you’re a woman.

You asked for it doggy...Here’s Dogs graduation picture from Montessori School...Class of 1975

Oh, I,wouldn't want to remove it. That's about the slickest rail setup I've seen. Like to see one like it on a regular Lite Stainless.

RAR-Ps are pretty darned accurate for the $$ and when restocked with a Boyds Heritage they take a positive jump in the area of ergs, but at a greater cost than that of a V2 stock for a Howa 1500.

Per 24hourcampfire SOP, results that don't fall within the prevailing group-think mentality of the moment are met with snark, or "I've used _________product for years and never seen such a result", whether it's Leupold scopes not tracking, Remington bolt handles coming off, or problems with Tikka.

Tikkas are fine, but they have issues and limitations, as does every other rifle design, in its own way.

Take a look at the Sauer 100 XT.

Just what kind of "brush" are you walking thru that releases the mag and flips the safety? The release is on the bottom and the safety is on top. How does that happen? This is not meant to be snarky, just really wonder what are you walking thru? How are you carrying the rifle?

Safety being tripped happened while bushwhacking through juniper and dog-hair pine thickets. Rifle was slung or in hand depending on the moment. After the first incident I kept pretty good track of it, and was able to reproduce the situation, so I quit carrying with a round in the chamber.

Magazine release happened while crawling through russian olives. I was mildly surprised here, as the mag release is pretty well tucked up out of the way, and maybe would never happen again....though I've seen several other detachable magazines have similar issues so I wasn't all that surprised.

Keep in mind I've also had issues with the SWFA Non-HD scope turrets spinning during similar movements, and others don't seem to have these issues, so it may just be me. But then again, there aren't as many people pushing brush for hunts anymore, going through the deepest darkest sections on hands and knees.

It almost pains me to admit to owning a 6.5 CM but I do. Started as a Rem 700 Ltr that’s been rebarreled with a 20” 1:8 Bartlein marksman contour and badger bottom metal added. Threw a spare SWFA 3-15 ffp mq on it and so far am happy with it. It shoots the Hornady match 140 eld’s Superbly and does the same with 140 bthp’s. I figure I will work up a good 123 load and stick with it long term.

It’s got enough weight to be steady on target but not so portly as to be a pain to carry and should be ideal from the truck.

20" barrels don't look so bad with the appropriate accessories installed.





Although admittedly, they aren't as sleek as an 18.5"




As for cutting down a Creedmoor, when I had my Montana chopped, the velocity changes were:

140gr AB/RL16
22": 2,760 fps
20" w/can: 2,765 fps

127gr LRX/RL16
22": 2,915 fps
20" w/can: 2,897 fps


Just something to think about since with the May day sale at Whittaker's, you could pick up a 20" SS CTR for ~$880.

Beav - to my way of thinking, you already have a 26" 26 Nosler, so I would opt for the 20" Creedmoor

Tough to pass up a SS CTR for $882 shipped.

YMMV

Not sure what the big deal is with the 24" model. In the truck mine is 35" OAL. Granted my wife's 20" CTR is 31" OAL. Both are plenty handy. That said the same load in the 24" shoots them roughly 150 fps faster. Not a huge deal but it is a difference for sure. I think both have their merit but if I were to have just one it'd be the 24". I have plenty of other true compact rifles to work with.

However, I agree with above if you already have a 26" barrel 26 Nosler then the 20" CTR is a no brainer....especially at $882 shipped!

Matt, I agree, you got a good truck gun. I’m trying a nail down a deal with a guy for a NIB CTR SS 24” for $899. He will entertain a trade but my trades have money coming back my way...If, it works out, supposed to talk Wednesday, I’m gonna go full “Taco Supreme” on the SS with Krylon paint...After, I confirm it makes little bug holes, that is...😎

Whelen/lance and Dogshooter...20” is convenient, handy, useful, likely a great passenger in the front seat, but I can’t add length to the barrel if I don’t like it...24” I can start chopping in increments. My “smith” is a good friend after all the years of business and shooting we do...He’ll chop and keep the threads until I like where it’s at....

Question....To all you guys who run “Cans”...Why do you like them? Beside, the obvious advantage of getting multiple shots off on coyotes coming in to calls. And, maybe keeping the volume down on a Pdog town for longer standing targets. What’s the other advantage? I live in as remote of an area as a lot of you. But, even with a “can” i wouldn’t be touching off my 6.5 suppressed in the hood...What gives??? 😎

Nice trio of quiet killers GTscotty. 😎

Why wouldn't you shoot it "in the hood" ? I shoot .223, .243 .30-06 etc. out my living room window or out the back door all the time and they aren't supressed.

That’s what I was thinking.............
Everything gets shot without suppression around here.

George

The 20” CTR is a sweetheart when folded:


But so is the Kimber Montana at 7.5 pounds all up. Ran it out to 500 like this last weekend with no issues:


As for cans I live in suburbia Alaska so it makes it nice to shoot and work up loads right in the yards as well as get velocity data and such.

I used to be solidly in the “ear plugs are way cheaper” camp but now feel uncivilized when shooting unsuppressed these days. Far from a must have but they are certainly nice IME.

Here’s the best reason I can think of to run a suppressor.....

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That’s my latest hearing test.... note the massive dip in it... that’s HF Hearing loss, not damage. That hearing loss sucks. I’m in my early 40’s, if I wanna be able to hear in the future, I need to protect all I’ve got left.

Mark,
I never said I liked the thing, just that it’s in my safe and shoots well. 😉 It came to my via multi gun trade and its future with me is uncertain. If you want it make an offer as I’m surely not attached to it though I do shoot it a little. I’ve got Dies and brass for it as well.

Yep, My hearing test last week is a smidge worse than yours. Nerve damage left ear. Common being a right hand shooter...Audiologist said I can hear vowel sounds, but consonants sounds, I’m at deaf level. My wife talks in the tone range that I can’t hear. Frustrating for her and me...I’ve been double ear protection for several years now, but damage was done in my mid 20’s. Once done, it’s over. 😎