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’

Just picked up a Christensen Arms Mesa in 6.5... weighs in a little over listed weight. Shoots well below MOA with factory ammo. I’m super pleased. It’s actually a little easier to shoot than my Kimber Montana because of the slight increase in weight. I might get the LR Mesa in 28 Nosler and see what it can do.

I've currently got a Remington 700 243 all done by LRI Sendero fluted contour 20" barrel threaded for my suppressor. With an edge stock and a 22oz scope it weighs in at 9.3lbs.

I did see CA has a 22" 6.5 in the steel barrel, its threaded 1/2" is what the add says though..

Yep. It’s the Mesa and it is 1/2. Neat rifle though.

Very nice SAS! Looks like a wicked set up.

I have one and it is just a great shooting rifle. I took the muzzle brake off it , not needed

Not a single quality issue with my Barrett; it's perfect. It's not, however, easy to bench, at least not yet, and it's only a 6. I bought it to hunt (carry). Got other stuff for prolonged shooting. There are other rifles in that price bracket that appeal to me, but none at just over 5 pounds I know of. Bergara customs look good in the photos, Sakos, 2 Tikkas maybe. $1800 is a lot of money to pay for someone else's notion of a proper rifle, especially with a short stock that will likely have to be fixed or replaced.

My 308 Kimber MT does not always produce great groups But it always puts the first 2 into about 1/2 inch, Perfect hunting rifle/ Kimber MT stock is top notch too

👌

No far from it. In my line of work you get to see a lot of rifles in field conditions. There is a lot of junk out there, and not all of them are cheap models. Had a guy with a high end Cooper on a grizzly hunt two years back. After the first shot the gun failed to feed. Luckily the first shot killed the bear. That was one day one. The guy did the rest of the hunt with a very expensive single shot. I've had 3 Rugers in the last 5 years. I like them, but every laminated stock has cracked just behind the tang. Im bedding my 308 scout right now and its cracked badly. The action is unbelievably rough, so that will take some work. When I compare that to a Tikka T3 that I own, or some of the Sakos I see, I have to wonder why we put up with such poor quality here in NA. Yea the Tikka has a lot of plastic on it, but the action is smooth as silk, and if you ever inspect the inside of the barrel with a borescope you will understand why they shoot so well. The bores look like cut glass they are so smooth. I have two, and both are extremely accurate with just about any bullet weight.

There was a run of 20" Ridgelines in 308. Maybe they will do a run in 6.5's

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/CA10260-412411

Do those ridgelines come with 30mm rings? That 20" 308 has my attention

No rings.

I've never handled the Fieldcraft but it gets great reviews from guys here who's opinions I respect. I have owned several Montanas I know they don't get a lot of love on the Campfire but for stand hunting in Indiana a CO Elk hunt and having fun shooting groups at the range I'd buy an X Bolt Hells Canyon. Still a pretty light rifle I've never seen one that wouldn't shoot out of the box or that had a QC issue.

Ok now you have me thinking real early in the morning. I thought the point of a heavy barrel was to better absorb/disperse heat. Same with a fluted barrel providing more surface area to disperse heat. Is the only downside to too much heat a change in POI? If you are telling me I don't need to worry about my barrel getting too hot, this is great news.