Gun & Caliber for 1st Bolt Gun?

[Springfield]

Maybe I am just weird but I usually think of a hunting rifle and a long range target rifle as two different rifles. Long range rifles sport a heavy barrel/stock, high magnification scope, light trigger, bipod, etc. I like a hunting rifle that is reasonably (1.5 moa) accurate, lightweight, has a moderate magnification scope, and am also partial to a nice wood stock. Sure you can buy a rifle that does both ok but it is very difficult to get one that is great for both.

Perhaps consider buying two rifles, pick which one you want to start with and then add the other one later. I run a modified heavy barrel M700 in .308 for targets and a lightweight Model Seven CDL in .308 for most of my deer hunting. Also consider bullet availability. Purpose made target bullets should be avoided for big game hunting. I have not owned any of the 6 or 6.5mm calibers but own and reload for several 7mm and .308 caliber rifles and am pleased with the large selection of both target and hunting bullets for them.

Good luck in your quest and I'm sure you will find a good one (or two).

[waveslayer]

Maybe I am just weird but I usually think of a hunting rifle and a long range target rifle as two different rifles. Long range rifles sport a heavy barrel/stock, high magnification scope, light trigger, bipod, etc. I like a hunting rifle that is reasonably (1.5 moa) accurate, lightweight, has a moderate magnification scope, and am also partial to a nice wood stock. Sure you can buy a rifle that does both ok but it is very difficult to get one that is great for both.

Perhaps consider buying two rifles, pick which one you want to start with and then add the other one later. I run a modified heavy barrel M700 in .308 for targets and a lightweight Model Seven CDL in .308 for most of my deer hunting. Also consider bullet availability. Purpose made target bullets should be avoided for big game hunting. I have not owned any of the 6 or 6.5mm calibers but own and reload for several 7mm and .308 caliber rifles and am pleased with the large selection of both target and hunting bullets for them.

Good luck in your quest and I'm sure you will find a good one (or two).

If you two for the price of one, buy the GA Precision Extreme Hunter. It uses the 6.5 SAUM which will blow away the .308 and Creedmoor.

That rifle will serve as a hunting rig as well as a long range rifle. If you reload then you will keep your costs down on ammo. Hornady is now making brass for it, I make my own to save $.

The price may seem steep, but you buy once and cry once. It will be the same price as buying a good hunting rifle aND target rifle.

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[wilson1911]

Rated21R,

I have tried to convince the op buying a 6.5 would be the best choice. They shoot flat and hold the wind well with mild recoil. I do understand your thoughts on buying in the first time. I had many of these same ones myself. At some point your going to have to take the plunge and buy in. The gun that is right for you may be different than what others shoot, but hey, its your dime bud. I wish you lived closer to me so I could take you to a private range and let you ring steel out to 1251 if you can shoot well enough. Where I live the wind blows every day which makes some shooting days good, and others not so good.

Some of the things I have noticed on shooting with others.

Reading the wind is an art, some guys are very good at it no matter what gun they shoot.
The 308/7-08 (30 cal) guns are completely outclassed by the 6.5's, there are not may 30 cal guns where I live.
Having a gun with mild recoil is a joy to shoot all day at the range.
Being able to tune the rifle and reload well makes a huge difference in accuracy when shooting long.
Shooting box ammo is a plus for someone just getting into long range or as a first rifle.

And last, but not least.....why did I wait so long to hop on the 6.5 wagon ????? I spent 1.5 years trying to decide what I wanted. Soooo many times I was set on getting a 308. As I look back now, it would be my last choice for a long range gun. The exception to this is a gas gun for hogs or something.

If you guys can find someone to let you shoot a caliber you are thinking of buying, it would help your decision process.

[hbrogers]

Rated21R,

I have tried to convince the op buying a 6.5 would be the best choice. They shoot flat and hold the wind well with mild recoil. I do understand your thoughts on buying in the first time. I had many of these same ones myself. At some point your going to have to take the plunge and buy in. The gun that is right for you may be different than what others shoot, but hey, its your dime bud. I wish you lived closer to me so I could take you to a private range and let you ring steel out to 1251 if you can shoot well enough. Where I live the wind blows every day which makes some shooting days good, and others not so good.

Some of the things I have noticed on shooting with others.

Reading the wind is an art, some guys are very good at it no matter what gun they shoot.
The 308/7-08 (30 cal) guns are completely outclassed by the 6.5's, there are not may 30 cal guns where I live.
Having a gun with mild recoil is a joy to shoot all day at the range.
Being able to tune the rifle and reload well makes a huge difference in accuracy when shooting long.
Shooting box ammo is a plus for someone just getting into long range or as a first rifle.

And last, but not least.....why did I wait so long to hop on the 6.5 wagon ????? I spent 1.5 years trying to decide what I wanted. Soooo many times I was set on getting a 308. As I look back now, it would be my last choice for a long range gun. The exception to this is a gas gun for hogs or something.

If you guys can find someone to let you shoot a caliber you are thinking of buying, it would help your decision process.

You've just about convinced me on the 6.5C, but now I need to decide on a gun. For some reason I keep going back to the Howa. It seems like a good gun for the price. I'm also guessing the scope that comes in the package is pretty undesirable, but will probably work for me since I'm just getting started. Also, can you speak to the use of a suppressor on 6.5C?

[wilson1911]

Shooting with a can rocks !! I have the Dead Air Ti 30 cal can.

I can't speak on which gun to buy. All mine are customs.

You should always buy the best glass you can afford. Tracking is very important when going long.

I would also try to get a gun that has a 24 inch barrel, 26 is preferred.

[hbrogers]

Hopefully I'll have my SilencerCo Hybrid by Christmas, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it does with the 6.5C.

The Howa comes in a 22in and 24in and I'll need to get the barrel threaded. I'll be using an ASR mount with the Hybrid, so I'm guessing the ASR muzzle brake is preferred over the ASR flash hider for 6.5C?

[waveslayer]

Hopefully I'll have my SilencerCo Hybrid by Christmas, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it does with the 6.5C.

The Howa comes in a 22in and 24in and I'll need to get the barrel threaded. I'll be using an ASR mount with the Hybrid, so I'm guessing the ASR muzzle brake is preferred over the ASR flash hider for 6.5C?

I would go break if you want reduced recoil with the can off. Nice can you picked, I ordered a few of those to mess around with.

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[tigershilone]

It uses the 6.5 SAUM which will blow away the .308 and Creedmoor.

Almost went this route, but the short action ultra magnums have a significantly shorter barrel life compared to the creedmore and especially the 308.

My opinion goes with the 6.5 creedmore for recoil, barrel life and performance and $$$ spent over the life of the weapon. Made the mistake of buying a .338 magnum once, put one box of cartridges through it and sold it. If you cant enjoy shooting the gun what is the point?

[waveslayer]

Almost went this route, but the short action ultra magnums have a significantly shorter barrel life compared to the creedmore and especially the 308.

My opinion goes with the 6.5 creedmore for recoil, barrel life and performance and $$$ spent over the life of the weapon. Made the mistake of buying a .338 magnum once, put one box of cartridges through it and sold it. If you cant enjoy shooting the gun what is the point?

Very true on big bore and magnums. The SAUM was designed by Greg from GA to increase the barrel life by reducing the pressure of the Short Action Magnums. We are getting over 3000 rounds before any barrel or throat erosion is throwing the accuracy off.

No doubt the Creedmoor will last longer, but as a all in one gun that will drop any animal in North America, besides a Grizzly, the 6.5 SAUM takes the cake.

My .338 Norma Magnum AI has about 1500 rounds through it, still shoots a nice single hole at 100. It's crazy

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[mark5pt56]

Using a light weight hunting rifle, you will enjoy the 6.5CM/.260 or even the 7-08 over a same weight .308. Using a heavy target gun, run the numbers, those calibers above are more efficient, simple hard facts. No confusion, numbers on a chart, app, in your mind. Said this before as well, need to deliver a payload at longer distance, sure need to step up the the big guns, that doesn't mean .308.
has the .308 done the job, sure has, will continue as well. The popularity of the 6.5's is obvious and for good reason and it will expand.

OP, for what you want, pick up a Tikka CTRX in 6.5CM. For a hunter, I'm waiting for them to make the T3X in it. I've also emailed a request to Ruger for a Scout, 18" SS with synthetic stock in it, we'll see.

a good funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqgSSAh8Cqs