223 or 6.5 CM?

E

EddieE

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 20, 2017
682
144
#1
Would like your thoughts on this...I think I know the answer...but what the heck!

I have access to a 500 yard range (which is open about 3-4 months out of the year due to hunting). I have been flirting with getting the Tikka Tac1a in 6.5 since I would like to get into the long range shooting game eventually.

But, ammo costs are concerning with respect to 6.5. I have an AR15 which I love, I love the soft shooting 223. Now I'm thinking maybe get a 223 bolt rifle and shoot for 1/2 the cost of the 6.5. Realistically, I will not be shooting long range any time soon. It's an hour drive to the 1000 yard range.

I would like to get a Tikka as my next rifle, since they are so frequently recommended here and elsewhere. Do I need the 1/7 barrel or can 1/8 be enough for my needs?

Thanks!


 
#3
Unless you're going to handload 90s a 1:8 should be fine and since I get the impression you aren't loading the 69-77gr ammo off the shelf will do well in a 1:8. Heck for just 500 you could get by with a 1:9 slinging 60s but the 1:8 and 77s will open the realistic range to 700 for reasonable hits.
 
#4
My 223 hangs with my 6.5 to 600 shooting 77SMK's. Certainly gets pushed around more in the wind but it's like shooting a 22 LR in a heavy bolt gun.
 
#5
Do you load? If you load, 223 all the way. If you don't get the 6.5. 223 match ammo isn't that much cheaper than 6.5 and when you factor in selling your once fired brass the 6.5 will actually be cheaper to shoot and you have the extra umph for when you can shoot further.
 
#6
You won't be disappointed with the T3X 223 varmint. I put mine in a MDT H3S chassis to mimic the RPR 6.5cm (both have the magpul prs stock) and the Tikka is becoming my favorite.

On a side note, last time out, one of the benchrest guys brought out his bore scope, and put it down the barrel of the Tikka. After close examination with his bore scope, all he said was wow, this barrel is like a mirror, as nice as any custom barrel he's seen. I have about 500 rounds through it, and it's a shooter.
 
#7
redneckbmxer24 said:
Do you load? If you load, 223 all the way. If you don't get the 6.5. 223 match ammo isn't that much cheaper than 6.5 and when you factor in selling your once fired brass the 6.5 will actually be cheaper to shoot and you have the extra umph for when you can shoot further.
Click to expand...

What does the once fired brass go for? I think I saw Hornady match ammo for about 0.8-0.9 per round. 6.5 cm I see is about 1.3-1.5 per round.

I don't load, so that has to be considered. I have been thinking about getting into loading, but, that is where I have stopped.


Thank you all for your feedback. Lots to think about. Seems like I need to look into the Tikka varmint.


 
#8
First, go with the .223 if you are not shooting past 500 yards. My main range is 600 yards max and my .223 gets used more than my 6mm and .308 combined. When I shoot to 1,000 yards, the other rifles come out. The .223 has minimal recoil, ammunition is much cheaper (I do reload all calibers) and is very, very accurate. Mine is a Savage 12FV in a Bell and Carlson stock inlet for a DBM. I use in local matches successfully. I'm loading 75 gr. AMAX with 25 grains Varget in Lapua cases.
 
#9
I have a Tikka 223 Varmint in a bell and carlson m40 inletted for atlas DBM. It is my favorite rifle. I also purchased a 6.5 Tikka ctr with 20 inch barrel. I shoot the 223 alot more than the 6.5. As stated above shooting 75 amax bullets out to 500 yards I don't think the 223 will be a hindrance compared to the 6.5 cm. I have shot both out to 800 yards. With the standard tikka bottom metal you will be limited to shorter bullets or single loading longer bullets like the 75 amax or 80's. There is this https://tikkaperformance.com/index.php?_route_=tikka-t3-accessories/tikka-sled which can be used to help single load a tikka. Or the 73 eldm or 77 smk are also options which should work with the standard mags.
 
#10
I too would go with the .223.

I have a complete custom 6.5 creedmoor and it's more then I need most days.

Most of my days are spent in a 300 yard range but every once in awhile I get to stretch it out past 1000 (like today).

Plus reloading .223 is cheap for 600 yards.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#11
Obviously 6.5 is going to be superior for long range. At 500, either will be fine. I am able to shoot factory 6.5 match grade ammo for less per round than 223/5.56 as I have had more luck selling 6.5 brass than 5.56. You can't go wrong with a Tikka in either caliber.
 
#12
If I had a thousand yard range within an hour of my house, which I do, I would go straight for the 6.5, and make the drive to ring steel there. Yes there's alot of money to be saved in loading for a 223 as it uses nearly 18 or so grains less powder per shot and 77smk's are like half the price of 120g ELD's...but I don't find recoil to be a deciding factor between the two really as I personally find a heavy 24+" bull barrelled 6.5 to be rather mild. All this being said, my next bolt gun build will be a 223, so if you really find yourself getting into the hobby whatever you buy now, you'll probably buy the other caliber later. With that in mind, maybe a 223 is the right choice to start out with. You can probably become a better shooter with a 223 and get the reloading basics down and when you start getting bored buy another gun....a 6.5 of some sort.
 
#14
Shot SW LR Nationals MR/600yd Match with .223. Savage 11VT, replaced package scope and mounts, otherwise stock. Is 1:9", 24", handloaded Hornady 75gr HPBT-Match. Shot fine.

Greg
 
#15
Thanks guys....I think I'm pretty set on the Tikka Varmint 223. Now for the bottom metal...someone mentioned I can't shoot the heavy bullets with the tikka magazine.

Which bottom metal would be a good choice? CDI requires some modification of the action (???, at least that is how I read it on their site).

How is the synthetic stock that comes with the varmint? I will likely replace it with a stock from Manners or similar.

Does anyone know if Manners offers a bedding service if I send them my barreled action?

 
#16
EddieE said:
Thanks guys....I think I'm pretty set on the Tikka Varmint 223. Now for the bottom metal...someone mentioned I can't shoot the heavy bullets with the tikka magazine.

Which bottom metal would be a good choice? CDI requires some modification of the action (???, at least that is how I read it on their site).

How is the synthetic stock that comes with the varmint? I will likely replace it with a stock from Manners or similar.

Does anyone know if Manners offers a bedding service if I send them my barreled action?
Click to expand...

The Savage 12FV is on sale at Cabela's for $369 now. Dump the Savage stock and put in a Bell and Carlson Style 2. I purchased a DBM by CDI and inletting by CDI. I have tons of room in the magazine for 75 grain AMAX loaded long. Here is the CDI website and I am not affiliated with them. They just did a great job for me. http://cdiprecisiongunworks.com/savage-model-10-series-.html
 
#17
IndianaRem5r said:
The Savage 12FV is on sale at Cabela's for $369 now. Dump the Savage stock and put in a Bell and Carlson Style 2. I purchased a DBM by CDI and inletting by CDI. I have tons of room in the magazine for 75 grain AMAX loaded long. Here is the CDI website and I am not affiliated with them. They just did a great job for me. http://cdiprecisiongunworks.com/savage-model-10-series-.html
Click to expand...

Thanks....Someone else mentioned the Savage and I saw it was on sale. I can't even find the tikka varmint anywhere to price it...I assume it is about $800

Some say the Savage has poor fit and finish, not smooth...what do you say?

 
#19
EddieE said:
Thanks guys....I think I'm pretty set on the Tikka Varmint 223. Now for the bottom metal...someone mentioned I can't shoot the heavy bullets with the tikka magazine.

Which bottom metal would be a good choice? CDI requires some modification of the action (???, at least that is how I read it on their site).

How is the synthetic stock that comes with the varmint? I will likely replace it with a stock from Manners or similar.

Does anyone know if Manners offers a bedding service if I send them my barreled action?
Click to expand...

When new, I purchased the bobsled adapter from mountain tactical for 15-20 buck, pulled the foam out of the stock, packed with with fishing weights, and purchased a YoDave trigger spring. I shot it like this for a couple months while deciding on a chassis system. I ended up with a MDT H3S with the magpul gen 3 prs to mimic the rpr 6.5. I couldn't be happier. Actually the Tikka has become my favorite
 
#20
EddieE said:
Thanks....Someone else mentioned the Savage and I saw it was on sale. I can't even find the tikka varmint anywhere to price it...I assume it is about $800

Some say the Savage has poor fit and finish, not smooth...what do you say?
Click to expand...

The "fit and finish" on the Savage 12FV is better than my new Remington 700 SPS. It has a better bolt/action, trigger, and barrel than the Rem 700 SPS. Plus, it has that lovely big round bolt knob.
 
#21
I am still a noob so take it or leave it. I have been shooting my .223 for 5 years now due to budget restraints and I have loved it the whole time. Sure some days the wind keeps my shots close but IMHO it has taught me a lot in the shooting and reloading world and even in college I could afford to shoot it. After shooting my fathers new 6.5 I have been thinking about upgrading but to be honest at this point I feel like I am better off buying my own reloading setup so I can stop using his. Yes his 6.5 was a laser at the 600 yard gong compared to my .223 but I never really felt like I was lacking, I just had to watch and listen harder for the gong to move.
 
#22
I shoot my Tikka 223 varmint way more than any of my other rifles. Tons of fun, accurate, Geri tile and cheaper. I reload 55gr bullets for Varmint and less than 700 yard steel. I load 75gr ELD for varmint and everything else up to 1000 yards. Makes shooting the 6.5CM and larger way easy out to 1000 yards.
 
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