build me a hunting rifle (LEFTY) 6.5 creedmoor

[davsco]

so i have a tikka t3x lite in 300wsm that shoots great. i also want a lighter/smaller caliber for deer and prob should get another tikka in 6.5 creed and be done with it.

i've built (assembled) AR's from stripped lowers but know jack about putting together a bolt gun. seems like you can buy actions and prefit barrels (shouldered sounds easier than barrel nut from some brief reading) or even barreled actions. not sure what specialized tools and fitting are needed if i get separate barrel and receiver, i have a vise, some torque wrenches, etc.

then i'm further naive/confused on what else i need and how to spec it out to match the receiver/barrel - trigger & guard, bottom metal and mags, stock, etc.

would be awesome if someone could spec out all the parts & pieces i need for a half-decent hunting rifle build. and lay out any specialized tools, fitting and the like required.

can an idiot like me put together something that can be easily sub-moa capable, or is it just best to pick a gunsmith to do all that (or buy another tikka...)?

 

[CarbonMTN]

Defiance Rukus or Bighorn TL3
Proof research makes prefits for both and they are cut to the shoulder.
Timney Elite Hunter
Magpul 700 hunter or KRG bravo
Leupold VX-6hd 3-18

that what I would do.

and of course your bench, barrel vise, go/no go gauges, quality torq wrench.

 

[Antares]

You already know the answer!

I'd put together a 6.5 CM Tikka if it was me. You already have the 300WM. You can cover a lot of different scenarios with those two cartridges. Put it in a nice stock, get some bottom metal (I like Mountain Tactical), put some nice glass on it, and enjoy. It'll be way cheaper than a custom Rem 700 clone, it'll shoot sub-MOA, and there's no smithing involved. It'll complement your other Tikka and you can swap components back and forth between the two.

My 2 cents.

 

[FisherT&C]

PM sent

 

[davsco]

You already know the answer!

yeah another tikka is the right/smart answer! kinda intrigued though over putting something nice together.

 

[davsco]

Magpul 700 hunter or KRG bravo

thanks! looks like both those stocks/chassis are righty only, but seems i can inlet for the left hand bolt handle.

 

[bfk4lyfe]

krg only makes their lefty chassis in 700 SA footprints. iota outdoors makes lefty tikka stuff.

 

[SonicBurlap]

If you have some gunsmithing skills, get a Zermatt Arms Origin action (TL3 if money is not a concern), Zermatt Arms action wrench, barrel vise, a tube of anti seize, torque wrench that will allow you to torque from 50 - 150 FT/Lbs. and socket if you don't already have it for your vehicle, Go/No-Go gauges in your chosen caliber, PROOF Research Pre-fit carbon fiber barrel, KRG Bravo with spigot mount and extras you decide you can't live without, FFP glass and rings that fit in your budget, and done. If you don't think you have the skills hire someone to build you one, or buy another Tikka.

 

[davsco]

carbon & sonic, took your advice to a T - TL3/proof carbon prefit/krg bravo! now the wait is on for it all to come in, but since i'm also waiting for a can for it, no big hurry. thanks!

 

[SonicBurlap]

carbon & sonic, took your advice to a T - TL3/proof carbon prefit/krg bravo! now the wait is on for it all to come in, but since i'm also waiting for a can for it, no big hurry. thanks!

If you send your trigger in to Zermatt Arms they will time it to your action free of charge when you order an action, if you send it in later they charge $ 55 to perform that service which is still not bad. In my experience the TriggerTech Special works great with the TL3, although some of my friends prefer their Diamonds and the lighter pull.

 

[texag0842]

Tikka 6.5cm in a KRG Bravo

 

[NFAJohn]

As a fellow lefty I had a similar dilemma.

Regular guy assembles TL3, doesn't kill self

Decided to go down the prefit barrel worm hole and I gotta admit I wish I had done it years ago. Being a lefty is always kind of a pain in the ass because while everything is usually available, it's either more expensive, the wait times are longer or both. I recently got the itch for a new rifle...

www.snipershide.com

I'm 650-700 rounds in and still loving it, flings the berger 135 classic hunter 2740 with can and it absolutely hammers stuff.

 

[powdahound76]

Is the rifle just for hunting?
What kind of hunting? Different needs for stand/blind hunting vs an elk or mule deer hunt in the Rockies.

I like to keep the hunters simple.
Years of a stock Tikka T3 has kept me in venison.
Talley LW mounts and a Leupold vx 2 and then an LRHS.
I use a Sako now, only because I got a stupid deal on it.
Tikka stays here though. Its crazy light and just works. A guy cant have too many rifles....

My opinion is keep the hunter simple as a stock Tikka with good glass and spend the rest on a built LR rifle or a cats meow .22.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

reallllly depends on where you're hunting and how you're hunting.

if it were me (and it will be next year...im gonna retire my howa 6.5)

If it was a mid range budget, my build would be this:
origin short action
proof medium sporter 22" barrel
trigger tech special
bedded McMillian Game Scout (carbon woodland ambush)
Hawkins BDL bottom metal
Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15x50
DNZ mount
Montana leather 1" sling


On a smaller budget:
origin short action
CBI light palma 22" barrel
triggertech primary
home-bedded bell and carlson
factory remington bdl bottom metal
leupold vx3i 2.5-8x36
DNZ mount
Montana leather 1" sling


Id be proud to own either and will be building similar this coming year