Compact Hunting Rifle

[LegShot]

Hello All,

I have been looking hard at the options for compact/foldable hunting rifles(6.5cm or 6.5prc). The Fix is top of my list but having a hard time justifying the cost of rifle + optics on a platform that doesn't get 5 star ratings(mainly bolt throw and feeding issues). Also been looking at the Christensen MPR but have no confidence on the quality control of that platform. Sig has the Cross coming out but don't really want to be a beta tester. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Chief119]

Build your own, make it the way you want it.

 

[mtnhunter22]

Imo I would go the “build” rather than “buy” route right now with so many options. A bighorn Origin or the like with a prefit barrel gets you a heck of a BA for the price.

From there something like a manners cs2 would be a compact little rig. Or just an EH1. So many options when it comes to hunting stocks/chassis, especially with folding options. Best of luck and enjoy all the choices we have right now.

 

[iukamedic]

I was kinda looking at the begara special purpose. It is a 18” . from what I read it is accurate. You could put It in any 700 foot print stock.

 

[LegShot]

Thanks for the replies! Really want a folding platform for backpack hunting adventures.

 

[iukamedic]

Mpa ultra Lite folding chassis

 

[supratt96]

If it's a hunting rifle you want, just get a Ruger American and call it done. It may not be sexy, but it's a reliable, accurate and light weight hunting rifle. I recently helped out a member at the club I shoot at set one up in 375 Ruger. Three shots into one ragged hole at 100 yards. I was quite impressed.

 

[jcmullis2]

I was kinda looking at the begara special purpose. It is a 18” . from what I read it is accurate. You could put It in any 700 foot print stock.

I’ve been hearing about bolt problems on some of the Bergara rifles. However if the OP has $3200 for the FIX then he’d be doing himself a disservice not assembling a custom rifle. He should get a Defiance Tenacity action, TriggerTech diamond trigger, a prefit shouldered or remage barrel, and mpa ultra lite folding chassis. He’ll save about $500 and have a far superior rifle.

 

[iukamedic]

I’ve been hearing about bolt problems on some of the Bergara rifles. However if the OP has $3200 for the FIX then he’d be doing himself a disservice not assembling a custom rifle. He should get a Defiance Tenacity action, TriggerTech diamond trigger, a prefit shouldered or remage barrel, and mpa ultra lite folding chassis. He’ll save about $500 and have a far superior rifle.

That’s what I ended up doing was custom also. The guy putting minr together has an excellent rep and I am getting exactly what I want.

 

[LegShot]

Thanks jcmullis2! That is helpful information!

 

[gac700]

Buy the Fix. I enjoyed hunting with my 308 last fall and dropped a great buck. The Fix is my go to hunting rifle and I’d like to own another for my sons to hunt with.

I saw the Sig at SHOT and it is an option, but not the same. It isn’t as refined as the Fix.

 

[LegShot]

I've come close to pulling the trigger on a fix so many times but for that kind of $, I want it to be perfect. Have you had any heavy bolt lift issues?

 

[gac700]

No issues with bolt lift or feeding. I’ve only shot it suppressed with handloads.

It is a gem in the field and on stand. It will be tough to find or spec a more compact folding hunting rifle. The Idea of building on a Sidechick chassis is intriguing, but that money could go toward a Fix.

 

[CarlsonCustoms]

Would best of both worlds be a side chick chassis with a custom action and barrel in it?

 

[jpistolero02]

I have a Bergara Special Purpose in 6.5CM. It’s been a nice little rifle. The action is smooth and it’s plenty accurate for what I use it for. I did get rid of the stock trigger right away and swapped it with a Triggertech. It wasn’t as easy to load for as a custom barrel, but we are talking about a $700 rifle. The attached groups were load workups with The 140 ELDM and H4350.

 

[TaylorBacon]

I have a Bergara Special Purpose in 6.5CM. It’s been a nice little rifle. The action is smooth and it’s plenty accurate for what I use it for. I did get rid of the stock trigger right away and swapped it with a Triggertech. It wasn’t as easy to load for as a custom barrel, but we are talking about a $700 rifle. The attached groups were load workups with The 140 ELDM and H4350.

Nice groups - how's the muzzle blast off the 18" 6.5cm?

 

[jpistolero02]

I have not shot it without a suppressor, but I would imagine it’s not great. That’s one reason I got it. I wanted something short that I could put a suppressor on and still swing around easy enough in a UTV or deer blind.

 

[jda2631]

These are relatively new I'm pretty sure, I really like this chassis. https://jtacindustries.com/collections/remington-700-chassis/products/screech-owl-chassis

Could go 16"+ barrel with collapsible stock, or a folding adapter and stock of choice.
or go pistol even if you wanted to go shorter than 16" barrel.

 

[jpistolero02]

That little chasis is badass looking.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Any idea of how durable those would be? They look really really good.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Pork Sword Chassis - Black Collar Arms

Available on backorder. Please read and accept Lead Time Acknowledgment in configurator before ordering. Our modular chassis system for Remington 700 footprint actions is highly configurable for rifle and pistol builds. Strong yet light, our chassis is perfect for anything from hunting to law...

blackcollararms.com

 

[RTH1800]

My likely unpopular opinion is this. I can think of no hunting, backpack or otherwise that would benefit from a folding stock. They are either heavy, flimsy or both.

Folding is for transport or concealment, not actual hunting.

I have backpack hunted all over the world and never would have benefited from a folding stock. I have also owned and used folding stocks for travel or concealment. Once in hunting country you need your rifle in your hands ready to go, not in your pack.

If that is what you want get it. Be aware of the limitations and don’t shit yourself that it is needed or useful for backpack hunting.

YMMV

 

[HayStax]

My likely unpopular opinion is this. I can think of no hunting, backpack or otherwise that would benefit from a folding stock. They are either heavy, flimsy or both.

Folding is for transport or concealment, not actual hunting.

I have backpack hunted all over the world and never would have benefited from a folding stock. I have also owned and used folding stocks for travel or concealment. Once in hunting country you need your rifle in your hands ready to go, not in your pack.

If that is what you want get it. Be aware of the limitations and don’t shit yourself that it is needed or useful for backpack hunting.

YMMV

I‘ve only hunted in the Western US, and never once have I wished I had a longer hike with longer barrel hitting more brush and timber on my approach. Maybe the rest of the world has less foliage

The Fix is a great hunting platform, I love my Mini and will be picking up a 6.5 soon for big game season.

 

[RTH1800]

Sounds like a training issue.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Compromises are race between practical effectiveness and expedience.

The problem with expedience is that it may or may not result in practical effectiveness; and that doesn't work for me. This because expedience carries a price, and I'm already paying enough for my tools.

The issue about hunting is that once the shot is lined up, the equipment has to be infallible. Failure there usually means a suffering animal, and I won't have any for that simply for the sake of expedience.