Is 6.5CM too exotic of a starter LR caliber for those that eventually want to compete?

[azaex]

I'm relatively new to long range shooting and I picked up a 6.5CM Tikka T3x. Wonderful action, thing is way more accurate than me by many orders of magnitude. One thing I wanted to do was to slowly ease into things, i.e. start with good action/barrel/scope, eventually get a good bipod, eventually get a good chassis, then maybe look at rebarrelling. At the same time, start trying out FClass or PRS if I had enough time lying around. I noticed that FClass is broken up into FTR/Open, and 6.5CM automatically puts you into open though. For PRS, it looks like 6.5CM also automatically puts you into Open.

Is 6.5CM thus a good starting ground for anyone that might want to get into competing? I figure as soon as you're in open, you're suddenly competing against handloads of 6 Dasher, 6 CM, and the 6 BR's which all seem ballistically better than 6.5CM and with less recoil...

I was out with some friends the other day and had an amazing time getting help with walking in a 1380 yard shot, but I'm considering rebarelling to .308 now so I can stick myself back into FTR/Tactical territory.

 

[Ghost1941]

The answer to your personal debate lies here. Should keep you competitive until you improve as a shooter and begin to outshoot your equipment or it - and not the Indian - becomes the hindrance.

 

[azaex]

Aaah, that makes sense. Is there an analogue for FClass as well? There is a local regular FClass shoot close to me, though I have to do a fair bit of driving/flying to find PRS (it's a goal though).

 

[Spartan67]

The 6.5 Cm will get you there without a problem. Question is , can you?
Focus on the fundamentals listed here in the Hide, get good practice often, listen to other more knowledgeable shooters, and buy a case of Spin D.

And welcome to the Hide!

 

[Dthomas3523]

I'm relatively new to long range shooting and I picked up a 6.5CM Tikka T3x. Wonderful action, thing is way more accurate than me by many orders of magnitude. One thing I wanted to do was to slowly ease into things, i.e. start with good action/barrel/scope, eventually get a good bipod, eventually get a good chassis, then maybe look at rebarrelling. At the same time, start trying out FClass or PRS if I had enough time lying around. I noticed that FClass is broken up into FTR/Open, and 6.5CM automatically puts you into open though. For PRS, it looks like 6.5CM also automatically puts you into Open.

Is 6.5CM thus a good starting ground for anyone that might want to get into competing? I figure as soon as you're in open, you're suddenly competing against handloads of 6 Dasher, 6 CM, and the 6 BR's which all seem ballistically better than 6.5CM and with less recoil...

I was out with some friends the other day and had an amazing time getting help with walking in a 1380 yard shot, but I'm considering rebarelling to .308 now so I can stick myself back into FTR/Tactical territory.

The top shooters would still shoot about the same (more or less) with a 6.5cm as they do with any of the 6’s.

They get some easier recoil and such with the 6’s that makes life easier, but it’s definitely not why they shoot as well as they do.

 

[C4N4DIAN]

I would recommend 7.6 Creedmoor. Pretty cheap and plentily available.

The NEW 7.6 Creedmoor — Best .30-Cal Cartridge Ever? « Daily Bulletin

Leveraging the incredible success of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, ammo-makers and rifle manufacturers have teamed up to produce a bigger Creedmoor cartridge -- the 7.6 Creedmoor. The latest addition to the Creedmoor line gets its name from its 7.62mm bullet dimension. Yep, that makes it a .

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Cheeper than 6.5 and as accurate for most distance. It will be years of practice and training before you truly notice the benefits of the 6.5.

 

[BadDogPSD]

6.5 Creedmoor is a great cartridge to learn on. It's easy to shoot well to fairly long distances and good quality factory match ammo is fairly cheap and easy to find.

 

[308pirate]

Cartridge choice is NOT what bumps you to open in PRS. While your cartridge choice determines if you can shoot in PRS tactical, same is not true of PRS Production.

You can shoot any cartridge you want in PRS Production division so long as the rifle itself and the scope meet Production rules.

In the end, your skill is what will keep you from being competitive.

 

[308pirate]

I'm considering rebarelling to .308 now so I can stick myself back into FTR/Tactical territory.

You're going to get your ass kicked there too. It's not the equipment. It's not the cartridge. It's your skill.

 

[tna9001]

I'm relatively new to long range shooting and I picked up a 6.5CM Tikka T3x. Wonderful action, thing is way more accurate than me by many orders of magnitude. One thing I wanted to do was to slowly ease into things, i.e. start with good action/barrel/scope, eventually get a good bipod, eventually get a good chassis, then maybe look at rebarrelling. At the same time, start trying out FClass or PRS if I had enough time lying around. I noticed that FClass is broken up into FTR/Open, and 6.5CM automatically puts you into open though. For PRS, it looks like 6.5CM also automatically puts you into Open.

Is 6.5CM thus a good starting ground for anyone that might want to get into competing? I figure as soon as you're in open, you're suddenly competing against handloads of 6 Dasher, 6 CM, and the 6 BR's which all seem ballistically better than 6.5CM and with less recoil...

I was out with some friends the other day and had an amazing time getting help with walking in a 1380 yard shot, but I'm considering rebarelling to .308 now so I can stick myself back into FTR/Tactical territory.

Looking at the PRS rules (HERE ) 6.5CM doesn't put you into the Open division, however, if you re-barrel the rifle it does put you into the Open division unless you send it back to Tikka for the work.

 

[308pirate]

Looking at the PRS rules (HERE ) 6.5CM doesn't put you into the Open division, however, if you re-barrel the rifle it does put you into the Open division unless you send it back to Tikka for the work.

Reading the rules before making choices is always a time, money, and frustration saver.

 

[atepointer]

I would recommend 7.6 Creedmoor. Pretty cheap and plentily available.

The NEW 7.6 Creedmoor — Best .30-Cal Cartridge Ever? « Daily Bulletin

Leveraging the incredible success of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, ammo-makers and rifle manufacturers have teamed up to produce a bigger Creedmoor cartridge -- the 7.6 Creedmoor. The latest addition to the Creedmoor line gets its name from its 7.62mm bullet dimension. Yep, that makes it a .

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Cheeper than 6.5 and as accurate for most distance. It will be years of practice and training before you truly notice the benefits of the 6.5.

there is always some great stuff on 4/1

 

[smoothy8500]

I picked up a 6.5CM Tikka T3x. Wonderful action, thing is way more accurate than me by many orders of magnitude.

It would make sense to learn on what you already have until you are equally accurate as the rifle's capability before customizing.

 

[Dthomas3523]

If it were me, I’d just get whatever I wanted. If it’s an open gun, fine.

It’s not like there’s a ton of guys running around in production class to compete with.

Also, if it were me, I’d be shooting 1 day club matches or stuff like border wars.

It’s going to take a while before you’re competitive in any class. Unless you’re just doing a 2 day as a destination shoot or experience, or you can’t find any club matches, shooting a 2 days isn’t a great idea financially.

Entry fee: $250+
Hotel: $300 minimum
Travel: Depends on driving/flying
Ammo. $250 average

You’re looking at at least $1k in expenses to shoot most 2 day matches unless it’s in your back yard. And you’re gonna get your ass handed to you unless you’ve got a lot of practice or other matches

One day match:

Entry. $60 (average)
Ammo $100 (average)

And most you can drive to the same day or stay one night in a hotel. You’ll learn the same amount as a beginner in a club match than you would at a two day and you’ll save around $800

 

[lash]

If it were me, I’d just get whatever I wanted. If it’s an open gun, fine.

It’s not like there’s a ton of guys running around in production class to compete with.

Also, if it were me, I’d be shooting 1 day club matches or stuff like border wars.

It’s going to take a while before you’re competitive in any class. Unless you’re just doing a 2 day as a destination shoot or experience, or you can’t find any club matches, shooting a 2 days isn’t a great idea financially.

Entry fee: $250+
Hotel: $300 minimum
Travel: Depends on driving/flying
Ammo. $250 average

You’re looking at at least $1k in expenses to shoot most 2 day matches unless it’s in your back yard. And you’re gonna get your ass handed to you unless you’ve got a lot of practice or other matches

One day match:

Entry. $60 (average)
Ammo $100 (average)

And most you can drive to the same day or stay one night in a hotel. You’ll learn the same amount as a beginner in a club match than you would at a two day and you’ll save around $800

Wise words.

 

[Campguy308]

If it were me, I’d just get whatever I wanted. If it’s an open gun, fine.

It’s not like there’s a ton of guys running around in production class to compete with.

Also, if it were me, I’d be shooting 1 day club matches or stuff like border wars.

It’s going to take a while before you’re competitive in any class. Unless you’re just doing a 2 day as a destination shoot or experience, or you can’t find any club matches, shooting a 2 days isn’t a great idea financially.

Entry fee: $250+
Hotel: $300 minimum
Travel: Depends on driving/flying
Ammo. $250 average

You’re looking at at least $1k in expenses to shoot most 2 day matches unless it’s in your back yard. And you’re gonna get your ass handed to you unless you’ve got a lot of practice or other matches

One day match:

Entry. $60 (average)
Ammo $100 (average)

And most you can drive to the same day or stay one night in a hotel. You’ll learn the same amount as a beginner in a club match than you would at a two day and you’ll save around $800

Great advice. Shoot what you've got at club matches. They are all I shoot

 

[ScottDWallace]

Cheeper than 6.5 and as accurate for most distance. It will be years of practice and training before you truly notice the benefits of the 6.5.

I fully disagree with this. You will benefit immediately from a low recoil, flat shooting cartridge with tons of competition focused factory ammo available. 30 cal is a ballistic pig, though many still choose to bury their head in the sand.

Show up to a local match with whatever you have. The PRS crowd is super helpful and will make sure you learn a ton and have a great time. See what they are shooting, compare dope, and then make an educated decision.

There's a reason why the great majority of PRS shooters are running 6.5 and 6's instead of 30 cal.

Welcome to this awesome hobby (sport?)!