Newbie to the sharpshooter community

[0311Grunt]

Hello, so I am preparing to pull the trigger on a new rifle. I am stuck between .300 win mag, .308 win and the famous 6.5 creedmoor. I basically want a gun I can play with but also take hunting with me and drop big game from 200-700 yards. I am set on a athlon scope (sorry if misspelled). So to my question.
1. Advice on which round would be a match for my needs?

2. Which brand, Ruger, Browning, weatherby etc...

Thank you for your time, I'm sure I'll have more questions as we discuss this more.

 

[NovaHunter]

First, what is your budget? Planning on handloading or shooting factory ammo?

Target shooting out to 700 yards, both the .308 and 6.5 Creed will do fine. I would recommend not going the 300 Win. Ammo is more expensive, and it will have more recoil. Recoil leads to bad shooting fundamentals

Before you take a shot on game out to 700 yards, you will want to practice alot. You want a rifle that you can shoot 50 to 100 rounds in an afternoon and not feel like your shoulder was a punching bag, or have the ammo cost break the bank. This will give you the opportunity to shoot, learn your ballistics, and build your skills.

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[steve123]

6.5 Creed, which has similar trajectory and wind drift to 300WM, recoils much less. Those are two attributes you'll appreciate later on and a 700Y kill is doable, much more so closer in.

 

[0311Grunt]

First, what is your budget? Planning on handloading or shooting factory ammo?

Target shooting out to 700 yards, both the .308 and 6.5 Creed will do fine. I would recommend not going the 300 Win. Ammo is more expensive, and it will have more recoil. Recoil leads to bad shooting fundamentals

Before you take a shot on game out to 700 yards, you will want to practice alot. You want a rifle that you can shoot 50 to 100 rounds in an afternoon and not feel like your shoulder was a punching bag, or have the ammo cost break the bank. This will give you the opportunity to shoot, learn your ballistics, and build your skills.

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My budget is around 1400 total with scope, so about 800-1000 for rifle. I do plan on handloading but after I purchase our house, so factory ammo.

 

[NovaHunter]

My budget is around 1400 total with scope, so about 800-1000 for rifle. I do plan on handloading but after I purchase our house, so factory ammo.

Hmm, for that budget try to find the best 6.5 rifle you can.

I posted this on another thread. This barreled action is good and a decent price:

[video]http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/barreled-receivers/1500-barreled-action-heavy-24-brl-blue-6-5-creedmoor-6-threaded-prod103531.aspx[/video]

The MDT LSS chassis is another $400, plus you will need a stock and grip. Or, you could probably find a Bell & Carlson medalist for around $250ish.

Look for a deal on a scope. The Gen 1 Vortex PST are going on clearance right now since the Gen 2's are coming out. I think Midway has the FFP Gen 1 PST's for $699.

Also, this scope on clearance is also a great deal at under $600:
https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-su...llum-enhanced-mil-dot-reticle-emdr-matte.html

Edit to add: if you need to cut costs on a scope I have used this one to shoot out to 1000 yards on a .308:

[video]http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2420772363/vortex-optics-viper-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-65-20x-44mm-side-focus-reticle-matte[/video]

The turrets are mushy, it is SFP, but it is useable to that distance.


Good luck!


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[0311Grunt]

Awesome, thank you. I did purchase a athlon scope for 549 after 20% off from a local dealer aka LEO friendly. So I'm well within budget for a rifle factory. I know there are about 7ish companies who have made a 6.5 creedmoor. Is one better then the other or just preference? Also barrel length I was looking into this alittle bit. 22, 24 or 26? 1:10 or 1:12 twist primarily I'll shoot 168 and higher

I also want to add the probability of me having the chances to shoot over 600 yards is very slim. I know Chester county pa has a 700-1000 yard range. But to be a member is a 3 year waiting list.

 

[sideburn]

Personally I would do 308 on that budget. Ammo is a bit cheaper, more readily found anywhere and you can touch anything within your specified range with ease. The barrel life is vastly better with 308 as well and I assume you are on a budget because you don't have money to throw away just like I don't NovaHunter gave some great links to places I would suggest as well.

Barrel length won't buy you any more accuracy, just speed all other things being equal. For 308 I'd go 20 or 24, especially if you plan to shoot suppressed. Either 1:10 or 1:12 range is fine.

All that said, if you're dead set on 6.5, go nuts, shoot and have fun. This sport is awesomely addictive.

 

[dannySH]

Awesome, thank you. I did purchase a athlon scope for 549 after 20% off from a local dealer aka LEO friendly. So I'm well within budget for a rifle factory. I know there are about 7ish companies who have made a 6.5 creedmoor. Is one better then the other or just preference? Also barrel length I was looking into this alittle bit. 22, 24 or 26? 1:10 or 1:12 twist primarily I'll shoot 168 and higher

I also want to add the probability of me having the chances to shoot over 600 yards is very slim. I know Chester county pa has a 700-1000 yard range. But to be a member is a 3 year waiting list.

Are you sure about those numbers (twist and bullet weight)? Those sounds more like. 308. than 6.5CM.

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[NovaHunter]

Awesome, thank you. I did purchase a athlon scope for 549 after 20% off from a local dealer aka LEO friendly. So I'm well within budget for a rifle factory. I know there are about 7ish companies who have made a 6.5 creedmoor. Is one better then the other or just preference? Also barrel length I was looking into this alittle bit. 22, 24 or 26? 1:10 or 1:12 twist primarily I'll shoot 168 and higher

I also want to add the probability of me having the chances to shoot over 600 yards is very slim. I know Chester county pa has a 700-1000 yard range. But to be a member is a 3 year waiting list.

Cool deal. So you got the scope figured out. Don't sweat barrel length too much. Like the others said, more barrel length equals more velocity but accuracy shouldn't be affected by the length.

I own both a .260 and a .308. If you think you will be shooting beyond 600 yards in the next few years, get the 6.5 Creed ( assuming you don't want 2 rifles ;-)). Better ballistics, and a whole lot better in the wind. Figuring out wind drift is one of the hardest things with shooting long range. When my Dad and I are shooting at 1000 yards side by side, the difference in wind drift between my .260 and his .308 is significant.

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[0311Grunt]

Cool deal. So you got the scope figured out. Don't sweat barrel length too much. Like the others said, more barrel length equals more velocity but accuracy shouldn't be affected by the length.

I own both a .260 and a .308. If you think you will be shooting beyond 600 yards in the next few years, get the 6.5 Creed ( assuming you don't want 2 rifles ;-)). Better ballistics, and a whole lot better in the wind. Figuring out wind drift is one of the hardest things with shooting long range. When my Dad and I are shooting at 1000 yards side by side, the difference in wind drift between my .260 and his .308 is significant.

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Actually you are right.. at this point I do not have the chance to shoot that far, I do know I have a few friends who are member to that 1k range. So 6.5creedmoor sounds good. I have a unlimited budget but wife would literally stab my with the 12" kitchen knife if I spent more then 1400. I thought of Ruger American rifle, Browning xbolt eclipse, weatherby and few others. The RPR is just too heavy to lug around.

So recommendations on rifle companies?
​​​​​​

 

[NovaHunter]

I'll stick with my first recommendation above.

You could also buy a Remington 700, and buy a stock or chassis to put it in. Shoot for a few years then re-barrel it.

Peruse the forum here as well, you might find a decent lightly used rifle.

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[MJB13SRT8]

0311 are you active duty if so go with a Ruger RPR in 6.5 creedmore you can get one with the Ruger military pricing for about 1075 and it's very hard to beat at that price point.

Montrose

 

[0311Grunt]

0311 are you active duty if so go with a Ruger RPR in 6.5 creedmore you can get one with the Ruger military pricing for about 1075 and it's very hard to beat at that price point.

Montrose

Not active duty anymore I did 8 years in infantry, I'm currently LEO. Only thing with RPR is the weight it is very heavy. Actually our department is changing to 6.5 by 2019 for the sharpshooters. So 6.5 is ideal for me I can extend my budget of course. I'm just not sure which company to go with or of they are all the same or just what design I'm looking for.

 

[Fursniper]

Hello, so I am preparing to pull the trigger on a new rifle. I am stuck between .300 win mag, .308 win and the famous 6.5 creedmoor. I basically want a gun I can play with but also take hunting with me and drop big game from 200-700 yards. I am set on a athlon scope (sorry if misspelled). So to my question.
1. Advice on which round would be a match for my needs?

2. Which brand, Ruger, Browning, weatherby etc...

Thank you for your time, I'm sure I'll have more questions as we discuss this more.

What type of "big game" are you talking about?

 

[0311Grunt]

What type of "big game" are you talking about?

Well, mule deer, white tail, coyote, ground hogs. If I'm hunting bear I will use my 30-30 or 30-06. Maybe elk if I ever won the lottery

 

[Fursniper]

Well, mule deer, white tail, coyote, ground hogs. If I'm hunting bear I will use my 30-30 or 30-06. Maybe elk if I ever won the lottery

A 6.5 will work on any of those but it doesn't have the horsepower at 700 yds for an ethical shot on elk. Right around 450 yds or so would be max for enough ft pounds of energy on Elk. I only asked because when you said "big game", elk is the first think I think of, got lots of them where I live.

 

[MJB13SRT8]

0311 the Ruger military pricing is also for LEO.

Montrose

 

[0311Grunt]

0311 the Ruger military pricing is also for LEO.

Montrose

Do you recommend the Ruger lol. Yes, I've spoke with them directly Ruger supports alot of organizations and is thanked for it.

 

[0311Grunt]

A 6.5 will work on any of those but it doesn't have the horsepower at 700 yds for an ethical shot on elk. Right around 450 yds or so would be max for enough ft pounds of energy on Elk. I only asked because when you said "big game", elk is the first think I think of, got lots of them where I live.

I wouldn't shoot 700 yards at a coyote lol. I wouldn't even shoot a .300 wm at 700 either. I'm in a major debate of 308 vs 6.5 from what I read 6.5 is the superior round. I did watch a video of a guy shooting an elk at 603 yards and it ran maybe 30 yards dropped dead. Watching that and talking to a few Midwest hunters, majority rules in favor of the 6.5

 

[sideburn]

I'm in a major debate of 308 vs 6.5 from what I read 6.5 is the superior round.

Superior at what? Superior at distance? Sure. In the ranges you specified, arguably no, especially at closer distances and as a hunting round.

Watch a few vids from Lowlight and you'll see 308 is a VERY capable round.

 

[dannySH]

Superior at what? Superior at distance? Sure. In the ranges you specified, arguably no, especially at closer distances and as a hunting round.

Watch a few vids from Lowlight and you'll see 308 is a VERY capable round.

Agree 100% I have both and when hunting all around at distances less than 500 yards I feel more confident with a 180gr bullet than with a 143gr.

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[vh20]

Man, I didn't read through everyone's replies, but as far as I can tell you want the following:

TIKKA T3X CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle) in 6.5 CM. It is within your budget at around 1000.00. It is INSANELY accurate with factory ammo. Absolutely incredible. It is very LIGHT WEIGHT with the factory composite stock (vs. the heavier chassis on RPR, etc.). It comes with a factory-installed rail (figure another 200.00 into your budget for a rail if considering a rifle without one). For your purposes, figure on adding a brake, and possibly a stock pack to bring your cheek weld up a bit, and possibly a Harris bipod if you need one, and you're ready to go. I have the 20 in. version,. It's a 1:8 twist, and it's good on IPSC targets with factory 140s at least out to 1200. I see where they now have a 24 in. version out. If I only had one rifle, I might go that route, but I already have long-barreled custom rifles, so I like having this little compact, light-weight 20 in. hot rod for something a little less trouble to lug around. It runs factory Hornady 140 ELD-Ms at 2690. My 26 in. Krieger-barreled custom rifle runs them in the high 2750s for comparison.

Why not shoot a coyote at 700? The rifle is more than capable, at least. I routinely make head-shots on an IPSC target with mine at 700 (bipod and rear bag-supported). I personally wouldn't trust the horsepower for an elk at that range, though some might.

Get one, it is exactly what you are describing you want! Mine shoots factory ammo just as well as my 4500.00 custom builds. I think it will most likely out-shoot everything else you your list.

Edit to add: I tend to agree with the last two posts above IF you truly aren't going to ever be shooting beyond 4-500 yards. I might go .308 in that case, and have a little heavier punch on deer at shorter ranges. But if you can only have one rifle, and you want the capability to stretch out when the opportunity comes, you are on the right track with the 6.5. You can get the T3X in either cartridge.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Savage 10 Predator Hunter Max 1 6.5CM

 

[Sendit6.5]

Savage 10 Predator Hunter Max 1 6.5CM

^^This^^

Here are some groups from mine with handloads....

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[0311Grunt]

Savage 10 Predator Hunter Max 1 6.5CM

I like this one!!!