Advice on 6.5 factory production rifles for hunting

[skipglo]

All my rifles for the past several years have been custom built so I have no idea what, if any, mass produced rifle is worth a darn these days.

I want to get a family member a decent hunting rifle in anything 6.5 (preferably Creedmoor) that has the best potential for accuracy. It doesn't have to be super cheap but would like to keep it under 2000 for the rifle alone. Also keep in mind I will be reloading for this one (since I have about 1200 Berger 140 Elite Hunters!). I was originally considering a used custom gun but I have a hard time buying anything I can't put my hands on first.

All opinions and experiences are welcome. Thanks!

I'd recommend Bergara...look it up you tube...3 buddies have them...11-1200.00. Deadly accuracy out of tge box

 

[jraulsten]

Really?? What do you think us poor, blue collar, hard working, type people shoot? How many millions of rifles do you think are there out there that cost from $500 to $900 that are terrific rifles? Can you say Savage, how about Ruger, perhaps Winchester, Tikka, Howa, or a plethora of other rifles that are more than adequate to hunt any game animal on this planet? Do you think any of the above mentioned companies would be in business if they didn't manufacture a quality product? Good Grief man, get your nose out of the clouds, climb off your high horse and educate yourself about normal, average run of the mill people, who work their butts off doing every day jobs who can't even dream of a custom rifle, yet we spend enormous amounts of time in the woods and on the range, getting to know and thoroughly enjoying our, what you perceive as substandard rifles and gear. SHEESH!

I grew up with nothing and worked my butt off to be successful and you want to begrudge me that? Sounds like something AOC would spout off. I put myself through college and didn't get to see my children grow up because I spent more time at sea than I did at home. I put my heart and soul into defending this great nation because this is one of the few places in the world we have the opportunity to be the best we can be and I never want to see that disappear. I'm still working at 63 so I can buy the nicer things in life I could never have afforded before. Seems to me you are the one that could use the education.

 

[Michael Souther]

I grew up with nothing and worked my butt off to be successful and you want to begrudge me that? Sounds like something AOC would spout off. I put myself through college and didn't get to see my children grow up because I spent more time at sea than I did at home. I put my heart and soul into defending this great nation because this is one of the few places in the world we have the opportunity to be the best we can be and I never want to see that disappear. I'm still working at 63 so I can buy the nicer things in life I could never have afforded before. Seems to me you are the one that could use the education.

A little rude. Most working people do what they can to enjoy life. I worked all over the middle East. do not turn this into a whine festival please. use what you can afford and have fun and do not worry about it. shooting is supposed to be fun. It took me years and 3 x wives and finally geting where i want to be no reason to argue

 

[whirlwindjml]

That's awesome!

I should add.... I did get rid of the little stamped steel rings and added egw picatinny and 6 hole weaver rings. Other than that its factory with factory ammo and sub moa. I don't know who your going to let use the gun.... But I bought the axis2 because I didn't want to drop coin on a gun / optic that kids that might slip and drop it. At least until they prove they're responsible.

Most all the new factory guns (except the occasional lemon) are better machined than the ones of the previous decades. Even the $300 mossbergs have spit out decent groups. Until someone's proven they a) really enjoy marksmanship or hunting b) will be responsible and take care of the gun..... That's all i'd buy them.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Well....... That went from 0 to CRAP in about 1/2 a second. HAHAHA!!!

 

[jraulsten]

A little rude. Most working people do what they can to enjoy life. I worked all over the middle East. do not turn this into a whine festival please. use what you can afford and have fun and do not worry about it. shooting is supposed to be fun. It took me years and 3 x wives and finally geting where i want to be no reason to argue

Spare me.......Yes, I probably need some sensitivity training. It has just always irked me to see people spew crap without knowing all the facts. That's something I would expect to see on CNN, not a forum of those who all equally love hunting, shooting and the outdoors. How about we get back on track and talk about the factory guns of today, which from all the good feedback I have received, seem to be head and shoulders above the ones I grew up with.

 

[BrianEM]

New guy here, partially because I stumbled upon this post. And is was perfect timing. I too am looking for a factory 6.5 CM. Disclaimer , I am a southpaw and that limits my choices though they seem to be a lot easier to come by than years ago. I've been looking at the Savages and Rugers but Tikka seems to come to the top (less than 1k) on multiple forums. THEN somebody here mentioned Christenson ......but I new I was safe because they don't make leftys......until last year! Believe it or not this will be my first bolt gun. I have many semi's , a few lever guns, some MSRs . I don't mean to sound aloof but cost isn't a real issue, I am also at a stage in life that I can afford things that I wasn't comfortable spending big coin on in the past . (Kids out of college!!) I still think the Tikka will be my choice at this time and the $700 saved off the Mesa will go towards some decent glass. I am in the foothills of the Adirondacks, where whitetail hunting rarely presents a long shot. But I have a 300 yard range in my back yard to get familiar an accurate rifle. I will own a Christensen ,probably a ridgeline, but also in a heavier caliber for Elk and such when I get out west.

Thanks to the OP for starting this and all the contributors. I haven't even scratched the surface around here, but I'm looking forward to hanging around a while.

Brian

 

[jraulsten]

New guy here, partially because I stumbled upon this post. And is was perfect timing. I too am looking for a factory 6.5 CM. Disclaimer , I am a southpaw and that limits my choices though they seem to be a lot easier to come by than years ago. I've been looking at the Savages and Rugers but Tikka seems to come to the top (less than 1k) on multiple forums. THEN somebody here mentioned Christenson ......but I new I was safe because they don't make leftys......until last year! Believe it or not this will be my first bolt gun. I have many semi's , a few lever guns, some MSRs . I don't mean to sound aloof but cost isn't a real issue, I am also at a stage in life that I can afford things that I wasn't comfortable spending big coin on in the past . (Kids out of college!!) I still think the Tikka will be my choice at this time and the $700 saved off the Mesa will go towards some decent glass. I am in the foothills of the Adirondacks, where whitetail hunting rarely presents a long shot. But I have a 300 yard range in my back yard to get familiar an accurate rifle. I will own a Christensen ,probably a ridgeline, but also in a heavier caliber for Elk and such when I get out west.

Thanks to the OP for starting this and all the contributors. I haven't even scratched the surface around here, but I'm looking forward to hanging around a while.

Brian

Welcome! You will find there is a wealth of knowledge on here you won't find anywhere else. I have had to tap into many times and it has saved me from a lot of heart ache!

From all the responses and talking with other people I know, the Tikka is definitely at the top. I'm going to shoot one tomorrow and can't wait. Had a young engineer at work today rave about his Savage too so I need to talk him into letting me shoot it in the near future.

 

[mogfan]

I agree with Sykes - Cooper may run 300 over your $2K but I've owned several of them and they all shot very well.

 

[jraulsten]

I agree with Sykes - Cooper may run 300 over your $2K but I've owned several of them and they all shot very well.

Any particular model you prefer? I just looked them up and see they make several. Some beautiful guns!

 

[Sykes]

Any particular model you prefer? I just looked them up and see they make several. Some beautiful guns!

The timberline is my favorite so far of the three I've had. 7 pounds bare rifle with a nice stock and a slight palm swell. It fits me really well and feels great in my hands. I think any model they make would be great in a 6.5 something. Love the 3 lug action and short bolt throw. Checked out one of the new Raptors at sportsmans warehouse this week, man what a rifle that is!

 

[jraulsten]

The timberline is my favorite so far of the three I've had. 7 pounds bare rifle with a nice stock and a slight palm swell. It fits me really well and feels great in my hands. I think any model they make would be great in a 6.5 something. Love the 3 lug action and short bolt throw. Checked out one of the new Raptors at sportsmans warehouse this week, man what a rifle that is!

You're gonna get me in trouble

 

[Sykes]

A 6.5-284 in a Cooper Timberline.... Yea buddy

 

[jraulsten]

A 6.5-284 in a Cooper Timberline.... Yea buddy

Gotta find one to put my hands on!