Advice on 6.5 factory production rifles for hunting

[Flatbow]

About the lightest one out there if that is something you are after is the Kimber Mtn. Assent. 4lb 13oz. I have one and is easy sub moa. For around $1800

 

[Korhil78]

After owning a Bergara Ridge in 300 win mag, I am a big Bergara fan. Really smooth action, nice trigger and comes threaded for a muzzlebrake from the factory. It's also lightweight.

 

[smokey3]

If I bought a custom that wouldn't shoot better than 1 MOA I would
send it right back! Really just think of the changes in the last 5-10 years?
You can buy rifles and ammo now that were custom back then.
I like it.

I just bought a Savage model 10 GRS, 6.5 Creedmoor, after 5 breakin shots, it tightened up and put 5 shots just under .4" with Norma 130 grain golden match ammo. I am sure it will do better. The GRS stock is why I bought it, fantastik, adjustable LOP and cheek piece. Feels great in the hands and has an awesome pistol grip. Cabela's, Midway, and Bud's Internet sales all carry them. $1129.99.

 

[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!

If you want to send me your email..I will send you pics of the first 12 shots out of new 6.5 but I won't tell you the make here! Totally selfish here...Lmao...sorry folks.... they are harder than heck to get into Canada now...and if everyone knows...I will never get the three I am currently waiting on..4 months so far. But I believe in them so much for my family... I have already bought 5. My Addy...... nsadvinc@gmail. You have several great stock options

 

[Sflutes]

The best 6.5 Creed is a .260 Rem or a 6.5x284...

 

[jebel]

These would be my first recommendations in factory rifles chambered for 6.5 CM. As mentioned, there are a lot of good options available.

$2000 range:
-Barrett Fieldcraft (lightweight, faster twist)
-Browning X-Bolt Pro Long Range (std weight, faster twist)
-Bergara Premier series (a few options, generally std weight and twist)

$1000 range:
-Tikka T3x Lite (lightweight)
-Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Long Range (std weight, faster twist)
-Bergara B-14 series (a few options, generally std weight and twist)

 

[jraulsten]

If you want to send me your email..I will send you pics of the first 12 shots out of new 6.5 but I won't tell you the make here! Totally selfish here...Lmao...sorry folks.... they are harder than heck to get into Canada now...and if everyone knows...I will never get the three I am currently waiting on..4 months so far. But I believe in them so much for my family... I have already bought 5. My Addy...... nsadvinc@gmail. You have several great stock options

Email sent.....Got me curious now!

 

[Michael Souther]

The best 6.5 Creed is a .260 Rem or a 6.5x284...

I do have both a 6.5 Creedmore and a 260 Remington Hunter. 6 5 Grendel I have 2. The Creedmore is an AR 10 now I suppose the 6.5 x 284 will check it out. I hunt with a 338 mag. Love them all. What about the 6.5 prc? just wondering if I need another 6.5?

 

[Peddler 76]

Here's the lone vote for a LAW Professional Model. It's a shooter.

 

[BrianEM]

The best 6.5 Creed is a .260 Rem or a 6.5x284...

I'm no youngster, but I have a good friend I would consider "old school" that builds hunting rifles and hunts with them. Every time I tell him I'm looking at a 6.5 CM he says" what do ya want that for? 260 rem is the way to go " and he follows with the reasons why.
I can't argue , but I don't reload, and 6.5 CM seems to be the flavor of the times with cartridge manufacturers. I do think the 6.5 CM factory ammo is inherently and "easily" accurate, giving up some velocity compared to the 260Rem. But factory 6.5 cm ammo used with modern sub $1k factory rifles, IMO, bang for buck, provides results unattainable by the average shooter 20 years ago, even 10.

Anyways, regarding the OP, I'm still doing homework but I can land a left hand Tikka 24" stainless 6.5cm for seven and a half all in, it's getting close. Not just about the coin, I just like to see how much more I can do with less. Now all I need is quality high power glass that weighs less than 20oz for the same money

 

[rgvt4]

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.

Well said sir. And thank you for your service.

 

[jraulsten]

I'm no youngster, but I have a good friend I would consider "old school" that builds hunting rifles and hunts with them. Every time I tell him I'm looking at a 6.5 CM he says" what do ya want that for? 260 rem is the way to go " and he follows with the reasons why.
I can't argue , but I don't reload, and 6.5 CM seems to be the flavor of the times with cartridge manufacturers. I do think the 6.5 CM factory ammo is inherently and "easily" accurate, giving up some velocity compared to the 260Rem. But factory 6.5 cm ammo used with modern sub $1k factory rifles, IMO, bang for buck, provides results unattainable by the average shooter 20 years ago, even 10.

Anyways, regarding the OP, I'm still doing homework but I can land a left hand Tikka 24" stainless 6.5cm for seven and a half all in, it's getting close. Not just about the coin, I just like to see how much more I can do with less. Now all I need is quality high power glass that weighs less than 20oz for the same money

I just had the opportunity to shoot a friend's Tikka. I believe it was a TX3 (or T3X?) CTR SS with a 24" barrel in 6.5 CM. Didn't ask his exact loads but it was Hornady brass, H4350, 143 ELD-X and CCI large rifle primers. Worst 5 shot group was just over .5 and that was because of my poor trigger pulling in the beginning. 3 more groups were .3 to low .4. Only thing I didn't care for was the trigger, but I'm sure that can be fixed. Seems hard to beat for the price but I want to shoot a few more brands before I buy anything. If all the new ones shoot this well it's going to be a hard decision!

 

[whirlwindjml]

My first bolt gun is a tikka m695 338 win mag. It shoots real nice (if I can hold on). Gives a free neck adjustment too.

I think most of the newer production guns can shoot better than most of us can shoot. The don't all get the TCL of a custom but tikka is an example of a smooth gun most people success with.
The smooth bolt cycle on my m695 always impressed me.

 

[BrianEM]

I just had the opportunity to shoot a friend's Tikka. I believe it was a TX3 (or T3X?) CTR SS Only thing I didn't care for was the trigger, but I'm sure that can be fixed. Seems hard to beat for the price but I want to shoot a few more brands before I buy anything. If all the new ones shoot this well it's going to be a hard decision!

I'm probably not seasoned enough to notice ,and with your sub .5 groups sounding stellar, what was is your opinion of the trigger?. Great shooting BTW. I'd be happy with half that with factory ammo.