New Rifle Purchase Decision

[Louisiana Reloader]

I have had several CA rifles and they have all performed with no issues, so much so that the three I have owned were all sold to friends that came to Montana hunting hunting with me and used them. They then purchased them from me as a result. I will have another one soon as I now have a hole to fill since the last one was sold. Maybe I just got lucky but I don't think so. Every manufacturer has issues at one time or another. I think you should go to a LGS and pick up as many rifles as you can get your hands on and buy the one that fits you. When you shoulder it it feels good in your hands, it comes up with a good sight picture down the barrel. My personal favorite is Gunwerks. It was once a dream of mine to own one and luckily for me I was able to swing it not only once but twice now. I would love to buy another one but I am not sure if I will get that fortunate. They are super expensive but they feel great to me, shoot lights out and I know when I pull the trigger I get the results I want. I bought a Tikka T3 Lite for a buddy's son and took it out and sighted it in. I put a couple of boxes down the tube before sending it off to him. It was a nice handling rifle and shot very well. I think for the money they are a very nice rifle.
Good Luck with your quest!

I agree on the Gunwerks rifles. I don't own one but I would love too and all the information I have read about them and how they are set-up puts them at the top of the pack for me. Pricey, but you get what you pay for. I would love to have one in 6.5 PRC some day.

 

[txaggie1]

I see your point and I agree. I just wanted the PRC for a little more power and a little flatter trajectory. Plus I am a reloader and I wanted to tailor and build some nice loads for the PRC. Since I have (3) 25-06's, I wanted something with more punch so I stepped up to the PRC.

You will find the prc to be a great choice, catch brass when it's cheap and people aren't paying loaded ammo prices for it and you'll be fine! LOL - i own prc, rpm and 264 enjoy them all they will never have 26 nosler or 6.5-300 weatherby velocities but the dead animals didn't know much difference!

270's are also another very accurate caliber with similar punch. Only step up would be the wsm or wby to stretch out if your chasing speed.

It's really hard to go wrong with anything in that range and taylor a load to your likes. Yet I go back to you will enjoy the prc, i've had 3 rifles now down to 1 all factory rifles and ammo and all shot half inch groups.

 

[Allen Kitts]

I agree on the Gunwerks rifles. I don't own one but I would love too and all the information I have read about them and how they are set-up puts them at the top of the pack for me. Pricey, but you get what you pay for. I would love to have one in 6.5 PRC some day.

I have a ClymR in a 6.5 PRC and its a real sweetie to shoot.

 

[Upsidedownjack]

I recently shot (at a Bergara Experience) the new B-14 Crest in 6.5CM: was very impressed with it for being a fairly light rifle. I have two other Bergara B-14's, all are sub-MOA rifles (with reloads).
I don't know if Bergara makes LH rifles, if they do that would be an excellent option for the money.

I also have a Bergara, but in the HMR-PRO. 300 WM! Some like the Bergara, some don't! Makes no Difference to me! I have never owned a Weaterbeeee, nor a Christian, Takta, or many of the Others. Have owned Rem 700 270, Winchester 70 300 WM. Both, have shot "well" ! But the HMR-PRO 300 WM shoots WAY BETTER THAN BOTH OF THE Firearm befor!
the Gun and a 50 yd small bore "reduced" for 50 Feet, shot at 100 YDS. With less than 100 rds out of the gun!

 

[BCC72]

I am a lefty that requires a left handed rifle. I currently have lefty Browning BARs (300WM and 270Win) and a Browning BLR (300WSM). I would like to get a lefty bolt action for long ranges on the range but that would also be a good hunting rifle.
I would use the rifle for Muleys and smaller. I am thinking 6.5 Creedmore or 6.5 PRC (although I wonder if 6.5 PRC is to much overlap with my 270win?). Generally I have always looked at rifles as a pure tool, always hit what I aim at with what I have. So this is a new direction for me.

Given the relatively low number of options I am thinking Christensen Arms Ridgeline or Ridgeline titanium, Weatherby Mark V Apex or Fierce Carbon Edge? With Fierce is there enough of a difference in performance between the Rival 2 lug action and the Triad 3 lug action that I should spec one over the other?

All thoughts are welcome on the three makers I am thinking about or others in the same price range I should consider? Ideally I would like to keep rifle and optics to no more than $5k.

I made the change to LH rifles last year (I am left handed).
I had shot RH as I felt it more comfortable but was always left eye dominant.
When I got a new F-class setup with a 3 way adjustable stock, I tuned it for LH and it made me more comfortable.
I owned Christensen and Weatherby in RH (still own a couple) and had fantastic results with both companies so I stuck with them when I sold my RH guns and bought LH versions.
Caliber choices are tough for LH guns. I have 257wby (changed 25-06), 6.5-300wby (changed from 6.5-284Norma), 280ai (had 280ai), and two 338RPM's in the Weatherby's. All the Weatherbys are variants of the BC 2.0 family. I also have a 340wby I kept in RH.
In the Christensen , I have the Ridgeline FFT's 7-08 (had a 7-08 Wby) and 7mmPRC.
ALL the above rifles shoot sub MOA and a few sub half MOA with factory loads which was fantastic as I'm so busy, trying time to load is difficult.
As for caliber, I would consider that 6.5PRC over the 6.5CM more for wind bucking if you're hunting Muley's in the Coulies and plains.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

As anyone can see, the OP,s choice is almost limitless. So many excellent factory rifles to consider. We all root for our respective teams, but really all are great. All of them are capable of 1 MOA or better, and most of them are offered in 6.5 Creed; or 6.5 PRC; or 6.5 RPM , or 270 Win. This is really great time to be looking to buy or build or even customize and re barrel a rifle. Great triggers and excellent barrels to choose from. The more I follow this thread the more I think I need a 6.5 LR target Rifle. I happy hunting with both my 270 Win, and my 270 Weatherby mag. But as Larry Potterfield always says, "At least one more!!"

 

[C416R]

I am a lefty that requires a left handed rifle. I currently have lefty Browning BARs (300WM and 270Win) and a Browning BLR (300WSM). I would like to get a lefty bolt action for long ranges on the range but that would also be a good hunting rifle.
I would use the rifle for Muleys and smaller. I am thinking 6.5 Creedmore or 6.5 PRC (although I wonder if 6.5 PRC is to much overlap with my 270win?). Generally I have always looked at rifles as a pure tool, always hit what I aim at with what I have. So this is a new direction for me.

Given the relatively low number of options I am thinking Christensen Arms Ridgeline or Ridgeline titanium, Weatherby Mark V Apex or Fierce Carbon Edge? With Fierce is there enough of a difference in performance between the Rival 2 lug action and the Triad 3 lug action that I should spec one over the other?

All thoughts are welcome on the three makers I am thinking about or others in the same price range I should consider? Ideally I would like to keep rifle and optics to no more than $5k.

Christensen is a hit or miss. Have several buds purchased one. Over half of the rifles had chamber issues. Stocks are sub par for sure. It's a entry level semi-custom.
Out of the group listed above, Weatherby.
Otherwise go Custom.
Alamo precision rifles has good selection from basic to as custom as you desire.

 

[Louisiana Reloader]

You will find the prc to be a great choice, catch brass when it's cheap and people aren't paying loaded ammo prices for it and you'll be fine! LOL - i own prc, rpm and 264 enjoy them all they will never have 26 nosler or 6.5-300 weatherby velocities but the dead animals didn't know much difference!

270's are also another very accurate caliber with similar punch. Only step up would be the wsm or wby to stretch out if your chasing speed.

It's really hard to go wrong with anything in that range and taylor a load to your likes. Yet I go back to you will enjoy the prc, i've had 3 rifles now down to 1 all factory rifles and ammo and all shot half inch groups.

I hear you and thanks for the response. I love to reload and I lucked up this past January and found some 6.5 PRC Lapua brass at Precision Shooters Supply and I bought 500 pcs so I am good to go on brass. I have several good powders that work well; however I've yet to get my hands on any RL26, which according to Hornady and Nosler reloading manuals provide the highest velocity. So far my most accurate load happens to be the fastest and I am pushing a Hornady 143gr ELD-X an average of 3,026 fps. That load is 60.5grs of RL25; Fed 210M primers; Lapua brass bumped back .002" at the shoulders; 24" barrel at 1:8 twist. The reloading manuals show higher velocity; however that data is with a 26" barrel. I am pleased with the velocity and accuracy I am getting from that load. And I agree with you—dead is dead even if you don't match the top velocities in the reloading manuals. I have beat them in some cases; however I can't with my 6.5 PRC. Thanks for the info and response.

 

[Mike Matteson]

The comment about democraps, is because that seems to be the way they think, having one collective brain

I'll go a long with that. Learn to use a righthand bolt. I've been left hand all my life, and the Dem have their heads stuck in the mudd. That's why they can't see.

 

[Buttermilk]

Browning X-Bolt HCLR McM. 28 Nosler. Mine is accurate.

Matrix 175 VLD @ 3025 fps and also shoots the Hornady 166 A-Tip at just over 3300 fps accurately as well.

Lefty here too.

 

[Mike Matteson]

I am left handed too. Have owned everything from 22RF to 460 Bee in Left Hand. Have also owned at least one, and in the case of Remington, Sako, Tikka, Weatherby and Savage many versions, of every make that produces left hand rifles off the shelf. Pretty much everyone one was good to great. Some took a little more work than others to get to the accuracy I wanted. Any gun I couldn't get to 1/2 MOA got sold, but there were very few that I ever had to sell for that reason. I never found on that I couldn't get to at least 1 MOA. Of the ones you listed, I would pick the Weatherby. Fierce that are still made in Canada are a good rifle, the ones made after the move, I don't care for. I would also avoid Bergara.

If you are open to custom there is a whole other world of options. My main hunting rifle for many years, is a Melvin Forbes made NULA in 308 that he built for me about 20 years ago. Total weight with Swaro Z5 3.5x18x44, sling and 4 in the mag is 6.1 LBs. Up close for dangerous game, Marlin in 45-70 and a Ruger Stainless Guide gun in 375 Ruger. For Long distance hunting, depending on the game, I have a K.S. Arms built 338-378, a Factory Remington 7 RUM plus a Weatherby Ultra Light in 257 Bee. All are Devcon bedded, and using tailored reloads, all will consistently shoot 1/2 MOA. The only factory rifles I have re-barrelled are due to wearing out the original, and some Savage and Remington actions I used to build stuff on.

For about $2,500 U.S., K.S. Arms will build you a tremendous long range rifle in left hand and any chambering you can think of. They have everything in place to ship to the States. Hope this helps.

K.S. ARMS LTD

K.S. Arms is a family owned business located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1991. We manufacture our own premium cut-rifled barrels and custom actions, as well as offer re-barreling services & custom full rifle builds. We offer & ship our products all over the world!

www.ksarms.com

I agree on the rifles that you have to figure out what needs to be done to shoot a good group. It may take some work, but most of the rifles I have reload for, I could get grouping in the 1/2" area. Only one, and that I feel was because it was the stock.(plastic) I had to take out a bunch out of forarm to releave the pressure on the barrel. it was grouping in the 2+" before I started to work it over. Got it down to under an 1" @ 100yds. My friend was happy with it after that. I wasn't.
I generally bed the action and float the barrel. That seem most of the time gets it to shoot. Replace the trigger too. Reload the ammo for it.
Oh forgot a 300WBY Mag Auto loader. He sold it and we got him a 7mm Rem Mag. In a few trips to the range we got it down to under 1/2" @ 100yds. He got his first elk that year.

 

[JungleBoogey]

Why is that someone ask for opinions, and if the opinions don't agree with yours they must not own one, or never shot one, or don't even shoot. Sounds like a bunch of democraps tell us what we think

Talking about opinions... I don't understand and never will... why must party politics always come up in a non political "guns" conversation in a forum. Seems like it's similiar to talking about the weather... if you don't have anything intelligent to add to a conversation... bring up the weather.
I am a "democrap" as you so "tactfully" put it. Albeit an extremely conservative one... equivelent I suppose to a "liberalized Repuke". I'm a 10 year Army Vet, a 26 year retired DAC, a Hunter, a Hunting instructor, an Angler. I own 8 rifles and a shotgun (Blaser, Tikka, Weatherby, Mossberg among them and 3 handguns... and I hunt weekly... mostly in the European theater (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic) and of course the U.S whenever possible. I am also a long time NRA member. I'm true to myself, I have a mind of my own and unlike some "Repukes" I know, I vote my own concious which does not necessarily always match my party's viewpoints. So at what point does my political viewpoint enter into a conversation about guns on a forum... never! Why should it? So why not keep those "opinions" about Democrats off the page and stop lumping us all together... it gets old and Trump is gone for now. I manage to do that about my "Republican" friends... they are just "my friends" and we all get along together...

 

[Lee7588]

Talking about opinions... I don't understand and never will... why must party politics always come up in a non political "guns" conversation in a forum. Seems like it's similiar to talking about the weather... if you don't have anything intelligent to add to a conversation... bring up the weather.
I am a "democrap" as you so "tactfully" put it. Albeit an extremely conservative one... equivelent I suppose to a "liberalized Repuke". I'm a 10 year Army Vet, a 26 year retired DAC, a Hunter, a Hunting instructor, an Angler. I own 8 rifles and a shotgun (Blaser, Tikka, Weatherby, Mossberg among them and 3 handguns... and I hunt weekly... mostly in the European theater (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic) and of course the U.S whenever possible. I am also a long time NRA member. I'm true to myself, I have a mind of my own and unlike some "Repukes" I know, I vote my own concious which does not necessarily always match my party's viewpoints. So at what point does my political viewpoint enter into a conversation about guns on a forum... never! Why should it? So why not keep those "opinions" about Democrats off the page and stop lumping us all together... it gets old and Trump is gone for now. I manage to do that about my "Republican" friends... they are just "my friends" and we all get along together...

I said that because it seems as if someone who doesn't agree with another opinion or thoughts even though they have no knowledge of their own treats other like democraps do. My guess is you are probably what I refer to as an old school Democrat not the new democraps (socialist agenda). If you would like to know my political opinions I will be happy to share them with you. As far as a political view point when talking about guns, guns are one of the biggest political points in US politics. But you being in Germany I wouldn't expect you to keep up with US politics as much. With your comment about Trump, I think you are insinuating that I would be voting for him. I don't believe he is the correct person for the job this time around. As for previously he did a awesome.job financially for the country, world relations were good, and job markets were great.

 

[floyd kittrell]

I am left Eye dominant and am a 30cal kinda hunting guy, If I was buying or building another rifle to shoot what ever you call long range from the bench and for hunting, I would consider the 28 Nosler twisted and throated for the 175 grain bullet of your choice with at least a 26" barrel . That will be my next build . If you are wanting a 6.5 , I would skip over the 6.5 Creedmoor, which I own one that is a 1 hole rifle, and go to the hottest 6.5 I could buy or have built. Barrels burn out and barrels are replaceable. Also spend some money on a real, reapeatable scope. JMHO.