Buy, build, or upgrade 6.5 caliber hunter?

[denton]

There are any number of rifle and optics combinations that will meet your needs.

+1 on the comments about the uselessness of a 10 round mag. If you get just one decent follow-up shot, you'll be lucky.

A 1-4x scope gives very fast target acquisition. In my case, I opted for a fixed 3x because it's lighter and more rugged than the zoom models. That scope is almost painfully bright. I've never tried it in twilight, but it has to be excellent. And that's when you see a lot of deer.

There are any number of chamberings that will meet your needs. I'd probably be looking at something like 7mm08 if it were me. The recoil is very bearable, and it is adequate for anything in North America except the big bears. Get something you can enjoy taking to the range just for the fun of it. If you don't practice, you won't be very good with it.

Stainless guns look nicer longer than blued, and that's a plus. But if you maintain a blued gun properly, it's not going to rust.

Good luck!

 

[salt&battery]

There are any number of rifle and optics combinations that will meet your needs.

+1 on the comments about the uselessness of a 10 round mag. If you get just one decent follow-up shot, you'll be lucky.

A 1-4x scope gives very fast target acquisition. In my case, I opted for a fixed 3x because it's lighter and more rugged than the zoom models. That scope is almost painfully bright. I've never tried it in twilight, but it has to be excellent. And that's when you see a lot of deer.

There are any number of chamberings that will meet your needs. I'd probably be looking at something like 7mm08 if it were me. The recoil is very bearable, and it is adequate for anything in North America except the big bears. Get something you can enjoy taking to the range just for the fun of it. If you don't practice, you won't be very good with it.

Stainless guns look nicer longer than blued, and that's a plus. But if you maintain a blued gun properly, it's not going to rust.

Good luck!

who makes a fixed 3X scope. don't think I ever saw one

 

[denton]

who makes a fixed 3X scope. don't think I ever saw one

Nikon, Zeiss, Vortex. Not as well known as the zoom models, but very bright, light, and rugged. Enjoy mine on my AR15.

 

[LoonWulf]

^ i shoulda grabbed one of the 3x nikon carbine scope when they were on closeout here at walmart they were about 100 bucks. I played with a guys gun at the range later who had one and i REALLY liked it.

 

[Offfhand]

The Remington Model-Seven does not come with 10 round magazine. Other than that, the stainless version in .260 Rem. caliber is exactly what you specify and would be perfect for your needs.

 

[RPRNY]

Cartridge: 7mm-08. Gives you a good deal of flexibility and somewhat less recoil than a 308. What would really suit your needs given the area that you intend to hunt is a 30-30 lever gun. With the Hornady Leverevolution ammo it's a 200 yard rifle (though in the Adirondacks you will almost never have more than 100 yard shot), handy, lightweight, and a Marlin with an aperture sight is about ideal (allows scoping if you change your mind on that). But since your starting point is a 10 round SWAT rifle of some kind, I realize getting you to a lever gun is a bridge too far...

Rifle: T/C Venture Weathershield 22" Extremely accurate. Light enough. 22" barrel manageable. Weather resistant. Adjustable trigger. No iron sights though.
Here's one for $476 (nothing to do with me): http://www.gunbroker.com/item/644939315