Deer rifle help

[SavingNolanRyan]

I have never shot a 6.5CM but it appears to have a lot of support. I thought ~.260/6.5mm was more of a deer rifle caliber but it would appear that this round is more capable for the bigger game. With its wide ammo availability (non Covid times), is this round more of an all around cartridge along the lines of .30-06 or more of a hard hitting/long range deer cartridge? I have heard all about the 6.5x55 SE and how popular in Europe for decades. Suddenly I seem to be searching for 6.5CM....LOL where is the bandwagon so I can jump on.

 

[Dibbs]

I have done well with my Browning X-Bolt, in 30.06. Likes 180 grain Ammo. As others have stated, you really couldn't go wrong, with most of the gear on your list.

As to wood VS polymer stocks, polymer is more practical, and less prone to exposure to
weather and humidity. But you're going to be looking at that rifle, for a long time, and wood
is also very popular.

 

[illinoisburt]

Just curious but how is a bolt action 6.5 not legal for deer hunting?

Depends where people live. Some states are shotgun, muzzleloader, and handgun only (like Illinois). Others expanded to allow handgun cartridges in rifles (the straight-wall states). Still other states have areas divided up where regular centerfire bottleneck cartridges are allowed in some counties or on private land, but not on public land or certain "shotgun zones". Some places say no semi-autos or Sunday hunting either. Pretty much all east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon line. Rules are still evolving. Whenever it does get standardized, I suspect hunters will dump all the various platforms and we'll end up nothing but ARs and bolt guns for big game.

 

[brewer12345]

Whenever it does get standardized, I suspect hunters will dump all the various platforms and we'll end up nothing but ARs and bolt guns for big game.

I dunno. I can hunt with about anything I like in rifle season here. I use an AR and a bolt, but levers as well, with cartridges that include straight wall and bottlenecked. Hunt muzzleloader seasons as well. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[AK Hunter]

Just curious but how is a bolt action 6.5 not legal for deer hunting?

That's the mixed up (I could call it something else but it would get me in trouble) hunting regulations we have here in Indiana.
The 6.5 CM is not legal on public land. Since I don't own a plantation I have to hunt the land I'm aloud to hunt & that's just what public land I can find that the other hunters haven't killed everything.

Depends where people live. Some states are shotgun, muzzleloader, and handgun only (like Illinois). Others expanded to allow handgun cartridges in rifles (the straight-wall states). Still other states have areas divided up where regular centerfire bottleneck cartridges are allowed in some counties or on private land, but not on public land or certain "shotgun zones". Some places say no semi-autos or Sunday hunting either. Pretty much all east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon line. Rules are still evolving. Whenever it does get standardized, I suspect hunters will dump all the various platforms and we'll end up nothing but ARs and bolt guns for big game.

That's a rule I never understand (No Sunday hunting) it's not here, but what is it, do deer need to go to church?? LOL
Most of us have dumped other rifles to go to the AR. I will be hunting with the new 350 Legend this season. I had been hunting with a .300 Blk AR pistol because of the hunting regs say the .300 Blk pistol is legal but the .300 Blk rifle is not. Now the 350 legend is legal & has more power than the .300 Blk rifle that is illegal on public land. See what I mean about the F***ed up rules.

 

[horsey300]

I have never shot a 6.5CM but it appears to have a lot of support. I thought ~.260/6.5mm was more of a deer rifle caliber but it would appear that this round is more capable for the bigger game. With its wide ammo availability (non Covid times), is this round more of an all around cartridge along the lines of .30-06 or more of a hard hitting/long range deer cartridge? I have heard all about the 6.5x55 SE and how popular in Europe for decades. Suddenly I seem to be searching for 6.5CM....LOL where is the bandwagon so I can jump on.

Ask yourself if you'd kill animal xyz with a .270, if yes, then a 6.5 or 7-08 will be just fine with similar parameters.

 

[Edcnh]

I also have a Browning X-Bolt, in 30-06, which shoots great with 180 grain loads. If I was to pick a new hunting rifle today I would go with either .308 or .270. Both could be used on larger game such as elk.

 

[film495]

go to some local gun shops and hold several, work the actions and - you may stumble on ones that you might not consider otherwise

 

[Aim1]

Something you might want to consider is a gun that comes with a pre-threaded barrel for a suppressor.

I bought a Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .300 Blackout that comes manufactured with a threaded barrel and cap. I do use a suppressor on mine.


If Trump is re-elected and the HPA (Hearing Protection Act) becomes law you may want to add a suppressor to it and that is a ton of fun. Also, if that happens the price of suppressors should come down as more companies produce them.

The RARR is a great rifle for a low price btw, I think I got mine for $400 new at Cabelas on sale.

 

[Nature Boy]

Just curious but how is a bolt action 6.5 not legal for deer hunting?

The Creed is just too powerful. One shot is likely to cut a good size deer completely in two

 

[redneck2]

The Creed is just too powerful. One shot is likely to cut a good size deer completely in two

Then, does my 7 mag cut them in three?

Asking the original question is kinda like saying “I need a car. What should I get?” You’ll get a thousand answers and in the end it’s a personal decision based as much on emotion versus logic

As several have noted, I’d focus on the scope (ha....I made a funny).

FWIW, if you buy one really nice rifle that’s accurate and has a really nice scope it should handle anything in the 48

As much as I’m a wood and blued steel guy, mine is synthetic strictly due to weather resistance

Browning, Weatherby, Winchester, Tikka, CZ. I’d take any one and not give it a second thought

 

[Hookeye]

Handguns and rifles in Indiana go by cartridge specs.
Less than 1% of the deer harvest is by handguns.
While many rifle cartridges meet the handgun spec, the kill data doesn't differentiate between revolvers, autoloaders or specialty pistols.
The latter normally wearing an extended eye relief scope...........which means they are not deployed same as HP rifles.

Ever shot a specialty pistol w an EER? You aint gonna jump a buck and pop him on the trot super easy like you can w a long gun (scoped or not).

And most folks spending the time and money to hunt, aren't going to screw around with a handgun (most aint very good with long guns from what I've seen).
Handguns for most, would be a hefty handicap.

And if they're already hunting public land.........

Used to be Indiana was bow, shotgun and muzzleloader.
Then came pistols.
Then came pistol caliber rifles.
and under some test period..........HP rifles (for private land).

Yeah it took a while, incremented slowly.

So what?

Quit complaining and just buy what you need.

FWIW before the HP rifle test period, 35 remingtons trimmed to PCR spec were popular.
I reckon most deer are shot under 150 yards.
So a reg .44 mag should be good for the avg NImrod
Private and public land legal too.

 

[Hookeye]

It aint just the cartridge........its the platform and amount of people using them.
Like I said........less than 1% of Indiana's deer are taken w handgun.
Could kind of call it a specialists tool.
Esp those chambered in rifle cartridges.

 

[Hookeye]

If one had watched how IN got HP rifles for private land use..........they would have seen that it's more people management than deer management.
A lot of folks are not shooters or hunters.
And there was butthurt in the IDNR over the legislature passing it.
Think second yr (after a clarification by the legislature) the DNR tried to pull a fast one, that ignored context. It was resolved before season.
Too many supposed hunters in state forums couldn't see it for the obvious nonsense it was.

Which brings me back to the people management thing.
Most folks aint bright and an orange cap in NOV doesn't change that.

The HP rifle allowance had other "limits" that were disposed of before becoming law.
Dunno if those limits out of ignorance or just politics.

Its liveable as is............but the test period was extended due to need for data.

 

[zdc1775]

That's the mixed up (I could call it something else but it would get me in trouble) hunting regulations we have here in Indiana.
The 6.5 CM is not legal on public land. Since I don't own a plantation I have to hunt the land I'm aloud to hunt & that's just what public land I can find that the other hunters haven't killed everything.

That's a rule I never understand (No Sunday hunting) it's not here, but what is it, do deer need to go to church?? LOL
Most of us have dumped other rifles to go to the AR. I will be hunting with the new 350 Legend this season. I had been hunting with a .300 Blk AR pistol because of the hunting regs say the .300 Blk pistol is legal but the .300 Blk rifle is not. Now the 350 legend is legal & has more power than the .300 Blk rifle that is illegal on public land. See what I mean about the F***ed up rules.

Makes sense, not really but legally speaking, when you say your in Indiana. I saw AK Hunter and assumed you were in Alaska, that is were my confusion came from.

 

[Hookeye]

While IN has some less than streamilined gear regulations.....we can use a semi auto on Sunday.

Just sayin it aint all bad

My buddy popped a couple w .458 socom AR. But has gone back to bolt and lever rigs.

When PCR was first legal I used a .44 mag Ruger fingergroove.

Only real semi auto id like to hunt w besides that.....HK770. Never shot one and they be pricey

 

[zdc1775]

While IN has some less than streamilined gear regulations.....we can use a semi auto on Sunday.

Just sayin it aint all bad

At least there is some progress. Here I can hunt deer using any centerfire caliber in any non full-auto configuration, or bow, or air rifle over 30 caliber, or muzzle loader over 40 caliber on any day of the week. Well at least I can on any private or public land except Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. There it's only bows and flintlocks and no Sundays.

Only real semi auto id like to hunt w besides that.....HK770. Never shot one and they be pricey

That does look like a very nice rifle.

 

[alsaqr]

If i desired a new deer rifle, which i don't, my choice would be the short action CZ 557 rifle. The short action CZ 557 rifle comes in calibers .243, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308. The long action version comes in 6.5X55, .270 and .30-06.

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-557-american/