Help pick accurate hunting rifle

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I see a lot of bolt rifle owners unloading their rifles by chambering and ejecting every round....some with gusto.

Yeah, they need an extra layer of safety because theyre freakin clueless.

I learned the bump n flip on my 660 at age 12. No need to crank em in and out to get empty
 
Hookeye said:
I see a lot of bolt rifle owners unloading their rifles by chambering and ejecting every round....some with gusto.

Yeah, they need an extra layer of safety because theyre freakin clueless.

I learned the bump n flip on my 660 at age 12. No need to crank em in and out to get empty
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Agreed, but lets all be honest here the average hunter out there has no clue that there is a risk of "gusto clearing their magazine." Some even do it in their own home in preparation for hunting without any concern as long as their finger is off the trigger. Stuck firing pins do happen, especially with those who don't maintain their rifles very well.

I don't even like unchambering and chambering a round in my carry gun in my house each day so it goes directly into my nightstand safe in it's holster ready for the next day.

Good on your dad or whomever taught you at 12 to be concerned with such things. There always is a safe way of performing operations.
 
troy fairweather said:
Check out the mauser m18 a lot of fun for the money, plus 5 shot moa guaranty.
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The local Murdochs has a 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC M18 in stock and this is a lot of rifle for the money at only $500. It checks many of the boxes for me and if Mauser offered the M18 in stainless steel I'd probably buy three. There's so much to like about the M18. Great action, three-position safety with a bolt lock, easy bolt lift, 60 degree bolt throw, great stock that feels high quality, good barrel profile, hammer forged barrel, excellent adjustable trigger, and a good quality double stack magazine. I only have four minor issues with the M18. The muzzle isn't threaded (can be corrected), the rifle is CrMo (Cerakote?), the magazine release button in the stock is quirky (but could be great), and there's no adjustable comb (can be corrected). Overall I see why @troy fairweather has recommended these rifles a number of times. I couldn't find any information on barrel twist rate on Mauser's webpage but hopefully they get it right.

I handled a Sako S20 6.5 PRC today too and it's a beauty. The stock and the barrel were a bit of a let down but it sure is a nice rifle.
 
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MCMXI said:
My local Murdochs has a 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC M18 in stock and this is a lot of rifle for the money at only $500. It checks many of the boxes for me and if Mauser offered the M18 in stainless steel I'd probably buy three. There's so much to like about the M18. Great action, three-position safety with a bolt lock, easy bolt lift, 60 degree bolt throw, great stock that feels high quality, good barrel profile, hammer forged barrel, excellent adjustable trigger, and a good quality double stack magazine. I only have four minor issues with the M18. The muzzle isn't threaded (can be corrected), the rifle is CrMo (Cerakote?), the magazine release button in the stock is quirky (but could be great), and there's no adjustable comb (can be corrected). Overall I see why @troy fairweather has recommended these rifles a number of times. I couldn't find any information on barrel twist rate on Mauser's webpage but hopefully they get it right.

I handled a Sako S20 6.5 PRC today too and it's a beauty. The stock and the barrel were a bit of a let down but it sure is a nice rifle.
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There blued, mauser does threaded barrel but not in the us, they have 2 other models a semi target with the comb the other is a woods carbine with sights. 6.5 barrels are 1-8.66"

They have stainless to but don't sell them here, I hope the start bringing more over the one with the sights I'd really like. A stainless I'd like as well. Can't remember the new models names there German

I happen to like the mag release on these, it works well. Like all dbm I wish it had a lock.
for some reason mauser does hot blue on the barrel and looks like nitrate bluing on the action, it's hard whatever it is.

I like the idea of the storage in the butt stock but would rather a normal butt, the lop is just at the max for me. I like 13 1/4 -13 1/2 think it's 14" but you can't really make it shorter.

fingers crossed for them to send some 7x64 or 9.3x62 over here.

Looking now I see there making a chassis rifle, I like the looks of it.
https://www.mauser.com/en/mauser-18/mauser-18.html
 
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d2wing said:
Don't bolt actions have a catch to stop the bolt from sliding out on it's own? It never occurred to me that this was a problem. AM I missing something?
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That’s my question. I’ve used bolt rifles for about sixty years. We could not deer hunt with rifles until just a few years ago, but I’ve done Prairie dogs, groundhog, and a lot of target shooting.

Unless there’s an issue with the bolt stop, I can’t see the bolt falling out. I’ve sold my 700’s but IIRC you have to depress the release that’s inside the trigger guard ahead of the trigger.

I read the explanation from Loon Wolf and I guess it makes sense. I’ve never messed with a gun much other than adjusting trigger pull.
 
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troy fairweather said:
They have stainless to but don't sell them here, I hope the start bringing more over the one with the sights I'd really like. A stainless I'd like as well.
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Oh yes ... I'd really like one or more of these. I've never owned a .30-06 Sprg. but always wanted one. Actually, I'd like one of everything they chamber it for assuming 1:10 for the .30 cals. This would be a great set of hunting rifles.

.223 Rem., .308 Win., .30-06 Spring., 6,5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win. Mag.

https://www.mauser.com/en/mauser-18/mauser-18-stainless.html

mauser_m18_sst_01.jpg
 
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gotboostvr said:
I was just about sure I wanted a Tikka T3x Lite, but the more I look at those Mausers...
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Tikka makes a great rifle and I like the one I have, but I'm with you. If the stainless models become available in the US I'm definitely going to buy a few and they would knock Tikka off my wish list. That said, I would be happy with rifles from either manufacturer since both are getting so much right these days. If I were looking for a 6.5 CM stainless hunting rifle today I would absolutely buy the Tikka T3x ... no question. I know I go on about .30 cal twist rates but it's important to me and the bullets I shoot in the environment I shoot them so any .30 cal Tikka would need a rebarrel.
 
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MCMXI said:
Tikka makes a great rifle and I like the one I have, but I'm with you. If the stainless models become available in the US I'm definitely going to buy a few and they would knock Tikka off my wish list. That said, I would be happy with rifles from either manufacturer since both are getting so much right these days. If I were looking for a 6.5 CM stainless hunting rifle today I would absolutely buy the Tikka T3x ... no question. I know I go on about .30 cal twist rates but it's important to me and the bullets I shoot in the environment I shoot them so any .30 cal Tikka would need a rebarrel.
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Speaking of twist rates, 270Win is one of the cartridges I'm interested in and it looks like the M18 in 270Win may have a 1:9 twist which would be nice for some of the newer VLD type bullets for the 270. It's hard to be mad about at least.

The weights in a good place for a hunting rifle and the stock looks nice, and is reportedly pretty solid compared to others in the same price range. The action has a lot of nice features too. The only thing is I wish it had another 2-4" of barrel, but it's not a deal breaker.
 
South Prairie Jim said:
Where did you find that twist rate information?
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You can download the 2019 catatlog here that mentions some twist rates. I don't know if Mauser made any changes for 2020 but @troy fairweather mentioned the 1:8.7 twist for the 6.5 CM which is consistent with the 6.5x55 twist shown below. It seems highly likely that the 6.5 PRC has the same 1:8.7 twist. The two 6.5 PRC Proof barrels I'm picking up soon have a 1:7.5 twist. I simply don't understand why a manufacturer doesn't do some freakin' research and provide appropriate twist rates. :confused:

https://www.mauser.com/en/mauser-18/mauser-18.html

mauser_m18_twist.jpg
 
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MCMXI said:
You can download the 2019 catatlog here that mentions some twist rates. I don't know if Mauser made any changes for 2020 but @troy fairweather mentioned the 1:8.7 twist for the 6.5 CM which is consistent with the 6.5x55 twist shown below. It seems highly likely that the 6.5 PRC has the same 1:8.7 twist. The two 6.5 PRC Proof barrels I'm picking up soon have a 1:7.5 twist. I simply don't understand why a manufacturer doesn't do some freakin' research and provide appropriate twist rates. :confused:

https://www.mauser.com/en/mauser-18/mauser-18.html

View attachment 961983
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I have the prc.
 
MCMXI said:
Tikka makes a great rifle and I like the one I have, but I'm with you. If the stainless models become available in the US I'm definitely going to buy a few and they would knock Tikka off my wish list. That said, I would be happy with rifles from either manufacturer since both are getting so much right these days. If I were looking for a 6.5 CM stainless hunting rifle today I would absolutely buy the Tikka T3x ... no question. I know I go on about .30 cal twist rates but it's important to me and the bullets I shoot in the environment I shoot them so any .30 cal Tikka would need a rebarrel.
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The stainless is here. I just bought one.
 
MCMXI said:
I know ... and it shoots well for you. :) I might want to shoot the 153gr A-TIP Match from Hornady in my PRC so the 1:7.5 makes me all warm and fuzzy.
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I originally bought the m18 without doing enough research. I use assumed it had a 1-8. After i ordered it i found the catalog that listed 8.66 and wasnt sure if it would stabilize the 147s.

I wouldnt mind getting another one, i liked the rifle.....not sure what id get it in right now tho.
 
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