Help pick accurate hunting rifle

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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

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Hmm I'd looked around their website and hadn't seen that.

Those are all a little slower than I'd like.

I might go 7mm RemMag, but even that twist is a little slow.

Although considering I'm looking for a rifle for coyotes and deer, not Elk and bear the twists should be fine.
 
For a standard hunting rifle shooting standard hunting bullets they should all be fine.
Im not thrilled with the slower twists tho because of the longer bullets unusually shoot. Id actually like one in 7x64 since it carries a 1-8.7, but as far as i know they arnt available here.
Thr 7x57 would be an option too, but id probably ream it to 280AI.
 
LoonWulf said:
For a standard hunting rifle shooting standard hunting bullets they should all be fine.
Im not thrilled with the slower twists tho because of the longer bullets unusually shoot. Id actually like one in 7x64 since it carries a 1-8.7, but as far as i know they arnt available here.
Thr 7x57 would be an option too, but id probably ream it to 280AI.
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Yeah, I already looked into 7x64 too. I'd never looked into that cartridge before, but it ticks alot of boxes for me. There's a real nice Manlicher rifle on Gunbroker that's straight out of my dreams chambered for it right now which is laughably of of my budget.
 
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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My Tikka T3 is in Stainless Steel.
 
MCMXI said:
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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Do we have pillar bedding on those M18's?
 
I like how the m18 bolts up, feels like there's metal in there since the bolts tighten up like it has pillers. It's strange is the back I like boots to the trigger body, which at first looks iffy but they have been doing that for some time in the sauers, so don't think there's and problems. The action feels very secure in the stock, holds zero cuz I've removed the stock a few times and same poa.
 
If im remembering correctly the M18 isnt exactly pillar bedded. but like troy said, the screws themselves act like pillars in that they are two piece and stop on each other. lemme poke thru my pictures, im pretty sure I have a bunch of that rifle in and out of its stock.
 
ok, found some that show the bolts, tho i didn't have any that show the stock side....the heads are captive in the stock....also shows trigger components etc, and a short video of testing trigger pull.
So if anyone did know the trigger body is polymer, there is a hardened steel insert at the top. The plastics really bloody hard, and the trigger pulls as good or better than any other gun in the price range. The trigger spring also tensions against ball bearings.

I wasn't remembering quite right either. The recoil lug extends forward......and now that I think about it, the bolt heads arnt captive in the stock.....or maybe i wrong again, its been a while.
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I have this one in 270 Win.:
https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-laminated-stainless
My observations: It is a long action with a 22.4" barrel which is a little heavier profile than a Ruger sporter. It is pretty accurate. I do like the stock. It is finished very well. However, it is 1/2" longer (length of pull) than my Rugers at 14". I have sent the stock for shortening and custom fitting with a Cervellati Microcell recoil pad. It is a neutral feeling stock, not much cast. I have topped it with the Leupold Backcountry ring/mounts. I plan to put a higher end scope on this one. The bolt is just a shiny steel push feed bolt, which brings to mind that this is Sako's budget line. The mag is plastic, and kind seats in with a mushy feel at the end, but locks in correctly. Trigger guard is plastic. Trigger breaks clean and pretty light. Overall a very nice hunting rifle.
 
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Got into the safe today, dug out my 700 in HS stock and my Steyr Prohunter.
Man I dig those ugly rigs.
The 700 was in stiffened factory Tupperware, did .75" at 100 yds w factory ammo.
The Steyr did at or just under 1" w factory (within their guarantee).

Don't know if the HS stock swap helped or hurt the 700, but I like the feel of it. A lot.

While I think I'd like a new rifle, esp something from across the pond............I don't see it happening.
A custom bbl'd #1 or #3 is about the last for me.

I'm just too practical for my own good.

You guys keep buying cool new toys please..........have to live vicariously through you folks :)
 
LoonWulf said:
ok, found some that show the bolts, tho i didn't have any that show the stock side....the heads are captive in the stock....also shows trigger components etc, and a short video of testing trigger pull.
So if anyone did know the trigger body is polymer, there is a hardened steel insert at the top. The plastics really bloody hard, and the trigger pulls as good or better than any other gun in the price range. The trigger spring also tensions against ball bearings.

I wasn't remembering quite right either. The recoil lug extends forward......and now that I think about it, the bolt heads arnt captive in the stock.....or maybe i wrong again, its been a while.
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A little off topic but are those Hawaiian hunting boots you are wearing in the pictures?
 
cdb1 said:
A little off topic but are those Hawaiian hunting boots you are wearing in the pictures?
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Sure have better luck in those than my Danners or Irishsetters.....
Every animal I've shot this year I've been wearing slippers.....Course its been a slow year, only got a few.

Im not the only one who feels slippers are completely acceptable hunting foot ware....
IMG_20161126_145726.jpg
 
@LoonWulf, thanks for the photos and video. So it looks like there are studs in the receiver that protrude through the stock, and "cap" nuts secure the stock to the receiver. It looks like metal to metal all the way from the underside of the receiver, through the bottom of the inletting for the receiver and to the underside of the counterbore when the cap nuts reside. Is that close? It's cool to see how the German engineers take a different approach to such things.
 
MCMXI said:
@LoonWulf, thanks for the photos and video. So it looks like there are studs in the receiver that protrude through the stock, and "cap" nuts secure the stock to the receiver. It looks like metal to metal all the way from the underside of the receiver, through the bottom of the inletting for the receiver and to the underside of the counterbore when the cap nuts reside. Is that close? It's cool to see how the German engineers take a different approach to such things.
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Thats about what im remembering. Unfortunately the damn gun was so nice there wasnt much i could do with it, so didnt tinker beyond some basic polishing.

Maybe @troy fairweather would be willing to take it apart to see?
 
LoonWulf said:
Thats about what im remembering. Unfortunately the damn gun was so nice there wasnt much i could do with it, so didnt tinker beyond some basic polishing.

Maybe @troy fairweather would be willing to take it apart to see?
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What you want apart, are deer season ends today so not worried about losing zero.

All I've done was polish the underside of the bolt, the grove for the bolt stop, adjust the trigger some it does actually adjust.
 
Sorry for the crap photos

IMG_20201213_162142_hdr.jpg IMG_20201213_162216_hdr.jpg IMG_20201213_162316_hdr.jpg IMG_20201213_162416_hdr.jpg IMG_20201213_162433_hdr.jpg IMG_20201213_162701_hdr.jpg

Here you can see the butt storage, I have 3 rounds 3 wrenches to take the hole gun apart. There stuck it the sound dampening foam. The nuts for at action is 5/16 allen I think like the ones one the later 700s there are small steel washers under the nuts, there in a lower picture.

There is plastic between the studs and the nuts but I believe there is steel molded into it.
 
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