Long-range target rifle choice in 6.5 CM for <$2500?

[Paco42]

I’m not a new shooter, but I’ve never dived into the rifle target scene, though I’m getting the itch (it comes about every couple-three years) to get into long-range target shooting. I know there are lots and lots of options out there, but I’ve tried to make this a fairly specific query. I believe I’ve chosen 6.5 Creedmore as the beginning determinant—so here’s the question. What rifle would someone with reasonably applicable knowledge and experience recommend for someone generally knowledgeable about firearms but not especially so in this particular sandbox? Let’s say we wanna keep the price under $2500 (production class requirement, I believe). And finally, I’d like the rifle to be able to pull a little double duty as a hunting tool as well, though this is secondary.

Now I’ll sit back with my popcorn and peruse responses.

 

[JFrank]

Long Range is 1000 yards, if I’m reading you correctly a dbl duty target and hunting rifle.
Interesting, I’d like to know myself

 

[Chuck R.]

Rifle & Glass for under $2500? or just the rifle?

 

[jmorris]

I’d keep my eyes out here http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=5&b=197 Looking for something chambered for 6mm dasher, inside your budget.

 

[BreechFace]

6.5 PRC if used for hunting and target, and if one wants to stay with .264cal bullets

 

[JFrank]

I would go with savage LRP 65 Creedmoor,Add In a Sightron 6 to 24 scope and a decent front rest and rear bag and you’re probably around 2000 bucks

 

[Paco42]

Rifle & Glass for under $2500? or just the rifle?

Just the rifle. Glass is a totally separate question.

 

[Paco42]

I’d keep my eyes out here http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=5&b=197 Looking for something chambered for 6mm dasher, inside your budget.

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll be keeping an eye out there.

 

[Paco42]

6.5 PRC if used for hunting and target, and if one wants to stay with .264cal bullets

6.5 PRC was a close second in my thinking. Why do you mention it as opposed to 6.5 CM?

 

[jmorris]

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll be keeping an eye out there.

Keep in mind that a 2oz trigger, no safety bench gun, won’t be a walking around brush hunting one.

 

[BreechFace]

6.5 PRC was a close second in my thinking. Why do you mention it as opposed to 6.5 CM?

It has about 25% more case capacity than the 6.5 Creedmoor

If for hunting, it has better energies; for target shooting it will have less holdover for longer shots as well. Downside is it's a newer cartridge so not near the commercial ammunition selection as the Creedmoor.

Depending on what game you would hunt with it, but if Elk or Moose are in the mix I consider the 6.5 Creedmoor on the marginal for those.

 

[Nature Boy]

Keep in mind that a 2oz trigger, no safety bench gun, won’t be a walking around brush hunting one.

Not to mention weight. My lightest target rifle weighs 18 lbs

OP, set one goal for this rifle. Too many compromises come into play when you try to make it do multiple tasks.

Since you've posted this in the competition forum, I assume there's a specific discipline you have in mind? Bench rest, F Class, PRS?

 

[Paco42]

Yeah, guys, I get it. The hunting angle has to go. Done. The main idea here is something for me to take up as a challenge with regard to shooting precision. Though I’ve attended a few events—bench rest primarily—I think my main attraction is to PRS, but I plan to retain some flexibility, at least mentally, as I begin, learn, etc. So...let’s restrict this all to target rifle comps—forget hunting. At least with this gun!

 

[Hoser]

6.5 Creed for sure over the PRC.

Any of the big name houses are putting out great rifles now days.

 

[rayatphonix]

If your throwing out the hunting option, I’d likely choose the Tikka Tac A1. I’ve shot 2 in 6.5 CM and both were outstanding. The only reason I don’t have one is I don’t have any PRS events within a reasonable distance.

If you decide on a dual-purpose rifle, the Bergara Premier series is very good. Mine shoot very well.

I’ve been shooting the Creedmoor for almost 10 years now. You’ll enjoy the cartridge. Very good ammo is relatively inexpensive and if you don’t reload, that’s important.

 

[Paco42]

If your throwing out the hunting option, I’d likely choose the Tikka Tac A1. I’ve shot 2 in 6.5 CM and both were outstanding. The only reason I don’t have one is I don’t have any PRS events within a reasonable distance.

If you decide on a dual-purpose rifle, the Bergara Premier series is very good. Mine shoot very well.

I’ve been shooting the Creedmoor for almost 10 years now. You’ll enjoy the cartridge. Very good ammo is relatively inexpensive and if you don’t reload, that’s important.

Nah, I don’t reload, and that (cost and ease of acquisition of ammo) was an important consideration for me. Another thing that struck was simply how often reviewers of a 6.5 CM would comment not just on how well the given rifle shot, but how pleasant it was to shoot.

Interesting that you mention the Tikka. I’ve read a couple reviews of it, both liking it quite a lot, but there are two potential drawbacks. One is the Kydex comb. Yeah, adjustable, durable, etc., but stable? I’m not convinced. The second is the proprietary nature of their actions and mags. Unsure of how much that might be a problem re access to parts, repairs, barrel swaps, and more.

And was just reading about the Bergara Premier guns last night. Might have to look more closely there.

 

[rayatphonix]

Tikka is here to stay. Several companies make prefit barrels and several companies provide parts and upgrades. Tikka doesn’t have the support of a Remington, but it’s very good. I’m having a 20+ year old Tikka reworked this spring.

 

[Paco42]

Tikka is here to stay. Several companies make prefit barrels and several companies provide parts and upgrades. Tikka doesn’t have the support of a Remington, but it’s very good. I’m having a 20+ year old Tikka reworked this spring.

I kinda thought that was the case, based on what little I’d read about ‘em so far, but was unsure. Do you have experience with a Kydex cheekpiece? Would seem to me likely to be a little bendy. But I’ve not experienced one yet.

 

[rayatphonix]

As I mentioned, I’ve shot 2 of the Tikkas. I never gave the Cheekpiece a second thought. I got it adjusted to my liking and shot away. It’s used to position my head, not absorb recoil. As long as it stays locked in place I don’t think I’d ever have an issue with it.

Bergara has a chassis rifle, or actually 2, but I’ve never handled either. I would guess they’d shoot as well, but for some reason you don’t read or hear much about them. Someone who shoots PRS may have shot one.

 

[Flintknapper]

Any of the Big Name Chassis Rifles should do. Just compare for stock configuration and features. After your rifle selection...a GOOD scope is a must. I would also consider a Suppressor...so a threaded barrel might be something to look for if you plan to go that route.

Long range shooting can be a lot of fun. 6.5 CM is a good cartridge choice IMO. It is well suited to 1,000 yds. (and beyond). Recoil is negligible especially with a fairly heavy rifle/scope combination and suppressed. You can literally shoot it all day if you want. You'll find that learning to 'dope the wind' will be the most challenging aspect of it all. Trajectory is easily calculated for any cartridge.

Below is my Daughter shooting at a bit over a Mile at a 16" steel target and hitting it. 6.5 CM, Ruger Precision Rifle with custom barrel and Nightforce Scope.

 

[Paco42]

As I mentioned, I’ve shot 2 of the Tikkas. I never gave the Cheekpiece a second thought. I got it adjusted to my liking and shot away. It’s used to position my head, not absorb recoil. As long as it stays locked in place I don’t think I’d ever have an issue with it.

Bergara has a chassis rifle, or actually 2, but I’ve never handled either. I would guess they’d shoot as well, but for some reason you don’t read or hear much about them. Someone who shoots PRS may have shot one.

Not worried about recoil, just consistent positioning. Sounds like that’s not an issue, though. Starting to feel like there are a bunch of good options, hard to go wrong within the crowd of well-reviewed, big-maker rifles.

 

[Paco42]

Any of the Big Name Chassis Rifles should do. Just compare for stock configuration and features. After your rifle selection...a GOOD scope is a must. I would also consider a Suppressor...so a threaded barrel might be something to look for if you plan to go that route.

Long range shooting can be a lot of fun. 6.5 CM is a good cartridge choice IMO. It is well suited to 1,000 yds. (and beyond). Recoil is negligible especially with a fairly heavy rifle/scope combination and suppressed. You can literally shoot it all day if you want. You'll find that learning to 'dope the wind' will be the most challenging aspect of it all. Trajectory is easily calculated for any cartridge.

Below is my Daughter shooting at a bit over a Mile at a 16" steel target and hitting it. 6.5 CM, Ruger Precision Rifle with custom barrel and Nightforce Scope.

View attachment 899034

Good info here, thanks. Fully agree re need for good glass. Looks like Nightforce is one of the more popular good choices. I’ll be researching that separately, once I decide on rifle. Hadn’t put a lot of thought into suppressor, though I’m finding it mentioned here and there. Another good thing for the checklist.

And thanks for the note about the 6.5 CM being a good choice. I really do think it’ll do what I want it to do—everything from range, accuracy, on to shootability—I really like the “shoot it all day” idea.

Finally, I love the pic of your daughter shooting the RPR and ringing the bell at over a mile. Nice shooting!

 

[Flintknapper]

Good info here, thanks. Fully agree re need for good glass. Looks like Nightforce is one of the more popular good choices. I’ll be researching that separately, once I decide on rifle. Hadn’t put a lot of thought into suppressor, though I’m finding it mentioned here and there. Another good thing for the checklist.

And thanks for the note about the 6.5 CM being a good choice. I really do think it’ll do what I want it to do—everything from range, accuracy, on to shootability—I really like the “shoot it all day” idea.

Finally, I love the pic of your daughter shooting the RPR and ringing the bell at over a mile. Nice shooting!

The reason I mention a Suppressor is that besides attenuating the noise/report...it also reduces recoil. I know you said recoil is not necessarily a factor for you, but when you sit down and shoot 300+ rounds at a sitting...it does make a difference. AND....if you are shooting with/around others the suppressor will be much appreciated and 'muzzle breaks' very much frowned upon....just so you know.

Please excuse the wind noise in the video below (terribly windy day) but you can get an idea of how little recoil you can expect from full-house loads (6.5 Creedmoor) in a heavy Chassis Rifle with Suppressor. Very little report, very manageable recoil (no recovery time needed to see your hits or call your shots).

 

[jmorris]

Nah, I don’t reload

Ah, forget about the benchrest classifieds link, you would need to reload for a lot of the stuff there.

 

[JFrank]

Any of the Big Name Chassis Rifles should do. Just compare for stock configuration and features. After your rifle selection...a GOOD scope is a must. I would also consider a Suppressor...so a threaded barrel might be something to look for if you plan to go that route.

Long range shooting can be a lot of fun. 6.5 CM is a good cartridge choice IMO. It is well suited to 1,000 yds. (and beyond). Recoil is negligible especially with a fairly heavy rifle/scope combination and suppressed. You can literally shoot it all day if you want. You'll find that learning to 'dope the wind' will be the most challenging aspect of it all. Trajectory is easily calculated for any cartridge.

Below is my Daughter shooting at a bit over a Mile at a 16" steel target and hitting it. 6.5 CM, Ruger Precision Rifle with custom barrel and Nightforce Scope.

View attachment 899034

That’s awesome!