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

[Paco42]

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).

Hard to be sure how well the video depicts the report of the shot, but it sure seems like the suppressor does a better job than I would’ve anticipated. (Separating reality, of course, from the movies!) And I should clarify re: recoil—I’m quite content to admit that limiting the effects of recoil is a pleasant and welcome thing, AFAIAC. So—two benefits from a suppressor, both perhaps greater than I realized. Good to know; a threaded barrel is now definitely on the list.

An aside regarding the list of characteristics of the rifle—it’s evolving, wandering through my notes—and yep, I’ve begun to make actual, real, paper notes to help me with this. I figure I’m gonna be spending at least $4000 on this project, all told, first year, and as my wife likes to remind me, that’s money that could take us to Hawaii. Maybe not get us back from Hawaii, but she’s okay with that, I think. Plus we’ve got some family things going on, so $ has to be spent wisely. Thus, the notes and the list. And I’m trying to handle various candidate rifles, too. And make notes about that.

 

[1066]

Have a look at the Savages, I think they are grossly undervalued. Really great "out of the box" accuracy and easily changeable barrels. Some will say they are not particularly pretty, some will say they have a heavy bolt lift, some will say the aftermarket parts are not as available as some other makes.

Do they shoot - you bet. I have a couple of Savage F-12's with the single shot precision action, one in 6BR and another in 6.5-284.
I shot these two yesterday at a 600 yard competition on a wet and windy day. The dotted squares are 1 moa (6")

 

[Rockrivr1]

This is just my thought but a rifle equipped out for long range shooting competition is not going to be the same rifle you'll hump through the bush for hunting. These long range precision rifles tend to be heavy in order to better stabilize them for the longer shot. I'm pretty partial to Savage as I went with a Savage BA Stealth for my long range shooting in 6.5CM. You can pick this rifle up for around $1,400 new, which gives you a good amount to buy glass with your $2,500 price tag.

I don't reload for the cartridge as of yet, but will start shortly. For now I use Hornady 140gr ELD Match rounds, which work well with this rifle. The gun itself weighs in at 12lbs. You add a bipod, scope, scope rings, level and other accoutrements and the rifle dresses out a little under 16 lbs. This past weekend I was consistently getting hits on a 12" metal plate at 1000 yards. If you do your job, this rifle will do it's job as well..

 

[TonyAngel]

I’ve read in thr of a guy and his son getting really good results with a savage and drop in shillen barrel.

you could also goggle Don Geraci if you’re anywhere near south Louisiana. Tell him your needs and see if he’s in your budget. The guy builds rifles that plain shoot. He’s also been known to fit barrels to 700 and savage actions.

As for the scope, I LOVE nightforce, but if this is for a range rifle and you’re willing to spend that much money, I’d be looking at Swarovski. Much better glass, but probably won’t survive being run over by a tank. Actually, I found the glass in the vortex pst line to be superior to nightforce as well. Again, just not as tough in terms of being able to be thrown down a mountain.

Just don’t skimp on the mounting hardware. Rail and rings are key.

 

[1066]

Here's my Savage 12-F in 6mm BR - I built this one with "off the peg" bits. Action is a 12-F PTA single shot, Richards mcro-fit stock, barrel is a pre-fit Shilen select match, 1/8 with ratchet rifling. Trigger is a Rifle Basix Sav-2, Ken Farrell 20moa rail, Sightron 111 8-32x56.



Five shots at 200 yards with this rifle.

 

[Allen One1]

I went with a Savage Model 10 GRS and have no regrets, it's reasonably priced, allows you to learn a lot and get very good results. You can outfit it with high quality components scope, bipod, etc. that can easily move to the next rifle if you want to move to a custom build later on. Already threaded for that suppressor too. The Tikka is another great choice that has been proven performer.

 

[z7]

If you want a rifle for PRS/NRL and similar uses I’d look at a barreled action from a known shop with a good “custom” action like a bighorn, American rifle company, or defiance

I would have whoever hangs the barrel go ahead and install a trigger tech trigger as well, so the smith can time it and make sure it is good to go

I would then buy a chassis from KRG, MDT, magpul, MPA or similar. A traditional stock like a manners is ice but having one fully set up for the PRS game will be $800 and up

with many custom actions, bighorn, American rifle, defiance tenacity series, impact precision etc you can get a prefit shouldered barrel or many use savage style with a barrel but - can save money

I would avoid savage - they are accurate and work well from a bench, but they seem to be finicky with PRS type shooting and the chassis support is not there.

tikka makes good products but you can put together a decent custom build for similar or not much more $ then the tikka tac a1.

If you want a “turnkey” package explore this https://www.ashburyprecisionordnance.net/sh-rifle-config-tool

a good chassis, and a Remington 700 with Remington barrel, but they have been worked over by APO and tested - no Friday afternoon guns

 

[Varminterror]

For $1700-$2500, getting into long range precision competition with deer hunting on the table:

GAP Pinnacle
MPA PMR
Badrock Southfork
Seekins Havak

Any of these 4 rifles in 6.5 or 6 creedmoor could take you as far as can be gone in PRS competition, hit steel for fun out past a mile, and cleanly kill deer out to 600 without much fuss.

For $2500, a guy can get into a very respectable custom build. Pick up a new headspace controlled Defiance Tenacity, a drop in threaded Proof or Bartlein barrel, TriggerTech Diamond and an MPA Comp chassis, you’re in it for $2500.

 

[Jessesky]

I think you’ll get a lot more rifle for the money building your own in collaboration with a smith, than a turnkey high dollar rifle.

Or scout out someone’s build for sale on gunbroker and you’ll save tons for the same quality. Custom precision rifles are one firearm you never get out what you put in as far as money goes. So reap the benefits. It’s a buyers market.

Personally I like long actions only for bolt guns.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Every 3-4 years, I think I need to get in the long range game too, but I have never taken the plunge. However, when I do jump in, I am fairly confident I'll get a Ruger/Savage/TC chassis rifle. The brand name out of the box precision rifles are pretty impressive nowadays, especially for apx. $1k. 20 years ago, you had to spend multiples of that on a custom rifle if you wanted more accuracy than a dressed up hunting rifle. Nowadays, these brand name chassis rifles cover a lot of the same bases for a lot less $$. They are not going to compete with a purpose built custom rig in the hands of someone who has been shooting that discipline every weekend for 10 years. However, they are just fine for learning the basics of long range shooting. You can try out different matches and figure out what it is you really want to do. They are also perfect for long range plinking. Based on your OP, I think this is what you want as opposed to a more specific custom rifle (like those on the BR forum).

 

[Varminterror]

The brand name out of the box precision rifles are pretty impressive nowadays, especially for apx. $1k. 20 years ago, you had to spend multiples of that on a custom rifle if you wanted more accuracy than a dressed up hunting rifle.

They’re still just “dressed up hunting rifles,” but hunting rifles are a hell of a lot better than they were 20 years ago.

 

[mdThanatos]

If you are wanting to stay within PRS Production Division, then your budget is $2000, unless they added an extra $500 recently, this is on their website for the 2019 rules. I don't know how strictly they are enforced either as I haven't gotten to that level, nor do I see myself at that level in the near future.

Rule 2.3.1 States the MSRP for rifle and optic is a max of $4000. The rifle shall not exceed $2000 and the optic shall not exceed $2000
Rule 2.3.2 States For the purpose of the Production Division, a rifle is defined as the original manufacturers configuration of a complete firearm which will be comprised of at least but not limited to the following: stock with bottom metal or chassis, a complete action, a barrel and a trigger mechanism.
Rule 2.3.10 States in part, If your barrel needs to be replaced then you have to send it back to the original manufacturer for a replacement barrel of equal value. You cannot use pre-fit barrels or custom shop barrels.

There are a few options for you in this category, Masterpiece Arms, Badrock Precision, Savage, Bergara, Tikka to name a few. The first two are right at the limit, but meet all the requirements, including a rebarrel option if you shoot out the original. I don't know what kind of a procedure or if there is any hassle with the bigger outfits like Savage, Bergara and Tikka.

 

[Walkalong]

Just the rifle. Glass is a totally separate question.

https://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-pmr-competition-rifle/

Guaranteed to shoot extremely well. Going to be hard to beat the price putting one together.

 

[Varminterror]

MSRP limit for PRS production division is $2500. Production class is largely a waste of time for most folks, and frankly, it’s positioned to become overwhelmed with factory custom rifles by the new price limit standard in a way which completely undermines the spirit of the class. It was intended to be a class for entry level guns to be shot by entry level shooters. But now, a guy can actually shoot a MORE EXPENSIVE rifle in Production class than a viable custom rifle built piece by piece. The $2500 limit and the new custom production rifles from MPA, GAP, Seekins, Badrock, etc completely negate the opportunity for a price controlled class.

Equally, as I said above, Production class really isn’t terribly valid as a whole, even before the new price limit. There simply aren’t enough Production class shooters to make a class at club matches in most places - so it doesn’t exist at the club matches where most new guys will be competing anyway. Then when you get to the big 2 day matches, well....

 

[Seamaster31]

Any of these 4 rifles in 6.5 or 6 creedmoor could take you as far as can be gone in PRS competition, hit steel for fun out past a mile, and cleanly kill deer out to 600 without much fuss.

Doesn't the 6mm offer some advantages to the 6.5mm and currently rule PRS?

 

[Varminterror]

Doesn't the 6mm offer some advantages to the 6.5mm and currently rule PRS?

Yes, the 6 creed is significantly favored for its real advantages in the PRS sport. But a guy playing Production Class backdoor games could do well with either - OR, at the other end of the spectrum, a top shooter which would lead the world rankings could take any of those 4 rifles chambered in either cartridge and remain a top shooter. Admittedly and assuredly, there would be a few points dropped and a few ranks lost at various matches due to the increased recoil, but a top 50 shooter would easily stay in the top 100.

I would personally ONLY buy a 6 creed, GT, or Dasher in them, but other newbies might not want to change as many barrels each season and opt for a 6.5.

I would reiterate, however, I personally wouldn’t mess around with production class at all. Buying a factory rifle as a means to start shooting matches NOW rather than in a year when all of your components delivered and were assembled is great, and if $2500 makes sense for a guy instead of a $900 RPR, I can dig it. Owning one of those 4 as your “backup and practice rifle” is a smart move - especially doing so in 6.5 creed or 6 Dasher for the longer barrel life, backing up the custom rifle preferably in 6 creed or GT which will eventually and inevitably be built.

 

[Allen One1]

Yes, the 6 creed is significantly favored for its real advantages in the PRS sport. But a guy playing Production Class backdoor games could do well with either - OR, at the other end of the spectrum, a top shooter which would lead the world rankings could take any of those 4 rifles chambered in either cartridge and remain a top shooter. Admittedly and assuredly, there would be a few points dropped and a few ranks lost at various matches due to the increased recoil, but a top 50 shooter would easily stay in the top 100.

I would personally ONLY buy a 6 creed, GT, or Dasher in them, but other newbies might not want to change as many barrels each season and opt for a 6.5.

I would reiterate, however, I personally wouldn’t mess around with production class at all. Buying a factory rifle as a means to start shooting matches NOW rather than in a year when all of your components delivered and were assembled is great, and if $2500 makes sense for a guy instead of a $900 RPR, I can dig it. Owning one of those 4 as your “backup and practice rifle” is a smart move - especially doing so in 6.5 creed or 6 Dasher for the longer barrel life, backing up the custom rifle preferably in 6 creed or GT which will eventually and inevitably be built.

The 6 has a slight speed advantage but starts to lose ground on the 6.5 when the wind picks up. At our local club match this past weekend the leaders were two 6XC and two 6.5 Creedmoor. I heard too that at least one of the top PRS teams will start shooting 7mm this year because they feel that cutting the wind out preforms the lower recoil.

 

[Weflyfast]

I set up a 6.5 CM, Ruger Precision Rifle for a guy last fall - Steiner scope install- I was really impressed with how well the Ruger shot right out of the box with factory ammo....well below MOA... For the money it's a dang good shooting rifle.