Looking at a hunting setup... 6.5 Creedmoor options

[primalmu]

I'm finally ready to really get a decent hunting rifle setup. Up to now my rifles have all been "tactical" (AR-15s mostly, and a Savage FCP SR .308), but I've decided I want something lighter than the Savage that would be suitable for hunting. Looking into the 6.5 Creedmoor because... well... why not?

My shortlist includes the Bergara B-14 Timber, the Ruger M77 Predator, and the Ruger American Predator. The first two are obviously the most expensive, but they are just outright classy looking guns. The Ruger American is on the list because its cheaper, and from what I've read it is essentially the Ruger Precision Rifle without the chassis system and other modifications. It is also the lightest of the bunch, and if I wanted to the stock could always be upgraded down the road. From my reading, accuracy is excellent with all these rifles.

I'm not looking for a 1000 yard rifle, though it might be fun to lob a few pills a longer range on occasion. I'm also open to other calibers.

My heart really wants a classier rifle, so the Ruger M77 and Bergara are at the top of the list. My wallet hopes someone can convince me that the fit and finish of the American Rifle (stock notwithstanding) is comparable.

 

[Varminterror]

Skip the American if you want classy. I’m a big fan of Ruger M77 MkII and Hawkeyes, and the CRPF, claw extractor action is classic. Get a new trigger from Jard, SpecTech, Timney, or Rifle Basix, block and bed the action, free float the barrel, free float the mag box, and you’ll be happy for many years to come. The Predator stock isn’t my cup of tea, but my wife loves lamo camo laminate - taste is subjective. Big advantage being stainless, and laminate is great for a hunting rifle.

The Bergaras are really everything the Remington 700 should be, out of the box. The stock on the timber has a more classic look, but the blued and walnut trim carries the age old headache of dings and scratches in the field.

Either would be a fine option. The Ruger M77 Predator would be my pick, replacing the stock with walnut.

 

[js8588]

Why not Browning?
http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/x-bolt/current-production/x-bolt-medallion.html

Or Winchester?
http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...urrent-Products/model-70-coyote-light-sr.html

 

[jmr40]

I have the Predator, it is a very functional, very accurate $400 rifle. But it isn't a classy hunting rifle. It just depends on how important that is to you. It'll shoot and kill any game you want to hunt just as well. I really like the newer versions that take the Accuracy International magazines. They are a big step up in quality over the cheap rotary magazines mine uses. That is in my opinion the biggest weakness of the American rifles. You could get the American Predator and a very nice scope on it for less than many of the other rifles alone. Just a thought.

The Hawkeye Predator is a nice enough rifle, but the plywood stocks aren't any more classy than cheap plastic and they are over 8 lbs before adding a scope. No reason for that on a hunting rifle.

The Bergara is somewhat unproven, but it looks good on paper. Reports I read online are generally positive and it is about a pound lighter than the Ruger 77. If I wanted another rifle I'd consider one.

Some other options:

I have a Kimber 84 in 308 that is a very accurate rifle, mine is a pound lighter with a scope on it than the Bergara is without a scope, Two pounds lighter than the Ruger. Once scoped that is 2.5-4 lbs less weight than the Bergara and Ruger.

A Tikka is a proven rifle. You probably won't find a more accurate rifle and the price is comparable to Bergara. And they split the difference in weight between Kimber and Bergara. Right at 6 lbs unscoped. I will guarantee it significantly more accurate than the Ruger 77, and probably more accurate than any other factory rifle made by anyone.

As long as the options you're considering include a quality synthetic stock the Winchester EW is another good choice.

Added:

Another rifle I meant to include but almost forgot. I have no idea about street price, but have been reading very good things about these.

https://barrett.net/firearms/fieldcraft/

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Tikka T3X or the older T3 Lite. They are light superbly accurate and have the best synthetic stock available for a rifle of its cost. If not the Tikka I would opt for the Ruger American and put the $ saved into optics and ammo to practice or better yet to get started reloading.

 

[BigDog1955]

I also like my RAP 6.5 CM, early modle and I redid the forearm stock with bedding, fixed the trigger to 2.5 in/lbs and installed a M11 brake. Shoot Hornaday 140 gr. with a Leupold 4.5x14x40mm and Burris Signature rings. I sighted the rifle in with the Burris rings and saved the turrets for long range. Had to move 5 to left and 6 down and was at 1 1/2" high at 100. This is a fun gun to shot, my daughter shots it and the recoil is like my 22 mag. Just a idea!! good luck

 

[primalmu]

Great ideas everyone. One thing I like about the RAP is that Magpul is supposed to be introducing their Hunter stock for the rifle this summer. I've had a Hunter stock on a Rem 700, and currently on a Ruger 10/22. They're a nice compromise between a hunting style stock and a "tactical" stock.

 

[Dr T]

Just did this earlier this year. T/C Venture in 6.5 CM with an older (but new) Bushnell Elite 3200 3x9-40 that I had lying around. If it is anything like my other T/C bolt gun, it should drive tacks.

 

[LoonWulf]

Just heads up on the Timber, it has a very thick wrist as the off side of the palm sell isn't concave. I liked mine quite well, but I have large hands.

I'll echo VT, and say that as a 700 fan, the B-14 is the best production 700 available.
Next to the Abolt2s the b-14 is my favorite action.

Another option, if your interested, would be the weatherby vanguards in wood stocks, or a Howa 1500 barreled action dropped into an old S&W deluxe wood stock.
My 6.5CM was a Howa in a 1500s&w stock, and was quite the looker.

 

[primalmu]

The problem we have in today's market is that there are so many good rifles out there that its difficult to choose. I'm gonna run over to my LGS today and see what they have and try to get my hands on a few of these suggestions to compare.

 

[FL-NC]

A friend who is an active duty SF sniper swears by his RAR predator in 6.5 CM. He replaced the stock with a Boyd's laminate, as I did with mine in 308.

 

[joneb]

I have asked the same question here not long ago, on my short list is the RA predator, the Bergara and the Suarer.
I have a Howa 1500 in .308 Win which I like, but I would like a rifle chambered in 6.5 CM.

 

[Captcurt]

Of the 3 Creedmoors that I had, the Bergara is the one that stayed with me. I have the B-14 Hunter and am seriously considering a Woodsman. I just hope that the grip isn't as big as the Timber. I must confess, though, the Ruger American Predator shot better and was not as picky about loads. It took a lot of tweaking to get the B-14 to my standards. It was the only one of three different B-14's that I had to experiment with. The other 2 shot sub-MOA out of the box.

 

[LoonWulf]

Of the 3 Creedmoors that I had, the Bergara is the one that stayed with me. I have the B-14 Hunter and am seriously considering a Woodsman. I just hope that the grip isn't as big as the Timber. I must confess, though, the Ruger American Predator shot better and was not as picky about loads. It took a lot of tweaking to get the B-14 to my standards. It was the only one of three different B-14's that I had to experiment with. The other 2 shot sub-MOA out of the box.

The woodsman should not have as thick a wrist as the timber. It honestly felt like the palm swell was added to the design after the fact. Without it the countour would have been very similar to a regular 700 stock.

 

[Gtscotty]

For a 6.5 CM rifle, a few steps up from the economy level, predominantly for hunting, but that could be used to plinking at longer ranges: I'd personally take a hard look at the Tikka T3x and the Browning X-Bolt. Both are relatively light with good ergonomics and decent box magazine designs. The trigger on the Tikka is probably going to be a bit lighter, but the Browning trigger can be lightened up with a $12 spring from MCarbo if it's a problem. I personally like the ergonomics and safety design of the X-Bolt better, the Tikka has more aftermarket support and long mag box if you want to shoot the heavies. Both will more than likely be strong shooters. You could top either with something like an SWFA SS 3-9x40 HD and have nice rig for hunting and informal plinking at range. Tikka (Beretta) CS doesn't have the best reputation, Browning/Winchester CS has gone above and beyond the few times I've dealt with them, always something to keep in mind.

My 6.5 CM hunting rig is a Kimber, and while it's a good shooter and a quality rifle, it's probably a little more specialized towards lightweight mountain hunting than what you're looking for.

The Sauer 100s are really neat, the accuracy reports are good and they seem to pack all the features I like into one package. If they were available in stainless I'd have to give one a try.