New rifle wanted. What should I get?

[American_Fusilier]

I am wanting a new bolt action rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. Mostly as a bench rifle to shoot long(er) range, but that could be used as a hunting rifle too.

The rifles I've been thinking about are:

Ruger American
Mossberg Patriot
Thompson Center Compass (or Compass II)
Savage Axis II
and similar rifles in that price range

What is your guys experiences with any of those rifles above, or similar ones that I didn't put down?

 

[12Bravo20]

I don't think you will go wrong with any that you list. That being said I am partial to Savage rifles, especially the 10/110 series. I've looked at the left hand Savage Axis several times but I prefer having the heavy Savage varmint barrel.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

At that price point, I would go with the Savage.

 

[bearcreek]

I have a Mossberg MVP in .308, which I believe would be very similar to the Mossberg Patriot you mention. Accuracy is very poor and you can't lock the bolt down with the safety. Don't have personal experience with the others, but I'd skip the Mossberg.

 

[marksman13]

Spend just a little more and get a CVA Cascade. That’s my advice. I have shot every rifle on your list and the Cascade is a much better option with a better barrel, stock and trigger for just a little more money.

 

[JmacD]

Of your choices I’d go with the Ruger, or compass if you can find one. That said, I watched and looked and got a Howa with long barrel (in 308 win) for about the same money…

 

[Turkeytider]

Axis II is a good budget rifle, but for relatively little more money for a gun in the Savage line look at a 110.

 

[12Bravo20]

Axis II is a good budget rifle, but for relatively little more money for a gun in the Savage line look at a 110.

I have to agree. The 10/110 is a better rifle than the Axis. There is a lot more aftermarket support for the 10/110 rifles too.

Like I said I am partial to Savage. Every one I have owned has been accurate and dependable straight out of the box. Plus Savage has a better selection for us left handed shooters.

 

[LoonWulf]

Of whats listed, I would (and have) choose the American every time. But id also suggest a howa 1500/WBY Vanguard.

 

[Ignition Override]

OP: It doesn't matter at all as long as you like it,

and you Comply with this chart. This might have been created for married men.

A similar chart can be created for women buying shoes. But no men have ever learned how to translate it from their alien Venus Language.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Even though I had initial problems with my Ruger American (only brand new firearm I have ever bought) I would still recommend it over an Axis, of which I also have experience.

My American is in 450 Bushmaster and I have about 200 rnds through it since it came back from Ruger. I don’t know which others have a 3 lug bolt but I really like that feature.

I tend to agree with the others recommending the Savage 110/110. It’s more robust and has more customization options. I’m probably a bit biased though as I am lefty and Savage has more lefty options than other manufacturers so I look at them first.

 

[12Bravo20]

I’m probably a bit biased though as I am lefty and Savage has more lefty options than other manufacturers

A lot of us left hand shooters are that way.

 

[Turkeytider]

These types of threads, while entertaining, IMHO are really not much use when it comes to trying to compare different guns. Posters responding often recommend those guns they themselves own and like. That`s fine, but unless one gets input from someone who owns and shoots a number of different guns, of limited when value when it comes to an OBJECTIVE comparison. Not throwing stones at anyone, mind, I`m guilty myself!

 

[12Bravo20]

Of the ones the OP listed, I have only handled and shot the Mossberg Patriot and the Savage Axis. Yes I was shooting a right hand rifle let hand. Out of the two, I prefer the Axis. Out of the samples I shot, the Axis rifles seemed smoother and also shot better for me.

 

[doubleh]

I would scratch two off the list to start with. The T/C because the company is no more and it might be difficult to find just what you want. Second is the Axis and it is personal for me. I owned one and it was a pretty accurate gun but had enough little things that I did not like that I finally sold it after spending quite a bit of time trying to make myself like it. It would be the American if sticking to your list for me but I would prefer a Savage 110. This is only MO and you know what is said about opinions.

 

[jmorris]

A friend of mine owned two Rugers, an American and Precision (both 6mm CM) neither had enough throat for ELD’s. The American went back twice to be cured (never happened) and they replaced it with the Precision that does the same thing but to a lesser degree. At least you can unload the rifle without leaving a bullet stuck in the bore and dumping powder in the rifle…

The one in the center shows how much of the bullet was engaged with the rifling on the American. Even seated as deep as the one on the left, it still contacted slightly.



I wouldn’t buy one without checking it first. They don’t seem to see the problem as a problem or just don’t want to make reamers with a longer lead.

 

[12Bravo20]

@American_Fusilier I don't know if there are any Cabela's stores near you. If there are look for the Savage Model 12 FV. It is now a Cabela's exclusive which lists for $429.99. I have an older staggered feed Model 12 FVL with Accu-Trigger in 308 that is a tack driver.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-12-fv-bolt-action-rifle

 

[jmr40]

The Ruger American Predator from your choices. I've had good luck with the Predator version in several rifles. It is only a small price difference, but the mid-weight barrel is worth it to me over the sporter weight barrel on the standard rifle.

Personally, I'd save a bit longer and buy a Tikka. And the Savage 110 is worth a look too. While I like the Ruger well enough, they aren't as inexpensive as they used to be. Still a great rifle, but at this point it just doesn't cost that much more to get a better rifle.

 

[thump_rrr]

I purchased a Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor which is exclusive to Cabela’s/ Bass Pro.
I believe that you can pick it up for around $430 at certain times of the year.

What I didn’t like about it is that the stock doesn’t have a removable magazine.
It is 3 shot that has to be top loaded.
I alleviated that problem by mounting it in an MDT LSS-XL chassis.
This is what load development looked like for that rifle in winter temperatures.

 

[American_Fusilier]

I purchased a Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor which is exclusive to Cabela’s/ Bass Pro.
I believe that you can pick it up for around $430 at certain times of the year.

What I didn’t like about it is that the stock doesn’t have a removable magazine.
It is 3 shot that has to be top loaded.
I alleviated that problem by mounting it in an MDT LSS-XL chassis.
This is what load development looked like for that rifle in winter temperatures.
View attachment 1094090

Holy cow that is bananas accurate! A .147 MOA rifle...

It seems I need to take a look at savage rifles a little closer.

 

[American_Fusilier]

I'd have to get some decent glass to put on it too

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Of the ones listed I would get the Ruger American

 

[thump_rrr]

I'd have to get some decent glass to put on it too

Don’t look at the $5,000 Tangent Theta I have on mine.
Most of mine are Bushnell Elite Tactical ET624FG.
6-24x50mm FFP G2 reticle mil.

 

[12Bravo20]

While I don't have a ballistics program to measure groups. my 308 Model 12 FVL will easily shoot 5 shot groups under 1 inch at 100 yards. When I have a good day I can cover a 5 shot group with a quarter. I'm not using the factory synthetic stock though. I have mine in a Choate Varmint stock and am using an older Bushnell Elite 4500 6-24 MIL DOT scope. I normally shoot Norma Tactical 150Gr FMJ ammo. The rifle does just as well with good 168Gr ammo too.

Here is the rifle as I have it setup.



So don't be hesitant to buy the Savage Model 12 FV from Bass Pro/Cabela's. These rifle generally shoot very well straight out of the box.They have it in both 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[FL-NC]

My 6.5 CM is a Ruger American predator. I am 100% satisfied with the accuracy of this $400 rifle. Such a cheap rifle has no business printing sub MOA groups with off the shelf soft points, but mine does it.