Which 6.5 CM rifle?

[marksman13]

My wife and I had a deal that if I got the promotion I've been working towards at work I could drop some cash on a new long range rig. I don't suppose I have any real budget restraints, but I'd like to keep rifle and scope under $3500. I've had a Ruger Precision in 308 and I just didn't fall in love with it, though I do like the idea of a bolt action with a chassis. I've got an 800 yard range, so most of my shooting will be 100-800 yards at steel and deer/pigs.

I've narrowed myself down to four choices of rifles and two scopes. Now I need to settle into one or two good choices and start putting my money back. For rifles I'm looking at the Tikka T3X Tac A1, Bergara BMP, Seekins SP-10, and the option of building an AR patterned rifle myself. For scopes I'm down to a Burris XTRII or Leupold MK4 in the 4-20 or 5-25 range.

All the rifles I actually use now are AR-15/10 style rifles, so the AR options make sense, but I honestly believe either of the two bolt guns on my short list will outshoot an AR. I'm also curious how well the 6.5 CM will feed in the AR action.

Accuracy is the single biggest factor for me and Tikka has built a reputation for being super accurate and smooth. The Bergaras seem to be building a solid reputation, but I've talked to a couple of local folks whom were less than impressed with their Bergara HMRs.

Which way do I go here? Anybody shot the T3X Tac A1 and the Bergara BMP? Anybody own a Seekins SP10 that give me some accuracy and reliability feedback? Thanks in advance.

 

[rayatphonix]

I’ve got a Sako in 6.5 C and it’s very accurate with most of the loads I’ve tried. Sako and Tikka are owned by the same company and the barrels in the guns are identical, so I expect you’ll see similar results. I also own a Bergara in Creedmoor, but not the model you’re looking at. While it’s every bit as accurate as the Sako, it’s been much more difficult to find consistent loads. Both are very good rifles.

I have a Burris XTR II on my Sako. I really like it.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[marksman13]

I’ve got a Sako in 6.5 C and it’s very accurate with most of the loads I’ve tried. Sako and Tikka are owned by the same company and the barrels in the guns are identical, so I expect you’ll see similar results. I also own a Bergara in Creedmoor, but not the model you’re looking at. While it’s every bit as accurate as the Sako, it’s been much more difficult to find consistent loads. Both are very good rifles.

I have a Burris XTR II on my Sako. I really like it.

Let us know what you decide.

Which Bergara do you own?

 

[Charlie98]

Don't discount the Savage 10T, et al (in all it's 3000 variations...) I've fired my 10T (.308) and a 6.5CM RPR side by side... I know what you are saying about not necessarily caring for the RPR. It was a nice rifle to shoot, and the 6.5CM certainly has it's merits, but it wasn't my Savage.

 

[rayatphonix]

I own a Bergara Stalker. The Sako is an A7.

 

[marksman13]

Don't discount the Savage 10T, et al (in all it's 3000 variations...) I've fired my 10T (.308) and a 6.5CM RPR side by side... I know what you are saying about not necessarily caring for the RPR. It was a nice rifle to shoot, and the 6.5CM certainly has it's merits, but it wasn't my Savage.

I know plenty of folks whom are quite happy with their Savage rifles, but I just can't get into them. Every Savage I've ever owned was rough around the edges. Most of them will shoot though.

 

[farmerboy78]

Check the savage 12 lrp and the howa hcr

 

[MattB]

The savage 12 LRP in 6.5 creed is an awesome shooter. I have tried 120, 140, 143, and 147 factory hornady ammo and all have shot less than .75 MOA if I do my part. I cannot wait to try some handloads on this rifle. In my experience, most handloads for my rifles always result in a significant increase in accuracy. The HS stock is a nice match for the rifle and fits great. However, it is a beast of a rifle and is pushing 15lbs+ with scope.

 

[marksman13]

Check the savage 12 lrp and the howa hcr

Savage and Howa have both been hit or miss in terms of accuracy to the point that I can't justify spending a bunch of money on either of them again. I'm only looking at Tikka and Bergara for a bolt gun these days.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

Ar10 will feed 6.5 creed just fine. I made a lower receiver and gave up on my intial project and fitted it to a m5 upper and coated it. Got a
HP bolt and a ballistic advantage premium 24 in barrel in 6.5 creed. Never had a feeding problem.
Problem is shooting that cartridge semi auto or just in a quicker string of fire really does wear on the barrel.

 

[Charlie98]

Every Savage I've ever owned was rough around the edges. Most of them will shoot though.

Fair enough, and I agree.

 

[farmerboy78]

The savage 12 LRP in 6.5 creed is an awesome shooter. I have tried 120, 140, 143, and 147 factory hornady ammo and all have shot less than .75 MOA if I do my part. I cannot wait to try some handloads on this rifle. In my experience, most handloads for my rifles always result in a significant increase in accuracy. The HS stock is a nice match for the rifle and fits great. However, it is a beast of a rifle and is pushing 15lbs+ with scope.

The load I ran in my lrp was, 123gr amax over 43gr varget, loaded out to just kiss the rifling... was a 3/8" all day long and had many 5 shot groups that were 1/4" or less. Was a warm load but not problem on brass.

 

[MattB]

The load I ran in my lrp was, 123gr amax over 43gr varget, loaded out to just kiss the rifling... was a 3/8" all day long and had many 5 shot groups that were 1/4" or less. Was a warm load but not problem on brass.

That def sounds like a hot one! What velocities are you getting with that load?

 

[farmerboy78]

That def sounds like a hot one! What velocities are you getting with that load?

2920fps

 

[farmerboy78]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/20160504_152448-jpg.220971/

This was my 3 shot load development with the lrp, and you can tell which group was the load I mentioned above.

 

[farmerboy78]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/20160506_085409-jpg.220972/

Here' s a slightly closer view

 

[MtnCreek]

Are you sure it wasn't the chassis that you didn't like about the RPR? For me, a chassis is nice only because it's a highly adjustable option that can be ordered and had in hand in a weeks time with no need for a smith. The one I have is an XLR, so this may not apply to others. Mine it great once I'm in position, but does not handle like a rifle. I picked up a T3x CTR back in the fall so I would have a 6.5 creed that I actually wanted to carry.

I have an XTRII and it's a fairly nice scope. It functions great, but image quality isn't strong point. I don't know much about Mk4's; do they have any good reticle options? The SCR-Mil in the XTR is way more useful than a standard mil-dot. Bushnell makes some great scopes not much more than the XTR's that are worth looking at.

 

[js8588]

Tikka. Just do it.

 

[Gtscotty]

If I was laying down $2k for a 6.5 Creedmoor for longer range shooting right now, I'd probably snag one of these on pre-order:

http://patriotvalleyarms.com/john-hancock-bolt-action/

It's based on the new ARC Nucleus action, with a Rock Creek barrel, Timney trigger and KRG Bravo stock, all put together by PVA. Seems like it would be really hard to beat, especially for <$2k.... I've almost got myself talked into one.

 

[dh1633pm]

I am not sure about the Tikka. I have one of there barrels on my M39 Mosin and its all rough about the edges.

I could suggest other rifles, but you want one or the other. Isn't the Tikka more expensive? Have you handled each? Sometimes just touching something helps separate the wheat from the chaff. You certainly picked two brands known to have good accuracy. If handling them doesn't help, then a quarter might?