Decided on Caliber - Now need to decide on Rifle

[Rich M]

After some consideration, thought and looking at the ammo available around here - gonna run with the 6.5 CM for a new rifle. A little research showed that with similar bullets, the 6.5 CM and 7mm-08 are basically identical out to 500 yds. I just can't readily get the 7mm-08 ammo around here - go figure, but they carry oodles of 6.5 CM.

Wife hunted 2 weekends ago and saw a big whitetail buck at 200-250 yards, well out of range of her 357 mag rifle, now wants to carry something a little larger when she hunts. It's funny watching her when she talks about it - it pains her that she didn't shoot it. LOL! So killing 2 birds with one stone. We'll both shoot this one.

Anyway - in the market for a bolt gun.
Not looking for the lightest gun out there - 7# class is fine, I'm not climbing mountains.
Price range up to say $1,200.
Will put a Leica ER 2.5-10x44 on there w Leupold mounts.
Will reload to a point - find a good deer-class load and stick with it.

I like stainless rifles, but the new cerakote stuff seems legit. Just no experience with it.

So - what do you think? I have a Win 70 but also like Browning Xbolt, Tikka is nice and I have a soft spot for Ruger. Which direction to go?

 

[JimP]

If it is for your Mrs, I would take her down to the gun shop and let her decide.

Also look at the Weatherby Vanguard Camila which was built with the ladies in mind.

 

[mallardsx2]

I would go with one of the hells canyon LR, leupold scope and Talley cerecoated rings to match..

And I would also get a higher power scope to do that paper puncher justice.

 

[tim]

i have a ruger hawkeye in 6.5. works for me.

 

[AKaviator]

I've been intrigued with the Christensen Mesa, which is about in your price range. You might look at one of those!

 

[Fink]

I've been intrigued with the Christensen Mesa, which is about in your price range. You might look at one of those!

Agree here, I recently bought the Ridgeline, seems to be a really nice rifle, not sure it's worth $600 more than the Mesa. I really liked the Mesa when I handled it, actually wish I would have bought it instead.
If I didn't go Christensen, I'd go Weatherby.

 

[HuskyMusky]

I would just make sure it's built on a short action, not long action.

and I would probably want a 22" barrel, not 24", possibly even 20".

Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

believe the tikka and weatherby in 6.5cm, would only be built on long actions...
weatherby mkv long action probably... the vanguards I think have short action options...

 

[taskswap]

If it is for your Mrs, I would take her down to the gun shop and let her decide.

Also look at the Weatherby Vanguard Camila which was built with the ladies in mind.

I got my wife the Camilla in 7mm-08 as a present. She's over the moon about it. The wood isn't QUITE as nice as the marketing photos would leave you to believe but it's a beautiful gun and it fits her like a dream.

 

[Montana]

I’m going to go with the Tikka as my vote. Very accurate rifle out of the box.

 

[Rich M]

Thanks guys.

This is gonna be a shared rifle.

Gonna have to get her somewhere she can heft a few. Few gun shops other than BPS around here since gander closed.

 

[zpooch]

Tikka T3 JRTXB382 T3x Lite 6.5 Creedmoor 3+1 24.30' Black Stainless Steel Right Hand

<p>Tikka's T3x Lite combines high performance with lightweight ease. The T3x receiver introduces a widened angular ejection port making it easier to feed one cartridge at a time, and extra screw placements on top of the receiver to robustly attach a Picatinny rail. The Lite models are equipped...

lockedloaded.com

Great deal on a stainless Tikka

 

[tdub24]

I bought the Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon Speed in 6.5 Creedmoor and love the rifle so that gets my vote.

 

[Winchester]

My daughter just got a Savage that shoots really well.

 

[JimP]

The first three shots out of my Weatherby Vanguard shooting factory ammo right off of the shelf were a very nice clover leaf about 3/8" in diameter at 100 yards. This was a .25-06. It has only gotten better with reloads.

 

[Bonecollector]

Creedmoor and ribbons and bows.I’m sure your wife will love it.

 

[Rich M]

Time to break out the hot pink safety garb!

 

[Eberle]

I bought the Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon Speed in 6.5 Creedmoor and love the rifle so that gets my vote.

X2

 

[Bonecollector]

 

[Bonecollector]

 

[Bonecollector]