Opinions needed for next rifle

[dtbighit]

So I hope not to start a big debate......I am looking to move out of the .308 game and wanting to get a .260 or 6.5...I do hand load so I know some of you will say .260 however my dilemma is do I buy a .308 and barrel swap for 6.5 Creedmoor or buy a platform ready to go? My budget will be around 1500-2000 any ideas seems it's hard to find these calibers except for Savage.......any thoughts and thanks in advance

[NoahSki]

Any particular reason for the specified calibers? Is this going to be for hunting or target shooting? Long range?

[denphillips2]

If you reload and are looking at that Clas of 6.5s, I would look at the 6.5x47 Lapua also. Great little 6.5mm.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[cardman]

I am in the process of something similar. I bought a 7 mm-08 Savage rifle, plan getting rid of the stock and barrel.
Going to chamber in 6.5 and add a chassis like XLR's. Just my preference to go that route. my plan is long range target shooting.

[dtbighit]

Sorry I didnt clarify this would be for targets only I'm looking for flat and a higher bc than .308 but with decent availability as far as reloading goes

[dtbighit]

We are in the same boat we will have to keep each other posted as to what route we take, sorry directed at caveman I'm trying to use my tablet and I suck at using this thing....apologies

[XC700116]

Ruger RPR in 6.5 creed or 243. Then if you want more from it get ahold of Josh Kunz from patriot valley arms and get it re-barreled in a caliber of your choice. Even with a rebarrelling, you'll still spend less than 2k and have one hell of a good all around package.

[Grant H.]

I have shot quite a bit of 6.5x47 Lapua, and it is a great little round.

Working up a load, and out of a DTA (so quality rifle and barrel), I managed to shoot the best group of my life at 800. 5 shots that are all touching...

[Spdu4ia]

Why not build a savage but I agree with the previous... Ruger pr is hard to beat

[denphillips2]

I have an extra 6.5 Brux interrupted flute barrel. Heavy Palma. If you are looking to build.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[Great-Kazoo]

Why not build a savage but I agree with the previous... Ruger pr is hard to beat

For the price point, yes it is.

[dtbighit]

Why not build a savage but I agree with the previous... Ruger pr is hard to beat
Yes seems like the Ruger is a viable option however they still seem a little scarce

[cstone]

Savage and put the money into the glass. Just my $.02

[fitz19d]

Who cares of scarce, ifit fits the bill be patient. I've seen 1 for sake here for a few hours and 3 sightings I could have acted on if I want waiting out a reserve with ark. Itsa hot item but nothing like some exotic keltec

[Spdu4ia]

If you want to build it yourself - savage

if you want to buy and go shoot - ruger

[Tim K]

I'll bite. Remington 700. A donor action is $400 with the right sale. Sell some of the bits it comes with and recoup $100.

Figure a barrel at $600 installed. Pick a chassis or stock, and you're in at well under your budget. Buy a used stock and you'll have money left over for glass.

Ok, I'd buy the Ruger if I only had $1,100, but you did say up to $2K. Does that number include a scope?

[C Ward]

Food for thought , the reports of accuracy issues are already out there on the Ruger , all 243's that I've heard and Ruger has never been known for producing accurate rifle barrels .

No way I would commit to one with out trying it , chassis's and stocks are love - hate deal and with the Ruger your married to their chassis .

The aftermarket for Ruger ie Triggers and such is pretty much non existent .

2k builds a nice Rem or Savage when spent right with parts of your choosing not what the bean counters thought would turn a profit .

[XC700116]

Food for thought , the reports of accuracy issues are already out there on the Ruger , all 243's that I've heard and Ruger has never been known for producing accurate rifle barrels .

No way I would commit to one with out trying it , chassis's and stocks are love - hate deal and with the Ruger your married to their chassis .

The aftermarket for Ruger ie Triggers and such is pretty much non existent .

2k builds a nice Rem or Savage when spent right with parts of your choosing not what the bean counters thought would turn a profit .

Chuck does have a point, although after fondling one I personally don't have any issues with the Ruger beyond the barrel and that's an easy fix. That said, if you're not into AR ergos, you're not going to like a Ruger and as Chuck mentioned, you're stuck with it's Ergos where as with a Rem or Savage there's more options than you can list.

There's plenty of options out there, and there's already getting to be a lot of aftermarket support spinning up for the Ruger. There's someone that has a trigger in the works, Seekins is saying they're going to be producing a few items, LRI and Patriot Valley are already doing prefit barrels, etc. They are so far a big hit and the aftermarket has taken notice and running with it so that's a good thing. Is it time to jump into that pool? only you can answer that for yourself, there's a TON of proven reliable parts out there to make a Rem 700 or Savage just how you like it so it boils down to what you want now and down the road.

[dtbighit]

I'll bite. Remington 700. A donor action is $400 with the right sale. Sell some of the bits it comes with and recoup $100.

Figure a barrel at $600 installed. Pick a chassis or stock, and you're in at well under your budget. Buy a used stock and you'll have money left over for glass.

Ok, I'd buy the Ruger if I only had $1,100, but you did say up to $2K. Does that number include a scope?
That number is with no glass....I think this is the route Im going to go

[dtbighit]

Food for thought , the reports of accuracy issues are already out there on the Ruger , all 243's that I've heard and Ruger has never been known for producing accurate rifle barrels .

No way I would commit to one with out trying it , chassis's and stocks are love - hate deal and with the Ruger your married to their chassis .

The aftermarket for Ruger ie Triggers and such is pretty much non existent .

2k builds a nice Rem or Savage when spent right with parts of your choosing not what the bean counters thought would turn a profit .
Yes I agree with you I think I would like something custom to me and me only........buy one cry once right?

[Calculated]

I have a RPR in 243 and I love it. The trigger is great on mine. Ergonomics are great too, for me. It's been a sub moa gun for me after I zeroed in a little on load dev, and I believe I can still shrink that number. And better yet, if you wanted you could sell the unfired barrel for a reasonable amount and get an aftermarket from LRI, or Patriot Valley or whoever at a discount. You'd still have lotsa loot left over for a nicer optic, or ammo or reloading supplies or a nice dinner out with your special lady. From what I've seen the 6.5 creeds are the best shooting caliber with the Ruger too.

If you were going to build, it really depends on if you reload or not. If you do, the 6.5 Lapua seems to be the most accurate round of the three 6.5's . If you don't, obviously the Creedmoor would be your best bet as the cost of match grade factory ammo is very well priced. My opinion is the difference between the 260, Creed and Lapua is negligible as far as long range is concerned, you're not buying yourself much extra distance or wind/drop advantage with the added velocity over the Lapua. If you're worried about shooting past 1500 yds, you should look at another caliber. I'm pretty sure most competitions don't go past 1300 either.

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor and I absolutely love it, but I think when I rebarrel I'll be going with the 6.5 Lapua.

I'd be hesitant to suggest to anyone that hasn't shot alot of long distance to spend alot of money on their first rifle for competition. Your tastes will undoubtedly change as you go, and alot of times a good amount of the money you invested will be gone if you decide to sell for something different.

Summarily, I'd recommend anyone looking to get into competition to get a RPR in 6.5 Creed. It's the best bang for your buck right now. You'll undoubtedly find what you like and don't like about chassis, the caliber and competition with a smaller investment and the opportunity to recoup a decent amount of your money when you decide what you really want.

Whew, sorry....

[C Ward]

The 2 things that scare me about the Ruger are their track record on barrels and it is built on their price point action .

Planning to rebarreling at purchase takes the price to the 1500$ range and how is the action going to hold up to heavy use instead of the limited use most price point hunting guns see .

[ray1970]

The 2 things that scare me about the Ruger are their track record on barrels and it is built on their price point action .

Planning to rebarreling at purchase takes the price to the 1500$ range and how is the action going to hold up to heavy use instead of the limited use most price point hunting guns see .

I'll just add that I feel the Ruger will be a good rifle for those on a budget who don't plan on modifying or upgrading it.

Like you mentioned, by the time you buy the rifle and start upgrading it you'd just about be better off to start from scratch and build off of a proven action.

[MarkCO]

If you said first rifle, I think Chuck's opinion holds a lot of weight. Since you said "another" the RPR should be in the mix of you like the Ergonomics. I just took my .308 apart and sold the rifle as stock and will be putting my AICS chassis up for sale. The proceeds of which are slated for an RPR. I did like the Ergos and shot under 1/2 MOA with the stock one I tried. I have yet to see a skilled rifleman complain of accuracy issues with their personal RPR. The platform is going to pick up a lot of newer and less experienced shooters and I honestly think that is the bulk of the accuracy complaints.

[Great-Kazoo]

If you said first rifle, I think Chuck's opinion holds a lot of weight. Since you said "another" the RPR should be in the mix of you like the Ergonomics. I just took my .308 apart and sold the rifle as stock and will be putting my AICS chassis up for sale. The proceeds of which are slated for an RPR. I did like the Ergos and shot under 1/2 MOA with the stock one I tried. I have yet to see a skilled rifleman complain of accuracy issues with their personal RPR. The platform is going to pick up a lot of newer and less experienced shooters and I honestly think that is the bulk of the accuracy complaints.

You mean it's the rifle is a piece of crap mantra, while the shooter has maybe 2 days of trigger time, on a new / unfamiliar gun before throwing in the towel.

[dtbighit]

So I think I am going the build route and am looking for recommendations on who to use for the build any suggestions? Thanks in advance

[Delfuego]

Remember if you go 6.5x47 you will need a small firing pin.

Josh Kunz, Mark Chanlynn, Patrick at TriggerTime, lots of good options for gunsmiths.

[denphillips2]

6.5x47 has small rifle primers, but doesn't need a small firing pin. Small pins hold pressures better, and most of the time are fit better so cratering is almost eliminated.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[banks74]

The 2 things that scare me about the Ruger are their track record on barrels and it is built on their price point action .

Planning to rebarreling at purchase takes the price to the 1500$ range and how is the action going to hold up to heavy use instead of the limited use most price point hunting guns see .

I agree with everything Chuck said.

A good option is a Tikka Ctr. Throw it in a KRG xray. All the ones I've been around are fantastic shooters. Slick actions, good triggers and already threaded About $1500 for the combo too.