Competition/Hunting gun. Build or Buy?

[IA_shooter]

First off, what I am wanting to either build or buy is a 6.5 caliber, probably 6.5 CM or 260 Rem, for multi-purpose usage. I'd like to have a rifle suitable for PRS competition (AI mags for example) as well as long range hunting. Heavy enough for competition but not too heavy to hunt with.

I know I want a custom action, possibly a Shilen DGR or ? I know I want a 22-24" barrel with a brake but not too heavy of a profile since I'd like to possibly take it out West Pronghorn hunting in 2018 as well as using it for some possible long range coyote sniping.

Opinions on stocks and barrel profile and length to best achieve what I'm wanting to do is encouraged.

Anyone got a rifle set up for similar usage? If so let me know what you have and what you'd do differently (if anything). Build or Buy?

Thanks for any/all responses in advance.

 

[halfmoanut]

Just want to mention BORDEN RIFLES.Worth at least a look. Cry once but have the best!!

 

[SheepDog]

Build it! You will never forget the experience of working with a good gunsmith and the rifle you end up with will be all you!

 

[IA_shooter]

Build it! You will never forget the experience of working with a good gunsmith and the rifle you end up with will be all you!

I like your thinking. I'm leaning towards a Shilen DGR action, Timney trigger, either a McMillan or a Manners light tactical type stock w/cheek riser and bottom metal for AI mags and a CBI or similar custom barrel, varmint to light varmint or so contour in a 24" length threaded for a brake/suppressor. I already have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24X50 FFP EBR-1 reticle that I plan on using for it.

Now I have to decide on 6.5 CM or 260 REM.

I'll be selling my Savage 10FCP McMillan 308 soon to fund most of the cost of the action and hope to order a barrel before X-Mas.

 

[hogpatrol]

I like your thinking. I'm leaning towards a Shilen DGR action, Timney trigger, either a McMillan or a Manners light tactical type stock w/cheek riser and bottom metal for AI mags and a CBI or similar custom barrel, varmint to light varmint or so contour in a 24" length threaded for a brake/suppressor. I already have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24X50 FFP EBR-1 reticle that I plan on using for it.

Now I have to decide on 6.5 CM or 260 REM.

I'll be selling my Savage 10FCP McMillan 308 soon to fund most of the cost of the action and hope to order a barrel before X-Mas.

My .02 on action and barrel is Stiller or Pierce action, Brux barrel, 8 twist with a Harrel's ported brake. Good Luck with your build.

 

[rpierce]

skip the creedmoor and go 6.5x47. Brass will last over 30 reloads. It will shoot in the .1s and low .2s off a bipod. Ya lapua's going to make creed brass now but dont expect the first batch to stay on the shelves very long. Get a custom action and have a custom barrel in remington varmint contour shouldered like its supposed to. Pillar bed it in a manners EH1 and your looking at 10.5 lbs with a nightforce on it. Light enough to hunt with and still be able to spot hits no problem. Heres a 6.5 saum i shipped out last week that would be about a perfect setup for what your looking for. It weighed 10.5 lbs with optics. The customer of the saum let me take this rifle antelope hunting last month. We ended up shooting 5 antelope from 610 yards all the way out to 1200 yards with it. I have all components instock for builds. I even have some flush 3 round mags that work great for when you want to take the rifle hunting.

 

[rardoin]

skip the creedmoor and go 6.5x47.

An equivalent alternative IF you are going to reload ammunition. If you want the option of having very good factory ammo for hunting or target shooting, the 6.5 x47L is out of the question (at least at this time) then the .260R or the 6.5 Creed fills the bill nicely.

It will shoot in the .1s and low .2s off a bipod.

And so will my 6.5 Creedmoor with my loads...it still shot 20 shot aggs of under .75MOA at 100yds in a factory barrel while burning Prime 130gr ammunition for the brass. Yes, off a Harris.

The only downside to the 6.5 x47, in reality, is the lack of factory ammunition for those that do not roll their own.

 

[RonAKA]

Here is an interesting article on what PRS top shooters are using for a cartridge. There are also other articles describing the equipment/loading used.

 

[rpierce]

This post isn't meant to offend you rardoin. But Im still not sure why a guy would spend $5000+ on a rifle with optics and then throw factory ammo in it? Thats like putting ethanol gas in a ferrari. As far as calibers go why hasn't anyone had any success with the creedmoor in benchrest? I believe there was just a world record broken with the 6.5x47 at 1000 yards. My last fclass 47 barrel held 1.00" vertical at 600 yards for 10 shots. And that was with almost zero load development. If you were to go to a midrange fclass match you will find 10 47's to every 1 creedmoor. Honestly Im not sure if Ive seen more than a couple people using a creedmoor at an f class match. The creedmoor brass is also a joke. The 47 brass is actually way cheaper than creedmoor brass once you figure in how much longer it last. About a $250 savings in the life of one barrel. This is just my thoughts on the creedmoor.

 

[JRS]

This post isn't meant to offend you rardoin. But Im still not sure why a guy would spend $5000+ on a rifle with optics and then throw factory ammo in it? Thats like putting ethanol gas in a ferrari. As far as calibers go why hasn't anyone had any success with the creedmoor in benchrest? I believe there was just a world record broken with the 6.5x47 at 1000 yards. My last fclass 47 barrel held 1.00" vertical at 600 yards for 10 shots. And that was with almost zero load development. If you were to go to a midrange fclass match you will find 10 47's to every 1 creedmoor. Honestly Im not sure if Ive seen more than a couple people using a creedmoor at an f class match. The creedmoor brass is also a joke. The 47 brass is actually way cheaper than creedmoor brass once you figure in how much longer it last. About a $250 savings in the life of one barrel. This is just my thoughts on the creedmoor.

I believe you'll see a big change with the popularity/use of the Creedmoor once the new LAPUA brass is available.

 

[rardoin]

No offense taken Ryan...and I agree that if I were to spend that much on a custom, I would load my own. At my local range, there are several guys that show up with all out custom rigs that do not reload...hence why I qualified my statement. Yes, Creedmoor Hornady brass, and some even say the Nosler, is not up to the quality of Lapua and that, I suspect is a significant reason the Creedmoor is not more popular as a competition rifle. As JRS pointed out, the release of Lapua Creedmoor cases may change that.

Now...back to our regularly scheduled programming...

I think any of the 6.5's mentioned would serve the OP well for his stated purposes.

 

[rpierce]

I agree. The release of the lapua brass will be a game changer when it hits the shelves. I would imagine that first shipment will be bought pretty quickly. Nosler brass is ok. Ive only used it in the 28 noslers Ive built.

 

[IA_shooter]

I do reload so I may have to strongly consider the 6.5X47.

 

[rpierce]

Where are you located in Iowa? Im putting up a new 2600 sq ft shop in a week or so and am moving over between Decorah and New Hampton. You could always swing by sometime and look at all the options for builds since I have all the components instock.

 

[IA_shooter]

Where are you located in Iowa? Im putting up a new 2600 sq ft shop in a week or so and am moving over between Decorah and New Hampton. You could always swing by sometime and look at all the options for builds since I have all the components instock.

I would like to do exactly that sometime. I'm near Iowa City

 

[rardoin]

I would like to do exactly that sometime. I'm near Iowa City

Uh OH....you are getting near the edge of that slippery slope!!!

Go visit and slide down that slope head first and don't look back!

 

[rpierce]

Sounds good. I grew up just outside Cedar Rapids. The new shop will be about 2 hours from Iowa City. Just give me a shout sometime when you want to come up.

 

[perry42]

Have a 6.5x55 built with a medium contour quality barrel, Borden/Stiller action, varmit/thumbhole stock, Harris bipod, and variable power scope of your choice.

perry42

 

[Scarface26]

Build. There is great comfort in KNOWING that every miss is your fault and not blaming it on your $400 rifle and $50 scope.

The guys who win at, well, anywhere are shooting custom guns with hand loaded ammo. Tiger Woods can golf circles around anyone and he doesn't show up at Augusta with a set of clubs be picked up off the sale rack at Academy.

Making myself feel better about keeping my gunsmith in a new truck!!

God bless America,

Scarface 26

 

[DHD]

I intended to do what you are planning, build a do everything rifle. Built it, and decided it was a hunting rifle only. I then built a more proper long range target rifle. Because I intended to use it for multiple purposes, the Manners stock was ordered with the heavy fill. It's an accurate as heck pig.

I'm pretty sure there isn't a do everything rifle. I suggest you build it anyhow and be prepared to build something else too. I'm heavily invested in 6.5 Creedmoor's, but also have 6.5×47L's. I honestly feel the 6.5×47L is a ridiculously easy caliber to tune. Mine shot great right from the start where the Creedmoor's took more rounds down the barrel before they equaled the 47L. I don't concern myself with brass life too much, but I believe the SR primer Lapua brass is the best stuff there is regardless of the caliber on the case head.

I would take rpierce up on the offer and visit with my money in hand especially since he has the parts in stock.

What's a 260?