CONSIDERING A "LOW END" 6.5 CREEDMOOR RUGER OR SAVAGE

[The Annoyed Man]

I went through the same due diligence a while ago. My .308 was plenty accurate out to 800 yards, but I still wanted a 6.5. After my research, I decided to go with a .260 Remington instead of the 6.5 Creedmoor. The ballistics are virtually identical, and the .260 uses the same parent case as the .308. Since I have lots (and I mean lots) of .308 brass (as well as a good supply of .243), I decided to go with a cartridge for which it would be easy to form brass from stock on hand. You sound like a reloader; something to consider.

I've seen a number of shooters on the 1200 yard line at ETTS with rifles chambered in the 6mm - 6.8mm class of cartridges, including the Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. My son's former boss is a very long range shooter, and his favorite rifle is a .260 Remington-chambered AR10 platform.....with many many ducats sunk into building it. Why that platform, and not a bolt gun, I don't know.....but he does know a lot about long range shooting. He even wildcatted a new cartridge of his own design not too long ago, which is currently under consideration by SAAMi, called "568 DMR" for long range shooting and still clocks supersonic at 1,300 yards. I believe it is a heavy-for-caliber 5.56mm bullet like a 90 or 100 grainer, in a 6.8 SPC case, or something like that. He currently owns the only set of dies and chamber reamer for it, but there's gold in them thar hills if SAAMI standardizes it.

Anyway, the guys with their Ruger Precision rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor seem to enjoy them a lot, and they are getting pretty decent long range accuracy out of them. My problem is that I am already fairly invested in .308, both in rifles and in reloading components, as well as rifles and reloading components for .223/5.56......and I've also taken on reloading for .300 Blackout. I am not anxious to take on another rifle caliber at this point. (I have a box of unsorted spent.308 brass that weighs an easy 50 lbs or more, and another that weighs just a little more, full of unsorted spent .223/556 brass!) I've gotten my .308 Remington 700 out to 800 yards so far, and with practice hope to get it out to 1,000 - but that's just an arbitrary number that is about as far as I think I would be capable of hitting anything reliably. 800 yards out may not seem like much to people who haven't shot at that distance, but it is a darn long ways. I don't anticipate ever needing to hit something at that range besides a piece of steel plate or a paper target. So for me, the 1,000 yard line is just a benchmark I'd like to achieve for its own sake. My instructor told me he was hitting targets of opportunity at 1,300 yards in Afghanistan with a .308 bolt gun (he is a retired MARSOC scout sniper), so I have no doubt that the rifle will reach that far. I just have a lot of doubt that this shooter can do it. So 1,000 is the limit I set for myself. If I can do it with this rifle, I'll be happy.

I haven't considered buying one of the new class of precision rifles from any manufacturer, but I have considered investing in a chassis system for the Remington I have - which is currently stocked with a tan HS Precision Varmint profile stock similar to the old M40 profile. But that stock does not have any adjustability built into it, and whereas it is fine for shooting from the bench, I'm finding the comb too low and the length of pull too long for shooting from the prone. I've adjusted the comb upwards with a neoprene sleeve with inserts under it, but the LOP is still too long for comfort. So I'm looking at chassis systems that are within my price range that will give me that adjustability in both planes without breaking the bank.

[Surgeon]

I went through the same due diligence a while ago. My .308 was plenty accurate out to 800 yards, but I still wanted a 6.5. After my research, I decided to go with a .260 Remington instead of the 6.5 Creedmoor. The ballistics are virtually identical, and the .260 uses the same parent case as the .308. Since I have lots (and I mean lots) of .308 brass (as well as a good supply of .243), I decided to go with a cartridge for which it would be easy to form brass from stock on hand. You sound like a reloader; something to consider.

I've seen a number of shooters on the 1200 yard line at ETTS with rifles chambered in the 6mm - 6.8mm class of cartridges, including the Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. My son's former boss is a very long range shooter, and his favorite rifle is a .260 Remington-chambered AR10 platform.....with many many ducats sunk into building it. Why that platform, and not a bolt gun, I don't know.....but he does know a lot about long range shooting. He even wildcatted a new cartridge of his own design not too long ago, which is currently under consideration by SAAMi, called "568 DMR" for long range shooting and still clocks supersonic at 1,300 yards. I believe it is a heavy-for-caliber 5.56mm bullet like a 90 or 100 grainer, in a 6.8 SPC case, or something like that. He currently owns the only set of dies and chamber reamer for it, but there's gold in them thar hills if SAAMI standardizes it.

Anyway, the guys with their Ruger Precision rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor seem to enjoy them a lot, and they are getting pretty decent long range accuracy out of them. My problem is that I am already fairly invested in .308, both in rifles and in reloading components, as well as rifles and reloading components for .223/5.56......and I've also taken on reloading for .300 Blackout. I am not anxious to take on another rifle caliber at this point. (I have a box of unsorted spent.308 brass that weighs an easy 50 lbs or more, and another that weighs just a little more, full of unsorted spent .223/556 brass!) I've gotten my .308 Remington 700 out to 800 yards so far, and with practice hope to get it out to 1,000 - but that's just an arbitrary number that is about as far as I think I would be capable of hitting anything reliably. 800 yards out may not seem like much to people who haven't shot at that distance, but it is a darn long ways. I don't anticipate ever needing to hit something at that range besides a piece of steel plate or a paper target. So for me, the 1,000 yard line is just a benchmark I'd like to achieve for its own sake. My instructor told me he was hitting targets of opportunity at 1,300 yards in Afghanistan with a .308 bolt gun (he is a retired MARSOC scout sniper), so I have no doubt that the rifle will reach that far. I just have a lot of doubt that this shooter can do it. So 1,000 is the limit I set for myself. If I can do it with this rifle, I'll be happy.

I haven't considered buying one of the new class of precision rifles from any manufacturer, but I have considered investing in a chassis system for the Remington I have - which is currently stocked with a tan HS Precision Varmint profile stock similar to the old M40 profile. But that stock does not have any adjustability built into it, and whereas it is fine for shooting from the bench, I'm finding the comb too low and the length of pull too long for shooting from the prone. I've adjusted the comb upwards with a neoprene sleeve with inserts under it, but the LOP is still too long for comfort. So I'm looking at chassis systems that are within my price range that will give me that adjustability in both planes without breaking the bank.

Interesting input an informative too. I'm like you, I love my .308, well heck, I love them all but I sort of got some bug in my bonnet about getting my hands on this critter. Wish I could say I really need it but I said that about the last ten or so..(only two if you ask my wife). I have found that no matter how much research one does there in their search there's always something else out there that's better. I guess I'll do some more exploring over the next few weeks and integrate some of the suggestions offered here and see what I come up with.
Thanks for offering your feedback and ideas.

[Jusme]

I went through the same due diligence a while ago. My .308 was plenty accurate out to 800 yards, but I still wanted a 6.5. After my research, I decided to go with a .260 Remington instead of the 6.5 Creedmoor. The ballistics are virtually identical, and the .260 uses the same parent case as the .308. Since I have lots (and I mean lots) of .308 brass (as well as a good supply of .243), I decided to go with a cartridge for which it would be easy to form brass from stock on hand. You sound like a reloader; something to consider.

I've seen a number of shooters on the 1200 yard line at ETTS with rifles chambered in the 6mm - 6.8mm class of cartridges, including the Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. My son's former boss is a very long range shooter, and his favorite rifle is a .260 Remington-chambered AR10 platform.....with many many ducats sunk into building it. Why that platform, and not a bolt gun, I don't know.....but he does know a lot about long range shooting. He even wildcatted a new cartridge of his own design not too long ago, which is currently under consideration by SAAMi, called "568 DMR" for long range shooting and still clocks supersonic at 1,300 yards. I believe it is a heavy-for-caliber 5.56mm bullet like a 90 or 100 grainer, in a 6.8 SPC case, or something like that. He currently owns the only set of dies and chamber reamer for it, but there's gold in them thar hills if SAAMI standardizes it.

Anyway, the guys with their Ruger Precision rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor seem to enjoy them a lot, and they are getting pretty decent long range accuracy out of them. My problem is that I am already fairly invested in .308, both in rifles and in reloading components, as well as rifles and reloading components for .223/5.56......and I've also taken on reloading for .300 Blackout. I am not anxious to take on another rifle caliber at this point. (I have a box of unsorted spent.308 brass that weighs an easy 50 lbs or more, and another that weighs just a little more, full of unsorted spent .223/556 brass!) I've gotten my .308 Remington 700 out to 800 yards so far, and with practice hope to get it out to 1,000 - but that's just an arbitrary number that is about as far as I think I would be capable of hitting anything reliably. 800 yards out may not seem like much to people who haven't shot at that distance, but it is a darn long ways. I don't anticipate ever needing to hit something at that range besides a piece of steel plate or a paper target. So for me, the 1,000 yard line is just a benchmark I'd like to achieve for its own sake. My instructor told me he was hitting targets of opportunity at 1,300 yards in Afghanistan with a .308 bolt gun (he is a retired MARSOC scout sniper), so I have no doubt that the rifle will reach that far. I just have a lot of doubt that this shooter can do it. So 1,000 is the limit I set for myself. If I can do it with this rifle, I'll be happy.

I haven't considered buying one of the new class of precision rifles from any manufacturer, but I have considered investing in a chassis system for the Remington I have - which is currently stocked with a tan HS Precision Varmint profile stock similar to the old M40 profile. But that stock does not have any adjustability built into it, and whereas it is fine for shooting from the bench, I'm finding the comb too low and the length of pull too long for shooting from the prone. I've adjusted the comb upwards with a neoprene sleeve with inserts under it, but the LOP is still too long for comfort. So I'm looking at chassis systems that are within my price range that will give me that adjustability in both planes without breaking the bank.

Interesting input an informative too. I'm like you, I love my .308, well heck, I love them all but I sort of got some bug in my bonnet about getting my hands on this critter. Wish I could say I really need it but I said that about the last ten or so..(only two if you ask my wife). I have found that no matter how much research one does there in their search there's always something else out there that's better. I guess I'll do some more exploring over the next few weeks and integrate some of the suggestions offered here and see what I come up with.
Thanks for offering your feedback and ideas.

That's why you should not wait 10 years before buying a new firearm. There is always something newer and better coming, and if you wait, you won't have as many good excuses available to make the next purchase.
Of course Mrs. Jusme, doesn't see the logic in my theory.

[Surgeon]

I went through the same due diligence a while ago. My .308 was plenty accurate out to 800 yards, but I still wanted a 6.5. After my research, I decided to go with a .260 Remington instead of the 6.5 Creedmoor. The ballistics are virtually identical, and the .260 uses the same parent case as the .308. Since I have lots (and I mean lots) of .308 brass (as well as a good supply of .243), I decided to go with a cartridge for which it would be easy to form brass from stock on hand. You sound like a reloader; something to consider.

I've seen a number of shooters on the 1200 yard line at ETTS with rifles chambered in the 6mm - 6.8mm class of cartridges, including the Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. My son's former boss is a very long range shooter, and his favorite rifle is a .260 Remington-chambered AR10 platform.....with many many ducats sunk into building it. Why that platform, and not a bolt gun, I don't know.....but he does know a lot about long range shooting. He even wildcatted a new cartridge of his own design not too long ago, which is currently under consideration by SAAMi, called "568 DMR" for long range shooting and still clocks supersonic at 1,300 yards. I believe it is a heavy-for-caliber 5.56mm bullet like a 90 or 100 grainer, in a 6.8 SPC case, or something like that. He currently owns the only set of dies and chamber reamer for it, but there's gold in them thar hills if SAAMI standardizes it.

Anyway, the guys with their Ruger Precision rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor seem to enjoy them a lot, and they are getting pretty decent long range accuracy out of them. My problem is that I am already fairly invested in .308, both in rifles and in reloading components, as well as rifles and reloading components for .223/5.56......and I've also taken on reloading for .300 Blackout. I am not anxious to take on another rifle caliber at this point. (I have a box of unsorted spent.308 brass that weighs an easy 50 lbs or more, and another that weighs just a little more, full of unsorted spent .223/556 brass!) I've gotten my .308 Remington 700 out to 800 yards so far, and with practice hope to get it out to 1,000 - but that's just an arbitrary number that is about as far as I think I would be capable of hitting anything reliably. 800 yards out may not seem like much to people who haven't shot at that distance, but it is a darn long ways. I don't anticipate ever needing to hit something at that range besides a piece of steel plate or a paper target. So for me, the 1,000 yard line is just a benchmark I'd like to achieve for its own sake. My instructor told me he was hitting targets of opportunity at 1,300 yards in Afghanistan with a .308 bolt gun (he is a retired MARSOC scout sniper), so I have no doubt that the rifle will reach that far. I just have a lot of doubt that this shooter can do it. So 1,000 is the limit I set for myself. If I can do it with this rifle, I'll be happy.

I haven't considered buying one of the new class of precision rifles from any manufacturer, but I have considered investing in a chassis system for the Remington I have - which is currently stocked with a tan HS Precision Varmint profile stock similar to the old M40 profile. But that stock does not have any adjustability built into it, and whereas it is fine for shooting from the bench, I'm finding the comb too low and the length of pull too long for shooting from the prone. I've adjusted the comb upwards with a neoprene sleeve with inserts under it, but the LOP is still too long for comfort. So I'm looking at chassis systems that are within my price range that will give me that adjustability in both planes without breaking the bank.

Interesting input an informative too. I'm like you, I love my .308, well heck, I love them all but I sort of got some bug in my bonnet about getting my hands on this critter. Wish I could say I really need it but I said that about the last ten or so..(only two if you ask my wife). I have found that no matter how much research one does there in their search there's always something else out there that's better. I guess I'll do some more exploring over the next few weeks and integrate some of the suggestions offered here and see what I come up with.
Thanks for offering your feedback and ideas.

That's why you should not wait 10 years before buying a new firearm. There is always something newer and better coming, and if you wait, you won't have as many good excuses available to make the next purchase.
Of course Mrs. Jusme, doesn't see the logic in my theory.

I'm good for a new addition about twice a year and I'm overdue. Almost everything I have in the long gun category is .30 cal, 7.62, .308, 30-06, 300WM, .300 BLK Out (except for my .22's and AR) and this was by design because of the first round of ammo shortages and reloading..one bullet fits all kinda mentality. So this is "uncharted" territory for me but its peeked my interest and "I SWEAR....THIS'LL BE THE LAST GUN PURCHASE FOR A LOOOOOONNNNGGGGG TIME". Anyway I'm getting a tad OCD about this round. I gots ta know ....

[RoyGBiv]

Get a Tikka T3 or Tikka T3x and thank me later.

I've been lusting after the T3x Battue Lite for the iron sites and other features.
Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't import that one.

Cabelas has several Tikkas in stock new, and had several more in the pre-owned rack (Ft. Worth location) last weekend.

The only reason I don't own a Tikka (yet?) is the lack of a threaded barrel.

[jb2012]

Get a Tikka T3 or Tikka T3x and thank me later.

I've been lusting after the T3x Battue Lite for the iron sites and other features.
Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't import that one.

Cabelas has several Tikkas in stock new, and had several more in the pre-owned rack (Ft. Worth location) last weekend.

The only reason I don't own a Tikka (yet?) is the lack of a threaded barrel.

Buy a used Tikka in .308, have the barrel swapped out for a bartlein 6.5cm threaded barrel! It's a win win!

[RoyGBiv]

Get a Tikka T3 or Tikka T3x and thank me later.

I've been lusting after the T3x Battue Lite for the iron sites and other features.
Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't import that one.

Cabelas has several Tikkas in stock new, and had several more in the pre-owned rack (Ft. Worth location) last weekend.

The only reason I don't own a Tikka (yet?) is the lack of a threaded barrel.

Buy a used Tikka in .308, have the barrel swapped out for a bartlein 6.5cm threaded barrel! It's a win win!

I'm hoping to have some scratch left over for a decent scope. +$850 for a barrel is out of my budget.
Been considering the Ruger American Predator in 308 (they also come in 6.5cm) but would like to shoot one before "pulling the trigger"

[Surgeon]

Get a Tikka T3 or Tikka T3x and thank me later.

I've been lusting after the T3x Battue Lite for the iron sites and other features.
Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't import that one.

Cabelas has several Tikkas in stock new, and had several more in the pre-owned rack (Ft. Worth location) last weekend.

The only reason I don't own a Tikka (yet?) is the lack of a threaded barrel.

Buy a used Tikka in .308, have the barrel swapped out for a bartlein 6.5cm threaded barrel! It's a win win!

Now there's an idea !

[Beiruty]

Get a Tikka T3 or Tikka T3x and thank me later.

I've been lusting after the T3x Battue Lite for the iron sites and other features.
Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't import that one.

Cabelas has several Tikkas in stock new, and had several more in the pre-owned rack (Ft. Worth location) last weekend.

The only reason I don't own a Tikka (yet?) is the lack of a threaded barrel.

Buy a used Tikka in .308, have the barrel swapped out for a bartlein 6.5cm threaded barrel! It's a win win!

Now there's an idea !

T3/T3x CTR are threaded.

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3/t3- ... ical-rifle

[Sidro]

Buy the Ruger predator for $400 and the Minox ZV3 4.5-14x44 BDC Riflescope for $280. I adjust all my Ruger triggers and like them but a Timney 2 or 2.5 lb trigger can be had for $125. Buy a nice set of rings($100) and with tax you will still come out less than $1000 with one very nice toy to play with. If you don't like it you still have some serious trading material.

[Surgeon]

Buy the Ruger predator for $400 and the Minox ZV3 4.5-14x44 BDC Riflescope for $280. I adjust all my Ruger triggers and like them but a Timney 2 or 2.5 lb trigger can be had for $125. Buy a nice set of rings($100) and with tax you will still come out less than $1000 with one very nice toy to play with. If you don't like it you still have some serious trading material.

Another great idea. Thanks. Thats kinda what I haven mind. Low on the front end to see how she shoots and then build it up to what I want long term. To me this makes more sense than a big outlay of $$$ on the from end to see "if I like it and how it shoots"....could be good or bad. If it turns out good then I have no problem making the investment in tweaking it the way I want and I'll have another good long range rifle. Thanks for the idea.

[WTR]

If you find a "shooter", you need to look into glass and pillar bedding the action as well as free floating the barrel.(this can dramatically increase the accuracy and consistency of the rifle). Also, you should probably figure spending as much on glass as you would on a budget rifle.

[Surgeon]

If you find a "shooter", you need to look into glass and pillar bedding the action as well as free floating the barrel.(this can dramatically increase the accuracy and consistency of the rifle). Also, you should probably figure spending as much on glass as you would on a budget rifle.

Most all of my "shooters" are bedded and free floated barrel except for one at the moment and I think its the reason its a tad off. So I agree all those would be a must for best performance and overall consistency. At least now, with all the suggestions I think I have a good starting point and long term plan for the final build.
Thanks for adding your comments.

[The Annoyed Man]

Buy the Ruger predator for $400 and the Minox ZV3 4.5-14x44 BDC Riflescope for $280. I adjust all my Ruger triggers and like them but a Timney 2 or 2.5 lb trigger can be had for $125. Buy a nice set of rings($100) and with tax you will still come out less than $1000 with one very nice toy to play with. If you don't like it you still have some serious trading material.

I think I paid about $135 for the Timney trigger I put in my Remington 700. I set the pull to 2.25 lbs, which is so light that it's a little scary, but it has also been completely reliable — only firing when pulled. It breaks like a glass blade of grass, nice and crisp, and lighter than the proverbial glass rod, and with no creep or takeup. I can't recommend them highly enough for aftermarket triggers. I have Timneys in my SCAR 17S and my custom AR15 build too. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.

I hear good things about Jewell, and other aftermarket trigger makers, but have no experience with them. But other than a good scope, the trigger was the most important modification I've made to the Remington. It already had a pretty good stock, and a pretty nice barrel. The model I have is the 700 VSF, and hasn't been manufactured since 2007. I got one of the final year's production run. It's essentially a Sendero, except that it has a regular instead of stainless action and barrel, but it is configured the same: a 26" 1:10 fluted heavy profile barrel, in a HS Precision varmint profile stock. I'm a sucker for looking at pictures of it.


Anyway, Timney triggers rock.

[Beiruty]

TAM,

We should go for 1k range and see how far you can push your 308. I am happy with my SSG04 300WM. Your Remmy looks so nice... Not ugly black like mine.