Weatherby Mark V Accumark Elite 6.5 CM vs. Springfield Waypoint 2020 6.5 CM

[Drivetacks]

Long time first time... I am deciding between the above mentioned rifles - both at essentially the same exact price point. I am looking to use these mostly for medium range shooting (sighs in NJ range limitations) with the expectation to get into hunting...

Any thoughts on a preference between these two rifles, being at the exact same price?

 

[swampbuck]

Sounds like you are planning to do more shooting then actual hunting. 6.5 Creedmoor will be best for you. Much better to learn on and much more economical. Also a very capable hunting round for whitetails. The only thing that you really couldn't hunt with it in the northeast would be moose. It is great for all other deer species.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

They quality of both of those is so hit or miss and they cost more than a Seekins Havak PH2 which is absolutely a better rifle than both.

So I’d buy a Seekins in 6.5CM, have a better rifle, and put the $$ you save towards better glass.

Seekins Precision HAVAK Pro Hunter PH2 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 1:8" 5/8"x24 TPI Bbl Desert Shadow Rifle w/(1) 5rd PMAG 0011710115-DS For Sale - EuroOptic

Seekins Precision HAVAK Pro Hunter PH2 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 1:8" 5/8"x24 TPI Bbl Desert Shadow Rifle w/(1) 5rd PMAG 0011710115-DS For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Sounds like you are planning to do more shooting then actual hunting. 6.5 Creedmoor will be best for you. Much better to learn on and much more economical. Also a very capable hunting round for whitetails. The only thing that you really couldn't hunt with it in the northeast would be moose. It is great for all other deer species.

6.5mm will absolutely kill moose, people have done it. Shit loads have been killed by 30-30’s which don’t have nearly the energy of a 6.5CM. People are killing moose and elk with 223’s loaded with 77gr TMK’s.

 

[Drivetacks]

Sounds like you are planning to do more shooting then actual hunting. 6.5 Creedmoor will be best for you. Much better to learn on and much more economical. Also a very capable hunting round for whitetails. The only thing that you really couldn't hunt with it in the northeast would be moose. It is great for all other deer species.

Yea, I think punching paper will realistically be it's main purpose until I really commit to getting into hunting. Thanks!

They quality of both of those is so hit or miss and they cost more than a Seekins Havak PH2 which is absolutely a better rifle than both.

So I’d buy a Seekins in 6.5CM, have a better rifle, and put the $$ you save towards better glass.

Seekins Precision HAVAK Pro Hunter PH2 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 1:8" 5/8"x24 TPI Bbl Desert Shadow Rifle w/(1) 5rd PMAG 0011710115-DS For Sale - EuroOptic

Seekins Precision HAVAK Pro Hunter PH2 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 1:8" 5/8"x24 TPI Bbl Desert Shadow Rifle w/(1) 5rd PMAG 0011710115-DS For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

what is your reasoning for this being absolutely better?

 

[spife7980]

what is your reasoning for this being absolutely better?

its not a weatherby or springfield... so by default.

 

[swampbuck]

6.5mm will absolutely kill moose, people have done it. Shit loads have been killed by 30-30’s which don’t have nearly the energy of a 6.5CM. People are killing moose and elk with 223’s loaded with 77gr TMK’s.

You are right redneck. A 6.5 Creedmoor can kill a moose, but many do not recommend the 6.5 Creedmoor for animals that size. A 22 long rifle can kill a moose with the right shot through the eye. Can and should are two entirely different things. But I will concede that it has been done before. I definitely don't recommend it for Drivetacks who doesn't have hunting experience.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Yea, I think punching paper will realistically be it's main purpose until I really commit to getting into hunting. Thanks!

what is your reasoning for this being absolutely better?

Seekins makes absolutely solid stuff. The PH2 is no exception and has a great reputation.

I've had a bunch of Mark V's, the older ones were good but they use Criterion barrels which are extremely hit or miss and quality has gotten worse. Even in the older models I had some that were not shooters, a couple varmint masters and one accumark.

I have no experience with the Springfield but Springfield has given people plenty of reasons not to buy their stuff and there are numerous reports of people getting duds with the waypoint. I wouldn't touch one with a 10' pole.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You are right redneck. A 6.5 Creedmoor can kill a moose, but many do not recommend the 6.5 Creedmoor for animals that size. A 22 long rifle can kill a moose with the right shot through the eye. Can and should are two entirely different things. But I will concede that it has been done before. I definitely don't recommend it for Drivetacks who doesn't have hunting experience.

That's a stupid fucking argument, theres a big difference between a round that will effectively kill with a heart/lung shot and one you have to shoot in the eye.

There's plenty of fudds that think you need a 30 cal magnum to kill a deer. There's plenty of fudds who go out and wound deer, elk and moose with those same magnums because they can't shoot them for a fuck.

6.5 Creedmoor will absolutely ethically kill a moose as long as you're within the limitations of the bullet performance and make a clean shot. A clean shot is required with ANY caliber to make an ethical kill.

 

[swampbuck]

F bomb so early I the morning Redneck? I'll stick to my stance that there are other better choices for moose. But you keep being you early morning f bomb self Redneck. I'm sure the world around you appreciates it.

 

[swampbuck]

I agree with Redneck that seekins is better than the other choices and it is a much better way to spend your money. And Redneck is right that you can hunt moose with a 6.5 Creedmoor but something little heavier is preferable if available in my opinion. For a rifle that is going to do more shooting than hunting the Creedmoor is an easy choice. And there is nothing more perfect for New Jersey Sitka Deer.

 

[Drivetacks]

While we are on the topic - what do you all recommend as the best hunting rifle there is? Seems like a lot of Seekins love. Price thrown out the window and quality/accuracy being the key

 

[Drivetacks]

Being that seekins seems to be a winner with this group, do you all like the Hit Pro? I have no qualms with going the TaCtiCaL rifle style to begin my experience shooting long range over a hunting rifle style. I understand the weight wouldn’t be ideal, but as a range shooter, thoughts?

 

[swampbuck]

That is a big can of worms, but let me start out by saying there is no one perfect rifle. I have a safe full of rifles that I use for different game, different setups and different terrain. A mountain Ibex rifle that you may be carrying for miles at altitude is very different then a prairie dog rifle that you use setting up a picnic table in front of a dog town. I will give you a few pointers to consider though.

1. Consider game. Smallest to largest that you may hunt with this rifle. Redneck is right that many deer and other critters are wounded every year by big magnums that people just don't shoot well. I recommend staying away from a hard recoiling rifle that you don't enjoy shooting and don't want to practice with. Also barrel burners and expensive brass don't float my boat either.

2. Consider terrain. Heavyweight rifles are easier to shoot accurately but not if you are huffing and puffing from having to carry it. Also you need to be honest with yourself. What is your stamina and athletic ability. If you read this forum long you will hear tell that many guys are hunting with 15 + lb PRS rigs. I'm fat, and getting older everyday. While I own and enjoy shooting heavy tactical rifles I like for my hunting rigs to be around 8 lbs glass and all. Maybe 9 or 10 with a bipod. But I hunt in the wooded southeast where 300 yard shots are the exception and 100 or less is more common. I usually deer hunt from an elevated tree stand and shoot less than 150 yards.

So for me I am shooting a Remington model 7 in 7mm-08 with a 20 inch #3 barrel most of the time. My father got it for me when I turned 16 and it has been a life long companion. I'm sure that there is a Wyoming hunter out there that has a different ideal rifle but this is mine and if I lived in New Jersey I bet it would probably not change.

 

[swampbuck]

Building your first rifle is like building your first house. You will learn a lot as you go and about the time you are done building your first you will be making plans for your second.

 

[swampbuck]

My recommendations for a first rifle caliber are 6mm creedmoor 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm08 rem, 270 win, 308 win, 243 win, and if hunting big hogs or something bigger a 338 federal would be good.

If I was compromising between a shooting and hunting rifle 50/50 I would probably go with a#5 barrel or Bartlein 3B size depending on who's chart you use. .70 muzzle size or maybe a sendero

 

[4O6shootist]

The Swedes been killing big game with the 6.5x55 for 120 years.......6.5cm runs just as fast as the ol Mausers, maybe faster. I'd not hesitate to shoot elk/moose/bear out to 500y with a 140 class 6.5 at 2750-2850mv, no problem. Shot placement better be good though. Bigger cases/bullets buy a little forgiveness. Id take a havak ph2 over both options you've listed. If absolute lightweight is desired, there's the havak element at 5.3#

 

[jbuck88]

I've been around a lot of weatherby rifles and they all generally shoot we enough. I played with a waypoint as well and liked it, but I read a few reviews about it that would make me hesitate about buying one.

So of those two I would vote weatherby.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Being that seekins seems to be a winner with this group, do you all like the Hit Pro? I have no qualms with going the TaCtiCaL rifle style to begin my experience shooting long range over a hunting rifle style. I understand the weight wouldn’t be ideal, but as a range shooter, thoughts?

If you want to shoot matches mostly go for it. If you just want to casually shoot get them PH2 and a good self timing brake like a APA little bastard to screw on.