I am new to long range and would like to know what the community recommends for a rifle for someone that is getting into it. I am currently looking at Bergera HMR 6.5 PRC, would that be a good platform to start on? Is factory the way to go to keep it under 1500 for just a rifle and still have something reliable? I would love your feedback. I am a quick learner and really want to get in the precision rifle community. Thanks
- Thread starter Focal
- Start date
6.5prc is an excellent hunting round but not ideal for target shooting or competition due to greater recoil, and higher cost and lower availability of ammo.
6.5creedmoor would be a more obvious choice.
6.5creedmoor would be a more obvious choice.
My life wasnt complete until i got my 338 lapua magnum. Go big and get a big smile
For a new person there are a lot of choices.
Caliber will almost universally be 6.5 Creed.
The Squirrel Mafia prefers a Tikka Rifle Platform. (I can neither confirm nor deny being a Squirrel Mafia member)
The True believers prefer the Bergara Rifle Platform. (I am a True Believer)
The Thrifty prefer a Howa barreled Action and a KRG Bravo Stock. (I am also Thrifty)
The Contrarians Prefer the Ruger Precision Rifle Platform. (sorry I don't personally have one, but look through the 90+ page sticky on them here--they seem to get some play)
You can also get a custom barreled action (Big Horn Origin) and throw it in a KRG Bravo and I think be ok on your $1500 budget (attaching the stock is an allen wrench and 2 screws).
Ruger might run you over 1k (Custom Barreled action might be a long wait these days and run close to 1300-1500 with stock), others should be between 800 and 1k, Spend your spare money on a good scope.
One of those in 6.5 Creedmoor will take you a LONG way on your journey.
Things to avoid:
Savage (not bad, but better bang for your buck)
Remington (they bankrupt yo)
Weird ass calibers: Gay Tigers are fabulous but REALLY hard to find during component shortages. 6.5 Creed is the new 308 which was the new 30-06.
Magnums (You'll develop a flinch)
STFU with your inside jokes version: Get a 6.5 Creedmoor from Tikka or Bergara, slap a great scope on it and go practice.
Caliber will almost universally be 6.5 Creed.
The Squirrel Mafia prefers a Tikka Rifle Platform. (I can neither confirm nor deny being a Squirrel Mafia member)
The True believers prefer the Bergara Rifle Platform. (I am a True Believer)
The Thrifty prefer a Howa barreled Action and a KRG Bravo Stock. (I am also Thrifty)
The Contrarians Prefer the Ruger Precision Rifle Platform. (sorry I don't personally have one, but look through the 90+ page sticky on them here--they seem to get some play)
You can also get a custom barreled action (Big Horn Origin) and throw it in a KRG Bravo and I think be ok on your $1500 budget (attaching the stock is an allen wrench and 2 screws).
Ruger might run you over 1k (Custom Barreled action might be a long wait these days and run close to 1300-1500 with stock), others should be between 800 and 1k, Spend your spare money on a good scope.
One of those in 6.5 Creedmoor will take you a LONG way on your journey.
Things to avoid:
Savage (not bad, but better bang for your buck)
Remington (they bankrupt yo)
Weird ass calibers: Gay Tigers are fabulous but REALLY hard to find during component shortages. 6.5 Creed is the new 308 which was the new 30-06.
Magnums (You'll develop a flinch)
STFU with your inside jokes version: Get a 6.5 Creedmoor from Tikka or Bergara, slap a great scope on it and go practice.
My vote is for a Tikka. The amount of aftermarket support has skyrocketed over the last few years, from chassis, to barrels, etc.
And they just plain shoot.
And they just plain shoot.
I started on a 6.5 PRC and just started a 6.5cm build. If you're shooting factory ammo the 6.5PRC is insanely expensive and if you reload brass is big money and powders like H-1000, RL25/26 and Retumbo is virtually unobtanium.
I don't shoot competition, so the external ballistics of the 6.5 are nice. Unless you have money to burn the creedmoor is the way to go if for no other reason than you can shoot more for your dollar.
6.5manbun would be a good caliber to start if you have access to 1000yd+ range
I'm going against the grain and suggesting a 6 Creedmoor instead of 6.5. Factory ammo available for similar cost of 6.5 and less recoil. That's what I'm planning on doing once I shoot out my Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor. I'd also suggest Tikka but, they don't offer a 6 Creedmoor barreled rifle. Or at least I didn't see one. I also suggest the Bravo chassis. I run two, one on my 6.5 Tikka and its little twin, a Vudoo .22lr. Funny thing is that the .22lr weighs a tad more than the 6.5 Creedmoor.
A buddy of mine had a Bergera and sold it in order to buy a Christensen Arms. Its very accurate and right now they are doing long range crop damage hunting with it. 600-1k yards and killing em.
They make a number of different models including this one which may well be suitable
christensenarms.com
Something to consider
As for caliber, I too would sugest 6.5 CM (or 6.5 man bun as its known on the Hide...and yes, I do have a 6.5 man bun! haha). I believe you will not get near the same barrel life out of a 6 CM that you will out of a 6.5 CM and in normal times 6.5 CM ammo is widely available.
Just my two cents.
They make a number of different models including this one which may well be suitable
Mesa Long Range Rifle | Christensen Arms
The Mesa Long Range bolt action rifle was designed for precision shooters and long range hunters. Sub-MOA Guarantee.
christensenarms.com Something to consider
As for caliber, I too would sugest 6.5 CM (or 6.5 man bun as its known on the Hide...and yes, I do have a 6.5 man bun! haha). I believe you will not get near the same barrel life out of a 6 CM that you will out of a 6.5 CM and in normal times 6.5 CM ammo is widely available.
Just my two cents.
I also am a 6cm fan. Less recoil and flatter and faster than the man bun.
And after the current bs subsides there’ll be abundant factory 6cm ammo.
And after the current bs subsides there’ll be abundant factory 6cm ammo.
$3/round and we're worried about $400 barrels? 
Both in stock and same price.
www.milehighshooting.com
www.milehighshooting.com
Hornady: MATCH 6.5 Creedmoor, 140gr ELD , 20/Box
Hornady 81500: These jackets feature near-zero wall thickness variation, resulting in unprecedented concentricity and uniformity throughout the jacket.
www.milehighshooting.com Hornady: MATCH 6mm Creedmoor, 108gr ELD , 20/Box
Hornady 81391: Hornady components are inspected to ensure uniformity, then loaded to exacting specifications to provide pinpoint accuracy. 20 rounds.
www.milehighshooting.com 
Ah, the man is looking for a $1,500 max gun so yeah, $400 barrel and cost to spin it.$3/round and we're worried about $400 barrels?
All about that fire. I want to be able to take this rifle hunting as well, from what I gather a 6.5 man bun will take down most North American game. I thought the 6.5 prc would be a better hunting round but I wouldn’t want to give up the ability to see my shots due to recoil . Would the 6.5 prc be as much recoil as something like 300 win mag or a 308?
I was referring to your concern of barrel life.
you’re nuttier than a squirrel turd… which squirrel were you talking to that said Tikka was the ticket? I can confirm that you are not the squirrel mafia…
D
Deleted member 10043
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There is no such thing as the mafia.
The 300 will have more recoil. Also will have more knockdown power. 308 will be similar to the 6.5
Having killed a lot with both 6.5 and 308 calibers my vote is for the 308/300. They just do the job better.
The Bergara or Tikka will serve you well
I can’t get the color crayons to work. Do I have to eat them first?
AND- when you learn to piss standing up, you can get you a .308....
D
Deleted member 10043
Guest
I'm going to kick out a window over all this recoil hurts having killed a lot myself.
I have the shakes due to an imposter! Hit wrong fuckin button!
D
Deleted member 10043
Guest
First, pick out your rifle you want but don't buy it yet. Get the ammo first. Then the rifle.
Cmon you know you get a chubby just sayin "Tikka" (Crap so did I, now I gotta wipe off my keyboard)
charter member. Well. Kinda.
I know of a guy who saw Frank and heard the podcast about how those SM guys got Frank a Christmas Present.
Tikka.
And hammer targets, critters, and hot moms (and grandmas). ask me how I know
I know of a guy who saw Frank and heard the podcast about how those SM guys got Frank a Christmas Present.
Tikka.
And hammer targets, critters, and hot moms (and grandmas). ask me how I know
Haha, to quote the movie “ what we have here is a failure to communicate” haha
I know what you were referring to. And I’m kinda sure your point was to dismiss $400 for a new barrel compared to expected Ammo costs.
I got it and reiterate the man is looking for a starter gun w a max cost of $1,500 so yes, $400 for a barrel plus what....$300 or so to spin in...is indeed a significant amount and should not be dismissed.
@Focal - if thinking about 6.5 PRC, google barrel life of that one also. One of my crop damage shooting buddies shoots 6.5 PRC and likes it very much for taking down game at distance. Well, eastern whitetails at least.
cheers
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I have discovered in my journies that my 6.5 prc with a muzzle brake and a 3.5 pound barrel kicks softer than my non muzzlebroken 6 creedmoor with a little sporter barrel. Its all sort of relative with recoil. I think they both are very packable rifles for hunting.
You wont go wrong with either 6.5 CM or PRC but if your looking at numbers the PRC might have about 200-300 extra fps over the CM. But brass and factory ammo abounds with the CM...not so with the PRC.
I tried talking my brother in to the PRC but he went with a 6.5 CM and he says he is glad he did, due to ammo availability alone. You might not shoot for a while if you get the PRC even if you reload, unless you get lucky and find yourself some pretty little things to shoot
You wont go wrong with either 6.5 CM or PRC but if your looking at numbers the PRC might have about 200-300 extra fps over the CM. But brass and factory ammo abounds with the CM...not so with the PRC.
I tried talking my brother in to the PRC but he went with a 6.5 CM and he says he is glad he did, due to ammo availability alone. You might not shoot for a while if you get the PRC even if you reload, unless you get lucky and find yourself some pretty little things to shoot
Since you’re not talking about reloading (at least I haven’t seen you do so here), another vote for 308 or 6.5CM. The 308 suffers from higher recoil and wind drift, but you’ll be a better shooter if you get good at it and ammo availability odds are better (not by much). 6.5CM is adequate for all NA game with proper bullet selection and placement, and placement will be easier than with the 308.
I own a Bergara HMR, and would advise against it. It needs a decent bit of attention to get it up to speed, so to speak, and I haven’t heard anyone bitch about their Tikka. I like to tinker, so the Bergara has only been a disappointment in the pocket book, but if you really get into this game I think you’ll eventually wish you’d gone another route. If you choose the Bergara, immediately step up to the Pro. You want the TriggerTech and the stainless stuff makes the rest of the markup worth it for me. Tired of taking cosmetic rust off of mine.
I own a Bergara HMR, and would advise against it. It needs a decent bit of attention to get it up to speed, so to speak, and I haven’t heard anyone bitch about their Tikka. I like to tinker, so the Bergara has only been a disappointment in the pocket book, but if you really get into this game I think you’ll eventually wish you’d gone another route. If you choose the Bergara, immediately step up to the Pro. You want the TriggerTech and the stainless stuff makes the rest of the markup worth it for me. Tired of taking cosmetic rust off of mine.
You could stretch your budget a little more and get a custom barreled action in a krg
Just a few weeks ago I got a buddy a Manners, rem 700 trued action, some other cosmetic stuff on the action and bolt, nice fluted bartlien barrel, Geisselle 2 stage trigger, in. 6.5 man bun, on the PX from a gentleman for that budget.... It shoots fantastic!
That's what I'd do OP. You will get a ton better set up that way.
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Yes
And when you poop it out you have a super crayon!
No chubby here. It’s a utilitarian tool. Mine shoots fine, has a decent trigger. I don’t care for the cost of magazines for it.
"i remember the day Doc became a made man. We were all excited cause if Doc was a made man, that pretty much meant we were made men too............"
Never. Not a friggin chance.
Not a snowball’s chance.
Not a snowball’s chance.
Get an RPR. Lots of stuff for the CM, stuff for the 6.5 CM is a touch hard to find currently but I think it is a good starting point. And the price is right. Plus the RPR is literally made to upgrade. Then when you are ready to move on, the RPR is your backup rifle.
But a consideration. If a fellow or lady is going to shoot factory ammo, they would have to be mighty wealthy to shoot out a barrel at $3.00 per round. ($6000.00
)
But a consideration. If a fellow or lady is going to shoot factory ammo, they would have to be mighty wealthy to shoot out a barrel at $3.00 per round. ($6000.00
)Why waste all that money on a subpar platform when you can get a tikka or build one for the same price
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