First Precision Bolt Gun

[YotaEer]

I currently only have a couple old ruger m77 hunting rifles in 308 but want to “build” my first precision/hunting bolt gun. Budget is 1500 for the gun. I plan on budgeting 800-1000 for the glass.

I’m set on using 6.5 creedmoor as the caliber. Gun will only be shot out to 500-600 yards max and will be used for hunting through the Appalachians. Can’t deal with carrying a giant heavy gun. The gun will also be suppressed.

My initial thought is to just go with the Tikka CTR 20” and start there. It has the barrel length I’m thinking while also not being very heavy.

Since I have some experience with custom AR’s, another thought is to just start out by building. Maybe a Tikka or Rem 700 barreled action with a KRG Bravo, manners, McMillan etc. I’ve also looked at the element magnesium. Would that be too much to carry all day? Too much of an undertaking to start out?

 

[308Gunner]

It is hard to go wrong with a Tikka, they will shoot and are reasonably priced. If going the custom route you are going to have to up your budget.

 

[sleeplz]

Sig cross rifle seems like a good fit for you. Tikka is a solid option as well.

 

[Class3nfa]

I’ve shot a few Bergara rifles, including the 6.5 cm and the 6.5 prc. Nice rifles with threaded muzzles and adj cheek. Accurate too

 

[YotaEer]

Sig cross rifle seems like a good fit for you. Tikka is a solid option as well.

Haven’t heard of the cross before. Seems like it checks all the boxes. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[YotaEer]

I’ve shot a few Bergara rifles, including the 6.5 cm and the 6.5 prc. Nice rifles with threaded muzzles and adj cheek. Accurate too

I’ve looked at the 18” Bergara Ridge SP. Also seems like a good fit

 

[Krob95]

I have a tikka T3x in 6.5cm in an mpa chassis and I absolutely love it. Great rifle, shoots very accurately and the timney two stage feels great. It’ll shoot factory 140gr eldm .3moa @100yd and American gunner ammo 1/2moa consistently and remains sub moa out to at least 400yds. It also happens to be up for grabs as I’m going to try and buy an aiax at the end of the month lol. For a first precision bolt gun you’ll be hard pressed to find something much better than a tikka T3x in any caliber or set up in that price range.

 

[YotaEer]

TIKKA. TIKKA TIKKA. Reliable, action is amazing and you can get a CTR 6.5 creed under 1k. AND it loves the .80 per round Hornady America gunner ammo. Dirt cheap. Shoots better than Hornadys own ELD bullet.

I’ve actually experienced the same with my 6.5G AR with Wilson Combat barrel. Shoots the 123 grain American gunner as good or better than the 123 ELDM

 

[BulletScientist]

I currently only have a couple old ruger m77 hunting rifles in 308 but want to “build” my first precision/hunting bolt gun. Budget is 1500 for the gun. I plan on budgeting 800-1000 for the glass.

I’m set on using 6.5 creedmoor as the caliber. Gun will only be shot out to 500-600 yards max and will be used for hunting through the Appalachians. Can’t deal with carrying a giant heavy gun. The gun will also be suppressed.

My initial thought is to just go with the Tikka CTR 20” and start there. It has the barrel length I’m thinking while also not being very heavy.

Since I have some experience with custom AR’s, another thought is to just start out by building. Maybe a Tikka or Rem 700 barreled action with a KRG Bravo, manners, McMillan etc. I’ve also looked at the element magnesium. Would that be too much to carry all day? Too much of an undertaking to start out?

I can't think of any reason why a person would ever regret going with a Tikka. Unless you plan to spend significantly more - then step up to a custom action/build.

 

[YotaEer]

Has anyone used one of the rem 700 barreled actions from EuroOptic?

Remington 700 SPS Barreled Action 6.5 Creedmoor 22" 86503

FREE SHIPPING on Remington 700 SPS Barreled Action 6.5 Creedmoor 22" 86503

www.eurooptic.com

Thoughts on pairing this with a KRG Bravo and replacing the trigger?

 

[swampbuck]

For hunting rifle I like a traditional stock. I would go Bell and Carlson bedded. A lot of custom builders use Bell and Carlson for their base models because they are cheap and light weight but can still build a quarter minute rifle. GA Precision uses them on their Non Typical hunting rifle "How's that for an endorsement" . And allow money to be better spent in the barreled action. I would go Tikka also for your budget.

 

[YotaEer]

Found a good deal on a magpul enhanced Rem 700.

Would I be disappointed or should I spend a little more on a CTR and put it in a new stock/chassis with mlok compatibility?

 

[Gustav7]

Found a good deal on a magpul enhanced Rem 700.

Would I be disappointed or should I spend a little more on a CTR and put it in a new stock/chassis with mlok compatibility?

If you're looking for a pre-setup semi custom rifle, DMR llc. offers a 16-18" blueprinted and worked over Rem 700 in a Magpul hunter stock and Q muzzle break/suppressor adapter for around $1200 I think. I would check them out on Instagram or their website, give em a call.

Other than what I just said...I'd go with the CTR or the Bergara 18" ...

 

[YotaEer]

If you're looking for a pre-setup semi custom rifle, DMR llc. offers a 16-18" blueprinted and worked over Rem 700 in a Magpul hunter stock and Q muzzle break/suppressor adapter for around $1200 I think. I would check them out on Instagram or their website, give em a call.

Other than what I just said...I'd go with the CTR or the Bergara 18" ...

I’ve reached out to DMR about this setup and will see what they say.

Depending on price and availability, I’ll be deciding between the CTR and Bergara Wilderness SP