Looking for a lightweight and accurate 6.5 creedmoor

[giannid]

Sold my 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun and want to move to a semi automatic. I understand a semi will never be as accurate as a bolt but I still would like to get the best I can get. I'm going to be using the rifle to punch paper, hit steal and daytime varmint/coyote. I'll be mounting a Nightforce NXS5-25 that I already have that's a pretty heavy scope. I'd like the gun to be as light as possible but realize it's not going to be super light. I don't want DPMS Cheap but also don't want to spend a boatload of cash on it. I'm looking at used stuff also. The gun that has got my attention so far is the Seekins SP10 which weighs in right around 10 pounds. I see that LMT, GAP and JP also have rifles but they seem heavier. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ToddM]

My advice after having done this a couple times, is either buy a full custom rig (JP, GAP, etc.) or put together all the parts you want, and have one of the very reputable large frame AR guys cut you a barrel, machine an extension, assemble and test the upper. Take the crap shoot out of it, they know all the tricks to ring max accuracy out. I saw a review on The Firearm Blog where a SP10 barely did 1MOA, no one wants that these days for $2500. Now maybe that's the ammo, shooter, etc. but I don't want to take chances once we get into these prices anymore. We always hear horror stories of guys that put their own AR together, even the guys that do it a lot they still run into builds that just don't perform and you pay in $ to fix it, time and frustration. JP has a "light" 22" I think 6.5 barrel, and of course you can get a smith to profile you about anything you want. It's hard to get a light large frame AR that's built for precision.

I've done my last 2-3 this way, I usually stock up on parts when everything is cheap near black friday, and then ship off the upper parts and have the barrel/upper assembly/testing done by a custom shop. I've yet to be disappointed doing that, and if you are not in a hurry and shop smart the cost is less than you think. I doubt I'll ever do an AR another way.

 

[giannid]

I'm definitely not opposed to having a rifle built, but I want something that's 100% reliable, something I don't always get with AR builds. That's why I was leaning towards a factory built rifle with a warranty. Especially when I'm spending that kind of cash. Who are these builders that specialize in this kind of large frame AR? You can PM me the info if you'd like.

 

[ToddM]

There's a bunch of guys doing good work, I think there have been several posts here over the years. Some I hear about repeatedly are Mark at Precision Firearms, John at Keystone Accuracy, Craddock Precision, GAP, Compass Lake looks like they might have jumped into the AR10 game now. I'm sure there are tons of others.

 

[giannid]

Ok, I may look into that route if I can't find a gun already built.

 

[breastroker]

There are zero factory guns I would recommend under $2000. Easy to build a 6.5 Creedmoor if you buy during sales like Presidents day, Memorial day etc. I purchased my 39.4 ounce Faxon 18" Match 6.5 barrel for just over $216 dollars on sale. Combine with a Xanthos upper @ 9 ounces. If you have been LEO or MIL be sure to get discounts. Remember most 6.5 barrels will weight 48 to 58 ounces. A 5R will give the same velocity as a 20 inch 6 groove.

 

[giannid]

My budget is not under $2000. The seekins sp10 is around $2300. I could probably go more than that if I found something I like. I just want something that is 100% reliable. I think you are more likely to get that from a factory gun. I’ve got a Daniel defense 308 in an ar platform that is an excellent gun. It eats anything and is accurate. Wish they had a 6.5 they built. Have a scar 17 also that I don’t shoot much. I see they convert those to 6.5 Creedmoor but I really don’t think it’s a very popular conversion or I’d do it.