Ruger Precision - 6 CM vs 6.5 CM Dilemma

[treillw]

So I can get a RPR for $725 in 6 CM. I would really like the rifle in 6.5 CM though. But for the price of the 6 CM, I could buy it and rebarrel it with a top of the line barrel in 6.5 CM for essentially the same price as the off the shelf 6.5 CM.

I would like the 6.5 CM for it's longer barrel life, and its increased killing capabilities. My family has shot .243's for all our lives and the 6 CM doesn't excite me much, because it's essentially the same thing. What is the difference in barrel life between the 6 and 6.5?

So I thought I could get the 6 CM for $725 and just shoot the barrel out before rebarreling it to 6.5 CM. But I would like to reload for the rifle and I don't want to go and buy all kinds of stuff for the 6 CM only to trash the caliber in a couple years. How is factory ammo for the 6 CM? How do costs of factory ammo compare with reloading? Can you sell the brass pretty easy from factory ammo to recoup some costs?

I could also sell the factory barrel in 6CM unfired and go to 6.5 right from the start. Any idea how much I could get for the factory barrel?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[spife7980]

You could get bushing dies for a 6.5 creed and use a 6mm bushing in it, then if you want to go big in the future you are just a bushing swap away.

I would expect 1500 rounds of barrel life from a 6 creed and 2500 from a 6.5 creed.

Factory match ammo options has several in the 1-1.25 area per shot which is right around what the good 6.5 ammo costs. So no difference there for match ammo.
The 6 just has far fewer of the uber cheap plinking offerings that can be had from .75-.80 on occasion.

Personally... I would go 6 creed, shoot it out and then rebarrel it when the time comes for 5-600 bucks. You might find that you enjoy having an affordable laser with a steeper shoulder and faster twist for long heavies than the comparable 243 win off the shelf usually has.

 

[Codiekfx400]

White oak armament has a 6.5 creed barrel ready to go for $370. Buy the 6 creed then rebarrel.

 

[treillw]

White oak armament has a 6.5 creed barrel ready to go for $370. Buy the 6 creed then rebarrel.

How is their quality compared to the factory barrel and top of the line barrels?

 

[Codiekfx400]

I have never shot a woa RPR barrel. But I have several in 223 and they shoot lights out. I would suggest calling woa and asking for John.

 

[treillw]

Thank you

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I'd say it depends on what you're doing with it. Either one works for plinking, target, or PRS/NRL competition. In competition, the advantage will change based on where you're shooting (SE, I'd lean 6 - midwest and west, 6.5). 6.5 has more options when it comes to hunting.

 

[treillw]

No competitions here. Want it as a fun & practice gun for wind for hunting basically.

 

[treillw]

Seems that the factory barrels are for sale for $250. Seem like a reasonable amount to assume I could get for it?

 

[antithesis]

From a behind the trigger feel, I don't think the 6.5 will excite you much if you are looking for something that is truly different than a .243. Down range, the 6 CM will impress over a .243. You will find more hunting bullet options in the 6.5, target bullet availability of both is the same.

Don't forget to factor in smith fees to swap the barrel if you do not have the tools (vise, action wrench, torque wrench, go gauge).

 

[treillw]

From a behind the trigger feel, I don't think the 6.5 will excite you much if you are looking for something that is truly different than a .243. Down range, the 6 CM will impress over a .243. You will find more hunting bullet options in the 6.5, target bullet availability of both is the same.

Don't forget to factor in smith fees to swap the barrel if you do not have the tools (vise, action wrench, torque wrench, go gauge).

What is more impressive about the 6CM?

Any idea how much it is to have somebody swap the barrels?

I've never worn the barrel out on a gun. What does the progression look like when a barrel gets shot out? It slowly opens up, or is it a more drastic change?

Thanks!

 

[patriot07]

The throat will slowly erode and you'll have to keep loading further out to reach the lands, and eventually you just won't be able to make it shoot good anymore. Not something to worry about under 1k rounds for a 6CM or under 1500-2000 rounds for a 6.5CM, but you can start looking for it after that.

I'd buy the 6CM and shoot it out and then rebarrel down the road - you may change your mind and go with a 7-08 or something at that point - who knows.

 

[antithesis]

The 6 has a higher rate of twist than the .243 (1:7 or 1:8 depending on what you buy, vs. 1:10 on a standard .243). You are going to hold more than 300 fps and 400 ft lbs of energy at 500 yards. I don't want to mislead you, the 6.5 is a great caliber, and I own several. I just don't think it is going to wow you over the .243. For that matter, the 6 probably won't either. I think switching to a chassis vs traditional stock will likely be more of the difference that you are looking for compared to the caliber. But, if you really want to get to a different feel from an energy perspective, you may want to consider a 308. Certainly not as accurate, but quality factor barrels can still hover at or under 1/2 MOA at 300 yards, and they "feel" very different than the 6 and 6.5. The last thing I will throw out is if you get more involved in longer distances (it is addicting), you will eventually start thinking more about recoil and doing whatever you can to minimize it. I have a couple of 308's that are fantastic shooters, but time it takes to get back on target keeps them in the safe unless I am shooting from a bench.

If you buy a "replacement" or drop-in which is different than a "pre-threaded," then it should be $40-$60 depending who you take it to. The difference between the 2 is a pre-threaded are shipped with the intent of have the smith turn a small amount off to get the proper headspace. The problem with having them swap a replacement barrel is you may end up waiting a month just to pay them $50, at least that is how it is with the locals where I am. Easy enough to buy $200 or so in tools/vise/gauge so you can swap them yourself.