Selling a 30/06 to buy a 6.5 Creedmoor

I have decided to sell my Weatherby Weatherguard in 30/06. It's accurate, and a fine rifle, shoots sub MOA and on good days 1/2 MOA, just not what I want. I have it listed on gun broker, and is sitting at my local shop on consignment, and I think someone will buy it. I just don't really have a need for a second 30 caliber. I have a 300 win mag, and I rarely shoot it. I just don't like the recoil. I recently bought an AR in a 6.5 creedmoor and put an APA little bastard on it, and it is very accurate, and the recoil is awesome. It is very heavy though, and I hunt in Indiana, and it is rainy and crappy during deer season and it just doesn't make it out into the woods. I want a rifle that I can take out into the worst weather, and not worry about it. I also want it to balance light weight with recoil, so somewhere between 6.5- 8lbs. I have other rifles that are wood and steel, and they are great, but I want a dedicated poor weather rifle, which tends to be what I use most. I created a spreadsheet of what I'm considering, and the list is long. One of which is a semi-custom build by ER shaw. I'm wondering your guys thoughts. I really want a synthetic stock, stainless or cerekote barrel, and a brake, or at least threaded. I am very happy with the APA brake I have and would have no problem just adding one to this new rifle if its only threaded. What are your thoughts? I'm not a guy to buy several rifles that serve the same purpose, so I want this to be the best all around for accuracy and consistency. I can't spend $3000 on a custom build, and am trying to stay under $2000, and hopefully around $1000. I mostly woods hunt, but have 300-500 yard field shots that I would like to be able to not flinch at. I also plan to take this on Elk hunts in the future. I do not shoot for fun, and am not a weekend warrior at the range. In fact, I didn't renew when Covid hit. I now just set my sights at the farm.

The other thought is to have a smith thread the barrel of my 30/06 and I add a brake. I really just want something nicer and lighter though. I'm going to try and add my spreadsheet.

Please let me know your thoughts on the best long range, semi-light weight, synthetic rifle for accuracy and brand consistency, with a brake or threaded for one, which offers 6.5 creedmoor.

I think sometimes it's just nice to be told what to do, and why...(don't tell my wife)

LoonWulf said:

Ive never actually used any of the specific guns on your list.
Of whats on there I've used versions of the Christensen, Xbolt, Tikkas, Vanguards, Bergara and Fierce.

Honestly I dont think you could make a bad choice in terms of function.
They all feel noticeably different tho, and they offer different features....

My bad weather/general hunting rifle is a Christensen Ridgeline in .280AI, and I really like it. Ive seriously considered, and likely WILL buy a Messa in 6.5 or 6mm Creedmoor for my wife and as a loaner hunting rifle.

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Thanks. I should have said that I plan to also offer this to be shot by my son when he is able to shoot it. I plan on buying him a compact Tikka in .243 or 7-08 for his first gun, but this will certainly be used by him too as soon as he is able. He's 11 right now, and I'm going to let him shoot the crossbow this year for the first time.

KsSkaEnthusiast said:

you could thread a 6.5lb savage axis ss for like 500 total. Other than that i am partial to the model 70 and tikkas but have little other experience in the high end.

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I don't either. This will be the most expensive bolt action I've ever bought. But, I just want the best I can for my budget, and hopefully not be looking again in a few years

Armednfree said:

So get a Ruger American Predator in 6.5, put a Magppul stock and magazine on it. Unless you just want to spent a butt ton of money to do that same thing.

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I just looked at that stock and it is atrocious. HAHAHA. Were you being serious?

MacAR said:

I you got rid of the wrong 30 caliber rifle; should've kept the '06 in my opinion*. At the distances you mention, the '06 would have no issues provided you were confident in your rifle. There was a time that 3, 4, even 500 yards wasn't a big deal to me and my 700. These days, I try to keep shots closer because of my personal limitations but I do know that the round and the rifle are perfectly capable. But, from your list, I'd pick the Tikka. They are probably the best buy for your money provided you can find one in stock somewhere. I don't personally own one, but a hunting pard of mine does and he swears by his. Granted, his is a Tikka Forest in 7mm-08, but the degree of accuracy should be similar. Good luck in your search, and let us know what you decide.

Mac

*Un-ashamed 30-06 fan, who's used the same rifle and cartridge for many years to fill the freezer and rid the farm of all the varmints and pests you could imagine.

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I see why you would say that. Ironically, my 300 win mag is a cheap 770 remington topped with a redfield scope. That remington outshoots all of my other rifles. I can't get rid of it, because no one would pay anything for it, and it's a hell of a shooter. I'm better off selling my 30/06 because it shoots great, and is marketable. It has a vortex diamondback on top, which I don't like, but other people do.

MacAR said:

Very true... I basically gave one in 270 to a guy in exchange for 1/2 a day's labor replacing some siding on my house. Pawn shops and gun stores won't touch them, and I didn't even want this one in my house; I made a deal with the guy prior to trading for the rifle and dropped it off to him before coming home.

Not to be nosey, but why not just buy the 6.5 outright? I understand if it's a money thing (been there!) but I'd much rather add one to the cabinet than swap them out. Regardless, if you can find the Tikka, go with it. I think you'll be satisfied.

Mac

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It's not a money thing, but really kind of is. If you didn't notice, I literally made a spreadsheet of what I was considering. I just look at things a little differently than most I guess. I don't want the clutter, and don't want to waste money on guns that I'll never shoot. I load that 770 remington in light loads for my dad, and he hunts with that the few times he gets out. I have a .270 model 70 winchester westerner that I love, but don't want deal with the cleaning of rain and snow, and I don't really want to mess that gun up much, I really like it. I guess I'm just trying to keep things at a minimal. I don't see a need for more than I can use.

Mr. Hill said:

I think the caliber is fine for deer and target shooting.
I wouldn’t use it for elk, though. I understand that it has excellent BC and SD, but that’s an awfully light bullet for elk. I’m not even sure that it’s a legal caliber to use for elk, so you’ll have to check on that (depending on state law). Elk have big, heavy bones, and I’d personally want a larger caliber with a minimum of 150 grains to smash through that thick hide and those thick bones. 165 or 180 grains all the better. I use 180 grain .308 with Nosler partitions to ensure penetration. I’ve learned the hard way about elk and poor penetration.

With regard to the Creedmoor: when you go to a lighter rifle, you’ll experience more felt recoil than with your current rig. You can try to mitigate that with a brake, but it’s going to result in a much louder retort. Really loud. I’d pass on the brake.

keep the .30-06 for elk. It’s an accurate rifle. Add a synthetic stock if you want. But I’ve never seen a Colorado elk hunter use a 6.5 Creedmore. The.30-06 is the king of elk camps for good reason. It works very well for elk. As do the.270 and.308.

From your list, I’d probably go with the vanguard rifle and have some budget left for a really good scope.

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With a low of 2,3,or 4x, and a minimum high of 12x, and a max cost of $600, what scope would you choose? It sounds like you may be a glass guy?!
I'd be very confident taking my $300 Remington rifle anywhere. And if you think a 6.5 for elk is too small, my 300 win mag will do just fine. But, that is a one off. I am looking for advise about the rifle that I will use every year, every weekend through season in Indiana.

Peakbagger46 said:

I was all onboard with your thought process until you mentioned elk. Sure, a 6.5 will do the job but it is less than ideal, especially at difficult angles or longer shots.

Want light recoiling rounds for whitetail? How about some 130g Barnes at about 3,000fps out of the ‘06?

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Check out my previous post. I have read that a 6.5 is fine for elk, but again, that is a one off and not the purpose of the rifle. I really need it for year end, year out big northern whitetail. I have a 300 win mag that I'd use if a 6.5 isn't enough. And who knows, I may get the itch for something else after this....I hate that I do. I've bought 3 guns this year, and had a great excuses for all of them...

Mr. Hill said:

Dang. Now I want a 6.5 Creedmoor! Thanks a lot, lol.

Lots of good scopes on the market. I like Leupold, my buddy likes Nikon. Get what you prefer, but I personally wouldn’t spend less than $400 on it.

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Mr. Hill said:

Dang. Now I want a 6.5 Creedmoor! Thanks a lot, lol.

Lots of good scopes on the market. I like Leupold, my buddy likes Nikon. Get what you prefer, but I personally wouldn’t spend less than $400 on it.

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To be honest, I b

Mr. Hill said:

Dang. Now I want a 6.5 Creedmoor! Thanks a lot, lol.

Lots of good scopes on the market. I like Leupold, my buddy likes Nikon. Get what you prefer, but I personally wouldn’t spend less than $400 on it.

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to be honest, i buy leupold for the rings. the optics are great, but the screw on metal rings are awesome