Buying my first bolt action 6.5cm

Get what you like, I'd go for a kimber. The bergara are nice. Welcome to THR.

Personally, I would forego the Christensen for the QA and CS issues they’ve seemed to be having far too frequently. The Bergara doesn’t tickle me - nice enough rifle, but I don’t think its value is commensurate with its price for the “upgraded” Pro. By default then, the Kimber would be the only one of those 3 which wouldn’t turn me off. With ~$1500-1800 in hand, I’d highly recommend you take a look at the Seekins Havak.

Ruger Precision Rifle

GSRswapandslow said:

Im looking for a do-it-all bolt rifle in 6.5 creedmoor. It will have a leupold vx5hd 3-15x44 on top of it. (178027)

I have been looking at the bergara ridge, hmr, kimber m48 limited, and Christensen mesa.

Budget is $1500 or so.

It will live 80% of its life in the safe...15% shooting steel...and 5% hunting the NC foothills for whitetail (never hunted deer...figure at 38, its time)

Click to expand...

Hard to go wrong with a Bergara. I have a B-14 Synthetic that wears a 6X18 Vortex that will keep shots in a 6" bull at 500 yards. The last 3 shot group that I shot with it at 500 measured 2 1/2". My only gripe with the Bergara is the weight. They are a little on the heavy side. The 6.5 CM has done a good job on a truck load of whitetails. I tried a KImber but never could get it to shoot as good as I wanted.

I'm caught between the Stag BA Stealth (lefty), and the Ruger Precision rifle.

I'm just using a simple 10x Fixed power scope. I have a Trijicon 5-20x 50mm collecting dust, that I might try first. But it's more of a hunting scope.

If it’s going to spend 80% of the time in the safe get something that’s pretty to look at

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...70-Current-Products/model-70-super-grade.html

Varminterror would probably be one of the go-to guys on here when it comes to long range shooting advice, so I would mimic him and say look at Seekins cuz the cool kids are doing it.

Didn't Kimber have some accuracy issues in past years? The only one I ever shot was great (3" at 400 yards with factory ammo), but it was a sample of 1...

And here's my obligatory "look at Tikka" comment for all things bolt action at a decent price.

The Bergara Ridge is an excellent all-around rifle. The stock is pillar bedded, looks nice and it's stiff. The barrel is heavy enough to delay heating up so it works for target shooting well enough. It's not too heavy to take hunting. I like the internal magazine. Feeding is super quiet and smooth. I have one in .243 and like it so well I'm wanting one in 6.5 cm.

JeeperCreeper said:

Varminterror would probably be one of the go-to guys on here when it comes to long range shooting advice, so I would mimic him and say look at Seekins cuz the cool kids are doing it.

Didn't Kimber have some accuracy issues in past years? The only one I ever shot was great (3" at 400 yards with factory ammo), but it was a sample of 1...

And here's my obligatory "look at Tikka" comment for all things bolt action at a decent price.

Click to expand...

The thing with kimber is some guys just can't shoot light guns to well, sometimes requires a different technique of shooting. They have had problems in the passed and would make them right. The new 2016 model rifles have been good.

It will live 80% of its life in the safe...15% shooting steel...and 5% hunting

Click to expand...

Kimber would be a good choice for hunting. The rifles can be quite accurate, especially for a hunting rifle, but at around 5 lbs aren't the best target rifle.

With such a low percentage of hunting use I'd be looking for something geared more toward shooting targets, but not a full blown target rifle. I really like the Tikka Compact Tactical Rifle (CTR). It should come in around 9 lbs scoped. A little heavier than I like for most hunting. But is is doable, and you'd have to search long and hard to find anything more accurate. Price is about $1000 in blue, $1100 in SS.

https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-tactical-rifle





Of course for about $350 the Ruger Predator is pretty darn close.

I have several Bergara rifles and am very happy with them. I don’t have the Ridge model, but based on my experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one. I’m a Tikka fan and the CTR is also a solid choice. I’m in the group that struggles to shoot lightweight rifles, so I don’t have a problem with a heavier gun.

My stepdad and brother are avid hunters and recently bought both rifles you are interested in.

My brother went with the Christensen Arms Ridgline in 6.5 PRC, and dad went with the Kimber Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. Both are very happy with their choices. Dad's rifle is handy and light and will do 1 MOA at 100 yards. At 69 years old, it is the last hunting rifle he will buy. He loves it.

My brother's rifle will do .5 MOA at 600 yards. It is absolutely amazing!

Both of these men have around 70 years of combined hunting experience under their belts and chose rifles that would have been considered blasphemy around the campfire just a short decade ago with composite stocks and carbon fiber barrels.

At the end of the day, choose a rifle that speaks to you and works. The most important aspect is what is between your ears. I've known men with $5k rifles that couldn't tell elk tracks from deer tracks.

Some of the best hunters I've come across took Boone & Crocket animals with $300 rifles. In other words, if you are trying to spend money to be a better hunter, then you will fail.

If you haven’t looked already you might want to consider weatherby. Mark V would be at the top of your budget, but several moderately priced options in the Vanguard (Howa) line.

What ever you get... practice...get good with it...and put meat in the freezer

Whatever you get....practice....get good with it...and put meat in the freezer....