Help pick accurate hunting rifle

[KCAce]

Looking to buy a modestly priced hunting rifle in 6.5 creedmoor. Would like to stay under $800. Open to suggestions but most interested in Tikka, Thompson Venture 2, and Remmy. Especially interested in any actual experience anyone has with the venture since the V2 has not been out very long. Thanks.
Kcace

 

[troy fairweather]

Any new rifle will be plenty accurate, what and where are you hunting.

Check out the mauser m18 a lot of fun for the money, plus 5 shot moa guaranty.

 

[gotboostvr]

Any new rifle will be plenty accurate, what and where are you hunting.

Check out the mauser m18 a lot of fun for the money, plus 5 shot moa guaranty.

Very true, any more even the bottom of the barrel rifles seem to be capable of very respectable groups.

The Mauser M18 looks very good, the Sauer 100 looks good too. I'd take one of them in a heartbeat if you're interested in a classic looking rifle.

I'm currently trying to finagle my way into a Tikka T3X myself. But if all else fails, I'd be well served with a Ruger American as well.

 

[KCAce]

I’ll be hunting in eastern KS for white tail deer. Will also go for hog some time eventually. thanks for tip on Mauser...hadn’t looked at that yet.
Kcace

 

[mshootnit]

Sauer 100
I have no experience with these but I believe this is a German made rifle

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885519401

If you want a little more speed:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/880249475

Not a 6.5 but an interesting camo
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885712300

 

[MCMXI]

Looking to buy a modestly priced hunting rifle in 6.5 creedmoor. Would like to stay under $800. Open to suggestions but most interested in Tikka, Thompson Venture 2, and Remmy

Buy a Tikka T3x and never look back. They really are amazing rifles for the money and the twist rate for the 6.5 CM is what it should be.

 

[horsemen61]

Buy a Tikka T3x and never look back. They really are amazing rifles for the money and the twist rate for the 6.5 CM is what it should be.

^^^ this you won’t be sorry

 

[LoonWulf]

Nother M18 fan. For the 500 bucks it would likely be my first and last stop if i were looking for a "go shoot it" rifle. The T3x would be my second choice, but thats personal preference. I think either would be fantastic.
If going cheaper id probably buy a Howa or American. Depending on desired features.

 

[cdb1]

At $800.00 you are right on the cusp of being able to get a Winchester M70. That would be my first choice. Second choice would be a Weatherby Vanguard. I’ll also throw in the Tikka. I don’t care for DBM’s and small ejection ports but that is just personal, nothing to do with Tikka quality which is outstanding. If Tikkas had a hinged floorplate and what I would call a normal size ejection port I’d have purchased one years ago.

 

[Varminterror]

I’m not necessarily a fan of Tikka, so I hope that conveys the significance I intend in saying this: of those 3 options, the only one I would buy today is the Tikka.

 

[MCMXI]

I’m not necessarily a fan of Tikka, so I hope that conveys the significance I intend in saying this: of those 3 options, the only one I would buy today is the Tikka.

I resisted buying a Tikka for many years but this past July bought a T3 TAC .300 WM from a friend. It was basically NIB and I got it for $1,200. Right from the get go it shot incredibly well putting five rounds of Federal Vital-Shok Trophy Copper 180gr into 3/4" or less at 100 yards. The bolt/action is very smooth, the trigger is excellent, the stock is very good for an IM part, the magazines are ok but the mag release is the only negative. With all that said, the T3 got me an elk and a deer last month and has proven to be very reliable. If the T3x in .308 Win had a 1:10 barrel I'd buy one ... no question. I'll even go as far as to say that if I had to pick just one manufacturer for all my hunting rifles it'd be Tikka.

 

[BreechFace]

Are there bolt action features that you like or dislike?

Controlled round feed vs. push feed
Bolt lock vs. no bolt lock
Blind mag vs. bottom plate mag vs. detachable mag
Polymer stock vs. wood stock vs. laminate stock
Blued vs. stainless
Iron sights vs. no irons

What game do you see yourself hunting?

Lots of variables, but if you don’t care about those and are just looking for shoot it as you buy it accurate, lightweight and smooth rifle, the Tikkas are hard to beat.

Me, I’m picky and have my preferences which steer me in one vein. My vein would be Winchester m70, Kimber. But those are above your $800 usually unless you find one used.

 

[KCAce]

Thanks, everyone, for comments. Was a little surprised no fans for Remington and so much for Tikka. I own a couple tikkas (25-06, 338WM) already and also a fan.
Still interested in any comments on the Thompson Venture 2. I’ve got a few other Thompson’s so know their products are well made and perform well.
Thanks again. kcace

 

[KCAce]

VarminTerror...what would you buy in 6.5 CM, less than $800, as a go-to hunting rifle?
Kcace

 

[MachIVshooter]

Buy a Tikka T3x and never look back. They really are amazing rifles for the money and the twist rate for the 6.5 CM is what it should be.

Yep. I've long been a Remington guy, but in today's hunting rifle market, I wouldn't think twice about going with Tikka.

 

[jmr40]

No hands on experience with the Mauser, but I've handled one. They check off a lot of boxes, but locally they are over your budget. If you can find one under $800 then I'd consider it.

I have several Tikka's and like them a lot. Overall the best rifle for the money I've used. You can get one in blue for about $600, SS about $750.

I've found the Ruger Predators to be equally accurate and I only paid $350 each for mine. They are now getting up closer to $500 though and while they are plenty accurate I've had some issues with the standard 4 round magazines. That can be corrected, but for only $100 more I'd just buy a blue Tikka anymore.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

I just recenty posted a review of my tc venture 1 in 270. For the money I would take the venture 2 no problem.

 

[troy fairweather]

No hands on experience with the Mauser, but I've handled one. They check off a lot of boxes, but locally they are over your budget. If you can find one under $800 then I'd consider it.

I have several Tikka's and like them a lot. Overall the best rifle for the money I've used. You can get one in blue for about $600, SS about $750.

I've found the Ruger Predators to be equally accurate and I only paid $350 each for mine. They are now getting up closer to $500 though and while they are plenty accurate I've had some issues with the standard 4 round magazines. That can be corrected, but for only $100 more I'd just buy a blue Tikka anymore.

The mauser m18 can be had for $400-469 at eurooptics.

 

[DustyGmt]

I've had some issues with the standard 4 round magazines. That can be corrected.

How do you mean. What's the issue and what's the fix. I havent had any issues per se with my american rotary mags but they do seem a lil flimsy ish. Idk, I wondered if some people disliked the rotary mag.

 

[DustyGmt]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned a bergara in place of the remmy. I dont have experience with it but have been told they are what the 700 should have always been.

 

[jmr40]

How do you mean. What's the issue and what's the fix. I havent had any issues per se with my american rotary mags but they do seem a lil flimsy ish. Idk, I wondered if some people disliked the rotary mag.

I have had feeding issues with my 6.5 CM using longer high BC bullets. They are loaded to easily fit the magazine, but still don't reliably feed. Especially the 1st or 2nd round. If the magazine is loaded with 2 or less rounds they feed just fine. I had the same issues with both the original rotary magazines and the newer 4 round staggered magazines. My solution was to buy a 3 round single stack magazine made for the 450 BM. With that magazine it feeds just fine with any bullet that fits in the magazine.

Ruger Mag Ruger American 450 Bushmaster 3-Round Polymer Blue (midwayusa.com)

These feed 308, 7-08, 243, and 6.5 CM rounds even better than the standard magazines that come with the Rugers. You do give up 1 round of capacity and they do extend slightly below the stock. But is worth it to get a better magazine. I think this is a big reason Tikka's feed so reliably. They have always used single stack 3 and 5 round magazines.

My 308 Predator uses the AI style magazines and the 223 uses AR magazines. Never any issues with those.

 

[BreechFace]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned a bergara in place of the remmy. I dont have experience with it but have been told they are what the 700 should have always been.

The Bergera’s while nice tend to be heavy for what they are.

 

[MCMXI]

The Bergera’s while nice tend to be heavy for what they are.

I'd never buy a Bergara bolt action rifle for the same reason I won't buy another Remington (sold two, still have one) or any Remington clones i.e. no locking bolt handle. I realize that this feature isn't important to everyone, but the Tikka has a 2-position safety that locks the bolt handle. Just about every bolt action military rifle for the last 100 years has had a locking bolt handle, the M24 being the notable exception.

 

[DustyGmt]

I have had feeding issues with my 6.5 CM using longer high BC bullets. They are loaded to easily fit the magazine, but still don't reliably feed. Especially the 1st or 2nd round. If the magazine is loaded with 2 or less rounds they feed just fine. I had the same issues with both the original rotary magazines and the newer 4 round staggered magazines. My solution was to buy a 3 round single stack magazine made for the 450 BM. With that magazine it feeds just fine with any bullet that fits in the magazine.

Ruger Mag Ruger American 450 Bushmaster 3-Round Polymer Blue (midwayusa.com)

These feed 308, 7-08, 243, and 6.5 CM rounds even better than the standard magazines that come with the Rugers. You do give up 1 round of capacity and they do extend slightly below the stock. But is worth it to get a better magazine. I think this is a big reason Tikka's feed so reliably. They have always used single stack 3 and 5 round magazines.

My 308 Predator uses the AI style magazines and the 223 uses AR magazines. Never any issues with those.

Yeah I'd love to find a predator. 223 AR mag compatible. I never knew there was a single stack 3 rd mag for the american. I also didnt know they did a staggered column mag for the american.

 

[cdb1]

I forgot about Bergara. It would be my second choice with the Vanguard third.