I want a rifle in 6.5 ... but factory or custom build?

[Legionnaire]

StrawHat, yes, a less-than-high-end factory rifle in .260 might be the way to go in the shorter term.

I don't need another rifle. I already have all my hunting bases covered with centerfire rifles in .223, .243., .308., and .30-06. I am thinking in time of phasing out of .243 altogether and keeping only one in .308. Should I be able to find or build what I'm looking for, I might narrow the field even further. Although it is difficult, I can imagine getting down to only two hunting rifles--a lightweight carbine like a Remington Model Seven, and a custom long range match/hunting rig (what I'm considering right now)--both in .260 or 6.5 CM. My interest in collecting is waning and I would prefer to have a couple of rifles I rely on for everything.

Any opinion of Accurate Ordnance? I was looking at their website, and this custom Long Range Hunter gets close to what I'm thinking about. Not sure I want a detachable magazine, though.

 

[MtnCreek]

...........
Any opinion of Accurate Ordnance? I was looking at their website, and this custom Long Range Hunter gets close to what I'm thinking about. Not sure I want a detachable magazine, though.

They did good work for me. Delivered on time, kept me up to date throughout the process, took care of an issue with a part I supplied at no additional cost and the rifle is a shooter. That's my only experience with them.

The rifle you linked looks good, but if it were a rifle that I would carry hunting I would go short action with a blind or bdl bottom metal, finish the barrel around 24", no comp and no forearm rail.

 

[itsa pain]

If I had a lot of money and did not care about spending it I would still not get a custom gun and wait maybe a year for it. The Savage long range precision, F-class etc. for $1100 cannot be beat. In fact a guy tested one in 260 at 800 yds with factory not reloaded ammo and shot 5 shots into 3 inches first time with the rifle. The Savage rifle team have won major events going against custom guns with stock Savage guns. But some guys feel better with a custom rifle and the mental part is a big factor

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks, MtnCreek. Agree completely on a short action, and leaning toward BDL-type bottom metal. I'd like a repeater, but don't feel the need to have more than three or four rounds in the mag. I don't want a comp, but do want the barrel threaded for a suppressor. Did they build on your action, or did you use one of theirs? Looks like they have several they build on.

 

[MtnCreek]

I went to Wal-Mart and bought a Rem 700 .243 Youth for the action. The guy behind the counter was a little confused when I picked it. He was offering his immense knowledge and was convinced the 30-06 was what I really needed.

 

[CB900F]

Legionnaire;

Because I'm a left/left person, and was determined to have a left handed bolt gun in 6.5 Swedish Mauser, perforce I had to have a custom gun made. It's been a couple of years now & I'm very glad I did it, the gun is excellent both in looks and it's ability to put very small groups on target.

It was built as a hunting gun & no other purpose was envisioned, but dam can it shoot! I started with a left hand Tikka action & my gunsmith got rid of the weird-Alice floating recoil lug. It was replaced with a lug sandwiched between the receiver & barrel, and he faced it off to exactly match the flats of the Tikka action. The barrel is a 22" Lilja and the stock is a custom walnut from Rob Smith. I got my pick of several blanks Rob had gotten in from his supplier. I think I picked the right one for sure.

The barrel was throated specifically for the Sierra 140 grain GameKing bullet. My load has it exiting the barrel at 2725 fps over my Oehler 35P chrono. Best three-shot group ever is a .264", but it'll shoot slightly sub-.5" all the time. The barrel is a straight-taper medium sporter weight with a recessed crown. The scope is a Zeiss in Talley lightweight rings. The guy who did the bluing was able to get the metal and rings to exactly match the texture and color of the Zeiss.

The action is a long action to allow the Swede to be throated where it should be. And my personal opinion is that you have to be able to shoot at world-class levels before the short action is worth fooling with. Far more hype than substance to my mind, and promoted mostly to sell guns. A triumph of marketing over reality as it were.

I didn't vote since I didn't have a choice. Yeah, there's Blaser & the G3 Mauser in LH Swede, but the cost was the same as my custom, and I could get exactly what I wanted by going custom.

900F

 

[stubbicatt]

I voted for custom rifle.

I don't know that it would be any more accurate perhaps than a factory rifle, but most likely a properly built custom rifle will have a true action, adequate barrel tenon, high quality barrel and trigger, and a stock of the profile of your choosing.

I remember when I received my barreled action from the gunsmith. BAT 3 lug action, Brux barrel, Jewell trigger. It really was a joy to hold it, to inspect it closely. The etched barrel with gunsmith information and chambering. The loooong wait for Alex Sitman to build the stock. The anticipation of receiving it back.

Thing shoots the lights out. It is something unique, and probably what's more is that it will retain its value fairly well.

I guess get what brings you joy.

I did have to wait nearly a year for it to be complete. That can be a significant down side.

 

[MrBorland]

Agree completely on a short action, and leaning toward BDL-type bottom metal. I'd like a repeater, but don't feel the need to have more than three or four rounds in the mag. I don't want a comp, but do want the barrel threaded for a suppressor. Did they build on your action, or did you use one of theirs? Looks like they have several they build on.

FYI - EuroOptic is expecting a few Tikka T3 CTRs by late August. AFAIK, these may be the first of these beauties available. There are a "few" .308s left, and one or two .260s. I'd call ASAP to get one reserved if you're interested. I reserved a .260 for myself yesterday.


http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-ctr-rifles.aspx

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the input, all. The closest thing I've seen to what I'm looking for from the factory is the the Colt/Cooper M2012. I'd prefer a composite stock, though. At least one review I read indicated that the test rifle for the review shot nice and tight until it heated up, suggesting that the stock was binding; accuracy came back on cool-down.

Looks like GA Precision and Accurate Ordnance both have "factory" (using the term loosely) configurations on which to build. The GAP Non Typical and Accurate Ordnance Long Range Hunter (sans DBM and forearm rail) both look promising. And you've given me some other builders to consider; thanks.

Lots to think about, and no rush. Appreciate the help!

 

[dprice3844444]

thnk about meloniting the barrel for longer barrel life

 

[Legionnaire]

Still exploring. I'm liking the idea of a custom build more and more, as I continue to see certain features I like, but not complete packages. And most of the factory options are either a lightweight sporter or a heavy barrel. I'm thinking something intermediate, like 7.0-8.0" at the muzzle.

In the continuing quest, anyone have experience with the rifles built by H.S. Precision?

 

[taliv]

i still haven't gotten over the Lon Horiuchi business. So no.

 

[dprice3844444]

try here http://www.newultralight.com/HTML/custom-rifles.html if you need light weight.just figure barrel contour if your going to add a suppressor.

 

[Legionnaire]

Taliv, I've been wading through the thread you provided about GA Precision's Extreme Hunter and the 6.5 Rem SAUM (or GA 6.5 4S). As you indicated, it sounds pretty much like an ideal rig: a hunting rifle more than adequate for an occasional long-range match. Not sure I like the detachable magazine; seems like it is located right where I would usually carry a rifle. But I guess one could pull the mag while hiking; it would not be in the way while if stalking.

My concern is the lack of factory brass. I've been reloading for a while, but I have not yet reached the point of fabricating my own brass from another cartridge. The work to make brass from 7mm SAUM brass (which still seems scarce) seems pretty involved, including neck turning, which I have not done yet. And the loaded ammo from Copper Creek is, what, $5 per round? Even if I can reload the case 8 times, that's pretty steep.

Assuming I did move in this direction, I would need dies. Midway shows a Redding 3-die set listed as 6.5mm-300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum ($284.99 ... ouch again). Is that the die set for the GA 6.5 4S?

I wouldn't mind learning how to form my own brass. One of the attractions of the .260 Remington (versus the 6.5 CM) to me is that brass can be formed from other cases in the .308 family, and I have a lot of that.

 

[taliv]

it was just an example of a well-thought out gun. I wasn't trying to say you should pick that one.

they could make you one just like that without the detachable magazine or in a different caliber. but i'd start by calling GAP and CC and ask them if they have brass and cheaper dies. redding is my fav die but dang they are getting expensive! i don't know if it's the right one or not. call GAP and ask them. neck turning is time consuming, but not difficult.

 

[Legionnaire]

I wasn't trying to say you should pick that one.

Roger that. Nevertheless, what I'm reading is impressive!

I also like their Non Typical package ... say in .260 Rem.

 

[MtnCreek]

Not sure I like the detachable magazine; seems like it is located right where I would usually carry a rifle. But I guess one could pull the mag while hiking; it would not be in the way while if stalking

Have flush cups installed on the left side.

Edit:
Sorry, I read your comment about the mag and carrying the rifle wrong. I assumed you were talking about the mag digging into your back when slung.

Depending on stock, barrel and suppressor, you may find the balance point of the rifle to be in front of the mag.