$1000 6.5 Creedmoor

[Backpack Hunter]

??

The Tikka stock is significantly better than the stock on the Savage.


As an entire rifle system, the CTR in 6.5C is easily the pick.

With adjustability for length of pull and comb height combined with the the accu stock what makes the Tikka stock significantly better?

 

[Formidilosus]

With adjustability for length of pull and comb height combined with the the accu stock what makes the Tikka stock significantly better?

Rigidity. Specifically torsional rigidity. Put both side by side, and no one says the Savage is a better stock.

 

[sndmn11]

Don’t overlook Weatherby. I have a standard 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24” sporter barrel that I dropped in a Bell & Carlson stock. The same is offered from the factory in their SUB-MOA. It will put 3 shots touching at 100 yards, and the first time I shot it at 400 I dialed my range and hit less than an inch from where I was holding.

I don’t think you want a heavy barrel on a walking rifle for deer and antelope. The advantage to them is being able to shoot more rounds before the barrel heats up and starts stringing shots. 3 shots in a minute from a 6.5 still leaves the barrel cool enough to touch. They do offer a 20” heavy barrel with a ventilated forend if you plan on higher-volume shooting.

The Sportsmans Warehouse in Thornton CO has a "Range Certified" Vanguard for a few dollars more than cost. I am sure a person could get it moved to their Sportsmans for free.

 

[dv808]

After considering pretty much all the options from factory models to semi-customs and customs, I went with a Tikka T3x Laminated Stainless. I wasn't sure I was fully committed enough to spring for the semi-customs and above.

Once the laminated version was released, I liked that option over the synthetics. It costs a bit more, weights a bit higher and the barrel's a 22" instead of a 24" that I was leaning towards. Weight before adding the scope and mounts was under 7#. It stands up to it's sub MOA guarantee with some of the factory loads I've tried and hope to get it even tighter once I start reloading.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Rigidity. Specifically torsional rigidity. Put both side by side, and no one says the Savage is a better stock.

To be clear we are comparing the accu stock, the one that has aluminum molded into it specifically to give more rigidity right?
And yes, this is a serious question as although I am a Savage fan I do not own an accu stock, nor have I owned a Tikka.

 

[Steel Rain]

I have a brand new CTR stock I’d sell.

 

[wind gypsy]

CTR with the 24" barrel and be done with it. You will be able to spot your shots and get steady easier with the weight and can screw on a good aftermarket brake.

A savage might be accurate but it's still a savage and will feel and function like one. I wouldn't settle for one if you could swing tikka, browning, or bergara.

I like xbolts but the standard Tupperware stocks are pretty flimsy. It doesnt stop me from using mine often but the laminate eclipse model is a little more rigid and fits really nice IMO.

 

[orionthehunter1]

Who cares what it feels like, it is hard to find a rifle that will shoot better than a savage especially for the money. I would take my lightweight hunter over most of the guns mentioned here.

 

[ckleeves]

CTR with the 24" barrel and be done with it. You will be able to spot your shots and get steady easier with the weight and can screw on a good aftermarket brake.

A savage might be accurate but it's still a savage and will feel and function like one. I wouldn't settle for one if you could swing tikka, browning, or bergara.

I like xbolts but the standard Tupperware stocks are pretty flimsy. It doesnt stop me from using mine often but the laminate eclipse model is a little more rigid and fits really nice IMO.

X2. The CTR’s I have been around are very accurate, and I’m not really a huge tikka fan. They feed very well, the trigger is pretty decent out of the box, the stock is good enough and the options for aftermarket stocks are getting more and more available if a guy does want to upgrade.

 

[Formidilosus]

To be clear we are comparing the accu stock, the one that has aluminum molded into it specifically to give more rigidity right?
And yes, this is a serious question as although I am a Savage fan I do not own an accu stock, nor have I owned a Tikka.

Yes. They are greatly improved over the non Accu stocks, but they still aren’t what people try to make them out to be. I’m not a Savage hater. I’ve used them heavily including mountain hunting and lots of long range shooting. The last big game animal killed with a Savage was last November... I still shoot them.


Let’s just look at the guns as a whole objectively and you’ll see why after shooting 50+ of both I have a hard time suggesting Savage over a Tikka for most uses-

Savage Pros:

Tend to shoot decent- usually one or two loads shoot well, most shoot ok.
Some models are relatively inexpensive- $400-$600
Better trigger than a Remington
User rebarrels


Cons:

Some barrels can be picky
Some factory barrels tend to walk when heated up
Even the Accu Stocks really need to be replaced as some flex at the action causes vertical stringing with a bipod
Actions are rough. Really rough. Rapid bolt manipulation often results in bolt binding.
Cost. Most are $600 plus.







Tikka Pros:

- One of the, if not the best production barrel in the business. Buddies and I have won multiple sniper/field matches with factory Tikka’s.
- One of the, if not the best production triggers.
- Stock is rigid and stable. The only factory molded plastic stock I don’t immeadiatly replace. It is also better designed than most for spotting your own impacts. The T3x allows the replacement of the grip to a vertical one.
- Action is without a doubt one of the two smoothest factory actions. Rapid bolt manipulation doesn’t bind at all. Requires not blueprintsing or trueing. Action is extremely stiff
- Magazine feeding is perfect



Tikka Cons:

- Barrel twists can be a bit slow. This does not effect the 223’s and 6.5’s.
- Mag box can be a bit short. This does not effect any but the magnums.






Objectively, the Tikka beats the Savage in every category except price on the lowest end Savages. I’m not saying this as a personal preference- it’s based on shooting quite a few samples of each and looking at them as a package. With both set on a table, no one picks the Savage over a like equipped Tikka.

 

[wind gypsy]

Who cares what it feels like, it is hard to find a rifle that will shoot better than a savage.

I disagree. These days a guy is hard pressed to find a factory bolt rifle that won't consistently shoot sub MOA (with load development). Seems plenty of people have had problems with inconsistent quality from Savage.

 

[orionthehunter1]

I can honestly say I've never had a savage that didn't shoot. I've never owned their low end line though like the axis

 

[Jtommyj]

So i am new to forum but am looking for the $1000.00 6.5 as well. This will be a hunting gun for the most part, doubt i will ever shoot steel at long ranges. I dont reload but am looking for the best rifle. Have read a lot on the web about this. I have looked at Xbolt, Tikka, Weatherby Vanguard, Remington 700 5-r Gen 2 and Christensen Mesa and still feel like i have gotten nowhere. Never had a Savage, just never really liked them. Any thoughts?
Thanks
TJ

 

[Blinginpse]

My browning 6.5 xbolt shoots 5/8-3/4". That's with 140 grain bergers. I like the gun

 

[Jtommyj]

Thanks Bling, when I started this X bolt was top of my list. I have only added to the confusion by researching it. I like extra weight of the Remington. I used to shoot a Weatherby 300 mag and have gotten recoil sensitive over the years. At 6'4" and 235 my friends give me holy hell about it but that big stick wore me out. I hunt Louisiana, Tx and the like so even if I took it to Wy or Colorado it wouldnt bother me about weight. I have held the Kimber Hunter and Montana and while super light, I like a little more umph when I pick up a rifle.