2020 Redline or Tikka 6.5 CM

[Subs]

Over the last several months I've been looking into getting a 6.5 CM rifle for a dedicated backcountry set up. I had pretty much settled on a Tikka with a 20" barrel because I have a bunch of parts that I can put together a lightweight set up. I've got a ZG 6.5 on the way from Airlock that I was going to pair with it. Until Federal announced the +PEAK ammo on Friday, 20" was about as short I was wanting to go. Now that the high pressure ammo is in the mix, I'm wondering if the Springfield 2020 Redline with a 16" barrel is the easy button. It's lightweight, short, and has a 700 action that I can easily find a chassis for in the future f that's a direction I want to go. I have ruled out ful custom based on budget, timeline, and the fact that I'm prone to analysis paralysis anyway (although I feel like I'm in good company on this site...). I'm trying to spend some money on a tool and get out in the field with it.

What are your thoughts on an off the shelf short barrel 6.5 now that the Federal +PEAK ammo is in the mix? Should I stick with the Tikka plan or go with the Springfield?

 

[hoooogan]

I own a 20" Redline and have done this mental gymnastics before. I love my redline, but if your goal is to get into the field, I'd go Tikka. Apples to apples, you're paying an extra ~$500+ for a shorter carbon barrel that won't shoot any better or worse. Also, something to consider for future changes is that the 2020 action's barrel threading is proprietary and you can't swap bolts. No off the shelf prefits, only custom ordered barrels in .473 BF cartridges. FWIW, I have an 18" 6GT barrel from BSF on order that costs as much as a new Tikka. The 700 footprint is nice, but stock/chassis support for Tikka is mostly equal, plus the Tikka can convert to "long action".

Another thing, the Grayboe Trekker stock on the Redline is not friendly to those who like/need bag riders. You are basically bracing the stock at the butt pad. Otherwise, I liked the stock.

On the other hand, if you were set on a shorter barrel R700 rifle that you didn't need to touch, the Redline is a solid choice.

 

[Subs]

Yeah, I realize I'm likely splitting hairs. I was thinking about the redline as a set it and forget it type of purchase. I'm also relying heavily on the success of the +PEAK ammunition but so far it seems like the future. I wouldn't have been rethinking my purchase if that news hadn't come out on Friday.

 

[Matt5266]

Tikka. Spend $150 and have it cut shorter and threaded

 

[HNTR_NW]

I haven’t owned the Springfield so I can’t comment on it specifically. I’ve owned proof rifles (2), Christensen arms (4) a couple customs, But I own 4 tikkas and buying a 5th soon. I would take any one of my tikkas over any other gun I’ve owned. I have never had a slam fire, frozen trigger, frozen bolt, consistent feeding issues, or picky about ammo with any of my tikkas but I have with other rifles I’ve owned.

A long winded answer to say I’d get the tikka chop and thread it, go forth and hunt with it!

And if you want to swap barrels later tikkas are easy to come by.

 

[Subs]

A long winded answer to say I’d get the tikka chop and thread it, go forth and hunt with it!

This is pretty much where I landed. I’m going to get a 20” 6.5cm Tikka, hunt with it this fall, and then see what happens around shot show. If I’m still itching for a 6mm, and they introduce a +peak round for the 6 creed, I’ll likely pick up a stainless T3x, chop it to 16” and run it in a peak 44 stock. With my OG 6S, it should be under 40” and super light. Chassis are interesting to me but I’m not sure I need another gadget to mess with in the field.

 

[Ajsomp]

Over the last several months I've been looking into getting a 6.5 CM rifle for a dedicated backcountry set up. I had pretty much settled on a Tikka with a 20" barrel because I have a bunch of parts that I can put together a lightweight set up. I've got a ZG 6.5 on the way from Airlock that I was going to pair with it. Until Federal announced the +PEAK ammo on Friday, 20" was about as short I was wanting to go. Now that the high pressure ammo is in the mix, I'm wondering if the Springfield 2020 Redline with a 16" barrel is the easy button. It's lightweight, short, and has a 700 action that I can easily find a chassis for in the future f that's a direction I want to go. I have ruled out ful custom based on budget, timeline, and the fact that I'm prone to analysis paralysis anyway (although I feel like I'm in good company on this site...). I'm trying to spend some money on a tool and get out in the field with it.

What are your thoughts on an off the shelf short barrel 6.5 now that the Federal +PEAK ammo is in the mix? Should I stick with the Tikka plan or go with the Springfield?

Tikka all the way. 153 TMKs are going to be bad medicine out of a short barrel

 

[jesco88]

Can’t speak to the Redline- not a fan of that stock, personally. But the Waypoint 2020 has been a great rifle for me. I also own Tikkas. They are great rifles, but if you like the redline- don’t be too hesitant to buy one. Springfield CS is excellent. I had a Qd cup get pulled out of the AG composite carbon stock, they got everything sorted out in less than 2 weeks, replaced a $700 stock with a new one.

 

[6eagle]

I bought a redline. In the end I couldn't get over the bolt not locking, kinda an issue in the field.