Choosing a 6.5 CM. 2k budget.

I need to play the lottery then because everyone of the new RemArms 700s have shot really well. A Sendero and a SPS BDL both in 6.5CM are incredible shooters. I have a 7mm RM that I am working on now to see how good it is. Factory ammo shows promise so I should be able to load a really good hunting load.

Not arguing against the Tikka. It's reputation is awesome but I would not call a new Remington a 50/50 chance.
I was given a Remington 700 stainless mountain rifle in 25-06 a year or so ago by a friend who retired and moved away. He shot like 6 sheep with the rifle. I shoots great, tiny groups with cheap factory ammo. I’d buy a Remington if the price was right and just do some tweaks to the bold handle, maybe the extractor and shoot it.
 
Tikka is the easy button if you want a rifle that will be accurate and problem free. They just work.
I’m certainly enjoying my Tikka Super Varmint in 6.5 CM as a range rifle. I think if I were looking to do some hunting with long treks involved I would probably look at a lighter rifle, but if stand or blind hunting with relatively short walks, wouldn’t hesitate to use a Super Varmint, your choice of caliber.
 
Have had both the tikka CTR and Sig Cross Sawtooth in 6.5 creed.

Have settled on the cross with 18" proof barrel and suppressor. Bit above your budget but it's a great blend of accuracy, weight, and functionality. Not as smooth as the tikka action and trigger not as adjustable.

It loves the 140/147 ELDM, 143 ELDx, 140 Fusion Tipped, and the 130TGK. Still held right around MOA for 5 shots with the 140 NBT's.

That said, I tend to agree that a 20" tikka is hard to beat. Throw a stainless ctr in a stocky's vfg and a $10 trigger spring and you're outshooting most guns 2x the cost, albeit with a drop off in speed.

Use the rest of your budget on quality glass and ammo.

IMG_5107.jpegIMG_5122.jpeg
 
Tikka is the easy button if you want a rifle that will be accurate and problem free. They just work.
I'm leaning towards a tikka now especially in 6.5prc after listening to the shoot2hunt podcast for the last 20hrs on my drive. What are the major differences between the roughtech and the t3x lite stainless version? EuroOptics has them both on sale right now, the lite stainless version is $680.
 
T3 Lite stainless is a heckuva deal at $680 if you're not super picky about weight.

The EO RoughTechs are Superlites (fluted barrel) plus a fluted bolt and Cerakote, with a threaded muzzle. Just shy of 6# in 20". A carbon stock will cut another 1/2# or so.
 
T3 Lite stainless is a heckuva deal at $680 if you're not super picky about weight.

The EO RoughTechs are Superlites (fluted barrel) plus a fluted bolt and Cerakote, with a threaded muzzle. Just shy of 6# in 20". A carbon stock will cut another 1/2# or so.
I'm not super concerned with weight, I think them being $680 is because they aren't threaded. EuroOptics has the Tikka T3x Lite Synthetic 6.5 PRC with a 22in barrel for $749. It's not stainless though... Thoughts on that one?
 
A cut-down and thread job from a reputable gunsmith should cost around $150.00.
You would cut it down to 20''? Also, they have the Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 PRC for $950 and that comes threaded, fluted, and cerakoted, I believe. That is in a 24'' barrel...
 
You would cut it down to 20''? Also, they have the Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 PRC for $950 and that comes threaded, fluted, and cerakoted, I believe. That is in a 24'' barrel...

I would either get one already threaded at 20” or cut it down to 20” and get it threaded. Whichever option is cheapest/easiest for you.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
6.5 PRC is 160 FPS faster with factory 143 ELD-X and 215 FPS faster for a 147 ELD-M (24" barrels).

How far away do you intend to actually shoot critters? Run the numbers -- either of those slugs fired by a 20" 6.5 Creedmoor (especially at altitude) is capable of some truly impressive range. More ammo options at lower prices. Less recoil.
 
I'm leaning towards a tikka now especially in 6.5prc after listening to the shoot2hunt podcast for the last 20hrs on my drive. What are the major differences between the roughtech and the t3x lite stainless version? EuroOptics has them both on sale right now, the lite stainless version is $680.

Assuming you want the 6.5PRC...


If you decide to go with the 6.5 CM, I would go with this one:


If this one is already threaded, then it is probably the best bet.

You have to add approximately $150 to either of them to get the barrel threaded, as far as I can tell.

If you like the Roughtech stock, then go for it, but I personally wouldn't bother. It doesn't do anything for me. I would prefer to get the cheaper rifle and have more in my budget to really upgrade the stock.

I don't think you would be disappointed with the end result with any of the rifles above. Just pick the cartridge you want, figure out what you want to do to customize it (barrel length, threading, suppressor, new stock, scope, etc.). I personally think the 6.5 CM, with a good bullet, is more than enough rifle for anything you probably want to shoot.

When I got mine back in December, I got one of these - https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-lite-65-creedmoor-stainless-steel-jrtxb382 - for $650 (and with nice scope mounts). The auction closed at around midnight on December 31. I was the only one who bid on it. I considered myself very lucky.

I have some relatively long hunting rifles, but on a big game rifle I would not want an overall barrel length of more than 26" with a hunting suppressor (which should be 4" to 6") long. That makes the 24" barrels too long in my book. Even putting the new reflex OG on that rifle, you are looking at 28". Which is like WW I military rifle length. No thanks. Not for everyday hunting. I have an 18" barrel on my CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel and will have 20" on my Tikka 6.5 CM. Both will end up being the same overall length, since I use my Scythe Ti (6") on the CZ and will use the reflext OG (4") on the Tikka. (By the way, if you were thinking of getting a Scythe Ti... don't buy one without reading the Scythe failure thread first...).

Good luck with your decision.
 
We know what they say opinions are like but you might consider having it cut at 18” knowing that you are planning on using a suppressor. I have a factory ctr that’s 20” and find it a little bit long. I’m probably used to handling shorter things though…haha.
 
I'm leaning towards a tikka now especially in 6.5prc after listening to the shoot2hunt podcast for the last 20hrs on my drive. What are the major differences between the roughtech and the t3x lite stainless version? EuroOptics has them both on sale right now, the lite stainless version is $680.

Did you catch the part where Avery said he only recommends the PRC because people disregard his real advice with 6 creed/243?
 
Assuming you want the 6.5PRC...


If you decide to go with the 6.5 CM, I would go with this one:


If this one is already threaded, then it is probably the best bet.

You have to add approximately $150 to either of them to get the barrel threaded, as far as I can tell.

If you like the Roughtech stock, then go for it, but I personally wouldn't bother. It doesn't do anything for me. I would prefer to get the cheaper rifle and have more in my budget to really upgrade the stock.

I don't think you would be disappointed with the end result with any of the rifles above. Just pick the cartridge you want, figure out what you want to do to customize it (barrel length, threading, suppressor, new stock, scope, etc.). I personally think the 6.5 CM, with a good bullet, is more than enough rifle for anything you probably want to shoot.

When I got mine back in December, I got one of these - https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-lite-65-creedmoor-stainless-steel-jrtxb382 - for $650 (and with nice scope mounts). The auction closed at around midnight on December 31. I was the only one who bid on it. I considered myself very lucky.

I have some relatively long hunting rifles, but on a big game rifle I would not want an overall barrel length of more than 26" with a hunting suppressor (which should be 4" to 6") long. That makes the 24" barrels too long in my book. Even putting the new reflex OG on that rifle, you are looking at 28". Which is like WW I military rifle length. No thanks. Not for everyday hunting. I have an 18" barrel on my CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel and will have 20" on my Tikka 6.5 CM. Both will end up being the same overall length, since I use my Scythe Ti (6") on the CZ and will use the reflext OG (4") on the Tikka. (By the way, if you were thinking of getting a Scythe Ti... don't buy one without reading the Scythe failure thread first...).

Good luck with your decision.
Thank you for this. This is the information I was looking for. I’m going to grab a tikka 6.5cm with a 20” barrel. I’ll probably grab the roughtech because it is threaded and I’ll upgrade the chassis sometime next year.
 
Thank you for this. This is the information I was looking for. I’m going to grab a tikka 6.5cm with a 20” barrel. I’ll probably grab the roughtech because it is threaded and I’ll upgrade the chassis sometime next year.
You are making a very smart choice my friend! Enjoy it!
 
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