Chopped 6.5 CM options

[43.6N]

I’m for sure getting the sig cross but that’s going to be my main rifle lol. My kiddos are 12/11 and I want something they can run too. Be nice to run all 6.5 CM since I have a bunch of reloading stuff but I guess the brass could be used for the 6 CM too


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Brass and dies are cheap in the long run.
Factory ammo offerings for the 6creed also seem solid.
Keep eyes peeled for factory loaded TMK offerings if the rumors are to be believed

 

[Antares]

Here you go buddy, straight from the Sako website

https://www.sako.global/rifle/t3x-lite#variants

View attachment 1020684

Three years late but better late than never I guess.

 

[ztc92]

I’m for sure getting the sig cross but that’s going to be my main rifle lol. My kiddos are 12/11 and I want something they can run too. Be nice to run all 6.5 CM since I have a bunch of reloading stuff but I guess the brass could be used for the 6 CM too


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For kids that age, have you considered a 223? I don’t want to change your plan if you’re not interested but after getting a flinch as a youngster learning to shoot with a 270, the cure for me was starting over with a 223.

It also would make a great trainer for you to get cheap practice in at a high volume. You can get a 16” 223 Tikka from the factory that comes threaded and would be hard to beat.

Check out the thread “Kids Rifle Manifesto” on here for more ideas if your haven’t yet:

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto'

Feb 24, 2024

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here.

My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now, and a bunch of their friends that I have been involved or around as they learn to shoot. probably 20-ish kids? Here's what I've learned in the last 5-6 years.

Recoil matters, a lot. "Handles it pretty well" is way way different from "ideal for building skills as a rifleman." My oldest loves to...

• eric1115
• Replies: 242
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

 

[jadkins223]

For kids that age, have you considered a 223? I don’t want to change your plan if you’re not interested but after getting a flinch as a youngster learning to shoot with a 270, the cure for me was starting over with a 223.

It also would make a great trainer for you to get cheap practice in at a high volume. You can get a 16” 223 Tikka from the factory that comes threaded and would be hard to beat.

Check out the thread “Kids Rifle Manifesto” on here for more ideas if your haven’t yet:

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto'

Feb 24, 2024

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here.

My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now, and a bunch of their friends that I have been involved or around as they learn to shoot. probably 20-ish kids? Here's what I've learned in the last 5-6 years.

Recoil matters, a lot. "Handles it pretty well" is way way different from "ideal for building skills as a rifleman." My oldest loves to...

• eric1115
• Replies: 242
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

Good recommendation! They have been using 223s for 5-6 years now and have killed a pile of deer with them. 6 ARC too. Love the 223s we have.

Planning a cow elk hunt this year and want to bump up to 6.5 for caliber restrictions purposes


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[ztc92]

Good recommendation! They have been using 223s for 5-6 years now and have killed a pile of deer with them. 6 ARC too. Love the 223s we have.

Planning a cow elk hunt this year and want to bump up to 6.5 for caliber restrictions purposes


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Understood. That 6ARC with the new TMK’s would be another great option if you reload. No question it would be plenty lethal for elk. I bet it would be a 400-500 yard gun with the 95 or 107 TMK depending on elevation and barrel length. I used 95 TMK and 103 ELDX on elk this year and it was devastating.

All that said, I have an 18” Tikka in 6.5 creedmore (blued T3x lite). It’s cut and threaded at 5/8 x 24. It works great and I wanted it to be my one and done hunting rifle, but ultimately I wanted longer lethal range (it’s a 450 yard gun with 130 TMK’s) and less recoil. I picked up a fast twist 243 when euro-optic had the old style on a closeout sale and cut it to 16.5”. That fast twist 243 with the new TMK’s is going to be a hard combo to beat.

I don’t think you’ll regret the 6.5 at 18” unless you want to hunt beyond 400 yards but I certainly wouldn’t say it’s ideal, especially as a rifle for younger kids.

If you're dead set on 6.5 caliber, you could also consider a 6.5 Grendel to reduce recoil if your range will be <300 yards.

 

[jadkins223]

Understood. That 6ARC with the new TMK’s would be another great option if you reload. No question it would be plenty lethal for elk. I bet it would be a 400-500 yard gun with the 95 or 107 TMK depending on elevation and barrel length. I used 95 TMK and 103 ELDX on elk this year and it was devastating.

All that said, I have an 18” Tikka in 6.5 creedmore (blued T3x lite). It’s cut and threaded at 5/8 x 24. It works great and I wanted it to be my one and done hunting rifle, but ultimately I wanted longer lethal range (it’s a 450 yard gun with 130 TMK’s) and less recoil. I picked up a fast twist 243 when euro-optic had the old style on a closeout sale and cut it to 16.5”. That fast twist 243 with the new TMK’s is going to be a hard combo to beat.

I don’t think you’ll regret the 6.5 at 18” unless you want to hunt beyond 400 yards but I certainly wouldn’t say it’s ideal, especially as a rifle for younger kids.

If you're dead set on 6.5 caliber, you could also consider a 6.5 Grendel to reduce recoil if your range will be QUOTE]

A 6 ARC in a bolt gun would be a sweet setup too man. Something I’ll think on for sure. Which platform did you kill your elk with?

I am after a “do all” gun for me too and that’s bummer to hear that the 18” tikka didn’t cut it for you because that’s what I was hoping the cross would do for me!

I’ve got a 7 mag browning medallion that just isn’t fun to shoot, at all but it hammers the 175 Berger elite hunters.

Is a 6.5 PRC a better “do all”? Or is the 6 creed an option too? I’m not set on 6.5. Just was a top pick from ammo availability and the 143 eldx has been great for me. I do reload yes.


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