Lightweight Backcountry 6.5 Creed Rifles Under $1000

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on the best lightweight backcountry rifles on the market now. Criteria:

Under $1000 MSRP
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5 lbs or less

Personally, I’m eyeing the Kimber 84M Hunter

 

[jrock_jeep]

Tikka T3x superlite

 

[nimrod_gn]

x2 on the Tikka T3x superlite. I have one and it's a great rifle.

 

[jrock_jeep]

x2 on the Tikka T3x superlite. I have one and it's a great rifle.

I have 3, 7mm-08, 270 win and 7mm rem mag. All amazing shooters.

 

[VinoVino]

x2 on the Tikka T3x superlite. I have one and it's a great rifle.

So many +1’s to this. I have an old T3 Superlite 270 and it is fantastic.

 

[Lawnboi]

You couldn’t give me another kimber hunter

 

[CoStick]

I added a kimber hunter pro dissolve to my collection recently and it shoots great, no issues, really nice set up, my other kimber are blind feed, the detachable mag box is pretty efficlient.

 

[SDHNTR]

You couldn’t give me a Kimber, nor a Tikka. Nor a Ruger American or Savage axis for that matter. Plastic doesn’t belong on rifles.

Winchester M70 Featherweight or EW is your answer. Close enough on the weight.

 

[TheGDog]

That plastic on rifles is less susceptible to most kinds of damage than that wood is. Just Sayin'. Keepin' it real.

The only good things about a wood stock is when it's drug thru branches/brush that stick out.. it's much quieter.. that's about it. But if you DIY camo paint your plastic stock that already reduces that particular noise by a darn lot.

 

[vonb]

Tikka

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

“Best” is subjective. Most accurate? Prettiest? You get the point.

The Savage 110 Lightweight Storm will be a pleasure to carry and should shoot very well. Some folks will say it’s ugly which is fine. Some folks will complain about the stock which is fine. But it’ll shoot just as well if not better than many other “better” rifles.

Either the Tikka T3X Lite or SuperLite will perform very well in the field. Smoother action than the Savage previously mentioned. Folks will complain about its looks and stock which is fine. Should outshoot most “better” and significantly more expensive rifles.

Run whatever tickles your fancy.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I have that exact Kimber - no issues, plenty accurate. Crazy handy/light. Scaled action is pretty sweet from a weight standpoint.

Curious what issues folks have had with that gun?

 

[CoStick]

I have that exact Kimber - no issues, plenty accurate. Crazy handy/light. Scaled action is pretty sweet from a weight standpoint.

Curious what issues folks have had with that gun?

I agree, I sighted in 127 lrx factory ammo. Handed it over to my father in law to practice for 1st elk and he stacked 3 shots. it is a nice shooter with the 1.5-8x32 razor on it

 

[EastMT]

You couldn’t give me a Kimber, nor a Tikka. Nor a Ruger American or Savage axis for that matter. Plastic doesn’t belong on rifles.

Winchester M70 Featherweight or EW is your answer. Close enough on the weight.

I’m a Rem fan, push feed guy, but bought one of the EWSS 6.5’s, I like this rifle better than anything I have. Agree on the Kimber and tikka, not my cup of tea.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’d probably look at the Kimber hunter personally. I’m not a big tikka fan.

 

[sndmn11]

If one could find a Vanguard wilderness/Backcountry, that would be my choice.

 

[Lxhuntinpa]

Browning x-bolt hells canyon speed. You can find them under a grand

 

[ETtikka]

Another option is the sauer 100 series

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

The X-Bolt Hell's Canyon is definitely a good looking gun, heard good things about it. Just trying to hear what everyone's favorites are. I currently have a Savage Axis in 30-06 that I've not been real impressed with. Not sure I'd go back to the brand.

 

[Holocene]

+1 on the Tikka T3x Superlite.

I'm trying one this year since they offer a left-handed version. After years of shooting right-handed bolts left-handed, I'd like to try a true lefty.

If Winchester made a Model 70 in left-handed, I would have bought that.

Sportsman's Warehouse sells the Superlite for less than a standard T3x. I think it's some sort of exclusive, locked in price?

Tikka advantages right now:
* Increasing availability of shouldered pre-fit barrels that you can screw on at home with a barrel vise and action wrench
* Lots of aftermarket parts and support
* Custom stock and chassis options are second only to Rem 700 footprint from what I've seen
* Fits me really well. The synthetic stock is quite nice, and comes up to my shoulder superbly.
* Good trigger and super fast lock time
* You can buy aftermarket bolts, barrels, etc. and have a budget switch barrel rifle to play with.

Savage has great aftermarket barrel options and some aftermarket stocks. Not a fan of their factory stocks -- whether on the cheap or high end side.

Philosophically, I do appreciate craftsmanship and "traditional" rifles. So, I do love the Winchester Model 70 and would have gone that direction if I was right-handed. I owned and hunted with a SC built Model 70 for years, but sold to a friend. One disadvantage, arguably, for the Model 70 right now is that it will not accept shouldered prefit barrels that you can install quickly at home. If the rifle market goes this direction -- and it seems to be in the Remington 700, Tikka, and Savage world -- then the Model 70 limits you somewhat.

If you want one rifle to shoot and enjoy for a long time and won't shoot out the barrel, Model 70 is a fantastic choice.