One Gun to Rule Them All

[SwampMan19]

Howdy,

Looking to build one gun to use for pretty much everything. Long range shooting (regularly out to 750, occasionally extend out to 1000yds), hunting mule deer, bear, and elk out west in the mountains, and white tail back east.

Budget would be about $3k. Going to mount either a Maven RS1.2 or Trijicon Tenmile 3-18 to the top (not to be included in that $3k build). I am also left handed unfortunately, so there's another factor. 6.5CM seems to be

Looking for any input those from those who may have gone down this road already. What I'm thinking a semi custom TIKKA 6.5CM build from UM with the RokStok.

I don't have unlimited funds for multiple rifles like this. So this is my one gun to rule them all!

 

[Aussie Dan]

Buy a factory tikka in whichever barrel finish/colour/length you desire then save for the stock etc.
You don't need any aftermarket parts or customisations straight off the bat for the rifle itself to make it work for your use case.

 

[Mohican-Sneakin]

You can spend as much as you really want on a high end gun, but if I were in your shoes, I’d buy a factory tikka and put it in a nice lightweight stock, with a trigger job and upgraded can/ brake.

If you want to spend the money, look for a Seekins Precision Havak Element


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WoolyBugger]

Are you shooting targets at 1000 or shooting animals at 1000? My 6.5cm velocity stays above 1800 to 750 yards.

If I had 3 grand to spend I would buy a factory tikka, chop and thread the barrel at your desired length, put it in a rokstok, get a suppressor, then buy ammo to shoot the snot out of it. Or better yet, get reloading equipment to make your own ammo for it.

I just did my "one" hunting gun and did the same thing except I bought a 6.5 and rebarreled to a 6cm. Now that tikka is offering 6cm from the factory, you could start with that.

 

[TetonRecon]

I could never be a one gun man. However, my bro in law is just that kind of guy. He is also left handed, doesn't reload, casually hunts deer, elk, and coyotes, and I'll drag him to an NRL Hunter event once in a while. He recently just sold all his rifles and bought a Seekins PH3 in 6.5 Creedmoor, Leupold Mark 5, Silencerco Scythe, Atlas bipod. It's a great all around setup and shoots factory ammo amazingly well. I have the Trijicon Tenmile 3-18 on my Tikka action 6.5 SAUM currently and love it. I think you're on the right track.

 

[Escalante11]

Tikka T3x SS in 6mm Creed. Send it to Preece Precision to shorten the barrel (19" - 20" for me personally), true the bolt face, drop it into an MDT CRBN stock.

Seekins Element M3 if you want an easier option and don't have to have a more modern stock geometry.

 

[SwampMan19]

Thank y’all for the input!

I am teetering with that seekins PH3 if I can find it in left hand or a tikka, throw it in a rokstok, MDT Carbon, or a Peak44 Bastion.

Any inputs on cans for a tikka build?

I know the new thing is a 6cm for hunting, idk if I’m super convinced of that yet. 6.5cm or 25cm seem to me the best choices. Would love to hear more word on the 25cm if anyone has experience.

Any bipod recommendations?

 

[SouthernCharm]

I’m having OMR build a tikka action in 280AI. It’s in the ballpark, it’s an ala carte type purchase. Only heard positive results. Should be getting my rifle this month. You can call and talk to the owner and they will step you through the whole process of what’s nice and what’s really good.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

@SwampMan19 Take a look at Horizon Firearms offerings. Good…. Components, Quality, & customer service.

 

[Genophoenix]

I think there's a really strong case for 6.5 CM if this high velocity trend from Federal sticks around and is as reloadable as they claim.

 

[Jordan Smith]

A Tikka T3x in 6.5 CM dropped into a Peak44 Bastion would be pretty easy and effective. I have a similar rig on a Defiance, and love it.

There is something to be said for barrel life and familiarity with the rifle and load if you're hoping to maximize your effectiveness with this one particular rifle. That would push me toward a 6.5 CM over a 6CM, personally.

 

[schmidty3]

Thank y’all for the input!

I am teetering with that seekins PH3 if I can find it in left hand or a tikka, throw it in a rokstok, MDT Carbon, or a Peak44 Bastion.

Any inputs on cans for a tikka build?

I know the new thing is a 6cm for hunting, idk if I’m super convinced of that yet. 6.5cm or 25cm seem to me the best choices. Would love to hear more word on the 25cm if anyone has experience.

Any bipod recommendations?

I just rebarrelled my 6.5 ctr into a 25 creed. (Toasted the 6.5 barrel).

But the only reason im doing a 25 is for NRL power factor. I also made it 28" and am sending em 2900 fps mildly. I do have a 25 prc for hunting. Pushing 133s 3100 and its awesome. (If you are actually intending to shoot at critters past 600 then id go 25 or 6.5 prc)


What bullets are you comparing and what barrel lengths????

Im building an 18" 6 creed. Others can probably fill in their experiences better on other calibers...

Expectations are

18" 6 creed 116 tmk at 2750 ish (which should get me to 700 yards terminally, but I'll probably grab this gun when the mountain is steep and the shots are under 500)

18" 25 creed ~135s probably 2600-2650?

18" 6.5 140s 2500-2550?

I just dont think ~20-25 grains of bullet is gonna do you any better on a critter, and the 6mm will have less recoil, higher sectional density, and more velocity/further expansion range (this theoretical 18" 6 creed beats my old 24" 6.5 on expansion distance by 50-100 yards). I think the math will show that a 107 tmk beats the 116 on ballistics, and the 25 cal wins on wind drift. But im just guessing on the short barrel numbers. A friend is sending 109s at 3050 in his 24" ph3-nrl. Beats my target 25 on drop and is only just worse on wind.

Below is a 6mm 116 tmk, 25 135 lrht, 6.5 153 tmk.



Theres a lot to be said for just the boring reliability of a 6.5 creed though. Its still the defacto choice for NRL. The slower bullet flight is easier to spot. Longer barrel life etc.

Ive acquired a 36" hatch bipod to play with. Its pretty nifty! A triple pull has spoiled me, the hatch gets you most of the way there without the weight (a little less stable). But the tallest harris with a swivel will do everything you'd need for a fraction of the cost.

 

[SwampMan19]

I just rebarrelled my 6.5 ctr into a 25 creed. (Toasted the 6.5 barrel).

But the only reason im doing a 25 is for NRL power factor. I also made it 28" and am sending em 2900 fps mildly. I do have a 25 prc for hunting. Pushing 133s 3100 and its awesome. (If you are actually intending to shoot at critters past 600 then id go 25 or 6.5 prc)


What bullets are you comparing and what barrel lengths????

Im building an 18" 6 creed. Others can probably fill in their experiences better on other calibers...

Expectations are

18" 6 creed 116 tmk at 2750 ish

18" 25 creed ~135s probably 2600-2650?

18" 6.5 140s 2500-2550?

I just dont think ~20-25 grains of bullet is gonna do you any better on a critter, and the 6mm will have less recoil, higher sectional density, and more velocity/further expansion range (this theoretical 18" 6 creed beats my old 24" 6.5 on expansion distance by 50-100 yards). I think the math will show that a 107 tmk beats the 116 on ballistics, and the 25 cal wins on wind drift. But im just guessing on the short barrel numbers. A friend is sending 109s at 3050 in his 24" ph3-nrl. Beats my target 25 on drop and is only just worse on wind.

Below is a 6mm 116 tmk, 25 135 lrht, 6.5 153 tmk.

View attachment 1081255

Theres a lot to be said for just the boring reliability of a 6.5 creed though. Its still the defacto choice for NRL. The slower bullet flight is easier to spot. Longer barrel life etc.

Ive acquired a 36" hatch bipod to play with. Its pretty nifty! A triple pull has spoiled me, the hatch gets you most of the way there without the weight (a little less stable). But the tallest harris with a swivel will do everything you'd need for a fraction of the cost.

That’s some great information! I’m thinking barrel lengths in 20-22”.

The barrel life, bigger splash, and just abundance of 6.5 ammo everywhere are big contributors to my choice of cartridge. Also, I have no reloading stuff, but have lots of friends with reloading equipment, and they’ve all got 6.5 cm, so it makes it convenient too.

The 25 cm seems like a bit improved ballistics comparatively. I hadn’t seen anything that low on the 25 either, I need to dig more into the ballistics I guess.

 

[schmidty3]

That’s some great information! I’m thinking barrel lengths in 20-22”.

The barrel life, bigger splash, and just abundance of 6.5 ammo everywhere are big contributors to my choice of cartridge. Also, I have no reloading stuff, but have lots of friends with reloading equipment, and they’ve all got 6.5 cm, so it makes it convenient too.

The 25 cm seems like a bit improved ballistics comparatively. I hadn’t seen anything that low on the 25 either, I need to dig more into the ballistics I guess.

If i wasnt looking to reload id probably go 6.5 or 6 creed. Plenty of ammo out there for each. 6.5 isnt going anywhere. I dont suspect the 6 will either. I do think the creed case is happier with the 130s, so a 25 makes sense. But in 20 years, who knows (also if your barrel is lasting 20 years just get a 6 creed)

Ammoseek.com

Barrel life is a factor. But not many people kill barrels. Just be realistic about it. If youre gonna put 1000+ rounds a year through it then its worth considering for sure. Probably ~2000 on a 6, 3000 for a 6.5. Something like that.

Preferredbarrelblanks.com has a lefty 22 creed on clearance

Little heavy. But damned good deal. I wouldve built a 22 creed if colorado wasnt in my immediate hunting plan.

 

[Jordan Smith]

If i wasnt looking to reload id probably go 6.5 or 6 creed. Plenty of ammo out there for each. 6.5 isnt going anywhere. I dont suspect the 6 will either. I do think the creed case is happier with the 130s, so a 25 makes sense. But in 20 years, who knows (also if your barrel is lasting 20 years just get a 6 creed)

Ammoseek.com

Barrel life is a factor. But not many people kill barrels. Just be realistic about it. If youre gonna put 1000+ rounds a year through it then its worth considering for sure. Probably ~2000 on a 6, 3000 for a 6.5. Something like that.

Preferredbarrelblanks.com has a lefty 22 creed on clearance

Little heavy. But damned good deal. I wouldve built a 22 creed if colorado wasnt in my immediate hunting plan.

You might get 2000 rounds on a 6CM barrel if you baby it. On comp guns I generally get around 1500-1700 rounds.

 

[schmidty3]

You might get 2000 rounds on a 6CM barrel if you baby it. On comp guns I generally get around 1500-1700 rounds.

Probably not gonna run a skill stage with my 18" .750 taperless

(Im definitely going to at least once to break it in )