My primary hunting rifles recently have been a Tikka 6.5 CM and a FN Mauser .25-06. My practice rifle is a Tikka .223. I’ve also done a lot of shooting with a CZ 527 in 6.5mm Grendel.
The Tikka 6.5 has a 20” barrel, AB Raptor 8 w/ 3” reflex (13.3 oz), wooden RokStok, and SWFA 6x. It weighs about 9.8#. I currently use Hornady 140-grain ELDM factory ammo. I have low rings on it. I plan on putting my OG 6.5 on it this offseason and sighting it in for that. That should get it down closer to 9.4#.
The .25-06 has a 24” heavy barrel, OG 6.5 (7.5 oz.), very short traditional rifle stock (the previous owner was 5’6” 140#, I am 5’10” 180#), and SWFA 10x. It weighs about 10.8#. I use Federal Premium 117-grain factory ammo. It has medium rings on it. I use it because I love it. Although the stock is technically too short for me, I prefer it to traditional stocks that “should” fit me better.
The .223 is awaiting a Rokstok. It has a 16” barrel, factory wooden stock, SWFA 6x, and AB Raptor 10 w/ 5” reflex (16.3 oz). It’s a bit heavy (around 9# iirc). Low rings.
I don’t have all the particulars memorized on the CZ 527. But it is light and short with a Trijicon 3-9x AccuPoint, 18” barrel, and a Scythe Ti on it. High rings.
With the Tikka 6.5, I can spot impacts at close range (100 yards or less) from any position, including offhand. I haven’t tried it offhand at more than 100-yards (I am not good enough for that on 8” targets, yet). I haven’t had any issues spotting impacts from seated or prone (with or without support) as far out as I have shot it (450 yards). In a hunting situation, about 60% of my shots come from a hasty seated position.
With the .25-06, I can’t spot impacts at close range offhand. The muzzle jumps too much for that. I can usually spot them seated or prone, with or without support, out to 450. I’ve also spotted impacts at 200 yards standing, using the truck door for support. But it’s not nearly as consistent as the Tikka.
The .223 is easy to shoot, but I am really looking forward to having the wooden RokStok for it. I also plan to get a shorter, lighter suppressor for it.
The CZ is great to carry, but my least favorite rifle to shoot. It has a lot of muzzle jump. It’s very accurate, but if I had any chance of getting what I put into it back, I would sell it in a heartbeat.
Recoil: I rate this the second most important factor. Grok tells me that the 9.8# 6.5 has 31.6 ft-lbf of free recoil energy, while the 10.8# .25-06 has 40.3 ft-lbf (using their respective ammo). That is undoubtedly a factor in the experience, but I don’t have an apples to apples comparison. On this point, I like the 6.5 CM, but in hindsight I made the wrong cartridge choice. I got a deal on the 6.5, but I should have held out for the .243 I really wanted. That would be 26.9 ft-lbf. I have recently corrected that error and given myself a new Tikka .243 for Christmas.
Stock design: I think the stock design is the most important factor in all this. The RokStok drives straight back into my shoulder. The .25-06 is more muzzle heavy than the Tikka, but it still jumps more. The .223 doesn’t jump, but it’s not as steady.
Scope power: The 10x is the largest scope I have on a hunting rifle. I don’t think switching to a 6x would make any difference for the .25-06. When shooting offhand, most of the time the muzzle jumps so high that no scope would stay on target. The CZ jumps a lot too, even on 3x I don’t always stay on target. Under 10x, I think scope power is the third most important factor.
Fit: not very important for me.
Ring height: not very important to me, but I could be wrong. I typically get the lowest rings I can get and still work the bolt and safety with ease. But it’s possible that an expert might watch me shoot and tell me to use higher rings.
Finally, practice is critical. I’d estimate that I fired 250 center fire cartridges for each shot I took at an animal this year, with 90% of those in field positions.
