6.5 Creedmoor Options

PSE Composites Limited - The next level Rifle Stocks
12gsnapcaps

12gsnapcaps

Well-Known Member
Hey guys!

I'm looking to get a 6.5CM, new or second hand. It will be used for stalking and foxing, not any range work.

I've previously owned a .308 for stalking, but found it was 'too much rifle' for most of my deer work, which is the occasional harvesting of Roe at 150 yards max.

Therefore ideally light and handy, and not with a 24" barrel etc.

I like the look, feel and handling of the Benelli Lupo, but a couple of knowledgeable people have told me the safety catch position is unsafe as it routinely catches on your belt and 'knocks off'. Not that I ever rely on the safety catch, but this has caused me a double think.

Are there any models more tailored to stalking/field than target, perhaps with a shorter barrel as standard.

I'm in no rush to purchase, and once I have a couple of solid options on the table am happy to wait to try and find a good second hand opportunity.

Cheers,

Snapcaps
 
Last edited:
I bought a Bergara carbon crest in 6.5cm a couple of years ago. A nice short barrel and light set up with a Freyer and Devic mod. Took it to South Africa last year and carried it for long periods no problem. Certainly worth a look.
 
12gsnapcaps said:
Hey guys!

I'm looking to get a 6.5CM, new or second hand. It will be used for stalking and foxing, not any range work.

I've previously owned a .308 for stalking, but found it was 'too much rifle' for most of my deer work, which is the occasional harvesting of Roe at 150 yards max.

Therefore ideally light and handy, and not with a 24" barrel etc.

I like the look, feel and handling of the Benelli Lupo, but a couple of knowledgeable people have told me the safety catch position is unsafe as it routinely catches on your belt and 'knocks off'. Not that I ever rely on the safety catch, but this has caused me a double think.

Are there any models more tailored to stalking/field than target, perhaps with a shorter barrel as standard.

I'm in no rush to purchase, and once I have a couple of solid options on the table am happy to wait to try and find a good second hand opportunity.

Cheers,

Snapcaps
Click to expand...
Safety catches of any type can and do get caught on belts, bushes etc etc. It’s one of the very good reasons not to walk around with a rifle loaded with one up the spout.

A tang mounted safety, is a tang mounted safety. It’s easy and convenient to operate. It is widely used in shotguns, double rifles and premium bolt action rifles.

The more usual side mounted safety can also easily get pushed of safe by getting caught in clothing.
 
Given that you've already got a Tikka T1x, mentioned in another thread, you should look at a T3X for the centerfire.
This is a popular stalking rifle configuration in NZ for smaller deer like sika and fallow.
If you get a second hand one that's not fluted, you may be able to find a gunsmith to shorten the barrel.
16" and 18" barrels are popular here when out and out trajectory and knockdown power aren't highest priority. Look on the NZ Hunting and shooting Forum for ideas.
If "too much rifle" is largely recoil and noise, can you get a suppressor on it (or even on your 308 if you like that gun) ?
If it's too big a hole in the animal and you want to stay with 6.5Cr, consider a copper bullet and 120 gr or less.
243 or a new 6mm caliber (ARC, GT, Grendel, Creedmore) might be good too.
 
12gsnapcaps said:
I like the look, feel and handling of the Benelli Lupo, but a couple of knowledgeable people have told me the safety catch position is unsafe as it routinely catches on your belt and 'knocks off'. Not that I ever rely on the safety catch, but this has caused me a double think.
Click to expand...

Have these knowledgeable people had a lupo out in the field?

My recollection of looking at them in the shop, I can't see how my belt would ever get close to the safety?
 
Budget?
Sub £1000 the Benelli Lupo Granite Moss is very hard to beat.
£1300 gets you a Black or Be.S.T finish Benelli with a 25 year coating and 10yr mechanical warranty
No other brand does this
All rifle come with an accuracy card and details of ammo used.

They are blowing Tikka out of the water in price, availibility and warranty

Tikka are still an awesome rifle but they are 50-100% more expensive than they were 5yrs ago
Sako S20 is a nice option for a stalking rifle, nice and short, thumbhole


Oh and BTW... No way the Benelli tang safety catches on your belt unless you are tucking it down your trousers to carry it
Of anything the trigger safety on a jewell is way more likely to get snagged
 
You could do a lot worse than buying a Howa 1500 with an HS Precision stock.

www.howausa.com

HS Precision - Howa USA

HS PRECISION PRECISION CRAFTSMANSHIP Built one at a time right here in the United States from the highest quality raw material. The aluminum bedding block is CNC machined to the specific dimensions of the HOWA 1500 barreled action. The aluminum bedding block is then placed into a mold, both...
www.howausa.com www.howausa.com
 
Keith Edmunds said:
You could do a lot worse than buying a Howa 1500 with an HS Precision stock.

www.howausa.com

HS Precision - Howa USA

HS PRECISION PRECISION CRAFTSMANSHIP Built one at a time right here in the United States from the highest quality raw material. The aluminum bedding block is CNC machined to the specific dimensions of the HOWA 1500 barreled action. The aluminum bedding block is then placed into a mold, both...
www.howausa.com www.howausa.com
Click to expand...
you could do a lot better too.....
 
Thankyou all for your messages! I am taking note of everything and I really appreciate your input.

I'm also considering swapping the 6.5 for a .243 slot (I can get an on the day variation done next week at an event my force is attending)

Even a .243 would be adequate for what I need it for - occasional roe deer and foxes. Any thoughts on whether to stick with the 6.5 or switch to .243?
 
12gsnapcaps said:
Thankyou all for your messages! I am taking note of everything and I really appreciate your input.

I'm also considering swapping the 6.5 for a .243 slot (I can get an on the day variation done next week at an event my force is attending)

Even a .243 would be adequate for what I need it for - occasional roe deer and foxes. Any thoughts on whether to stick with the 6.5 or switch to .243?
Click to expand...

Really 6 and half a dozen IMHO both are going to kill, both have fairly cheap factory ammo that will do both those jobs.
 
Ronin said:
Mauser M18/12 should be on your list
Click to expand...

Definitely take this on board and look specifically at the M12 Impact. I've got one in .308 and love it, 3 position safety on bolt acts directly on the firing pin. It locks the bolt in place on safe on a loaded chamber, the bolt can also be cycled with the firing pin locked in place to safely remove a chambered round. It's a robust rifle, mine has been through some rough weather and ground and still shoots well after a good few thousand rounds, maybe 3000+ now.

I'll bet it's a sweet rifle to shoot in 6.5CM.
 
12gsnapcaps said:
Thankyou all for your messages! I am taking note of everything and I really appreciate your input.

I'm also considering swapping the 6.5 for a .243 slot (I can get an on the day variation done next week at an event my force is attending)

Even a .243 would be adequate for what I need it for - occasional roe deer and foxes. Any thoughts on whether to stick with the 6.5 or switch to .243?
Click to expand...
6.5 if more deer than fox
 
12gsnapcaps said:
Thankyou all for your messages! I am taking note of everything and I really appreciate your input.

I'm also considering swapping the 6.5 for a .243 slot (I can get an on the day variation done next week at an event my force is attending)

Even a .243 would be adequate for what I need it for - occasional roe deer and foxes. Any thoughts on whether to stick with the 6.5 or switch to .243?
Click to expand...
The 243, especially in 70 and 80 grain copper bullets is doing 3100 fps plus(depending on barrel length). These give a very flat trajectory out 230 / 240 yards. High velocity kills well, but can leave a bit of bruising.

6.5 CM has a bit more loop in its trajectory out 230 (yes I know it has high BC etc but that comes into play further down range). Its velocity is lower so less bruising.

But in truth its probably six of one and two threes. Or take two identical rifles and you would notice the difference.
 
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