Mauser, Browning or something else.

[Klenchblaize]

Why are you restricting yourself to the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering? A little more imagination and 'trust' in what any number of geriatric-like chamberings can do will not only save you a significant sum of money but potentially result in a more delightful rifle with not insignificant aesthetic appeal.

No deerstalking PH/Guide of consequence is going to look at you with disdain if you rock-up for your "6-10 guided stalks" per year with a fowling peice in 6.5x55SM, 7x57M, or even a 243W!

K

 

[BigT]

Why are you restricting yourself to the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering? A little more imagination and 'trust' in what any number of geriatric-like chamberings can do will not only save you a significant sum of money but potentially result in a more delightful rifle with not insignificant aesthetic appeal.

No deerstalking PH/Guide of consequence is going to look at you with disdain if you rock-up for your "6-10 guided stalks" per year with a fowling peice in 6.5x55SM, 7x57M, or even a 243W!

K

Probably because it’s a workable well supported cartridge available in a good selection of new quality rifles that does what is required while offering more ammo and rifle options that the swede or the 7x57

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Probably because it’s a workable well supported cartridge available in a good selection of new quality rifles that does what is required while offering more ammo and rifle options that the swede or the 7x57

Pretty much this, the RFDs local to me that sell CF ammo always have decent stock of .223, .243. 6.5cm and .308…. I checked before submitting my application because I originally fancied a a 6.5 swede or 30-06.

 

[Klenchblaize]

OKIDOKI

Clearly the Op understands his onions in this Brave New World that I'm so obviously struggling with.

Enjoy whatever rifle you purchase

K

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Heym SR21. Has a Mauser style bolt mounted 3 position safety that totally blocks the firing pin until you’re in the fire position. But I also rely on good gun handling techniques first, before I rely on a mechanical safety that can fail.

 

[Olaf]

Probably because it’s a workable well supported cartridge available in a good selection of new quality rifles that does what is required while offering more ammo and rifle options that the swede or the 7x57

You say that a 6.5 creed will do what is required? What is that then ? It’s a target cartridge that was developed for long range precision target shooting. …. From what I’ve understood the op wants a hunting rifle to take on paid ‘holiday’ hunts, as he said, he’s already got other rifles or slots on his fac for target shooting rifles.
If he chooses to hunt wild boar then he’s already got the problem that the 6.5 creed is an underpowered and unacceptable rifle chambering that he will have to leave it at home. It’s only benefits are when attempting very long range shots ( which virtually no sane hunting guide will allow him to do anyway)
If he wants an all round hunting rifle then his best bet would have been to buy something used , that’s not chambered in some new and limited offering with an interchange barrel chambered in .30-06 or .308 or .270 which are extremely easy to find at very reasonable prices. Should he have found the need for a 6.5 creed at a later date ( I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would) he could have just bought a barrel for it.
I’d also not have ruled out a 7x57 or others of that vintage as he’s hardly shooting any ammunition with it anyway.
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[3595wilk]

You say that a 6.5 creed will do what is required? What is that then ? It’s a target cartridge that was developed for long range precision target shooting. …. From what I’ve understood the op wants a hunting rifle to take on paid ‘holiday’ hunts, as he said, he’s already got other rifles or slots on his fac for target shooting rifles.
If he chooses to hunt wild boar then he’s already got the problem that the 6.5 creed is an underpowered and unacceptable rifle chambering that he will have to leave it at home. It’s only benefits are when attempting very long range shots ( which virtually no sane hunting guide will allow him to do anyway)
If he wants an all round hunting rifle then his best bet would have been to buy something used , that’s not chambered in some new and limited offering with an interchange barrel chambered in .30-06 or .308 or .270 which are extremely easy to find at very reasonable prices. Should he have found the need for a 6.5 creed at a later date ( I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would) he could have just bought a barrel for it.
I’d also not have ruled out a 7x57 or others of that vintage as he’s hardly shooting any ammunition with it anyway.
Kindest regards, Olaf

Errr.....

he said nowt about boar?

He has a slot for a stalking rifle - and even then likely to be only used 6 times a year maximum.....no mention of pigs?

As much as I don't want one...........a creedmoor will do exactly what the OP wants across the UK 6.

That's from someone who shoots .308 6.5x55 via a Sauer 404 and a .222......so not exactly a modernist.....

Much better to go on the calibre journey on your own, discover what you actually need/require and take it from there

Can always add a rifle for other quarry in the future.

 

[BigT]

You say that a 6.5 creed will do what is required? What is that then ? It’s a target cartridge that was developed for long range precision target shooting. …. From what I’ve understood the op wants a hunting rifle to take on paid ‘holiday’ hunts, as he said, he’s already got other rifles or slots on his fac for target shooting rifles.
If he chooses to hunt wild boar then he’s already got the problem that the 6.5 creed is an underpowered and unacceptable rifle chambering that he will have to leave it at home. It’s only benefits are when attempting very long range shots ( which virtually no sane hunting guide will allow him to do anyway)
If he wants an all round hunting rifle then his best bet would have been to buy something used , that’s not chambered in some new and limited offering with an interchange barrel chambered in .30-06 or .308 or .270 which are extremely easy to find at very reasonable prices. Should he have found the need for a 6.5 creed at a later date ( I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would) he could have just bought a barrel for it.
I’d also not have ruled out a 7x57 or others of that vintage as he’s hardly shooting any ammunition with it anyway.
Kindest regards, Olaf

Let me guess if it was a Swede it would be okay though?

6.5 creed has less power than 308 without a doubt

Which has less power than 300 win mag

Which has less power than 375

Which has less etc

It’s adequate for every deer species in the UK, is very shootable and has really solid logistical support.

So while it’s not the ultimate bestest cartridge in the world ever , it will do what he needs.

I really don’t understand why people get their knickers in a twist over the 6.5 vegan. It’s just another cartridge that works well enough and has successfully been used on much bigger animals than we get on this island, which will do the job on deer here if you put the right bullet where it belongs. Just like pretty much any other deer legal cartridge.

 

[Olaf]

Errr.....

he said nowt about boar?

He has a slot for a stalking rifle - and even then likely to be only used 6 times a year maximum.....no mention of pigs?

As much as I don't want one...........a creedmoor will do exactly what the OP wants across the UK 6.

That's from someone who shoots .308 6.5x55 via a Sauer 404 and a .222......so not exactly a modernist.....

Much better to go on the calibre journey on your own, discover what you actually need/require and take it from there

Can always add a rifle for other quarry in the future.

He didn’t say anything about deer either, nor that he’s going on hunting trips exclusively in the uk …. He might be planning on stalking Cape buffalo for all I know. However, given the extremely fast expansion of wild boar both here and on mainland Europe, a general purpose hunting rifle that’s capable of most medium sized game, including boar , escaped cattle or livestock etc or a pumped up wounded Sika , Red stag or Fallow buck is a sensible thing to own. I’d be looking for a rifle with a quick and economical barrel change design- Schultz and Larsen etc. Or a nice Mauser 66 The OP said that he’s been granted a 6.5 ????? I wonder if he’s allowed anything with a 6.5 cal barrel? It would be strange if he was, but If so his options are quite different and more positive to having to have a creed.

Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[Olaf]

Let me guess if it was a Swede it would be okay though?

6.5 creed has less power than 308 without a doubt

Which has less power than 300 win mag

Which has less power than 375

Which has less etc

It’s adequate for every deer species in the UK, is very shootable and has really solid logistical support.

So while it’s not the ultimate bestest cartridge in the world ever , it will do what he needs.

I really don’t understand why people get their knickers in a twist over the 6.5 vegan. It’s just another cartridge that works well enough and has successfully been used on much bigger animals than we get on this island, which will do the job on deer here if you put the right bullet where it belongs. Just like pretty much any other deer legal cartridge.

I agree, the problem with a 6.5 creed in this instance, as has already been pointed out, is that it’s a new chambering which automatically means that he’s limited to buying very new ‘ modern’ rifles, excluding him from loads of absolute top quality premium used rifles that are a mile better than the two that he’s mentioned, rifles that if he bought ‘new’ would be 3 or 4 times more than his budget. All for what? An absolutely overrated modern rifle chambering that’s the flavour of the month with American YouTube vloggers .
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[BigT]

I agree, the problem with a 6.5 creed in this instance, as has already been pointed out, is that it’s a new chambering which automatically means that he’s limited to buying very new ‘ modern’ rifles, excluding him from loads of absolute top quality premium used rifles that are a mile better than the two that he’s mentioned, rifles that if he bought ‘new’ would be 3 or 4 times more than his budget. All for what? An absolutely overrated modern rifle chambering that’s the flavour of the month with American YouTube vloggers .
Kindest regards, Olaf

Both rifles he’s mentioned are very solid options.

And if he buys new he doesn’t have the worry of a barrel that spent 20 years with the mod fitted turning it into a mess. Or the challenge of “where do I find a magazine for my 40 year out of production rifle , or a new stock” etc Which may or may not be part of his thinking.

It’s also been around for almost twenty years now. So less flavour of the month and more modern mainstream option. Being popular doesn’t necessarily make something bad. Nor does it make it necessarily good. But avoiding something just because it’s popular is peculiar to me.

And while some people prefer older rifles and what they bring to the table other prefer newer designs and what they bring to the table. And both of them are right , depending on the feature set they prefer

Fwiw I far prefer 6.5 PRC to 6.5 Creed and that magnifies all your issues with the creed substantially.

 

[3595wilk]

He didn’t say anything about deer either, nor that he’s going on hunting trips exclusively in the uk …. He might be planning on stalking Cape buffalo for all I know. However, given the extremely fast expansion of wild boar both here and on mainland Europe, a general purpose hunting rifle that’s capable of most medium sized game, including boar , escaped cattle or livestock etc or a pumped up wounded Sika , Red stag or Fallow buck is a sensible thing to own. I’d be looking for a rifle with a quick and economical barrel change design- Schultz and Larsen etc. Or a nice Mauser 66 The OP said that he’s been granted a 6.5 ????? I wonder if he’s allowed anything with a 6.5 cal barrel? It would be strange if he was, but If so his options are quite different and more positive to having to have a creed.

Kindest regards, Olaf

He wrote about stalking? Usual idiom here in the UK for going after deer........well it is on a deer stalking forum.....

see attached for its common use on here......?

But carry on fella....much more fun to talk about cape buffalo on a deer stalking thread .

 

[Docoak21]

SAKO 90 adventure.......if your broke then finance it, you won't regret it

 

[Pete_Cambs]

To be clear - it’s for deer stalking, spoke to several of the stalkers who have taken me out on guided stalks and whilst I copped some light hearted abuse from one of them about choosing 6.5cm they both said its a sensible choice for a first stalking rifle.

The cartridge is also readily available in several of my local RFDs which was a key factor.

I’ll be doing 6-10 paid / guided stalks a year until I can find a syndicate that works for me.

As it happens I’ve chosen an alternative rifle now based on a recommendation further up the thread - a Howa 1500 and for almost the same money as the others I’ve managed to get myself a carbon stock / carbon barrel set up that’s nice and light. Thanks to @Will the chippy and @CS Sporting for their experience and knowledge on the Howa.

 

[Will the chippy]

To be clear - it’s for deer stalking, spoke to several of the stalkers who have taken me out on guided stalks and whilst I copped some light hearted abuse from one of them about choosing 6.5cm they both said its a sensible choice for a first stalking rifle.

The cartridge is also readily available in several of my local RFDs which was a key factor.

I’ll be doing 6-10 paid / guided stalks a year until I can find a syndicate that works for me.

As it happens I’ve chosen an alternative rifle now based on a recommendation further up the thread - a Howa 1500 and for almost the same money as the others I’ve managed to get myself a carbon stock / carbon barrel set up that’s nice and light. Thanks to @Will the chippy and @CS Sporting for their experience and knowledge on the Howa.

View attachment 431180View attachment 431181

That looks great. I'm sure It'll shoot spot on. Typical Japanese engineering.

 

[moeggesit]

So now I’ve had my FEO interview I should see my certificate through the post box in the next 3-4 weeks meaning it’s time to re-visit my rifle choice in anger.

The slot I have for a stalking gun is 6.5cm. I have no land of my own so will be 6-10 guided stalks a year with maybe a syndicate in future if I can find something suitable - I’d imagine 100-150 rounds a year between zero check / practice and actual live quarry shots. It’s also not my only rifle, I have multiple other slots for target disciplines.

Off the bat I’ve discounted Tikka as I don’t like the fact you have to take the gun off safe to unload…. Been fine with borrowed Tikkas I’ve used but just doesn’t sit right with me.

So I think I’ve narrowed it down to a Mauser M12 impact and the new Browning X-Bolt 2 as they both allow safe unloading and air in my price bracket.
I know you can’t re-barrel the Mauser but I figure it’s good for circa 2500-3000 rounds which is probably a decade or more of life with me so don’t think it’s an issue.

Sounds like you put too much faith in a safety. If you’re not in a safe area when you unload you shouldn’t be there.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Sounds like you put too much faith in a safety. If you’re not in a safe area when you unload you shouldn’t be there.

Why does it sound like I put to much faith in a safety? None of the people I’ve been out with have issue with my gun handling, neither has anyone at the club I shoot at…. This is simply my preference for wanting a 3 position safety as an additional safety layer on top of safe handling of the rifle.

 

[West5575]

Why does it sound like I put to much faith in a safety? None of the people I’ve been out with have issue with my gun handling, neither has anyone at the club I shoot at…. This is simply my preference for wanting a 3 position safety as an additional safety layer on top of safe handling of the rifle.

I prefer it too. I’m a fan of Marlin leverguns and have several. Mine have crossbolt safety some hate that and say it’s not necessary but it’s another level of safety I don’t mind having. In fact I prefer the Mauser type safeties that block the firing pin. It’s something I consider when buying.

 

[TringSaint]

So now I’ve had my FEO interview I should see my certificate through the post box in the next 3-4 weeks meaning it’s time to re-visit my rifle choice in anger.

The slot I have for a stalking gun is 6.5cm. I have no land of my own so will be 6-10 guided stalks a year with maybe a syndicate in future if I can find something suitable - I’d imagine 100-150 rounds a year between zero check / practice and actual live quarry shots. It’s also not my only rifle, I have multiple other slots for target disciplines.

Off the bat I’ve discounted Tikka as I don’t like the fact you have to take the gun off safe to unload…. Been fine with borrowed Tikkas I’ve used but just doesn’t sit right with me.

So I think I’ve narrowed it down to a Mauser M12 impact and the new Browning X-Bolt 2 as they both allow safe unloading and air in my price bracket.
I know you can’t re-barrel the Mauser but I figure it’s good for circa 2500-3000 rounds which is probably a decade or more of life with me so don’t think it’s an issue.

Steyr?
I have the SM12 SX in 6.5 se and it’s a lovely rifle.

 

[West5575]

To be clear - it’s for deer stalking, spoke to several of the stalkers who have taken me out on guided stalks and whilst I copped some light hearted abuse from one of them about choosing 6.5cm they both said its a sensible choice for a first stalking rifle.

The cartridge is also readily available in several of my local RFDs which was a key factor.

I’ll be doing 6-10 paid / guided stalks a year until I can find a syndicate that works for me.

As it happens I’ve chosen an alternative rifle now based on a recommendation further up the thread - a Howa 1500 and for almost the same money as the others I’ve managed to get myself a carbon stock / carbon barrel set up that’s nice and light. Thanks to @Will the chippy and @CS Sporting for their experience and knowledge on the Howa.

View attachment 431180View attachment 431181

Can't tell from the pic what barrel length? The Creed and 308 class do better with shorter barrels which is a big advantage over the 270. I'm a 6.5x55 fan and paid extra to have rifles in that caliber when I could have saved money on the rifle and had better/cheaper factory loads with the Creed. Also the short action is nice. You did well.