Im in the market for a new rifle.....

[Glass]

I am looking at purchasing a new rifle. I havent bought one for over 16 years now so I am a little uneducated. The first 2 that come to mind are 7mm mag and 6.5 creedmoor. I like both cause they are flat shooting. I was leaning towards the 6.5 creedmoor so the wife and kids could also shoot it. Does anyone else have any suggestions that are really good flat shooting calibers that have no issues reaching out there 5-600 yards, that would also be good for my wife and kids?

 

[eseamands]

7mm-08 is worth considering as well, my wife and best friend's have Savage Axis XP II in that caliber. We got the combos from scheels and upgraded the optics. Flat shooting and fairly hard hitting. My wife uses 120 grain TTSX.

I'm considering the Ruger American Rifle in 6.5 creedmoor as well. One, because it is pre-threaded and my suppressor should be here soon and two, rounds are fairly popular and what can't be bought I can have friends load me some up.

 

[martinslanding]

.270 wsm

 

[SDMF]

Most will get exponentially more use out of the 6.5 Creedmoor than they will a 7Mag simply because the 6.5 is a whole lot more pleasant to shoot.

You'd never hear be argue against the 7-08 either. That said, if you're buying factory ammo, right now the 6.5Creedmoor has a whole lot more options available on the shelf. If you're loading your own of course that won't matter.

 

[tikkalover]

I agree 270wsm in a Tikka

 

[ndbwhunter]

What is the intended use? Both are great calibers. If you're planning on hunting anything bigger than deer I'd go with the 7mm.

 

[KDM]

Consider your target first. If Elk, Moose, and Bear are a large portion of your fall forays the 7mm would get my nod. If your largest target year in and year out is Mule Deer, the more comfortable caliber to shoot would be better IMO. Ammo availability would be next on my list of priorities, followed by weight, durability, and purdiness. Put me down for the 7-08 as well. I've shot'em and like'em!!

 

[Glass]

My target animal will mostly be white or mule deer. There is the chance I might go after elk or bear in the future but if that happens I can always buy/borrow a larger caliber. I will have to to look into the 7-08. I buy factory loads so that does play into the decision. I currently have 30-06, bought when i was 16. I have hated the gun ever since I have bought it. Think it kicked the crap out of my scrawny 16 year old body and I just developed an affliction for it. Anyway, I decided i will trade in that gun for something different. I have been using my dads 7mm mag for the last 3 years deer hunting and have been really happy with it, just think its a little to much kick for the family to use also.

 

[ItemB]

I have a 7-08 that I like and I really like that caliber, I have never shot or really looked into a 6.5 creedmore though. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a 7-06 vs 6.5 creed, besides the ammo availability?

 

[H82bogey]

I think you have some good options mentioned above. I would also consider, how much shooting will you be doing vs price of ammo. I love my .270 for deer. Fast, flat shooting gun and the 130-150 grain options are all a person needs for deer sized game. The over the counter ammo options are sufficient and you can find cheap to expensive ammo. I do think it is a well rounded caliber, and I didn't have any trouble shooting it at the age of 14 and 110lbs soaking wet.

243 would be another option I would look at or even 25-06. Lots of options out there. Maybe you need to buy a couple new rifles?

 

[PrairieGhost]

I have two 6.5 Creedmoors. I also have 270 Win, 308 Win, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag, 45/70, not to mention smaller calibers than the 6.5. The Creedmoors in the past year are my go to rifle most of the time. I have a new custom 300 Win Mag and 308 Win that have not been able to bite venison yet so it will be the 300 Win Mag for this years first tag in five years.

My son was looking for a rifle for his daughter this year. In Montana many kids shoot a 243, but the 6.5 Creedmoor walks all over it and at long range it pulls ahead of the 308 factory loadings. I specify factory because I am getting 2580 fps with a 200 gr ELD-X in my 308 and that bullet has a very respectable ballistic coefficient. 25-06 owners will look at the muzzle velocity of the 6.5 Creedmoor and underestimate it. However at 400 yards the 25-06 strikes only one inch higher when sighted in the same. Beyond 400 yards the 25-06 slips quickly into the back seat in energy. Don't get me wrong a 25-06 is a very good rifle.

Metric designations have not done well in this country. I think we look at what our enemies have used and remember the 6.5 the Japanese used, and the 6.5 the Italians used. Let's not forget our friends who used the 6.5 X 55 Swedish with identical ballistics of the 260 Remington and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Where the Creedmoor shines is the case allowing the use of longer bullets in short actions. The 260 Remington just didn't catch on like the 7mm calibers, but it was a good cartridge. It's only drawback is it's better with 120 to 129 gr bullets, while the Creedmoor shines with the heavier 140 and upwards with ballistic coefficients well beyond .6 and some approaching .7 coefficient.

Dollar for dollar it's hard to beat the Ruger Predator. I bought one in 308 with the 18 inch barrel thinking to have a cheap junker knock around. Boy was I wrong. The 200 gr ELD-X can be driven easily to 2500 fps and even though the trigger on mine will only adjust to 4.75 lb it still groups .55 inch. By the 6.5 Creedmoor Ruger Predator and never look back. Although I was in Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker last week and they had Browning X Bolts for $499. I don't need another rifle, but wow was that hard to walk past. The Brownings are not as popular as they were years ago, but don't write them off. I really like their crown that is well protected from damage.

My favorite subject.

 

[Big Iron]

270 wsm

 

[Glass]

Now the other question I have is. What is my rifle worth. I would rather sell it outright then trade it in. Ruger M77 Mark II 30-06 (not sure on the length of the barrel, or the scope at the moment)

 

[Jigaman]

not much. I'll give you $100

 

[fj40]

Savage 30.06 with Accu trigger

 

[Glass]

I would keep for that kinda of offer!

not much. I'll give you $100

 

[greybeard]

260 Rem. Absolute wonderful round, ammo is pretty easy to find and great for any size shooter.

 

[PrairieGhost]

Glass the older Rugers are going for around $275. I know yours is worth more, but I don't know how much more. If it were not for some of the new less expensive rifles that are very good for the money it would also be worth more. This is a guess, but I would say around $375 to $450. Without scope that is.

 

[Enslow]

.30-06 ackley improved.

- - - Updated - - -

Why would you sell a .30-06 ? There is nothing that creedmore will do better than .30-06.

 

[Glass]

Thanks Prairie, I know used optics are not worth to much. I will have to post it and throw a price on it I guess.

Glass the older Rugers are going for around $275. I know yours is worth more, but I don't know how much more. If it were not for some of the new less expensive rifles that are very good for the money it would also be worth more. This is a guess, but I would say around $375 to $450. Without scope that is.