It's nice to read through a thread like this. Several years ago I worked with a guy who did some competition shooting and I was able to pick his brain from time to time. I've probably forgot most of what he told me. As others have said it is a rabbit hole researching the stuff on the internet and youtube. So I've come to the experts for thoughts and opinions.
I do not reload so I've been leaning towards 6.5 creed because of the availability, choice of loadings, and cost of ammo. Now you guys have me wondering if I am better off finding a gunsmith and going the custom route or fierce, etc.? My idea has been to buy a tikka t3 (?), replace the stock with a manners or mcmillan , maybe a new barrel down the road. By the time I eventually upgrade most of the rifle , I may have spent "custom" money anyway (as mentioned above). How much is a custom when the dust settles, 3-5K?
I've been told in the past and i read atleast a few of the comments suggesting basing it off a 700. Are there advantages to using a 700 action vs. a tikka or etc. action? Is it because of availability, accuracy, etc.?
Thanks for the responses. I have been kicking around the idea for quite a while now and I've been stashing cash for a new toy and i may get the ball rolling finally this year.
So, I think you got this, but just to be clear, when we say "700 footprint" or "700-based", we're not talking about actual Remington 700 actions, but
custom actions that are
compatible with Remington 700 stocks, triggers, etc. Some examples include those from American Rifle Company, Zermatt Arms, Defiance, etc.
And yes, the advantage is the options that gives you. There's dozens of actions to pick from, and they're all better than any factory rifle action, so it just depends on what features you want. And you have many more options for a stock / chassis, trigger, bottom metal, etc.
The Tikka action is highly regarded as likely the best factory rifle action, and people do build custom guns off of them, but like you said, by the time you're done replacing stuff, you could have just gone full custom.
Since you don't reload, imo, 6.5 Creed is the best choice. Since it was designed to shoot long, slippery bullets, pretty much all factory ammo (and there's a lot of choices) is loaded with them. My personal favorite is the Hornady Match 140 ELDM. It groups (in my rifle) just as well as my reloads. The only way my loads beat it is with more consistent muzzle velocity.
6 Creed wouldn't be a bad choice either, but the 6.5 beats it in the wind at range, and of course in energy on target, but at the cost of increased recoil. Strap a suppressor on the end, and both are pleasant to shoot all day with.
