Need help deciding on a new rifle

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Bubbafett33

CGN Regular
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I've shot ORPS for a few years and done okay at that--but now I've convinced myself that I need a centerfire rifle...but the options are fairly overwelming, and I could use a steer.

What's it for:
  • 300-800M+ shooting at range and farm
  • I was thinking of signing up for Rob Furlong's Marksmanship Academy (or equivalent)
  • I've really enjoyed Outlaw Rimfire, so once I've practiced a bit and Strelok is full 'o dope, whatever competitions I can sneak into
  • No plans for hunting at all
  • I tend to introduce newbies & kids to shooting a fair bit, so lower recoil = better
  • I don't reload (for now, at least)
Budget: $4K ish without optic

Preferences:
  • I think I've convinced myself that a 6.5 Creedmoor would be the best calber for me
  • I really like what I see from Cadex Defence (and I would prefer to support CDN companies)
  • After years of upgrading .22s, shotguns, pistols and PCCs, I prefer "buy once, cry once"
  • Resale: I have had intentions of keeping every gun I've ever bought...but some end up surplus to needs and are sold. With this in mind, I think a "branded" rifle would be better than a custom parts list assembled by a smith. (ie a Volquartsen .22 holds its value far better than a "custom 10/22" with a series of high end parts) .
So all this led me to the Cadex CDX-R7 SHP...but then the questions started:

  • What other options are out there besides Cadex?
  • Within Cadex, do I need the Bartlein barrel that is available on bigger brother models?
  • WTH are the real-world pros and cons of the different Cadex actions?
  • Will the Strike Nuke chassis work well for competition? I use a KRG Bravo in ORPS, and it's very similar in style...but a proper chassis would offer more flexibility
  • Where is the "diminishing returns" line when it comes to budget? Should I just buy a Ruger RPR?
Any help, guidance, advice or thoughts are welcome!!
 
That's a great budget that opens up alot of options. I have no experience with cadex but I'm not a fan. They just don't do it for me. That said, your price point puts you into some nice options. Gobig tactical carries alot of actions and prefit chambered barrels for those actions. You could get yourself a bighorn origin barreled action for $2100, add a triggertech special or diamond, a krg bravo or stock of your choosing and a muzzle brake and be done for close to your budget. The origin is a great action with control round feed, mechanical ejector, and easily swappable bolt heads so you can change calibers. They are machined to a tolerance that allows you to buy shouldered barrels that gobig stocks or any reputable barrel manufacturer can spin up for you without needing your action. Simple vice and torque wrench and you can swap as needed.
 
Come on out to the various PRS-type centerfire events happening this summer! You didn't say your location but there are events in all the western provinces.
 
adamg said:
Come on out to the various PRS-type centerfire events happening this summer! You didn't say your location but there are events in all the western provinces.
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Sounds good! If there are events/league names to watch for in PractiScore, please let me know what to search for!
 
If you watch the EE you can get a new or as new Cadex with for a healthy discount over retail. That's what I did. I picked up a couple year old R7 rifle in 308 with bartlein and field comp chassis for 3200 with less than 200 rounds through it. I haven't shot it too much yet but initial load testing shows it definitely out performs me. One benefit with their actions is being able to order prefits, but only from Cadex. These days I'd be inclined to pick up one of their barreled actions with their new action and put it in whatever chassis helps meet your budget like the strike nuke etc.
 
TRDJer said:
If you watch the EE you can get a new or as new Cadex with for a healthy discount over retail. That's what I did. I picked up a couple year old R7 rifle in 308 with bartlein and field comp chassis for 3200 with less than 200 rounds through it. I haven't shot it too much yet but initial load testing shows it definitely out performs me. One benefit with their actions is being able to order prefits, but only from Cadex. These days I'd be inclined to pick up one of their barreled actions with their new action and put it in whatever chassis helps meet your budget like the strike nuke etc.
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Good advice. Which Cadex action is the best (for PRS)?
 
Although Cadex rifles are quite nice, only their newest chassis (PRO?) is actually optimized for PRS-type competition. If it were me, I'd look at getting any of the "less expensive" custom actions (Big Horn Origin, Defiance Tenacity, ARC Nucleus, Mack Bros SS Evo, etc) and having the barrel of your choice spun on (26" is the most common length) in a heavy contour (MTU, M40, etc), put a good brake on it, add the trigger of your choice (I like Triggertech 2-stage Specials) and drop it in a suitable "comp" chassis (I'd suggest an MDT ACC on the high end or an XRS to keep costs a bit lower). If you want a turn-key option, talk to the guys at Insite about their LP1 rifle. It's basically what I described having built (Mack Bros SS Evo action, Hawkhill or Krieger barrel, TT trigger, Heathen brake in an MDT XRS) for a hair over your budget ($4200 iirc). Pick up the weight kit for the XRS and you have a super capable, super accurate PRS ready setup.
 
rugbydave said:
Although Cadex rifles are quite nice, only their newest chassis (PRO?) is actually optimized for PRS-type competition. If it were me, I'd look at getting any of the "less expensive" custom actions (Big Horn Origin, Defiance Tenacity, ARC Nucleus, Mack Bros SS Evo, etc) and having the barrel of your choice spun on (26" is the most common length) in a heavy contour (MTU, M40, etc), put a good brake on it, add the trigger of your choice (I like Triggertech 2-stage Specials) and drop it in a suitable "comp" chassis (I'd suggest an MDT ACC on the high end or an XRS to keep costs a bit lower). If you want a turn-key option, talk to the guys at Insite about their LP1 rifle. It's basically what I described having built (Mack Bros SS Evo action, Hawkhill or Krieger barrel, TT trigger, Heathen brake in an MDT XRS) for a hair over your budget ($4200 iirc). Pick up the weight kit for the XRS and you have a super capable, super accurate PRS ready setup.
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Good info--thanks! Googling now!
 
Bubbafett33 said:
I've shot ORPS for a few years and done okay at that--but now I've convinced myself that I need a centerfire rifle...but the options are fairly overwelming, and I could use a steer.

What's it for:
  • 300-800M+ shooting at range and farm
  • I was thinking of signing up for Rob Furlong's Marksmanship Academy (or equivalent)
  • I've really enjoyed Outlaw Rimfire, so once I've practiced a bit and Strelok is full 'o dope, whatever competitions I can sneak into
  • No plans for hunting at all
  • I tend to introduce newbies & kids to shooting a fair bit, so lower recoil = better
  • I don't reload (for now, at least)
Budget: $4K ish without optic

Preferences:
  • I think I've convinced myself that a 6.5 Creedmoor would be the best calber for me
  • After years of upgrading .22s, shotguns, pistols and PCCs, I prefer "buy once, cry once"

So all this led me to the Cadex CDX-R7 SHP...
Click to expand...

Sounds pretty good. Don't rule out a K31 (7.5x55 Swiss) or CG63 (6.5x55 Swede w/ heavy barrel). Lots have scope mounts.
 
Rwilco said:
Sounds pretty good. Don't rule out a K31 (7.5x55 Swiss) or CG63 (6.5x55 Swede w/ heavy barrel). Lots have scope mounts.
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I was looking at some of the other solid choices for my combination of lower recoil but good long range accuracy, but every time I went to see what factory Match ammo was available, I came up pretty dry. 6.5CM was the only calibre where good facotry match ammo is plentiful...
 
Bubbafett33 said:
I was looking at some of the other solid choices for my combination of lower recoil but good long range accuracy, but every time I went to see what factory Match ammo was available, I came up pretty dry. 6.5CM was the only calibre where good facotry match ammo is plentiful...
Click to expand...

Yes. 6.5x55 is pretty much a reloader's cartridge and GP11 is going away.
 
Bubbafett33 said:
I've shot ORPS for a few years and done okay at that--but now I've convinced myself that I need a centerfire rifle...but the options are fairly overwelming, and I could use a steer.

What's it for:
  • 300-800M+ shooting at range and farm
  • I was thinking of signing up for Rob Furlong's Marksmanship Academy (or equivalent)
  • I've really enjoyed Outlaw Rimfire, so once I've practiced a bit and Strelok is full 'o dope, whatever competitions I can sneak into
  • No plans for hunting at all
  • I tend to introduce newbies & kids to shooting a fair bit, so lower recoil = better
  • I don't reload (for now, at least)
Budget: $4K ish without optic

Preferences:
  • I think I've convinced myself that a 6.5 Creedmoor would be the best calber for me
  • I really like what I see from Cadex Defence (and I would prefer to support CDN companies)
  • After years of upgrading .22s, shotguns, pistols and PCCs, I prefer "buy once, cry once"
  • Resale: I have had intentions of keeping every gun I've ever bought...but some end up surplus to needs and are sold. With this in mind, I think a "branded" rifle would be better than a custom parts list assembled by a smith. (ie a Volquartsen .22 holds its value far better than a "custom 10/22" with a series of high end parts) .
So all this led me to the Cadex CDX-R7 SHP...but then the questions started:

  • What other options are out there besides Cadex?
  • Within Cadex, do I need the Bartlein barrel that is available on bigger brother models?
  • WTH are the real-world pros and cons of the different Cadex actions?
  • Will the Strike Nuke chassis work well for competition? I use a KRG Bravo in ORPS, and it's very similar in style...but a proper chassis would offer more flexibility
  • Where is the "diminishing returns" line when it comes to budget? Should I just buy a Ruger RPR?
Any help, guidance, advice or thoughts are welcome!!
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Sounds like you are much better off with a 223 than a 6.5 to keep the recoil down.

Cadex does make a nice 223 bolt gun now. The twist rate is only 1:8 which is okay for most, but a 1:7 would have been better for bullets over 80 grains.

Sounds like the Cadex configuration for 223 is all you really need and will work very well up to 80 grainers.

There is nothing really wrong with Cadex actions, but the only real sticking point for a hard core accuracy guy is the ejection system will put dents in the mouths of ejected brass. If you really want great reloads with perfect concentricity, an action with controlled round feed will be better. Conversely you can simply shorten the ejector spring until it ejects with less force and that will reduce the case mouth damage.
 
Dont buy a 223, not only is your wind drift worse that a 6.5 creed, the impacts get hard to spot once the distances start to get stretched out.

If you can stretch the budget get the new AI ATX - it is $6.2K but it will hold its resale value better than anything else you could buy. It is also specifically designed for shooting PRS competition.

If you want to stick to the budget there is a PGW M15 in 6.5CM on the EE Right now that is the right price and I have read good things (also canadian).

There are also a lot of pretty decent customs on the EE that you should check out.

Defiance Ruckus in 6.5CM for $4,700
6.5CM in an Impact action built by Insite for $5K
There is an Impact based 223 Wylde from Insite as well.

The Tikka Tac A1 is also a decent gun if you want to spend less.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
Dont buy a 223, not only is your wind drift worse that a 6.5 creed, the impacts get hard to spot once the distances start to get stretched out.

If you can stretch the budget get the new AI ATX - it is $6.2K but it will hold its resale value better than anything else you could buy. It is also specifically designed for shooting PRS competition.

If you want to stick to the budget there is a PGW M15 in 6.5CM on the EE Right now that is the right price and I have read good things (also canadian).

There are also a lot of pretty decent customs on the EE that you should check out.

Defiance Ruckus in 6.5CM for $4,700
6.5CM in an Impact action built by Insite for $5K
There is an Impact based 223 Wylde from Insite as well.

The Tikka Tac A1 is also a decent gun if you want to spend less.
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Really good stuff.... I'm not sure I trust myself enough to figure out what's a "good deal" on the EE because I don't know enough about each component....but the repeated mentions of Insite Arms (which isn't that far from me) is making it clear that I need to have a conversation about what they can do for me before I buy anything...

Learning a ton here folks--thanks!
 
Bubbafett33 said:
Really good stuff.... I'm not sure I trust myself enough to figure out what's a "good deal" on the EE because I don't know enough about each component....but the repeated mentions of Insite Arms (which isn't that far from me) is making it clear that I need to have a conversation about what they can do for me before I buy anything...

Learning a ton here folks--thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm the guy with the M15 on the EE, its a great rig! Definitely a perfect set up for comp shooting. PM me if you want to know more :)
 
6 or 6.5 Creedmoor are great choices if you don't reload.

CADEX seems to put out a nice product, personally I can't stand the aesthetics of their products, but they do have a high quality.

My personal preference is always to build a rifle to my exact specs, rather than buying off the rack. Of course, your preferences now will change and evolve as you evolve as a shooter. Having a rifle that can evolve with you is pretty nice. Building a custom rifle off of an R700 pattern action gives you more options by far than anything else, to evolve and adapt as your preferences do.

For ~$4k(ish), I would have Insite Arms build you a rifle off of something like a Kelbly Atlas action, and components from there would be personal preference. Defiance Tenacity, Bighorn Origin and ARC Nucleus are top notch "custom" actions at a great price - though the pricing will be more in Canada. If you want to save some cash in the beginning, you can start with a KRG Bravo which is an excellent budget chassis, and really punches above its weight class. Don't skimp on barrel - my recommendation is to get a good quality cut rifled barrel, from Bartlein, Krieger, Brux, Rock Creek, etc.

There are certain things you can go cheap on and replace later, and other places not so much. The precision of the rifle is derived from the quality of the barrel blank, as well as the quality of the chamber job. You really don't want to cheap out on barrels or the gunsmith spinning up the barrel. Lots of great actions out there today, quality ones can be found in most budget levels. In Canada, one of the best bang for the buck actions is the Kelbly Atlas.
 
Bubbafett33 said:
I was looking at some of the other solid choices for my combination of lower recoil but good long range accuracy, but every time I went to see what factory Match ammo was available, I came up pretty dry. 6.5CM was the only calibre where good facotry match ammo is plentiful...
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The 6.5 Creedmoor has pretty tame recoil, especially when paired with a good quality muzzle brake.

6mm's seem to really be in the sweet spot as to a balance between recoil and ballistics. This leaves you with 6mm Creedmoor, or maybe 6GT if that is available in Canada.

Personally, while centerfire .22's can be fun, you start giving up ballistics and ability to spot impacts, especially if you don't reload. Factory match quality .223 ammo is pretty lacking, and most rifle manufacturers are not building .223's with the heavier match ammo in mind. If you decide to reload, then the world of centerfire .22's becomes more intriguing and interesting, but for your purposes I would avoid.
 
I must have misunderstood the part where he said...

I tend to introduce newbies & kids to shooting a fair bit, so lower recoil = better

So ya... Try letting kids shoot a 6.5... The black eyes will peak their interest. Great idea.

I let my daughter shoot a 6x47 once... Only once. Didn't go over well.

To a grown man sure, 6 and 6.5s are no big deal, but if the rifle is used to introduce youngsters, I would forget about rounds that are suitable for top ten percenters in match competition and focus on friendly cartridges.

Even in PRS circles a 6.5 is considered heavy these days.

70 percent of the shooters in a PRS match would not score a point worse if they shot a 223 with 77 grainers. I'll bet half would shoot better.

As for the 6.5 having better ballistics... Please by all means... Crunch the numbers out to 800 yards. The difference is almost meaningless. Sure the 6.5 Creed has better numbers, but you are calibrated to whatever you use. The only reason to shoot a 6.5 over a 6 is for terminal energy and the OP dont hunt.

That brings us down to a 6mm or 223...

Or do we want to scratch that low recoil thing off the requirement list?
 
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