Help me decide

[Jetman]

Looking for a hunting rifle , bolt action. Mostly for whitetail deer.
Not a heavy caliber. Already have a 30-06 “bush gun” that will hit a pie plate.
Looking for something fun , that might get 3 boxes max threw it per year. Accuracy is important to me without loosing lethality.
6.5 cm sounds like a fun rifle to own.
Is there something I might like better ?
And what should I look at for buying out of the box ready to shoot(not a combo, but not building from scratch per say) .
Rifle , and scope options ?
Max hunting shots would be 300yds , avg 100yds. Range max would be 500yds.
Would like to practice shooting more, so that is why I would like to buy a good shooter.

 

[rkm456]

Get a 6.5 Creedmoor and don't look back.

 

[HUNTERROD]

Well I could.recommend a nice 6.5x55 caliber rifle
Light on shoulder and given a good.bore very accurate.

Remington 700 classic.was in exchange in 6.5x55.
Also. Any rifle in 7mm08. Very gd rifle caliber

 

[Travis_m]

I've been eyeing the Browning x bolt hell's canyon long range in 6.5 CM. I'm a sucker for the gold trigger but it looks like a nice rifle.

 

[Gregg M]

I have been shooting my browning xbolt composite stalker in 7mm-08 a lot. You can shoot the whole box,your shoulder does not get sore. I get the ammo on sale. Usually about 8 dollars more a box than 06 ammo.

 

[Grouse Man]

I'd recommend the Swede.

 

[rkm456]

I've been eyeing the Browning x bolt hell's canyon long range in 6.5 CM. I'm a sucker for the gold trigger but it looks like a nice rifle.

It's really hard to go wrong with a Browning.

 

[Magellann]

I like the Browning A Bolts, one in 308 would do everything you want.

 

[emerson]

6.5CM. Ammo cheap and all over. I don’t like how most Browning’s feel or look. I would go for a light, short Kimber.

 

[cantgetright]

$100 black Friday rebate on Winchester and Browning rifles. I just ordered a 6.5 CM tonight. I've had a new scope in the safe for a year that's been depreciating in value, so thought I'd better get it mounted on something.

 

[vangualarien]

hi,
i have many military sweedish mauser in 6,5 x 55 . they are full wood that mean well balanced rifles . the 6,5 x55 is an old caliber yes...but today they still build expensive hunting/target rifles in europe using the 6,5 x 55!! i think to get top quality rifle if you dont't want to spend 3000$ only for the rifle alone you have to look to old rifle in excellent condition and you will never regret . i can sell a beautifull full wood sweedish mauser in a perfect condition , i can sell it because i can keep it in my collection because it is drill for a scope , its a beauty and a sharp shooter. i have also lot of scopes that i can install and boresight.
don t be shy to contact me,

vangualarien

 

[brybenn]

2506

 

[freire]

The old lady, 6.5x55.

 

[kamlooky]

Yeee-up.
Go fur the Blawnd oar the Brunette.

 

[silverfoxdj]

$100 black Friday rebate on Winchester and Browning rifles. I just ordered a 6.5 CM tonight. I've had a new scope in the safe for a year that's been depreciating in value, so thought I'd better get it mounted on something.

That is good timing for someone in the market I watch for the Black Friday sales every year now...

 

[hoytcanon]

You can't have much fun shooting three boxes a year... and you can't become accurate shooting three boxes a year. Either upgrade your shooting habits or downgrade your expectations. Any decent bolt action rifle from 6.5mm through .30 cal is going to be better than you, unless you shoot.

 

[Ltbull01]

Get a 6.5 Creedmoor and don't look back.

This ^ . Truth.

 

[HDMopar]

6.5 x 55 Swede hands down. Great cartridge preferred in Scandinavia for Moose and Deer. I like that it is extremely accurate and easy on the recoil.

 

[wasrupzuk]

I currently have a SS T3 in 6.5x55 with a 4.5-14x40sf Leupold on it.
Very accurate and lighter recoil than my 30/06.
Works well for your stated purpose but ammo availability might be an issue.
6.5 CM is definitely the current popular choice and it works, had one and sold it. The sale was more about the rifle and the fact I reload for the Swede and didn’t want to invest in the reload tools for another caliber that for me doesn’t do anything better than I already have.
But the Swede covers a lot of ground the 30/06 does (they all do to some degree) so I’d consider the established mainstream short action cartridges such as the 260, 243, 7/08 and up to the 6.5cm. If you like the oddballs (now) a 7x57, 6mmRemington or a 6.5x55 are other capable options (along with many more).
308 will give the most choices of ammo and availablity.
Rifle and scope completely depend on budget which you left out...
Reasonable budget;
I really like Leupold VX3 or better scopes. Solid and reliable in all conditions has been my experience.
I’m a big fan of stainless rifles with no issues in my Tikka T3’s, Weatherby Vanguard S2 and if your budget can swing it the Sako 85.
Other rifles are very capable in this segment and nothing against them but the above are my current preferences.

 

[bctrucker]

I used a Tikka T3x in the 6.5x55 this year for deer, got 2 2pt Blacktails . Very impressed with the cartridge. not much meat damage. Smashed up neck bones. shot at 25yrd and a 125 yrds. Used 140 grn sierra boattail. I would recommend it.