Picked this up yesterday from P&D. 7mm Rem Mag, blued. Bushnell 6500 2.5x16x42 up top in Signature Z rings. Early signs are that it's going to be a good shooter.
Took it to the range today with some 140gr Sierra Game Kings 30 thou off the lands, 3 of each over RL22 65-66-67-68-69-70grains. Had my chrony 10-12 feet out front. Speeds MUCH lower than anticipated, may have to look for a different powder. By 70 grains, I believe I should be approaching 3200fps according to Lyman's book.
65-2775, 2781, 2744
66-did not shoot due to low velocity above, save for foulers/sighters
67-2844, 2856, 2871 2 touching with a big ole anticipation flinch pull
68-2876, 2905, 2886
69-2931, 2937, 2938 and a good group
70-3007, 2994, 3033
@100 Yards @ Spruce Grove
Recoil would be manageable for 10-12 shots or wearing a coat or pad, but after 18 rounds I was grunting and swearing after the shots. OW. Might look at a slipover Limbsaver or some such, tho I won't need it for hunting. Shooting off a front rest with rear bag, there was very little muzzle jump, which surprised me. I was able to reacquire target very quickly after most shots. I find the stock very comfortable, the pistol grip is very thin which works well for my 'average' hand size (I'm 6' 180lbs). Forend is somewhat flexible, but the floated barrel is well clear of the stock and I don't anticipate the flexibility being a problem.
Trigger is probably my only beef, feels like 5lbs or so, when they are supposed to be 2-4 and adjusted to 3 @ factory. Somewhat reluctant to pull it apart and adjust, I'll think about it for a couple days and decide. Definitely a tougher pull than I expected.
The action's very nice and smooth, fit and finish is as good as *I* need it to be, no obvious flaws or defects. The bluing is only so-so, looks faded in a few spots that polishing and a bit of oil won't bring back.
The 6500 is nice and clear and has the most relief of any scope *that I've tried* in it's class - more than a 4200, more than a Monarch, at least as much as a Conquest, haven't tried any of the Leupolds. Reticle is not superfine but not obtrusive. Didn't try out the DOA system yet, will do when I get an actual load down. I don't like that the DOA system is calibrated using maximum magnification, ie., at 16X....too soon to say how much of an issue that is, I'm OK using turret dialing but do like holdover too. I'm very satisfied with the 6500 in my experience so far.
Over all "bathroom scale" weight as rigged up but no ammo is 7.8 lbs, which for me who is used to heavy barrelled target guns, is very light indeed.
Still puzzled at the low speeds, will look at my manuals and maybe try what else I have on hand ie H4831SC or ?? Or redo my ladder (term used loosely) with the TTSX 140's that I ultimately intend to shoot.
Took it to the range today with some 140gr Sierra Game Kings 30 thou off the lands, 3 of each over RL22 65-66-67-68-69-70grains. Had my chrony 10-12 feet out front. Speeds MUCH lower than anticipated, may have to look for a different powder. By 70 grains, I believe I should be approaching 3200fps according to Lyman's book.
65-2775, 2781, 2744
66-did not shoot due to low velocity above, save for foulers/sighters
67-2844, 2856, 2871 2 touching with a big ole anticipation flinch pull
68-2876, 2905, 2886
69-2931, 2937, 2938 and a good group
70-3007, 2994, 3033
@100 Yards @ Spruce Grove
Recoil would be manageable for 10-12 shots or wearing a coat or pad, but after 18 rounds I was grunting and swearing after the shots. OW. Might look at a slipover Limbsaver or some such, tho I won't need it for hunting. Shooting off a front rest with rear bag, there was very little muzzle jump, which surprised me. I was able to reacquire target very quickly after most shots. I find the stock very comfortable, the pistol grip is very thin which works well for my 'average' hand size (I'm 6' 180lbs). Forend is somewhat flexible, but the floated barrel is well clear of the stock and I don't anticipate the flexibility being a problem.
Trigger is probably my only beef, feels like 5lbs or so, when they are supposed to be 2-4 and adjusted to 3 @ factory. Somewhat reluctant to pull it apart and adjust, I'll think about it for a couple days and decide. Definitely a tougher pull than I expected.
The action's very nice and smooth, fit and finish is as good as *I* need it to be, no obvious flaws or defects. The bluing is only so-so, looks faded in a few spots that polishing and a bit of oil won't bring back.
The 6500 is nice and clear and has the most relief of any scope *that I've tried* in it's class - more than a 4200, more than a Monarch, at least as much as a Conquest, haven't tried any of the Leupolds. Reticle is not superfine but not obtrusive. Didn't try out the DOA system yet, will do when I get an actual load down. I don't like that the DOA system is calibrated using maximum magnification, ie., at 16X....too soon to say how much of an issue that is, I'm OK using turret dialing but do like holdover too. I'm very satisfied with the 6500 in my experience so far.
Over all "bathroom scale" weight as rigged up but no ammo is 7.8 lbs, which for me who is used to heavy barrelled target guns, is very light indeed.
Still puzzled at the low speeds, will look at my manuals and maybe try what else I have on hand ie H4831SC or ?? Or redo my ladder (term used loosely) with the TTSX 140's that I ultimately intend to shoot.
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I'll chase a good load for many sessions on some rifles, this one looks like it will shoot well very early on 
