Advice on a New Rifle

[adamR]

I could use some opinions on a new lightweight mountain rifle. I'll be purchasing a 6.5 Creedmoor for anything from coyotes to deer. It must be relatively lightweight, definitely sub 8 pounds, if not sub 7. The rifle must be 1:8 twist. I do not want cheap (Savage Axis, Ruger American, etc.) And will spend up to around $1500.

I've always been a Remington 700 guy but I've also had issues and had to have them worked on as their quality has not been great. I thought I'd branch out a little with this new gun. The problem is, every time I think I found something I like, the customer service/warranty/quality searches on Google are horrible! Is every rifle junk now days or am I reading into these one off issues too much?

Cabelas has a Christensen Arms Mesa on sale for $900 right now that I really like but Googling Christensen Arms was not reassuring.

Thoughts on Christensen Arms? Thoughts on Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather? Other suggestions? I would prefer a rifle made in America but it's not a deal breaker. Any opinions are appreciated l, thanks!

[Westside88]

When looking for similar options a couple years ago I came down to Kimber Hunter in stainless and Browning Hells Canyon speed. The Browning was slightly heavier, but I like the feel/balance better and wanted a 22” barrel. I went with a 270 win and couldn’t be happier with the choice.

[treefarmer]

I ran into the same issues while recently scope shopping. Seemed like a negative review for every brand out there.  Some reviews were pretty unbelievable based on my personal experience     Asked the forum for advice and got some good tips from people.  I also spoke to folks that owned the actual brands and went from there.  . 

[b23]

I'd look at one of the Tikka's.  They have many different models available.  For a factory over the counter rifle they're hard to beat.  I have a CA Ridgeline in 6.5PRC that shoots very well but I'd take my chances with a new Tikka over a CA.  I have a Tikka compact in 204 and a SL in 300 WSM.  My stepdaughter bought a Tikka SL in 270Win about a year ago and the dang things just shoot.  It's not often you hear of Tikka's not shooting well.

[fowl smacker]

If you want a lightweight flat out shooter go with a Tikka. Browning Hells Canyon speed would be my 2nd choice.  I know you said you don't want a "cheap" one but the Ruger American compact I bought for my girls in 7mm-08 shoots 1/2 moa all day long.  I am SHOCKED at the accuracy of that thing.

[Sneaky]

My christensen 6.5CM is a tack driver. I have the ridgeline. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. My rifle did have a slight cosmetic issue that I should have caught when buying the gun. I sent a photo to CA who sent me a label immediately. Gun went back to the factory and was back to me with issue corrected within a week. I now own three CA rifles but have yet to shoot the other two. While I agree you should never have to send something brand new back to the factory, the process was flawless. There was no arguing about whether the issue would affect rifle performance (the consensus was purely cosmetic issue). They simply said thats not right, here is a label.

The rifle shoots four different factory ammunitions sub-MOA, two of them less than .5. I've never owned a rifle that performed like that. Part of that is likely the inherent accuracy of the 6.5 itself but I have been very impressed.

Another rifle in your price range to consider is the savage ultralight. great lightweight rifle for the money with a high quality proof carbon barrel.

My advice is whichever rifle you choose bring a small LED flashlight with you and thoroughly inspect the rifle before you walk out with it.

[pickardjw]

I went through this last year. Narrowed it down to a CA Mesa, Kimber Hunter, Browning X-Bolt HCS, and Tikka T3x stainless. Ended up with the Tikka.

I figured I might want to upgrade my platform over time and the T3x seems to have plenty of aftermarket support.

[SI Eagle]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/tikka-t3x-lite-d-18-rifle-with-truetimber-strata-stock

[Sakko300wsm]

I have had multible tikkas , Sako's and CA Ridgelines - still have a couple Tikka's and Ridgelines . Both shoot great , but i would Choose a Ridgeline over the Tikka's anyday - mine flat out are excellent shooters and have never had a problem with CA

[Emptyhanded]

I have a CA Ridgeline and have set up 3 others for friends. All of them shoot well. One of them hit pressure signs with 2 out of 3 factory loads. Probably a tight chamber, but the owner decided to just shoot the Nosler stuff that didn’t show ejector marks. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another CA. With that said, I have a tikka as well and they are tough to beat for the price.


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[bustedoldman]

Browning, Tikka, Kimber...Probably won't go wrong with any of them. I had a few CA's all shot well, there was a time period where I think they had some QA/customer service issues but it's been resolved I think?

[HereDuckyDucky]

For lightweight, off-the-shelf accuracy and reliability, another vote for Tikka T3. Rifles flat-out shoot and won't break the budget.

RW

[CamoDup]

Buy a Tikka 6.5 PRC and thank me later 

[Magnum_Willys]

Buy a Tikka 6.5 PRC and thank me later 

[MountainWalk]

You can’t go wrong with any of the 7’s- 70,77,700,7.

Myself, I agree with you; I despise cheap guns. There’s nothing about an axis or American Ruger that makes you wanna will them to your great grandkids! 

  I try to buy American made products as much as I can, and when it comes to rifles, I always buy USA.      Up here in Alaska, the Winchester and the Ruger are pretty popular.

When you buy a Winchester or Ruger, you know it’s a company that honors and backs up its products and will be around the next decade.