Lynx Defense

6.5 CM Rifle - Talk me out of it

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  • Sam7sf

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    TexasJack, you're correct. I remember when the 300 Remington ultra mag came out, sometime after I had a custom rifle built. Was that ever fun. But that was when it was the talk of the town. I got into reloading sometime after. Reloading books were my YouTube. My entertainment was looking at all the different cartridges that have been forgotten about and trying to get my hands on em.
    Target Sports
     

    Big Green

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    It took me a while to come around to this round since I didn't want to buy something that would disappear tomorrow. So now I have parts for large AR platform 6.5 CM build. Of course that can always be rebarrelled to 308 or other caliber if need be.

    Perhaps OP needs an AR in 6.5 CM.
     

    deemus

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    I spent considerable time looking at the 6.5 CM. It seems you almost have to decide which direction you go with it.

    1. Long range shooter - large, heavy guns that you won't want to tote around in the field. Capable of 1000 yds+ easily. Customization options, unlimited.

    2. Hunting rifle - smaller guns, that in the right situation you COULD make a 800 or 1000 yd shot with. But lighter gun that you would be comfortable with in the field hunting. Small enough that you can use it in a smallish hunting stand.

    I decided on the hunting rifle. I would love to have both, but my budget won't allow that. I chose an AR because I could convert it from a 18" barrel rifle that my wife (5'6" 130ish) can carry to a stand and hunt with, to a long range machine.

    I handled at least 10 different rifles. I was really impressed with the Bergara. I didn't know anything about that one. But it ended up having the smoothest action of the ones I looked at. Tikka was a second on that front. Really liked the Browning too. All of those were $1000ish, Bergara was on sale at Cabelas for $729.

    I think I could have been happy with the Savage, or possibly even the Ruger American Predator. You can get into those at around $400ish. But I like the AR platform, and thought the semi action might further reduce recoil for the wifey.

    I have the lower for that build, but not the upper yet.
     

    avvidclif

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    I picked up a Savage Axis package at WM in 6.5CM. It had the heavy barrel. Less than $400. After sending it back to Savage to correct the mis-drilled scope mounts (got a new one back) and replacing the scope with a Leupold 3-9 I now have a sub MOA hunting rifle that can be carried(1.5" gp @ 200yds). Total outlay was just over $500 minus the $50 I got for the scope it came with. My grandson loves it.
     

    FireInTheWire

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    What is your purpose for the gun? Your just wasting money if you can't let it stretch its legs. 400yrds with my ar shooting xm193 is FUN and CHEAP! after the 4th 4"x4" head shot on a steel torso at 400yrds with 6.5... it gets expensive and no challenge.

    If your going to truly submerse yourself in the 6.5c experience, the only way to fly is adjustable stock, heavy barrel, bolt and suppressed. It'll be a laser. Spend the money, wait the time and get a suppressor.

    Not sure if ya own a can or not... But it's the only way to fly. Don't buy another rifle... buy a suppressor.

    The 6.5c is not a fad. It's the future... I'd say it's progressive.
     

    Sam7sf

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    The 6.5c is not a fad. It's the future
    Until the next best thing comes along. Just giving you a hard time. Lol.

    You made some great points though. Actually...even though using it in most hunting applications isn't using it at its full potential I would still recommend it to folks, as with a 7mm08, who want something with enough energy and mild recoil to get some meat for a recoil sensitive shooter.

    When it comes to a 6.5 caliber, I wouldn't mind seeing the grendel being more adopted for troops.

    I would love if the military would upgrade to 25-45 sharps and 6.5 grendel. But I know that won't happen.
     

    FireInTheWire

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    Until the next best thing comes along. Just giving you a hard time. Lol.

    You made some great points though. Actually...even though using it in most hunting applications isn't using it at its full potential I would still recommend it to folks, as with a 7mm08, who want something with enough energy and mild recoil to get some meat for a recoil sensitive shooter.

    When it comes to a 6.5 caliber, I wouldn't mind seeing the grendel being more adopted for troops.

    I would love if the military would upgrade to 25-45 sharps and 6.5 grendel. But I know that won't happen.

    Yeah... the 6.5c can cross over... that's one of the good things about it. That's why I like it. I can nail some pigs at 1400yrds... or I can drop a deer with it at 100yrds. Now... I live, hunt and roam on about 3 square miles. So... the round is great for me. It's kinda my one-for-all rifle. I have a 338lm and it has it's purpose when I need long and hard. But.. i'm not going to shoot a deer or bobcat with it at 300yrds...

    The 6.5c is a performer. But when you get one with a heavy stock, heavy barrel, good glass and a suppressor. It is just incredibly fun to shoot. It's such a pussy cat. Barely shoves the shoulder... nice little signature out of the suppressor... and its hard to miss with it. I run a 40x scope and I can keep sight of the target at 40x with it's mild recoil.
     

    FireInTheWire

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    Until the next best thing comes along. Just giving you a hard time. Lol.

    You made some great points though. Actually...even though using it in most hunting applications isn't using it at its full potential I would still recommend it to folks, as with a 7mm08, who want something with enough energy and mild recoil to get some meat for a recoil sensitive shooter.

    When it comes to a 6.5 caliber, I wouldn't mind seeing the grendel being more adopted for troops.

    I would love if the military would upgrade to 25-45 sharps and 6.5 grendel. But I know that won't happen.

    I would like to see where we are with development in about 10yrs.. The break through's have been so good with eld bullets.... exciting times for LR and ELR shooters for sure!
     

    Sam7sf

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    I would like to see where we are with development in about 10yrs.. The break through's have been so good with eld bullets.... exciting times for LR and ELR shooters for sure!
    One of the reasons I don't jump on the 6.5 bandwagon 100 percent is we are already seeing bullet manufacturing give us some great bc stats. Even 30 cal. So while it's a useful cartridge, companies like Barnes and hornady give fresh life to old cartridges.
     

    spill

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    Picked up a previously mentioned ruger predator for a hunt in 2016 myself and a couple of boxes of ELDX box ammo. Successful on the first outing to fill the freezer. Started longish range shooting with the same gun the following spring. First hit with the first shot at 1000 yards with ELDM and a more capable optic. Decided to get another dedicated 6.5CM dedicated bench rifle (bergara BMP) to use for the secondary task.

    1800 rounds later and it’s still a sub MOA gun. I have reloaded for it but still use almost strictly box ammo. Price has come down on hornady cartridges so much it almost removes cost savings from the pros part of the equation for me.

    Is it a fad? Only insofar that making holes or marks on objects in very tight groups is a fad. I’d say go for it if only because the cartridge has become very popular with lots of options for both ammo and manufacturers across all price points. A RAP can be had for under 400 still and you can carry it all day long. BTHP hornady can be had for .69 a round now. Good time to be on the bandwagon if the goal is precision.
     

    Ole Cowboy

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    It's proven it's a great round. It's still a fad. As with many things gun related, it's popularity goes up when the military comes up.
    I am not seeing it, it's a proven and established rd that lurked in the shadows of the prairie dog crowd for years and its emerged into the light of day and so far has held up very well unlike the 6.8 X.

    Not only was the 6.8 a fad it was a scam meant to make a few folks very rich. I think it's now in the 3rd or 4th version still struggling for legitimacy. Its premise was great, convert a .270 into a short case rd but in (their) application it flopped because the group behind it had to make it different enough to claim ownership and therefore sell the rights to it. I am sure they all make a few bucks in the tidal wave of folks buying the new rd that was going to be the SOCOM standard and thus the Army standard.

    I will say I too almost fell into the trap, but with luck I had a former guy who worked for me who now sat on the Army Small arms board, so I called him and in short he said don't waste your time or money we will not go with the 6.8 in any config, our testing has told us its all hype.

    I don't think the same fate awaits the 6.5CM. The Army has released a RFP for it and it fits in the Army tactics at the Infantry level. Historically Infantry has worked and trained inside a 300M envelope and they now are pushing that out to 800M for the line unit soldier. Yes, I know well this is a training challenge as we have enough problems with soldiers hitting at 300M KD target now. In addition the training time to engage at 800M is far more then doing it at 300M, I think the solution is optics and based upon what I am reading the Army is going that direction in training. The ACOG made a loud and strong statement in the ME.

    Stay with me on this Sam and we will see what happens...
     

    Ole Cowboy

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    I have to say that I would also classify the 6.5 as a fad. I've seen lots of fads come and go - and some stick around but just don't generate the amount of press. When I was young, the hot thing was the 270 and 7 mm mag. Every gun mag was covering one or the other every month. The 7 mm became a "have to own" for awhile. Now? It's still around but nobody is touting it as the coolest round ever.

    The .338 Lapua was certainly a fad, and it's still around, but pretty much limited to the very hard core long distance guys.

    Perhaps tonight I'll dream of making those 1,200 yard shots with that decked-out Bergara - and in the morning I'll look at my bank account and weep for the reality of Monday morning. Am I willing to sell off a Weatherby .300 WBY to finance this? Hmmm.
    Just take a look at what the military has gone with....338 Norma Mag for >800M. WOW, even caught me by surprise as close as I watch.

    What we are seeing is that everyone has their eyes on SOCOM. SOCOM is a mission driven org, if they need high top tennis shoes and water guns then that is what they go buy it and because everyone is watching if they buy a Mattel water pistol then suddenly their is a run on them and the mags and rags write stories of how SOCOM/Army is gong to standardized on Mattel, boom, every guy with a garage is putting together AR's that squirt water.
     

    Utahgunner

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    I own a Begara 6.5 CM and I love it my 95lbs daughter shoots it very well. Very little kick but I agree with the others if you can't shoot more than 400yrds than very boring.
     
    Every Day Man
    Tyrant

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