to build or to buy???

[Elkwonder]

I am in need of two rifles, and have narrowed my search down to a 6.5 with 140's and a 7mm pushing 180's. I hunt out west and hunt everything from antelope to elk. I was planning on having the 7mm built more than likely, but hadn't decided for sure. I have a competent guy locally that will take a new 7 rem mag sender and bed it, install muzzle break, and install a trigger for a little over $500.00.So including price of the sendero I would be at about almost $1700.00. If he built me a complete custom with all the freels I would be at almost three grand.
Now for the 6.5, I was ready to pick up a new Sako grey wolf in 6.6x55 for $1425.00. I have never had a Sako that didn't shoot well for me.
These guns will be hunting guns, as I don't compete. I will however shot them a lot at paper competing with my friends and what not, but they are primarily for hunting.
Now I was looking around and noticed that NorthWest Action Works sells barreled actions with choice of triggers for around $1450.00 I know I can get a good stock from Greybull for about $350.00, then I pretty much have a cheap custom for the same price as the senderro and the sako.
One last thing, I would have the option of going with other 6.5 and 7mm calibers if I went the second route. That way I wouldn't be limited to JUST the 7 Rem Mag and the 6.5x55 sweed. It seems that the 7mm wsm or the 7/300WSM is more preferred around here than the 7 rem mag anyways. It also seems for the 6.5, the sweed receives a little less love than the others as well. Thoughts and opinions please....???

 

[MudRunner2005]

I would suggest having the 7mag Sendero reamed to 7mm STW if you want to push the 180's fast for long range.

6.5x284 seems to ge quite a potent 6.5 round. As I have no prsonal experience owning one, I can't give anymore input than that.

 

[Nomosendero]

I would suggest having the 7mag Sendero reamed to 7mm STW if you want to push the 180's fast for long range.

6.5x284 seems to ge quite a potent 6.5 round. As I have no prsonal experience owning one, I can't give anymore input than that.

Good advise & concerning the Sendero, you would have a good platform that is VERY easy to customize if the 7STW did not work out, but likely it would.

 

[roninflag]

there is a wait for custom. my senderos work nicely. i would stick with either a 7mm rem or stw.

 

[benchracer]

My first question to you is: Do you plan to handload for these rifles? If the answer is no, you are wasting your time with any 6.5 with the possible exception of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

The good ole' Swede gets quite a bit of love. Check out the thread with the favorite 6.5 cartridge poll in the Rifles, Bullets, Barrels, and Ballistics forum. Like most 6.5's though, it's a handloader's cartridge.

My second question is: Why choose two rifles so close together in bullet diameter? Other than speed and flatness of trajectory, there really isn't much difference between the two. The 7RM shooting 180's might give you a bit more reach, but that's it.

If you handload, build a 7RM on whatever action you like and be done with it. Or buy a Winchester Model 70 in .264WM and be done with it.

I am a big 6.5x55 fan. If you acquire one of the above two rifles, still want a 6.5x55, and plan to handload for it, I suggest building one rather than buying one. The factory rifles in this chambering never seem to get the combination right to allow the shooter to get the most out of this cartridge. Build the rifle to your tastes, but make sure that it has a 26" barrel with a 1:8 twist. Feed it Lapua brass and Berger bullets and load it to modern pressures.

If you don't handload, buy an off-the-shelf 7RM and all of its favorite factory ammo that you can get your hands on.

 

[Elkwonder]

My first question to you is: Do you plan to handload for these rifles? If the answer is no, you are wasting your time with any 6.5 with the possible exception of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

The good ole' Swede gets quite a bit of love. Check out the thread with the favorite 6.5 cartridge poll in the Rifles, Bullets, Barrels, and Ballistics forum. Like most 6.5's though, it's a handloader's cartridge.

My second question is: Why choose two rifles so close together in bullet diameter? Other than speed and flatness of trajectory, there really isn't much difference between the two. The 7RM shooting 180's might give you a bit more reach, but that's it.

If you handload, build a 7RM on whatever action you like and be done with it. Or buy a Winchester Model 70 in .264WM and be done with it.

I am a big 6.5x55 fan. If you acquire one of the above two rifles, still want a 6.5x55, and plan to handload for it, I suggest building one rather than buying one. The factory rifles in this chambering never seem to get the combination right to allow the shooter to get the most out of this cartridge. Build the rifle to your tastes, but make sure that it has a 26" barrel with a 1:8 twist. Feed it Lapua brass and Berger bullets and load it to modern pressures.

If you don't handload, buy an off-the-shelf 7RM and all of its favorite factory ammo that you can get your hands on.

Benchracer......Thanks and YES, I plan on reloading for my guns. As for why I was chosing the particular rounds that I did, flat shooting and hard hitting is what I was trying to accomplish. I basically think I can get by with only three calibers. Here is my thought process. I live in North Dakota and will be shooting several different size animals.
I plan on using a 22-250 for coyotes which I hunt all winter. I get a chance to do a lot of mule deer hunting as well as antelope. For this, I would like a descent middle size caliber that doesn't weigh a lot especially if Im doing a TON of walking in the mountains or the badlands. I don't want this to be a big bulky gun and would prefer a gun I can shoot a lot without a muzzle break.
As for the 7mm Rem Mag, I am wanting a gun that will be suitable for elk out to six hundred or so, and wasn't wanting anything bigger than the 7Rem Mag for recoil reasons. I was thinking a After researching a little, the 7Rem Mag with 168 and ESPECIALLY the 180's seem to be quite a ways from the 6.5 140's.

So basicly if it was you, you are saying go straight from the 22-250 to a 7Rem mag and call it a day? I guess I was just thinking of having my middle weight rifle a little lighter and smaller for more easily carrying. I also had thoughts of the 7 Rem Mag as being a bigger Sendero style gun that would also be a little better for playing around on the bench.
Thanks again

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you have a .22-250 (small), and you want to go with a med & large calibers next, I'd build a .257 Wby (medium), and a 7mm STW (large). That should cover all your bases and needs.

 

[Elkwonder]

If you have a .22-250 (small), and you want to go with a med & large calibers next, I'd build a .257 Wby (medium), and a 7mm STW (large). That should cover all your bases and needs.

I was kinda looking for something that was a little easier on the barrels and my shoulder than the 257Wby.
I also thought about the 243, but I believe it is a lttle too small and close to the
22-250. I don't think the 243 would do near as good of a job as the 6.5x55 on mule deer out to around five hundred or so. Thanks again

 

[MudRunner2005]

.257 Wby kicks less than a 7mm RemMag....And kicks like a .243 if you put a radial muzzle brake on it, like a Vias or a Weatherby AccuBrake. Plus, you're sending 110 NAB's @ 3,400, and 115 VLD's @ 3,300 fps.

 

[carnyman]

+1 for the 6.5-.284. Mine has a 25.5" Brux 1 in 8 and kicks about like my .243. I also run the 140vld's In Lapua brass with 50 gr of RL 17 at just over 3000fps. Just a real fun gun to shoot. This is my only experience with the 6.5s but as good as it is why go any where else. JMO

 

[screech]

Hard to beat a 7stw. One of my all around favorites and its my go to gun nowadays even over my edge and 300rum

 

[MudRunner2005]

Hard to beat a 7stw. One of my all around favorites and its my go to gun nowadays even over my edge and 300rum

Whoa now! Better not say that too loud....I can already hear the footsteps of the big-bore brigade coming to chastise you.

Glad to see another STW fan. Come see us over in the 7mm STW section sometime and chat with us. What make/model is your STW? I've got an old Rem 700 Sendero SF 7mm STW that I've had for 11 years now (since new). I love that rifle more than any of the others I have.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f126/

 

[COBrad]

I've looked at the 7 STW since it first came out, but my plain jane 7 Rem mags have done it all just fine. Shot a 'chuck today at 1332 yards with one. Those 180 gr Bergers can reach!
I've been shooting the 22-250 for almost 20 years now. It's a great little varmint round, but with a standard 14 twist barrel, the bullets that will stabilize will have a definite range limit.
Take a look at a fast twist barrel and heavy bullets in the .243. It's in a different class. I used mine to take a huge mtn goat at 305 yards.
I would also wonder about a 6.5 and 7 mag, when the 7 will do it all.
So, what if you used your funds to build one really good rifle, and put a really good scope on it. Better one half MOA or better rifle and a high quality scope with accurately calibrated and repeatable turrets, than two that are compromised.

 

[Elkwonder]

I've looked at the 7 STW since it first came out, but my plain jane 7 Rem mags have done it all just fine. Shot a 'chuck today at 1332 yards with one. Those 180 gr Bergers can reach!
I've been shooting the 22-250 for almost 20 years now. It's a great little varmint round, but with a standard 14 twist barrel, the bullets that will stabilize will have a definite range limit.
Take a look at a fast twist barrel and heavy bullets in the .243. It's in a different class. I used mine to take a huge mtn goat at 305 yards.
I would also wonder about a 6.5 and 7 mag, when the 7 will do it all.
So, what if you used your funds to build one really good rifle, and put a really good scope on it. Better one half MOA or better rifle and a high quality scope with accurately calibrated and repeatable turrets, than two that are compromised.

I guess I just didn't realize the 6.5x55 with 140's was so close to the 7rm with 180's.... I better take another closer look at the ballistics.