But my question is why???? Why comment about it being an elk cartridge, when all the OP asked what 6.5 Creedmoor factory rifle or componets should he use to build a $2000 Creedmoor? None of us know his experience, maybe he shoots elk in his hay meadow with a .243 and he wants to shoot longer range with a larger caliber 6.5. We don't know what his long range requirements are although there are a number of us willing to tell him. Is it really up to us to comment about if it is enough gun? Why don't we treat every poster with respect and assume he has enough knowledge to ethically shoot what ever game the he or she is shooting. That he knows the range and limitations as well as each of us? He didn't ask if a 6.5 Creedmore was adequate for shooting elk at 400 to 500 yard.. or 1000 for that matter. He asked what rifle or components one should use to keep the budget at 2000 to 2500 dollars with his build.
I am finally building a 6.5 creedmore specifically to shoot elk and mule deer. Also doing a 6.5 PCR for the task too.
I have been shooting elk most of my life with primarily a .25-06. Have also shot few with a 6 mm remington and a few with either a .270 or a .30-06. Grew up on a Montana Ranch with elk in the hay meadow across from the house most every summer. I; like many of the posters on here, know what range I can ethically shoot with the rifle I am using to have enough energy and velocity for the bullets and cartridges for the game I am shooting. Some guys shoot .300 win mags and .338 Lapua's ... some shoot smaller calibers. Because someone uses something different than what you feel is proper, why not give the OP the benefit of the doubt.... until he or she demostrates that they don't know enough... and we just respond to what was asked?
As to the components.. or factory rifle there have been some great suggestions.. for a 6.5 Creedmoor with optics for a budget of $2000 to $2500. I was in a similar situation and went with a 26" Howa 1500 heavy barreled action. Aftermarket stock with an aluminum block. Got a trigger spring for $10 bucks and my factory trigger with aftermarket spring breaks at the 1.75 lbs I set it at. Went with a NF steel rail and Burris Extreme Signature rings and a used Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5x16x50 scope. And I am sure it will do the job I want it to do and it will be built for less than $2000. I am not building a light weight rifle for my application as I am long in the tooth and drive, 4 wheel or ride a horse to where I expect to ambush my elk.
I know the Original Poster learned a lesson.. not to mention 6.5 Creedmoor and Elk in the same post on this forum or a large number of responders will give an ethical hunting lesson without knowing his background and knowlege; as shown by his editing the post.. from elk to deer.
