Posted: 10/29/2025 1:57:15 AM EDT
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Technically for a 'youth' hunter, however, he's 5'10" and 180lbs at 12. So he's pretty much a full size adult already. I'm looking for a cartridge that isn't going to be abusive in recoil, but will be a good rifle for both hunting AND range work. I want to teach him to reload, work up a load for the rifle, and be able to stretch it out on the range. Teach him some shooting out to 500 or more. I feel like the 6.5 Creedmoor would be a better choice for right now, but the PRC will be a better choice in the long term without being detrimental now. I don't want to spend a bunch, but it looks like the Howa is a pretty solid platform to potentially build something more long range suited in the future and should kill deer pretty dead right now. Any other suggestions are more than welcome. Seems like the Howa's are decently accurate out of the box. |
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What are you seeing him do that the Creedmoor won't get done? No question the PRC is faster so it has more capability but there's a reason the Creedmoor is so popular. If you are reloading from the jump cost isn't an issue but if not ammo for the Creedmoor is a bit cheaper which can add up at the range. The Howa guns seem to be pretty solid. I need to get my Blackout built still. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: What are you seeing him do that the Creedmoor won't get done? No question the PRC is faster so it has more capability but there's a reason the Creedmoor is so popular. If you are reloading from the jump cost isn't an issue but if not ammo for the Creedmoor is a bit cheaper which can add up at the range. The Howa guns seem to be pretty solid. I need to get my Blackout built still. More thump. I want to stick with these modern tight twist, heavy for caliber bullet designed cartridges. The 7 PRC is way too much recoil, I think the 6.5 Creedmoor isn't quite enough, so the next best option is the 6.5 PRC. Honestly, I wish there was a cartridge that was the 6.5 PRC case with a 7mm projectile. I know guys have done this, but it's not factory available right now. I don't want to build a $1500 rifle for a 12 year old. I like using the maximum amount of rifle that makes sense for the game and the hunter. I have no issues with the Creedmoor, but the PRC provides another 200-250fps bump with the same projectiles which helps in both energy on target and reduced drop at distance. I will be reloading for the rifle from day 1. Lapua brass is already in the cart. Since I'm confident the recoil isn't going to be any issue at all for the hunter and the price is essentially the same (slightly more powder to burn...), I feel the performance is worth it. It's a much more viable Elk cartridge at reasonable ranges than the Creedmoor which is a possibility for him in the future. Not ideal for Elk, but it will do. |
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Bought my son a ruger predator 6.5 creed when he was 10. He smoked a doe @ 100yds Saturday and the wound channel and exit was catastrophic. It actually bruised a back strap and blew off and destroyed the exiting shoulder. I am building a Howa barreled action 6.5 creed right now. My wife has a .243 Howa I built a few years ago. It's a laser. New build Attached File |
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Originally Posted By OBE1CanOB: Bought my son a ruger predator 6.5 creed when he was 10. He smoked a doe @ 100yds Saturday and the wound channel and exit was catastrophic. It actually bruised a back strap and blew off and destroyed the exiting shoulder. I am building a Howa barreled action 6.5 creed right now. My wife has a .243 Howa I built a few years ago. It's a laser. New build https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/364992/3103_jpg-3650067.JPG Nice. What bullet did he use on the doe out of the creedmoor? I like that stock, looks good. I like hearing all these experiences with good accuracy out of the Howa rifles. |
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The Howas are okay. I do have one big gripe with Howas: they are subject to more-than- usua bolt binding. If the bolt is operated normally, they work fine. If you torque on the bolt handle in the slightest ( as can happen under stress, trying a rapid reload) the Howa will lock up solid. It won't move. Some designs do this... Howa is amongst the worst. Accuracy can be fantastic. Or garbage. Abd you just don't know. I had a Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry in 30-06. It's a rebranded/ rebadged Howa 1500... I tried about 10 different factory loads, including the premium stuff from Federal and Hornady AND a dozen or so different hand loads and nothing - not one load- would do better than 2.5 moa... Before anyone assumes that was shitting shooting, I just sighted in a Tikka Super light in 6.5 CM I bought last week. First group ever out of the rifle ( 130 Sierra TGK load developed fir different rifle) printed a three shot group at 50 yards that was completely covered by a dime. Second group with a different load ( 140.Hornady SST, also developed for different rifle,) shit even tighter. Without trials or load development or experimentation I'm getting 1.25 MOA groups at 100 yards. With a low power scope... Howas can be spotty.... Your money, your choice. It's a bit of a lottery... 6.5 PRC is a NICE option. I like the Creedmoor, but it's a deer gun in my book. I'm seeing modest speeds with factory loads ( 140's in Hornady Precision Hunter only average about 2480. My near max handloads go 2725 with 140s). I think the extra velocity that's possible in the PRC makes it more viable for larger game like elk. Some will disagree. You asked for opinions.. Another VERY viable option: 7mm 08. Arguably just about the perfect, most balance deer cartridge ever designed. More oomph than the 6.5 CM. And viable as a bigger game elk/ moose cartridge with the right bullet .. If you seek more power yet modest recoil, look very carefully at 7mm08 There are two options I'd suggestion: Some flavor or variety of Ruger American. Or Tikka. I'm totally loving Tikka. Just bought this second one.... |
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Originally Posted By frozenny: The Howas are okay. I do have one big gripe with Howas: they are subject to more-than- usua bolt binding. If the bolt is operated normally, they work fine. If you torque on the bolt handle in the slightest ( as can happen under stress, trying a rapid reload) the Howa will lock up solid. It won't move. Some designs do this... Howa is amongst the worst. Accuracy can be fantastic. Or garbage. Abd you just don't know. I had a Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry in 30-06. It's a rebranded/ rebadged Howa 1500... I tried about 10 different factory loads, including the premium stuff from Federal and Hornady AND a dozen or so different hand loads and nothing - not one load- would do better than 2.5 moa... Before anyone assumes that was shitting shooting, I just sighted in a Tikka Super light in 6.5 CM I bought last week. First group ever out of the rifle ( 130 Sierra TGK load developed fir different rifle) printed a three shot group at 50 yards that was completely covered by a dime. Second group with a different load ( 140.Hornady SST, also developed for different rifle,) shit even tighter. Without trials or load development or experimentation I'm getting 1.25 MOA groups at 100 yards. With a low power scope... Howas can be spotty.... Your money, your choice. It's a bit of a lottery... 6.5 PRC is a NICE option. I like the Creedmoor, but it's a deer gun in my book. I'm seeing modest speeds with factory loads ( 140's in Hornady Precision Hunter only average about 2480. My near max handloads go 2725 with 140s). I think the extra velocity that's possible in the PRC makes it more viable for larger game like elk. Some will disagree. You asked for opinions.. Another VERY viable option: 7mm 08. Arguably just about the perfect, most balance deer cartridge ever designed. More oomph than the 6.5 CM. And viable as a bigger game elk/ moose cartridge with the right bullet .. If you seek more power yet modest recoil, look very carefully at 7mm08 There are two options I'd suggestion: Some flavor or variety of Ruger American. Or Tikka. I'm totally loving Tikka. Just bought this second one.... I’m with froz on this one. One of my go to hunting rifles is an older Model 7 in 7-08. It sounds like where you want to be. The only other rifle I sometimes think I wish I bought was the older M700 Mountain rifle in 7-08, pre detachable magazine version. As I got older the Model 7 is just fine. If shopping a used rifle a 7x57 Mauser would do as well but it’s a long action. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 6.5 PRC. The dirty little secret is this rifle is a Howa 1500 with a bit more spit and polish. It is a very good rifle. Cut 1/2 to 1 loop off the trigger return spring for a clean light trigger. Mine likes the 143gr ELDX, a bit of work and 1MOA is obtainable. You get 200-300 fps more than the Creedmoor but you also get away from the dislike that some have for the Creedmoor. I also have a Howa 1500 in 300 PRC, another very good rifle. Same thing with the trigger. Only thing I did to it (besides the trigger) was drop it into a different stock. The factory one is a bit wiggly. The only thing I would change is maybe consider 7mm PRC instead. Fills the gap between the Creedmoor and 300 PRC a bit better than the 6.5 CM but then again I can use the same bullets in the 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC. |
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Personal pronouns are; Bro/Dude
Personal pronouns are; Bro/Dude