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Posted: 6/1/2020 9:08:19 PM EDT
I'll only be hunting mule deer, antelope, and black bears with this setup. Ranges from 100 yards to possibly as far as 600 yards.
I've heard lots of good things about the Ruger American in the "for the money" category. What do you guys think about this combo? Anything you would change at a similar price point? Ruger American 6.5 PRC - Go Wild edition with bronze cerakote, optics rail and muzzle break $550 Magpul Ruger American Stock $250 Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15x50 $1050 |
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[#1]
6.5 PRC ??? Just another flavor of the month cartridge I'm guessing.
Get a 7mm-08, .270win, 6.5 Creed or any other of a dozen or more common chamberings and you'll still be able to buy ammo in 5 years. |
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[#2]
Quoted: 6.5 PRC ??? Just another flavor of the month cartridge I'm guessing. Get a 7mm-08, .270win, 6.5 Creed or any other of a dozen or more common chamberings and you'll still be able to buy ammo in 5 years. View Quote People have been hand loading it for a number of years and it's hitting stores now. PRC Is precision rifle cartridge. Same diameter as creedmoor but it has a larger case, therefore more powder, and you can shoot heavier bullets. (147 grain vs 120 grain with creedmoor). Lots of companies making it these days! https://www.midwayusa.com/65-prc/br?cid=23665 |
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[#4]
I've killed a pile of mule deer with a .257 Roberts, a bunch with a .30-06 and a couple with a 7mm 08,
I like my little 7-08 Winchester Classic Featherweight best these days. Usually use 2-7x scopes, but I never tried any shots over about 300 yards. |
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[#6]
At that budget I'd look at bergara too.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/product/415010886/bergara+ridge+65prc+bk%2fsyn+24+2%2b1+threaded+barrel |
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[#7]
Quoted: Ruger is garbage. Buy a Tikka instead. View Quote The Ruger American is a fine affordable rifle. The several I've shot have had incredible accuracy (sub-MOA) right out of the box. Honestly I don't know how they do it. Leupold 2-7 or 3-9. Stay away from Vortex Chinesium scopes (USA OK). We don't need more $ spent with commies. OP, get it in .270 Win. or .30-06 and never look back. (With the .270 being first choice.) |
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[#8]
Quoted: The Ruger American is a fine affordable rifle. The several I've shot have had incredible accuracy (sub-MOA) right out of the box. Honestly I don't know how they do it. Leupold 2-7 or 3-9. Stay away from Vortex Chinesium scopes (USA OK). We don't need more $ spent with commies. OP, get it in .270 Win. or .30-06 and never look back. (With the .270 being first choice.) View Quote |
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[#9]
Comes in 243, cm, 300wm, 7mm08, 3006, 308 & bushmasteer...
Prc is new. Hard to get load data on it now. Who knows if it will be around in 5 years as stated above. Creedmoor, 06 or 308 would be safer bets. Maybe the 7mm |
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[#10]
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[#12]
I’d vote for 7mm-08 or 308 because I like SA BA rifles.
Ruger American is fine for the job, the bolt will be a bit rough but the trigger and accuracy will be gtg. (I have one in 450BM) I don’t think I’d buy a gun planning in adding a $250 stock. I’d rather find a gun that was $250 better then the Ruger to start with. If the stock is a must, why buy the go wild package? You’re paying extra for a stock you’ll never use. If it were me on a budget, I’d find a nice used Model 7 Rem in your favorite SA flavor. Used markets for hunting caliber BA’s can be good. Most hunters only shoot a rifle a few times a year. |
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[#13]
Buy a Tikka in .260 or 6.5 Creed and a Leupold VX-5HD scope and call it a day.
I still shoot the old 6.5x55 Swede in my Sako. It gets the job done even with the under-powered factory offerings. Paying about double the price for a 150 FPS improvement (Creed vs PRC) seems unnecessary. |
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[#14]
The rifle will do the job, good choice of caliber but if you're looking at spending over $1000 on a scope there are better options for the rifle as well.
At least you're upgrading the stock. ETA-I'm also a .308/.30-06 guy as much due to ammo availability as anything else but the caliber you chose will definitely do the job. Get the parts you want, make sure the screws holding things together are tight and learn how to shoot it. Did I mention make sure the screws are tight? Just saw a guy fall victim to this last week on the range. Free-float AR10 that wouldn't hold a group after 5 rounds. The handguard bolts and I think the scope rings had come loose under recoil. |
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[#15]
I’m a bowhunter. And a rifle hunter. And I kill the fuck out of mulies with bow and rifle.
My favorite rifle is a Tikka in 6.5x55. Yeah jesusmore is similar and “short action” and shit...whatever. Probably does have more factory loads but the 6.5x55 127gr Barnes LRX from DoubleTap are all you’ll need. Thang is though - what kind mulie hunter are you? For most mulies, take whatever you got and it’ll work. Those stupid fuckers will stot 25 yards then turn around and stare at you broadside out of curiosity. If you’re going for “that” mulie buck? Fuckin’ A...questions about quiet hiking gear, footwear, and optics are more relevant. |
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[#16]
I use my Savage 7 MM and have killed a couple mule deer, couple antelope and a couple bear with it. My elk from 2 years ago was a 325 yard shot. Hit the elk pretty well, it dropped on the spot.
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[#17]
Quoted: This. The .270 is the perfect cartridge for muleys. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: The Ruger American is a fine affordable rifle. The several I've shot have had incredible accuracy (sub-MOA) right out of the box. Honestly I don't know how they do it. Leupold 2-7 or 3-9. Stay away from Vortex Chinesium scopes (USA OK). We don't need more $ spent with commies. OP, get it in .270 Win. or .30-06 and never look back. (With the .270 being first choice.) thirded on the 30.06 and/or .270, I've had both for years, great cartridges. The .270 is a little faster and flatter but you can go up to a 220grn if you want for the .30.06. I'll go with a Hornady Fusion or Winchester Supreme XP3/Powermax in either one. eta: Rem 700 or Savage are good and affordable. |
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[#18]
Quoted: Go to about any pawn shop and buy a 30-06 View Quote Picked up a stainless left hand 30-06 tikka with a vortex 3x9 for $600 at the pawn shop. The rifle deserves a little better scope. It is moa with M2 garand ammo. I am very impressed and happy it was in such a versatile cartridge. |
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[#19]
I've killed some decent mulies out on the bald-ass prairie with a .270 with absolutely no worries about lethality (it's light on buffalo, but run what you bring I guess). Got a solid whitetail this past fall with a Ruger American in 7.62x39. Natives kill everything with old .303s. Frankly, I'd buy a .308 if I was starting fresh.
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[#20]
A Ruger American is fine for a cheap rifle but if your are putting decent glass on it it's lipstick on a pig. Accurate and reasonably light but poor finish cheap stock and general budget all the way around.
I've got a LH Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 that's my favorite topped with a good Leopold, backup is a LH Ruger Hawkeye in 30-06 with a VX2 Leupold. Both feel better and better finished than the American or savage budget packages. Caliber wise mule deer aren't wearing body armor. Put a quality bullet through the boiler and your freezer is filled. 6.5 PRC is fine but nothing a dozen other cartridges do for less especially if you don't reload. Best thing would be to pick up a nice Sako or Tikka in 270 or 30-06 used for a song that will be several times the rifle a cheap American is. |
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[#21]
Quoted: I’d vote for 7mm-08 or 308 because I like SA BA rifles. Ruger American is fine for the job, the bolt will be a bit rough but the trigger and accuracy will be gtg. (I have one in 450BM) I don’t think I’d buy a gun planning in adding a $250 stock. I’d rather find a gun that was $250 better then the Ruger to start with. If the stock is a must, why buy the go wild package? You’re paying extra for a stock you’ll never use. If it were me on a budget, I’d find a nice used Model 7 Rem in your favorite SA flavor. Used markets for hunting caliber BA’s can be good. Most hunters only shoot a rifle a few times a year. View Quote I've got a Rem mod 7 that I bought about 20 yrs ago. Love that gun. Small, light, accurate and more than enough gun for deer and bear. I wish I had a nickle for every game animal that gun has taken. |
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[#22]
Quoted: At that budget I'd look at bergara too. https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/product/415010886/bergara+ridge+65prc+bk%2fsyn+24+2%2b1+threaded+barrel View Quote Me too. |
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[#23]
Tikka or Savage with good glass in 270 or 30-06 will do everything you need inside 500 yards.
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[#24]
go by the pawn shop pick up a 30-06, and about 300 rounds of cheap practice ammo.
practice shooting off hand at a sheet of typing paper at 100 yds. By the time you finish shooting all 300 rounds (obviously not all in one day...) You will be quite good. then go get some hunting ammo, zero it and go hunting. no that I think about it I think I have a 30-06 for sale.. :) PM me if interested. |
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[#25]
6.5? 600yds? Ok, I was going to write a nasty reply but seeing as you are a bow guy I’ll let you slide. If you’re going out to 600 yards (and want a clean kill) you probably wouldn’t want less than a 30.06, or maybe a 308. Start there or move up
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[#26]
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[#27]
I jumped on that ruger in 6.5cm. Holy cow, they were 400. A year ago.
Cheaply built, the trigger group looks like it was cast from beer cans. But damn, it is lights out accurate and the trigger ain’t bad. Will it work on medium size game? Probably fine. Elk, IDK. Planned on mine being an elk gun with under 400 yards in mind but never got to test it. Attached File |
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[#29]
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[#30]
Rem 700
In 7mm Rem Mag You can hunt damn near everything with it by selecting the proper load out |
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[#31]
Quoted: Go to about any pawn shop and buy a 30-06 View Quote This. 30-06 has been here for over a hundred years and will be here at least a hundred more. Ammunition is readily available almost everywhere. Use 150 gr. bullets for deer and antelope. Use 180-220 gr. bullets for elk, moose, and bears. |
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[#32]
Quoted: People have been hand loading it for a number of years and it's hitting stores now. PRC Is precision rifle cartridge. Same diameter as creedmoor but it has a larger case, therefore more powder, and you can shoot heavier bullets. (147 grain vs 120 grain with creedmoor). Lots of companies making it these days! https://www.midwayusa.com/65-prc/br?cid=23665 View Quote This says you know nothing about the round, either of them. If you like the 6.5 PRC, then go for it. Otherwise just get a nice American, Remington, Winchester or any of the variants in 308, and be individual over there. Creedmoor is rapidly closing on 30 06, 30 30, and 243 as a staple in every sporting goods store, bait shop, BBQ stand, and lemon-aid stand around. |
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[#33]
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[#34]
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[#35]
Quoted: 6.5? 600yds? Ok, I was going to write a nasty reply but seeing as you are a bow guy I’ll let you slide. If you’re going out to 600 yards (and want a clean kill) you probably wouldn’t want less than a 30.06, or maybe a 308. Start there or move up View Quote If you are trying to shoot a Mule deer at 600 yards you need more time and attention to your hunting skills rather than your shooting skills. |
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[#36]
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[#37]
Quoted: Laughs with Ruger M77 in 270win that has dropped a mule deer every year for the past 15 or so in the ND Badlands. Go ahead and tell me what else I don't know. View Quote Ruger is a trash rifle. While it will work it doesnt mean its good or not out classed by many options. Same as a 270, while it will work theres not a lot reason to pick it over many other calibers. If it's what ya have and have to use rock on. If your starting from scratch and have the money might as well get the best bang for your buck. |
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[#38]
If it were me, I’d go with a Winchester M70 Featherweight or Sporter in 30-06, or maybe .270, and the best Leupold I could afford.
You won’t be shooting deer at 600 yds, reel it in man. The newer M70’s feel really nice and the triggers are superb. My son has one in .270 and it’s lights out. I personally like Remingtons but mine is 33 yrs old, I haven’t been impressed with what they put out lately. I’ve personally had bad luck with Ruger accuracy. Heard good things about Tikka and Savage. |
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[#39]
Quoted: People have been hand loading it for a number of years and it's hitting stores now. PRC Is precision rifle cartridge. Same diameter as creedmoor but it has a larger case, therefore more powder, and you can shoot heavier bullets. (147 grain vs 120 grain with creedmoor). Lots of companies making it these days! https://www.midwayusa.com/65-prc/br?cid=23665 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: 6.5 PRC ??? Just another flavor of the month cartridge I'm guessing. Get a 7mm-08, .270win, 6.5 Creed or any other of a dozen or more common chamberings and you'll still be able to buy ammo in 5 years. People have been hand loading it for a number of years and it's hitting stores now. PRC Is precision rifle cartridge. Same diameter as creedmoor but it has a larger case, therefore more powder, and you can shoot heavier bullets. (147 grain vs 120 grain with creedmoor). Lots of companies making it these days! https://www.midwayusa.com/65-prc/br?cid=23665 Ummm what? Maybe you are thinking of the grendel? Don't know much about the PRC but it looks like you can eek out an extra 150FPS or so vs the creedmoor. |
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[#40]
Have you handled that Vortex in person? I was not impressed. It seems way overpriced and I am a Vortex fan. The Leupold VX-5 2-10x42 with CDS is an exceptional hunting scope and you can find them for $750ish.
For the rifle, my basic Ruger American is accurate for a cheap rifle but I paid $200 for mine. If I was spending $500ish, I'd get a Tikka T3X and replace the stock with a Bell and Carlson (which will bump the price) or just buy a Bergara. The facrory Tikka stock is very flimsy in the forend which bugs the shit out of me but it is workable out of the box for a hunting rifle. |
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[#41]
Quoted: 6.5? 600yds? Ok, I was going to write a nasty reply but seeing as you are a bow guy I’ll let you slide. If you’re going out to 600 yards (and want a clean kill) you probably wouldn’t want less than a 30.06, or maybe a 308. Start there or move up View Quote If your going to write a nasty reply, you might want to suggest something that isn't already inferior to what OP wants. The PRC is undoubtedly superior to the 308 and will easily surpass the 30-06 depending on the load. Even the lonely 6.5 Creedmoor will surpass the 308 at long range. As to the OP, that would be a great combo, but I don't believe the 6.5 PRC in the Go-Wild version is a short action in order to fit the Magpul stock. As shown in the link below, the 6.5 PRC uses the same magazine as their 300 Win Mag. Yes the fit and finish on the American isn't great, but it will probably shoot lights out for the price. Tikkas are always a good option, but they don't come threaded and they aren't offered in 6.5 PRC. https://shopruger.com/Ruger-American-Rifle-Magnum-3-Round-Magazine/productinfo/90549/ |
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[#42]
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[#45]
My mid range hunting rifle in 6.5C is exactly what you are considering. It is a little on the heavy side for hiking with it.
Attached File |
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[#46]
SIG is coming out soon with their new bolt gun. Very light and designed unlike any other. Alloy receiver and bbl extension for bolt lock up. I might be tempted to get one in 308.
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