Ruger Hawkeye Predator

[elk hunter]

iii

[Legasat]

Should be able to get one for under $800. What is this going to be used for? For hunting...should be good to go, though a little heavy to carry around all day. For precision shooting, not sure this is the best choice.

[Thanatos2203]

If you want a good CRF rifle for hunting I would opt for a Winchester 70 or a Sako 85. Something with a lighter barrel because, as mentioned above, the weight is going to get to you after trekking around all day.

6.5 is also more of a target load, you are going to get more and better hunting loads in a more typical hunting caliber like 30-06, 270, 308, 243 etc etc.

[killshot44]

Look at the Tikka T3 Hunter line, wide caliber selection and goes about 7lbs loaded without scope. Order online and have it shipped to your FFL.

6.5CM factory ammo doesn't offer much for hunters.

[juanito]

Weatherby chambers the 6.5 Creedmoor also.Ive seen them on gunbroker but my lgs cannot or will not stock them.Its the Vanguard S2.1:8 twist 24in barrel.

[TMB 1]

The Ruger Hawkeye is good, if you want it, you should get it.

[Dano3467]

Interesting rifle, & I like the choice of cal., but for me the weight is a little on the heavy side. (for hunting)

For me I'd prefer 7.5-8lbs in a finished rifle scope included, but that's me, not you elk hunter, good luck & thanks for sharing this.

[Thanatos2203]

As I get older I have decided to use lighter rifles more and more but as I am the kind of hunter that has no problem sitting down some where and if it's cold building a small warming fire and take a rest. I already own several 30-06 rifles a couple of .308's and a few others and all are hunted with to some degree. I have already shot a 6.5 CM and like the cartridge but the platform was not dependable enough for my taste. Not being a fan of the .243 Win. or the .270 they wont be on my "gotta have" list, ya I've use them both but they just don't do it for my taste. If you a fan of both I'm not bashing them just for me they don't work. Weight is a factor but yet it is not, I hope that doesn't confuse you as it could. I cope with weight of a rifle and the gear I pack around a lot different than most people. I go slow and don't mind staying out all day, I don't get in the big hurry most do. Thanks for you 2 cents worth it all figures into the bottom line.
elk hunter

Oh don't worry I don't think you are bashing, everyone has their tastes and I don't subscribe to any particular caliber. Seems to me you know what kind of hunting you want to do and I get the impression the cartridge and the rifle interests you at a non practical level simply because it is different than what you've had and what you've tried. With that in mind, I'd say get it because you want it. If it doesn't pan out as a hunting rifle, sounds like you have plenty of back up options.

[REDdawn6]

Mossberg MVP is a extremely accurate platform. They have or very soon have that cartridge. Check our MVP forum http://www.mossbergmvp.com/index.php?forum/ Lots of great guys and knowledge there . Not bashng your rifle in question but MVP is sweet!!!

[alks207]

It seems a bit heavy for a hunting gun. When I was modifying my .270 bdl(aftermarket stock, scope, etc...), I wasn't paying attention to the weight and before I new it I had a 10lb rifle. I used it for hunting this year, and it will probably be my loaner gun from now on. I just jailed a Ruger American which is just a tad over 6 lb and I'll pair it with a vx-2 which is another 12 oz.

[REDdawn6]

I got you man. I dont think the Ruger will be a bad choice at all. Nice rifles.

[elk hunter]

Oh don't worry I don't think you are bashing, everyone has their tastes and I don't subscribe to any particular caliber. Seems to me you know what kind of hunting you want to do and I get the impression the cartridge and the rifle interests you at a non practical level simply because it is different than what you've had and what you've tried. With that in mind, I'd say get it because you want it. If it doesn't pan out as a hunting rifle, sounds like you have plenty of back up options.

In some ways the 6.5 CM is some what of a experiment. One that I hope pans out to the higher side. Yes I hunt and probably a lot more than the average hunter does X10. I spend a lot of time in the field, a good example is I will be in the field tomorrow morning helping a friend with his trap line. If the opportunity comes I will be shooting a badger or coyote or another fur bearing animal to add to the fur pile. The 6.5 CM is not a practical cartridge at least not at this time, one of the reasons it isn't is because you cant run down to the local Wally World and buy ammo for it it's just not a common cartridge at this time. Right now it's more of a nitch cartridge than a practical one. I'm hoping that changes because it is a good enough cartridge for a host of things. Keep in mind that I did the same thing with the .338 Federal and it really didn't take off like a rocket. I used that one and it's a super good round that didn't catch. Sorry for the thinking out loud.

elk hunter

[Thanatos2203]

In some ways the 6.5 CM is some what of a experiment. One that I hope pans out to the higher side. Yes I hunt and probably a lot more than the average hunter does X10. I spend a lot of time in the field, a good example is I will be in the field tomorrow morning helping a friend with his trap line. If the opportunity comes I will be shooting a badger or coyote or another fur bearing animal to add to the fur pile. The 6.5 CM is not a practical cartridge at least not at this time, one of the reasons it isn't is because you cant run down to the local Wally World and buy ammo for it it's just not a common cartridge at this time. Right now it's more of a nitch cartridge than a practical one. I'm hoping that changes because it is a good enough cartridge for a host of things. Keep in mind that I did the same thing with the .338 Federal and it really didn't take off like a rocket. I used that one and it's a super good round that didn't catch. Sorry for the thinking out loud.

elk hunter

Don't have to apologize for expressing yourself, that's why its called a forum.

I think the 6.5CM is here to stay because of the splashes its making in the long range precision world. Its niche is growing because people like getting 300WM ranges out of a .308 sized cartridge. Because of this, I think its is going to continue more on that evolution of a target cartridge with match grade loads becoming more readily available and leaving hunting loads few and far between.

While I would still love a Sako Black Bear in .338 Federal, I think the round never differentiated itself enough the way 6.5 has and that's why it is petering out of existence. By the time I even became aware of it, its season had passed. With big companies like Ruger bringing 6.5 to the market with multiple products at multiple price points to appeal to a wide variety of shooters the popularity is only going to expand. Sure, its a bit of a bandwagon cartridge right now, but I would say its a safe one to jump onto if you are so inclined.