Christensen, Mark 5, Bergara (Rebuilding 700)

[bearstatearmory.com]

I'm interested in retiring my Rem 700 SPS 30-06 which is the first rifle I've ever purchased a while ago. The rifles I'm considering right now are the Mesa or Ridgeline by Christensen, the Mark 5 by Weatherby, and the Bergara HMR. The primary use for this rifle will be target shooting; however, I'd like to be able to take it hunting (already got an elk this season). Also, the caliber I'm thinking is 6.5 creedmor of 6.5 x 300 Weatherby something like that. Can you guys please help me out with differences in your opinion as well as factual differences of the guns (product specs). My budget for this rifle is around $2,000 rifle only.

[LynnJr]

Why not just change out your 30-06 barrel for the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5X300 Weatherby?
The advantage is you will get a custom barrel and your accuracy will be much better than a factory barrel.

[NYT]

you want it to be light for hunting? the 700 is a bit heavier.

[bearstatearmory.com]

Why not just change out your 30-06 barrel for the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5X300 Weatherby?

The advantage is you will get a custom barrel and your accuracy will be much better than a factory barrel.

Now that's not a bad idea!


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[bearstatearmory.com]

you want it to be light for hunting? the 700 is a bit heavier.

I'm not all that concerned about weight, I don't want a 15# rifle but not counting ounces either


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[NYT]

i see, yeah i would just do what lynn recommended. the sps is only like a pound heavier than the christensen.

[Kingair001]

Now that's not a bad idea!


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Lynn only has good ideas !

[bearstatearmory.com]

i see, yeah i would just do what lynn recommended. the sps is only like a pound heavier than the christensen.

I'm certainly not ruling this idea out at all but I'm kind of thinking about keeping that as a really basic hunting setup as a backup.


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[shooterfpga]

You answered yourself in the first post. Bergara HMR (Hunting and Match Rifle)

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[ar15barrels]

I'm certainly not ruling this idea out at all

Rebarrel the 30-06 to a 6.5x55.
Lots of factory ammo options and it's powerful enough for anything you are likely to hunt.
You can use a top quality cut rifled barrel and it will likely shoot better than any of the guns you listed.

Then take the $1400 you saved and build a separate target rifle.

[Vigilante]

Why not just change out your 30-06 barrel for the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5X300 Weatherby?

He would probably be okay with 6.5 Creedmoor, despite the extra room in the mag box, but the 6.5-300 Wby would require the bolt face to be opened up, a new extractor, and probably a new mag box and follower.

If the OP is interested in a Mark V, I saw this just yesterday: http://www.weatherby.com/rebates.html Weatherby has a promotion for two boxes of ammo if a guy buys a Mark V. I have a Mark V .257 Wby and a Mark V .300 Wby; they're great guns, but it would have been nice to get a couple boxes of free ammo when I bought them.

[Horrendo Revolver]

I've never owned a Christensen, they don't do anything for me. For strictly hunting I'd get a Mark V. For hunting and target a Bergara.

[bearstatearmory.com]

[LynnJr]

If your going to keep it a 30-06 or 6.5-06 you don't need new bottom metal.
If you reload the 6.5-06 is a great cartridge that shoots very flat and is very accurate. Another option would be the 6.5-284.
They all use the same bottom metal you already have.

On the stock if you like the existing stock I would keep it.
If you don't like it Bell & Carlson makes a few versions that run $350 that have nice features for targets and big game.

On the barrel get a 28 inch blank with the muzzle around 0.800 inches from a place like grizzly Industries. You can cut it to your preferred length.
Installed by a competent gunsmith it will outshoot your other choices.

[sigstroker]

Why do you need to rebuild it? Is the barrel worn out? Or does it do something poorly that you don't like?

If you're looking for a super tack driver, the cartridge is not well suited for that.