Build a 6.5 creedmore or buy

I would like to try out a 6.5 for longer range use. I have been doing a lot of reading and looking around, and thought I had made a decision. I was planning on going with the predator max 1 l, but it would seem they are out of stock everywhere. I had considered the lrp but if I'm going to spend almost $1000 I though I might be better of building. I have a 10 fcp in 308 that mainly just sits around. My thoughts are a criterion barrel, replace the Tupperware with a boyds, or something else, and possibly upgrade the trigger if I felt necessary. Hopefully I would end up with a better shooter than either of the factory rifles. What are your guys thoughts between waiting for a predator max, or converting my 308?

That will work

Convert. Then you have a great rifle in two calibers!

Convert. You'll enjoy building your own custom rifle and how it shoots when your done.

Thanks for the insight guys! Looks like I'll be ordering some parts. Are the upgraded recoil lugs and barrel nuts worth adding?

I built my Creed from an Axis donor, and couldn't be happier. Boyd's stock, barrel from Jim @ Apache Gun Works, and a Vortex Viper PST. LOVE IT.

If you don't shoot in real dusty stuff, & shot past 1k, I say stick with the 308. Finding impacts with the little 6.5mm's is tough compared to the 30's.

Anyone have experience either the hornady dies, are the match grade worth the price difference.

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Originally Posted by darkker

If you don't shoot in real dusty stuff, & shot past 1k, I say stick with the 308. Finding impacts with the little 6.5mm's is tough compared to the 30's.

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I don't get much chance to shoot that far, I'd like to think I will but never seem to. It's plenty dusty around here in the summertime.

I have the regular new dimension dies and I like them just fine.

Darkker has a point though. The 308 will do anything the creed will do out to 1k. My reasoning for building the creed was I wanted something that would get me out farther, and buck the wind better while doing it. I've had it out to 1570 so far. If you're not shooting past 1k though, you may be better off just dusting off the 308 and giving it some trigger time. Unless, of course, you just wanna spend some cash and build something else for the heck of it. And if so, then by all means. This hobby/passion/addiction can be rather fierce at times. lol

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Originally Posted by upSLIDEdown

I have the regular new dimension dies and I like them just fine.

Darkker has a point though. The 308 will do anything the creed will do out to 1k. My reasoning for building the creed was I wanted something that would get me out farther, and buck the wind better while doing it. I've had it out to 1570 so far. If you're not shooting past 1k though, you may be better off just dusting off the 308 and giving it some trigger time. Unless, of course, you just wanna spend some cash and build something else for the heck of it. And if so, then by all means. This hobby/passion/addiction can be rather fierce at times. lol

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You know you guys are probably right about the 308, but my wife okay'd another rifle for my birthday. She is getting more interested in shooting, so I thought something with a little less recoil but still good ballistics might be something she would try. I really have nothing in between the 308 and my 22lr's.

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Originally Posted by justinf

Anyone have experience either the hornady dies, are the match grade worth the price difference.

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For standard dies they run circles around rcbs or redding.
I actually sold off almost all my green boxed dies and replaced them with hornady, for the money you can not beet them.
I also particularly appreciate there:
: tapered expander
: replacement decapping pin that is included with each set
: ability to accept a simple micrometer adapter to any of there seating dies
: the drop sleeve of there seating dies
.
Much like rifles, modular systems do not seam like a useful feature for dies.............. until you learn how to use them, then it's hard to do without.
.
The 6.5 is a great upgrade to the 308 no matter how you go about it but there will always be some advantage to building, a slightly different stock or a hand lapped barrel, even just a slightly longer or shorter barrel than standard can completely change the balance and handling.
On the other hand if the factory produces one in the configuration you would build anyway: nothing bad about factory. Most factory savage can still shoot better than there owner with just a little clean up and proper torque applied in the proper places.
P.S. I never lost sleep over the barrel nut but would not assemble or re-assemble a barrel to action without a "good" recoil lug. I never reuse the factory lug.

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Originally Posted by D.ID

For standard dies they run circles around rcbs or redding.
I actually sold off almost all my green boxed dies and replaced them with hornady, for the money you can not beet them.
I also particularly appreciate there:
: tapered expander
: replacement decapping pin that is included with each set
: ability to accept a simple micrometer adapter to any of there seating dies
: the drop sleeve of there seating dies
.
Much like rifles, modular systems do not seam like a useful feature for dies.............. until you learn how to use them, then it's hard to do without.
.
The 6.5 is a great upgrade to the 308 no matter how you go about it but there will always be some advantage to building, a slightly different stock or a hand lapped barrel, even just a slightly longer or shorter barrel than standard can completely change the balance and handling.
On the other hand if the factory produces one in the configuration you would build anyway: nothing bad about factory. Most factory savage can still shoot better than there owner with just a little clean up and proper torque applied in the proper places.
P.S. I never lost sleep over the barrel nut but would not assemble or re-assemble a barrel to action without a "good" recoil lug. I never reuse the factory lug.

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sounds good I think I'll get a set ordered.

For an average shooter is there much noticeable difference between criterion, mcgowen, or shilen? I havent called NSS yet to see about his wait times, but I like the fact that McGowens ship within a week.

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Originally Posted by justinf

sounds good I think I'll get a set ordered.

For an average shooter is there much noticeable difference between criterion, mcgowen, or shilen? I havent called NSS yet to see about his wait times, but I like the fact that McGowens ship within a week.

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Depends on who you're askin'. :) I don't think there's a nickel's bit of difference between them, but that's based solely on what I've read.
Another good source is Apache Gun Works. He'll make you one far cheaper than any of these and his regular customers swear by him. I do. But I am not a competitive long range shooter. Just another place to look. Maybe save $130 or so and put that towards your scope.

I have looked into his, and may still give that a shot. It looks like he's stopped taking orders till later in January, so I guess I need to decide how badly I want to get started. Its getting plenty cold here in Wy, so I might not get much shooting done either way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justinf

sounds good I think I'll get a set ordered.

For an average shooter is there much noticeable difference between criterion, mcgowen, or shilen? I havent called NSS yet to see about his wait times, but I like the fact that McGowens ship within a week.

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Have not tried criterion but read good things.
Have mcgowens and shilens and apache's all shooting neck and neck.
My very best barrel came from a shilen blank cut, turned, chambered and threaded by Jim at apache.....it's shooting in the low 0.1"s

Has anyone tried out sin arms barrels? I've sent him a couple emails, but haven't heard back. I'm open to all options so I thought I'd give him a chance.

This is a good question. I am trying to hold out for a rifle I cannot find either. Just curious though what one could do with 1000 dollars, as Justin stated?

Does anyone have a source for barrel lugs that is open before the 10th (NSS) and doesnt want 10-15 dollars to ship something that would fit in an envelope?

I'll send you one for free tomorrow if you replace it later.

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Originally Posted by foxx

I'll send you one for free tomorrow if you replace it later.

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Good deal. I love our members.

what do you want to use the rifle for?

I purchased a model 16 and dropped it into a boyds stock for a hunting rig. I wanted to keep it light but good shooting rig, I like what I have for what I use it for.

for target shooting I would build from the ground up. target action or predator action from NSS, heavy recoil lug and a quality aftermarket barrel, 22" and threaded in a heavy varmint taper or target taper. or go 26" if you don't want to use a brake or suppressor, if you are shooting 1k consistently the extra length is worth it for velocity.

hornandy dies are great for hunting and plinking, if you are serious about shooting 1k you may want to consider some neck sizers like whidden.

I love my rifle basix 2 trigger.

if you are serious about competing have the action and barrel trued up and have the smith chamber it.

best course depends on how you actually will use the gun and what you expect from it.

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Originally Posted by foxx

I'll send you one for free tomorrow if you replace it later.

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This site has to have one of the greatest groups of members I've ever been a part of, this is the second time this week someone has helped me out.

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Originally Posted by limige

what do you want to use the rifle for?

I purchased a model 16 and dropped it into a boyds stock for a hunting rig. I wanted to keep it light but good shooting rig, I like what I have for what I use it for.

for target shooting I would build from the ground up. target action or predator action from NSS, heavy recoil lug and a quality aftermarket barrel, 22" and threaded in a heavy varmint taper or target taper. or go 26" if you don't want to use a brake or suppressor, if you are shooting 1k consistently the extra length is worth it for velocity.

hornandy dies are great for hunting and plinking, if you are serious about shooting 1k you may want to consider some neck sizers like whidden.

I love my rifle basix 2 trigger.

if you are serious about competing have the action and barrel trued up and have the smith chamber it.

best course depends on how you actually will use the gun and what you expect from it.

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Right now I probably am not in the position to build a all out custom rifle, nor am I probably skilled enough yet to use one to its full potential. Right now I think a semi custom (nice barrel, and stock etc) will allow me to improve my skills at a price Im comfortable with. Mostly will only be used as a bench gun with the occasional varmint, predator, medium game.

Alot of ppl get looking on these sites and run out and buy a bull barrel. Unless you cut it to 18" I wouldnt do that unless it was strictly a bench gun.

If you plan to take it into the field have it tapered to 7/8". Its still extremely stout.

6.5 barrels are tough to find on the shelf at times. Call Jim at nss and see what he has on the shelf.

Welcome to the obsession

I like my barrels to taper at the muzzle from .730 to .875. Its heavy enough to do repeated rapid shots and not increase groups while still being lightweight.

The trick with shipping from NSS is to put a larger order in. Jim runs a very small shop - just him and his wife. Not enough to get a price break from shippers. Try to order everything in one shot