Should it stay or should it go?

[AmericanLongrifle]

So I picked up this rifle about a 6 months ago on the cheap. Cheap enough that it made sense. The rifle is a Bergara HMR in 6.5CM. The previous owner had bought the stock pictured, butchered it a little and tried to fit it. He wasn't having any luck, so he sold me the rifle with the original stock and this remy take off stock. I smoothed out what he had done and the remy take off stock fits well. I am not a fan of the original HMR stock with the "vertical" style grip as it's not comfortable to me. So I use this one. The rifle has a 22" threaded heavy barrel and came with the ridiculously large mag(10) pictured. I have a smaller mag (5) also. I put a set of talley ring/base LW's on it and a plain 3x-9x Luepold VX-1 that is plenty of magnification for me.

My dilemma is that I am not a fan of plastic stocks. Even though the hogue remy take off is comfortable, it's just not my thing. I would like to put this in a wood stock but looking at the price to purchase the stock and have it inletted (the receiver and barrel on the Bergara are a rem700 foot print, but the bottom metal is larger), should I just sell this rifle and purchase something that I want?

The rifle has been accurate shooting just about everything from soft points to SST's. This is my current coyote rifle.

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

And although the 6.5CM is an interesting round and the rifle is good, I am thinking that I want to get a .222 or similar so that I can be a little more pelt friendly. I have used .223 in the past and it performed ok, but not great for fox or other smaller predators due to it's speed, hence the .222 is a little slower and less destructive. Was also looking at a .22 hornet as a possibility. .22-250 is no slouch and works great for coyotes, but will destroy a fox. I am trying to find a better fur caliber.

 

[VikingsGuy]

And although the 6.5CM is an interesting round and the rifle is good, I am thinking that I want to get a .222 or similar so that I can be a little more pelt friendly. I have used .223 in the past and it performed ok, but not great for fox or other smaller predators due to it's speed, hence the .222 is a little slower and less destructive. Was also looking at a .22 hornet as a possibility. .22-250 is no slouch and works great for coyotes, but will destroy a fox. I am trying to find a better fur caliber.

I knew a guy who shot fox and bobcats and swore .17Hornet was the perfect balance of power and low hide damage. He used .204Ruger for coyotes.

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

I knew a guy who shot fox and bobcats and swore .17Hornet was the perfect balance of power and low hide damage. He used .204Ruger for coyotes.

I had a CZ in .17 hornet. Great little round. A little on the light side for coyotes though. I would like to get a caliber that can manage all predators as I never know what's going to walk into the call.

 

[Don Fischer]

I don't hunt predator's at all anymore. But years ago I did some. Favorite cartridge was 222 Rem with 50gr Hornady SX. They didn't shoot through anything! I'm not sure that the SX can be had anymore but in a 243 I use the 75gr Hornady V-Max, really explosive bullet! If I were to start predator hunting today I'd either use my 22mag or look into a 22 Hornet. My though is the most predator hunting is done calling them in. Not sure a really long range cartridge is actually needed and one developing enough velocity to cover say 300yds just might be a bit destructive at 200yds and less. On the other hand just walking around looking for coyote's, do that now and then, I do use the 243's! Of course I don't save pelts and would have to get a lot better at calling to make it worth my time.

 

[elkduds]

I say sell. It is some hipster's wet dream come true. Supply vs demand, brah. Then shop for what actually works for you.

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

I say sell. It is some hipster's wet dream come true. Supply vs demand, brah. Then shop for what actually works for you.

Yeah, I am thinking I'm going to see if I can sell it. Not really my cup of tea.

 

[mtmuley]

Look at the link Addicting sent me in the .222 thread. Wish I could swing it right now, but can't. mtmuley

 

[Empire State]

I'd vote for sell. It looks very utilitarian, which is not bad, but sounds like you want something different. I love my 222 and have had great luck with it on predators. 200 yards is my max using a fixed 4 power.

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

Look at the link Addicting sent me in the .222 thread. Wish I could swing it right now, but can't. mtmuley

I am not seeing a link.

 

[Bobdog308]

That 6.5 creed is an elk cartridge don’t cha’ know?!

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

That 6.5 creed is an elk cartridge don’t cha’ know?!

Maybe in someone else's hands, just not mine. I have a 30-06 that I am comfortable shooting and it's accurate. I don't see a reason to switch things up.

 

[sbhooper]

Maybe in someone else's hands, just not mine. I have a 30-06 that I am comfortable shooting and it's accurate. I don't see a reason to switch things up.

I don’t get the dislike for the stock, but it’s your rifle. Fur friendly is a tradeoff. I would rather know they won't run off and take some damage. I used to kill lots of coyotes in Az. They can take a lot, if the shot is not just right. I spent lots of time sewing hides, but they were reduced to possession.

 

[mtmuley]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853048803#carousel-modal-view-item Lose the Crudmore and get this. mtmuley

 

[Brian in Montana]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853048803#carousel-modal-view-item Lose the Crudmore and get this. mtmuley

I had one of those many years ago. I sold it for some reason, to have $ for something else. It says something that I remember the R700 .222 but not what I bought with the proceeds. I believe I shot my first 2 deer with that gun. And a handful of varmints - coyotes, racoons, and 2 bobcats.

 

[EastTNHunter]

To quote Townsend Whelen:

“Only accurate rifles are interesting”

I have a hard time divesting accurate guns unless they just don’t fit me ergonomically.

 

[AmericanLongrifle]

To quote Townsend Whelen:

“Only accurate rifles are interesting”

I have a hard time divesting accurate guns unless they just don’t fit me ergonomically.

Yeah, I get it, but the 6.5CM was an impulse buy, and however accurate it may be, will never come close to filling the shoes of my old '06. So I am going to try to sell the 6.5.