Ask Terry Houin Practice Rifle for Long Range/NRL hunter/hunting use

[Jackalope Wrangler]

Terry,

I believe you are the best person to ask this question to. I am trying to build a long range practice rifle that will also act as a hunting rifle and NRL hunter rifle. I’ve been eyeing the 25 creedmoor in a 24 inch barrel (carbon or steel I can’t decide), or maybe a .308 or 6.5 creedmoor (not my top choice). I reload so I can make power factor for competition with the 25 creed. Barrel life is somewhat of a factor but I will take better terminal ballistics over that any day (.308 8k rounds vs 25 creed 2-4k rounds). Would love your thoughts as I am at a cross road.

Thanks so much, Jack

 

[Terry Houin]

Hey Jack, thanks for reaching out.

I'm not a competitive shooter as thats a rabbit hole I dont have the time or energy to go down. That being said trying to build 1 rifle to do all those endeavors effectively is a tall task. One one hand an easy shooting rifle for competition might be on the heavy side for hunting, the same as a light fast round for competition might not be ideal for bigger game.

My first question would be "whats the primary purpose/objective for the rifle." Next would be what kind of animal is the primary to hunt?

If you are doing the reloading cost is nominal for the various calibers.

I might be shopping for a rifle that I can switch the barrel easily between a lighter faster caliber for a more hunting type caliber. Goal weight would be about 8# with an optic @ 20-22" barrel so its not too long with a silencer on it.

Or its an excuse to build 2 nearly identical rifles, a light fast caliber like the 6 creedmore and then a hunting caliber like a 6.5PRC for hunitng.

 

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[Jackalope Wrangler]

Hey Jack, thanks for reaching out.

I'm not a competitive shooter as thats a rabbit hole I dont have the time or energy to go down. That being said trying to build 1 rifle to do all those endeavors effectively is a tall task. One one hand an easy shooting rifle for competition might be on the heavy side for hunting, the same as a light fast round for competition might not be ideal for bigger game.

My first question would be "whats the primary purpose/objective for the rifle." Next would be what kind of animal is the primary to hunt?

If you are doing the reloading cost is nominal for the various calibers.

I might be shopping for a rifle that I can switch the barrel easily between a lighter faster caliber for a more hunting type caliber. Goal weight would be about 8# with an optic @ 20-22" barrel so its not too long with a silencer on it.

Or its an excuse to build 2 nearly identical rifles, a light fast caliber like the 6 creedmore and then a hunting caliber like a 6.5PRC for hunitng.

I’d like to keep it to one gun preferably. I was reading into the .25 creed and saw it was used for NRL and I can go after game like pronghorn, aoudad, and the like with it. Didn’t know if you had experience with the caliber. I did think about doing an action that has the barrel change system so I could go between .308 and 25 creed since it’s the same bolt face. I had a .22 creed built a few months ago it’s about 10 pounds all said and done with suppressor, optic and bipod. I hiked around with it it’s not too bad. Do you think lighter would be better? I’d like to be both competitive and effective in the field. I appreciate all your help Uncle T. I hope to get out to one of your shooting classes one day.

 

[Terry Houin]

I'm intrigued with the 25CM as it fits between the 6 and 6.5 giving me speed and still some bullet mass. I have yet to shoot it and haven't looked at what quality factory loads are available. I'm considering a barrel for my Fix as I can easily swap calibers and do some comparison testing.

I've shot several big Aoudad Rams and I dont like seeing 6.5CMs in camp, they can work with perfectly placed shots but Ive seen rams shake of 168gr 308 shots and disappear so 130gr and lighter bullets I would not reccomend.