CraigK

I don't think you could go wrong with either. The 6.5CM is definitely a popular caliber right now. If you're in Tucson Kyle with Craig's Custom Rifles does great work. it's always fun thinking about a new build. I have a .243 I'm either going to go the 6.5 direction with or just get a tighter twist match barrel for. Kurt

where are you located?

Sportsmans had some yesterday in Tucson.

Man I want one of those! Good luck with sale, that thing is sweet!

Good shooting! I bet those groups will continue to shrink. Kyle built me a semi custom 7mag and that thing is the easiest to load for. Shoots 1/2 moa or better with a wide variety Of bullet weights and brands. Again, nice rifle and thanks for sharing the results.

Sweet rifle! I'm sure it will shoot great, Kyle does some awesome work.

Wish you were in Tucson. Good luck with the sale I'm sure it will go quick.

Thanks for the explanation and for sharing your knowledge. Always enjoy reading your posts.

Thanks for sharing. Good groups with some great velocities! Just curious what will opening up the meplat do?

I just noticed looking back at your ladder test the "disregard the 20 warm up shots" from your 6.5 at 300 yards... That's pretty incredible!! Not to take away from the 7 mag highlight but holy cow!! Nice shooting.

Looking into a new scale and curious if anyone has any experience with the Myweigh Gempro 250?

I'm glad you got ahold of some! Pretty curious to see how they do and what velocities you get out of them.

Holy cow! Wish I had some money to spare. These won't last.

Wow, impressive velocities! Thanks for sharing, and as always, nice shooting.

Great deal!!

I'm sure if you felt strongly about him wanting you to leave it "as is" you would have respected him and done so. I see nothing wrong with building a new rifle out of it, the heart of the gun is the action so that will always be there. Like others, this is just my opinion. I did the same with my 7mag that my dad had for 20 years. My dads still alive, thankfully, and I'll never forget the smile on his face as he said "that was amazing!" When he shot his deer at a distance that more than doubled any distance he had shot an animal at before. And as mentioned previously I'm pretty excited to see the end result.

Midway has 183 SMK in stock. I'm planning on trying them in my 7mag. I run the 180 vld with h1000 at a bit over 2840 just haven't had a tag to shoot anything with. My cousin runs the 180 hybrids in his lrm's and 28nosler and definitely speaks highly of them with their performance on game. Can't wait to see the finished result of your memorial rifle... I think I'm safe to say you're pretty well known around here for producing some awesome end results with your builds.

Looks like a pretty buck! Did you get any mearns? I've always wanted to hunt them.

Congrats on a great bull! Doesn't surprise me, you and your Kevin are always killing stud bulls and bucks. Kurt

I recently upgraded to an Atlas. Love it so far.

I have this same rifle. Shoots 95gr sst .75 moa. As mentioned, great youth gun. Good luck with the sale.

Them are some sweet eye guards! Congrats on a great buck!

Looks like you have a shooter now!

I can't stop looking at this buck. Incredible mass! Sounds like the hunter has accomplished harvesting what most will never even get to see alive in the field. Congrats on a truly amazing animal. Kurt

sure wish I would have gotten the memo on where the Giants are. It's amazing how many big deer are killed and yet many more will continue to be killed. There's a lot of hard work that goes into harvesting most of these buck so it's dang cool to see it pay off. I dream about spending days/weeks in the woods, just not in my cards at this time... ( constantly reminded by my wife lol) thanks to this site I get to dream of what it would be like, and what is possible. Happy hunting to all and thanks to everyone that shared their stories and pictures. Kurt