My boy expressed an interest in deer hunting towards the end of season last year. I looked around & thought that one of these rifles would work well for him. I also thought 6.5 Creedmoor would be a better choice for him starting out than my old .30-06. So I have the rifle. Now I need to round up a scope, rings & ammunition. I was planning on using a Burris Fullfield 2 3-9x40 I have laying around for the scope but a discussion with my financial advisor revealed the possibility of getting another scope for it. I found a Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 on gun.deals for 249.99. I have to make a decision about whether or not to buy another scope or which way to go with rings, etc. I have seen Hornady American Whitetail suggested for ammunition. Does anyone have any input.
Bought an American Gen 2 Standard Rifle Today
- Thread starter Mike J
- Start date
i put a leupold 3-9 x40 vx freedom on my
gen 2 predator. bit more pricy but i prefer leupold
scopes.
gen 2 predator. bit more pricy but i prefer leupold
scopes.
Stepvenlau
Bearcat
6.5 CM is a great choice for a first deer rifle lighter recoil than .30-06 and still plenty of punch. Hornady American Whitetail works fine, lots of guys run it every season.
Your Burris 3-9x40 will get the job done, no question. If you want to upgrade, that Viper HS at $249 is a solid deal better glass and a nice low end at 2.5x for closer shots.
For rings, don't cheap out good steel or quality aluminum will save you headaches.
Honestly, I'd throw the Burris on and let your boy hunt with it this year. If he sticks with it and you want to spoil him a bit, then grab the Viper later.
What ranges are you expecting? Woods shots inside 100 yards, or more open fields?
Your Burris 3-9x40 will get the job done, no question. If you want to upgrade, that Viper HS at $249 is a solid deal better glass and a nice low end at 2.5x for closer shots.
For rings, don't cheap out good steel or quality aluminum will save you headaches.
Honestly, I'd throw the Burris on and let your boy hunt with it this year. If he sticks with it and you want to spoil him a bit, then grab the Viper later.
What ranges are you expecting? Woods shots inside 100 yards, or more open fields?
1: 6.5 Cr is a fine choice for a first (or 20th) deer rifle. I've gravitated to this cartridge as my primary game killer.
2: I see no reason to 'improve' on the Burris Fullfield 2 3-9x. A 'bigger' scope only adds to the bulk and weight w/o giving much(any) real benefits.
3: There are so many choices of 'good' rings that it's a buyer's market-keep the scope as low and close to the action as possible (while allowing bolt handle clearance). Mounting the scope too high will lead to head bobbing trying to 'find the cross hairs' especially with an inexperienced shooter. You don't need 'super special, bullet proof' rings to hold the scope solidly-again, such stuff mostly adds unnecessary weight w/o noticeable benefit.
4: Hornady American Whitetail is the best of the best for deer sized game IMHO. It's super accurate in my rifle and does an excellent job in the field.
2: I see no reason to 'improve' on the Burris Fullfield 2 3-9x. A 'bigger' scope only adds to the bulk and weight w/o giving much(any) real benefits.
3: There are so many choices of 'good' rings that it's a buyer's market-keep the scope as low and close to the action as possible (while allowing bolt handle clearance). Mounting the scope too high will lead to head bobbing trying to 'find the cross hairs' especially with an inexperienced shooter. You don't need 'super special, bullet proof' rings to hold the scope solidly-again, such stuff mostly adds unnecessary weight w/o noticeable benefit.
4: Hornady American Whitetail is the best of the best for deer sized game IMHO. It's super accurate in my rifle and does an excellent job in the field.
Since we live in Georgia I am expecting mostly woods shots from point blank to 100 yards. If things work out we will most likely be hunting a creek bottom on a friends property down South of here a ways. I know the Fullfield 2 will work. I want to set him up where he will be okay if he does get the opportunity to hunt an open field one day too though. There are some other spots on my friends property that might bear looking into but I hunted that bottom about 13 years ago & it was nice.
I do have another question for the American Gen 2 owners. It is about the brake. Do you use it or have you taken it off. I'm wondering if I should pick up a thread protector before the first range trip & try it both ways.
IMHO, the brake is nothing but an ear buster. Look around for a 'blast forwarder' instead--much easier on the ears.
So, I mounted the scope, added a sling, & gave the rifle a thorough cleaning. I also ordered a couple of boxes of different ammunition from Midway. So The rifle is sat up, scope is bore sighted & I have ammunition. I was supposed to go to a friends & zero it today but that isn't working out. We are going to try again tomorrow. Hopefully I can get it zeroed & see which ammunition it prefers.
I have and have owned multiple American Rifles. I have been very pleased with them as long as they use an AI mag or AR mag. Regardless of the magazine, they have all been fine shooters.
Muzzle brakes? I remove them all immediately and install a thread protector.
Muzzle brakes? I remove them all immediately and install a thread protector.
I have ordered & received a thread protector but I'm going to shoot it with the brake & see how it is. I have to, I've never shot a braked rifle before.
And it's important that you do try it. It could just be the cats meow for you.
I'm honestly wondering how it will be for him.
the 6.5 Cr doesn't really generate enough recoil for a muzzle brake to have noticeable advantage.
The side blast from the brake is more disadvantage than the recoil reduction is worth.
The side blast from the brake is more disadvantage than the recoil reduction is worth.
I have a Ruger American chambered in 7mm-08. It is very accurate. For a scope, I chose a 3-9x40 Vortex. While not familiar with the 6.5 Creedmore, I have read up on it and it sounds like a good varmint/deer sized choice.
About 64 years ago my Dad got me a K98 Mauser rifle that was re-barreled and chambered in .257 Roberts. No scope for this one, just went with a peep site. My 3 younger brothers hunted with it also. My youngest brother rechambered it to 25-06 and it is still in the family today.
About 64 years ago my Dad got me a K98 Mauser rifle that was re-barreled and chambered in .257 Roberts. No scope for this one, just went with a peep site. My 3 younger brothers hunted with it also. My youngest brother rechambered it to 25-06 and it is still in the family today.
The brake might make any new shooter finch, not the recoil. I am an old highly experienced rifle shooter. I wear hearing aids to prove that. My 6.5 has a brake, I took it off, it's not needed. They are earsplitting devices. (I got suppressors now and use those on many of my rifles including the 6.5 CM). I do have several big bores that need brakes but those are not used at the range for fun shooting. Just sight in and hunt.
FWIW I don't doubt what is being said about the brake. I just want to experience it. I will be using hearing protection. I may take the thread protector & appropriate wrenches, etc. with me but I have to shoot it stock once. After that it may come off. Later on I might try to get one cerakoted to match the rest of the rifle.
I'll point out that you don't have to use a thread protector just to try it out. Only needed if the rifle is going to be handled/bumped around.
I made it out & zeroed today. The brake is loud but not horrible. My buddy put an app on his phone for a meter to measure it with. He said it was 94 decibels. Right before I stopped messing with it I had a 3 shot group that was a little under MOA. I had 2 holes touching & one dead center of them and about 3/4" above. I believe the rifle will do better as I was getting tired & just snapped 3 shots off pretty quick.
I also put a few rounds through my old aught-six to check zero on it. My buddy informed me that it is louder than the Creedmoor with the brake. I am going to pick up some of the earplugs that allow you to hear what is going on around you. The boy will be wearing them & so most likely will I.
I also put a few rounds through my old aught-six to check zero on it. My buddy informed me that it is louder than the Creedmoor with the brake. I am going to pick up some of the earplugs that allow you to hear what is going on around you. The boy will be wearing them & so most likely will I.
I bought the American Gen 2 Predator in .308WIN Nov. 2024. Just under one MOA at 100 yds with Hornady Whitetail 150gn and 165 gn.
Barrel heats up quick but it’s a hunting rifle so cold bore shot and one maybe two follow up shuts if I screw up the first one. My intended use is for a hog hunt.
Barrel heats up quick but it’s a hunting rifle so cold bore shot and one maybe two follow up shuts if I screw up the first one. My intended use is for a hog hunt.
