The 6.5 CM will shoot to 1800 yards, targets, I think for LR hunting 750 would be my max.
And you CAN get there with a "entry level" rifle in 6.5 CM. The Ruger American Predator in 6.5 will work. Read the reviews.
My wife has a RPR in 6.5 CM, excellent rifle, but cost about three times what the Predator does.
After playing with wife's rifle, I fell in love with the 6.5 CM. For kicks I thought I'd try it in a light hunting rifle for deer/antelope. So I bought the American Predator, guess what, it works.
About 2 miles from the house is a abandoned gravel pit on BLM land where you can shoot 2000 plus yards. It will hold up as far as I can shoot and hold its own with my wife's RPR.
It has a lighter barrel, med, weight and will get hot and walk if you don't set it in the stock properly. Its designed to set in the stock leaving the barrel free floated. Mine wasn't. I had to re-torque it, but it was easy to do. As was adjusting the trigger to suit me.
As to precision long range shooting. My primary rifle is a Model 70 target rifle in 308, but I think the Predator would work also.
In PRS you normally shoot five to ten rounds per state, (depending on how many follow up shots you need). Then you move to another stage (or bank of targets). That gives the barrel time to cool.
Is it the best for long range shooting? Of course not. But as an entry rifle or budget rifle it will work.
I hate to see competition rifle shooting be a rich man's sport. It doesn't half to be.
What makes a long range rifle a long range rifle is the shooter. Sure, some rounds have more drop, they are effected by wind more then others. But they have little knobs on your sights or scope to adjust for drop and drift.
Learn the ballistics of your rifle/round. Long range shooting is about math more then velocity and heavy bullets.
Not to mention the 6.5 CM is a lot cheaper to load for then the magnums. Its easier on barrels, and its easier on the shooter.
I've shot a ton of 300 WM rounds when I shot for the Guard. It will beat you to death over time. I don't care how big and tough you are.
I even put a brake on my Predator, it makes it more comfortable to shoot, meaning I can concentrate on fundamentals instead of recoil. Plus a brake allows you to get back on target faster, or at distance, to see your impact.
Before you buy, read the reviews of people who have and shoot the rifle.