1st Rifle - Bergara B14 sporter 243 or Browning ABolt 243

[Jasher]

I'm looking to buy my first rifle, it will be used for both foxing and stalking.

I've come to the decision that I want to buy new (I have considered a used Tikka/Sako etc but I've made the decision to go with new)

I've been looking at rifles in a similar price range new such as Howa, Ruger, Browning etc and I'm at the point of deciding between the Browning ABolt and the Bergara B14 Sporter.

Right now I'm definitely leaning more towards the Bergara due to excellent reviews I've read recently but... I'd really like to hear from anyone that actually owns..has used one and their experience of them?
Also Anyone's thoughts on the ABolt would be really appreciated.

I'm sure the "which 243" has already been done to death but with this being my first Rifle I'd appreciate any feedback/thoughts on the above.

Also.... The Bergara comes with options of either hinged floor plate or a detachable magazine (DMB) so peoples thoughts on advantages/disadvantages of both would be great.

Thanks
James

 

[Fiadh]

A friend just bought a B14 in 6.5x55 and he's absolutely delighted with it. I've shot the rifle and I can understand why, accuracy was first class and it seemed a solid, well built rifle. At the price they're currently selling for, they've got to be the bargain of the year.

 

[JockStalk]

Hi James - I've used both. To be honest they are both well built, very good value and you'll not go wrong either way.

Try both and see which one fits you better and feels better.

Personally, I find hinged floor plates annoying. You may want to add a fixed mag to that Bergara. A plus for the Bergara is that its a Remington 'clone' so a lot of the aftermarket bits will fit eg trigger units/ scope mounts etc.

JS

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Personally, I view DBM as more of a disadvantage in a stalking rifle - but it's all a question of taste.

You'll never forget your floorplate, or find that it slipped out of your pocket - but if you put a rail on your rifle it can make loading awkward.

The best way to choose is to try and handle and shoot both, and go with the one you like. If you do this and still can't decide, go for the one they give you the best deal on.

If I were forced to chose blind, I'd go with the Bergara - but if I were given the Browning I'd be well pleased!

The Bergara opens up the world of Rem700 addons and extras, the Browning has a tang safety and Japanese build quality.

I don't know which works out better price wise. The Browning A bolts are surprisingly expensive here (given that they are regarded as quite a cheap rifle in the UK).

On the whole, it's a nice position to be in!

 

[Bell308]

id be happy with both, its down to how they fit you personally..
but just to throw something in from left field have you considered the Lithgow LA102 Crossover. used one recently and was very impressed.

 

[Fursty Ferret]

I recently acquired a new browing a bolt in .243.
For a budget rifle that I purchased for the summer time for vermin control its a damn fine little rifle for the money. Feeding it with 58grn factory ammo at the moment and its been a delight to shoot. I often feel like grabbing the .243 over my 6.5 tikka super "heavy" varmint of late!

 

[Grand Slam]

I purchased a second hand Browning A-Bolt in .270 as my very first stalking rifle and it hasn't let me down at since buying it. It enjoys all the different factory ammunition I have put through it to date and I wouldn't be without it. I think I will be looking to get an A-Bolt in .308 next.

 

[Jasher]

Thanks all for input so far and certainly food for thought with the good reviews of both.
Please keep them coming

 

[Jasher]

id be happy with both, its down to how they fit you personally..
but just to throw something in from left field have you considered the Lithgow LA102 Crossover. used one recently and was very impressed.

I hadn't but I'll certainly take a look at the Lithgow

 

[Jasher]

Personally, I view DBM as more of a disadvantage in a stalking rifle - but it's all a question of taste.

You'll never forget your floorplate, or find that it slipped out of your pocket - but if you put a rail on your rifle it can make loading awkward.

The best way to choose is to try and handle and shoot both, and go with the one you like. If you do this and still can't decide, go for the one they give you the best deal on.

If I were forced to chose blind, I'd go with the Bergara - but if I were given the Browning I'd be well pleased!

The Bergara opens up the world of Rem700 addons and extras, the Browning has a tang safety and Japanese build quality.

I don't know which works out better price wise. The Browning A bolts are surprisingly expensive here (given that they are regarded as quite a cheap rifle in the UK).

On the whole, it's a nice position to be in!

Thanks for your thoughts, what advantages do you see with the tang safety?

 

[Heym SR20]

A tang safety is right under your thumb and you don't have to adjust your grip at all. It's just like a shotgun. Most other rifle safeties require a move of the hand to release.

Personally i much prefer a fixed magazine with a dropping Floorplate. Indeed happy with a fixed floorplate or a blind magazine.

A detacheable mag just gets left behind or lost sooner or later.

 

[Mr. Gain]

Detachable magazines make sense when you want more shots available more quickly than a floor-plate system can provide. Outside of the world of driven hunting they offer no significant benefit and, as has been said, introduce the liability that you may forget the magazine.

As regards the choice between an A-Bolt and a B14, neither will give you cause for complaint, but from the examples I've handled, I think the B14 will have a smoother action and a crisper trigger, and -depending on your build- you may find it has a better-proportioned stock. The B14 also offers a wider choice of mounts and other aftermarket accessories.

I think you can tell which way I'd go!

 

[Mr. Gain]

Re. the Lithgow Crossover, it's certainly a fine rifle, but it costs 50% more than the Bergara, starting a process of budget creep that the OP may want to avoid.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Thanks for your thoughts, what advantages do you see with the tang safety?

In addition to what HeymSR20 says above, the tang safety works well if the rifle ever needs to be used from the left shoulder. May or may not be relavant to you and your shooting, but it can be an advantage.

 

[Mr. Gain]

Thanks for your thoughts, what advantages do you see with the tang safety?

I don't see any advantage (or disadvantage) on a rifle, unless -again- it's being used for snap shooting, when it can be slid off, shotgun-style, as you mount the rifle. Even then, comparing my two pump-action shotguns (a Mossberg 500 with a tang safety and a Remington 870 L/H with a L/H cross-bolt safety), I don't feel myself at a disadvantage with the Remington.

In any case, on a rifle to stalk with I much prefer a cocker/decocker, which is almost as fast as a tang safety yet allows you to stalk safely with a round chambered.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

In any case, on a rifle to stalk with I much prefer a cocker/decocker, which is almost as fast as a tang safety yet allows you to stalk safely with a round chambered.

Most lower cost (and a lot of not-so-low-cost) rifles will feature a safety that works on the trigger rather than a decocker. I was/am happy enough to stalk with a round chambered and safety on. It doesn't excuse you from the need to control the direction of your muzzle at all times!

 

[Mr. Gain]

It doesn't excuse you from the need to control the direction of your muzzle at all times!

Absolutely true, but if you should fall, or drop the rifle, a safety can fail but a de-cocker can't.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Absolutely true, but if you should fall, or drop the rifle, a safety can fail but a de-cocker can't.

It's surely a more reliable form of safety! Not arguing with that. How many entry level stalking rifle feature it though?

 

[Mr. Gain]

It's surely a more reliable form of safety! Not arguing with that. How many entry level stalking rifle feature it though?

None. The tang-safety bit had me straying off topic. Apologies.

 

[Jasher]

Thanks all for your thoughts and input it's made some interesting reading and I'm certainly learning from your comments and advice.

Lithgow Crossover looks a really nice rifle (thanks for the tip) however it is out of my budget as if I up my spend by that on the rifle I will have to use money I have put aside for Glass and I'm not willing to do that as I want the best glass I can afford at the moment.

By the replies so far I'll be fine with either rifle but if I can stretch to the bergara I will probably go for that (depending on the deals on offer)

Having read replies so far I'll not have a need for a detachable mag so will go for the hinged floor plate if I have the choice when I buy.

It's been interesting reading the difference of the safeties as it's new to me.
Similar to a previous comment I shoot both a semi auto and an O/U and don't have an issue with the position on the semi auto (or switching between the 2) so based solely on position of the safety it wont be a deciding factor between the 2 rifles for me.

Please continue to add to the thread as it all helps.

Thanks
James