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

[Andy63]

James, I have the B14 in .243. I bought the Bergara new, on the recommendation of a friend. It was the greatest service he has ever done me. It has never let me down and has given me the confidence to take hinds, Roe Bucks and foxes with the same result every time. My tally of clean kills just keeps on growing. The trigger is great with the same feel every time. No surprises or shocks. I think you will be very happy with it. (I have the 3 round, detachable mag. Never forgotten it yet, and an unload means all the rounds are in one place).

Just a newbies opinion.

 

[Jasher]

James, I have the B14 in .243. I bought the Bergara new, on the recommendation of a friend. It was the greatest service he has ever done me. It has never let me down and has given me the confidence to take hinds, Roe Bucks and foxes with the same result every time. My tally of clean kills just keeps on growing. The trigger is great with the same feel every time. No surprises or shocks. I think you will be very happy with it. (I have the 3 round, detachable mag. Never forgotten it yet, and an unload means all the rounds are in one place).

Just a newbies opinion.

Andy,
Thanks for the feedback, If my local will do a good deal on the bergara that's what I'll be going for as yet I haven't heard a bad review on them.
Is it a light trigger?

 

[BuckarooUK]

A US magazine named Rifle recently did a review on Bergara. I know that it's practically impossible to find a bad review in magazines these days, but the author went out of his way to comment on the quality of the manufacturing and how the quality of the barrels has been noted by gunsmiths.

 

[nun_hunter]

Something to consider (especially as its your first rifle) is the Bergara is based on a Rem 700 action so there will be loads of aftermarket bits available if you wish to customise it as your shooting develops, adjustable stocks, triggers magazines etc. I'm sure there is stuff available for the Browning but not as much the fit the Bergara. Also does the Browning have a double stack mag or the ability to top load it? The reason I ask is that I have a Sako 75 that can be top loaded through the breach and a Tikka T3 which can't. The 75 is handy when stalking as it is easy to unchamber a round, press it back into the mag and close the bolt on an empty chamber. This is good for climbing over obstacles, into a highseat or if a short drive is needed. The T3 is more of a faff as the mag needs to come out, them eject a round into your hand, then close the bolt while holding the mag and spare round before sliding the spare round into the mag and inserting it. Not a huge hardship but I definitely prefer the action on the 75 for this reason.

 

[S&L7x57]

Something to consider (especially as its your first rifle) is the Bergara is based on a Rem 700 action so there will be loads of aftermarket bits available if you wish to customise it as your shooting develops, adjustable stocks, triggers magazines etc. I'm sure there is stuff available for the Browning but not as much the fit the Bergara. Also does the Browning have a double stack mag or the ability to top load it? The reason I ask is that I have a Sako 75 that can be top loaded through the breach and a Tikka T3 which can't. The 75 is handy when stalking as it is easy to unchamber a round, press it back into the mag and close the bolt on an empty chamber. This is good for climbing over obstacles, into a highseat or if a short drive is needed. The T3 is more of a faff as the mag needs to come out, them eject a round into your hand, then close the bolt while holding the mag and spare round before sliding the spare round into the mag and inserting it. Not a huge hardship but I definitely prefer the action on the 75 for this reason.

I am sorry I can not comment on the Bergara nor the Browning, although I did examine the Bergara when seeking a new rifle and discounted it for reasons not relevant to this thread. However, as regards the floor plate or magazine, I do have an opinion. I have hunted with a floor plate Rem 700 both in the Highlands and East Anglia and found unloading the gun for driving, climbing, crossing etc a pain. I have dropped rounds in the dark and had to scrabble around in the vegetation for them, sure, I am inept but not everybody gets enough practise to be able to strip and clean a rifle in the dark! On buying my Shultz and Larsen with a detachable mag, I was introduced to the joy of unloading without having to juggle several loose rounds, sticks, torch etc etc and then reload the magazine afterwards. I am a total convert and am now planning a DM for my R700. Sure, I will leave the magazine at home one day and curse but better that than be tempted to compromise on safety when presented with a tricky situation.

 

[tarponhead]

Sauer 100?

 

[nun_hunter]

I am sorry I can not comment on the Bergara nor the Browning, although I did examine the Bergara when seeking a new rifle and discounted it for reasons not relevant to this thread. However, as regards the floor plate or magazine, I do have an opinion. I have hunted with a floor plate Rem 700 both in the Highlands and East Anglia and found unloading the gun for driving, climbing, crossing etc a pain. I have dropped rounds in the dark and had to scrabble around in the vegetation for them, sure, I am inept but not everybody gets enough practise to be able to strip and clean a rifle in the dark! On buying my Shultz and Larsen with a detachable mag, I was introduced to the joy of unloading without having to juggle several loose rounds, sticks, torch etc etc and then reload the magazine afterwards. I am a total convert and am now planning a DM for my R700. Sure, I will leave the magazine at home one day and curse but better that than be tempted to compromise on safety when presented with a tricky situation.

Just to clarify I'm talking about removing one round from the chamber and back into the magazine during a stalk for safety not taking all rounds out the rifle at the end of a stalk.

 

[Jasher]

Thank you all for contributing to the thread and all the info/advice you've given me.

I called in to my local shop yesterday and agreed a deal on a new Bergara which has been ordered and should be delivered in a couple of weeks.

Next decision will be which mod, I've agreed a price on 2 different ones so just need to decide which one to go with and let them know.

I'm going to post a thread in the relevant section on Mod choice so please add your thoughts/advice on their as this has been really helpful.

James