Bergara B14 Crest v Sako S20 Precision

[ArchieHicks]

Afternoon everybody,

I’m just venturing into to the big league calibres after getting comfortable with my little .17, after doing a few laps of the country side with my .17 lithgow I’ve realised that the last thing I want my stalking rifle to be is heavy. I’ve recently put in for a .243 so I can start controlling some of the deer around the estate and have just started looking into rifles, one that’s really caught my eye is the Bergara B14 Crest, it’s seems reasonably priced and is definitely eye catching. My other option I’ve only just done some research into is the Sako S20 Precision which again is a very nice looking gun and a sako so built top quality. I was just wondering if anybody can shed some light on either of these guns through either experience with them or just some general thoughts about them? Of course I’m open to any other suggestions for my first .243 also!

Many thanks,
Archie

 

[Will the chippy]

A lot of people will say just get a tikka, not a bad shout but there are other options. I’ve not held a sako s20, I had an 85 and it wasn’t as good as my mates 75.
I was at my local rfd and he had a load of Bergara rifles which I caressed a good few. I was really taken with them, the actions are smooth and nicely made, the stocks are excellent, stiff and grippy with a lot having a raised cheek piece. I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
I’m sure if your looking to sell either on at a later date the sako will probably fetch more.

 

[Rural Management Services]

The Sako certainly isn’t a light rifle in either precision or hunter form. It’s 3.4kg naked which is similar to a Tikka T3X fully fitted out with scope and mod. The Crest seems about the same unless you are looking at carbon ones.

 

[Ronin]

A lot of people will say just get a tikka, not a bad shout but there are other options. I’ve not held a sako s20, I had an 85 and it wasn’t as good as my mates 75.
I was at my local rfd and he had a load of Bergara rifles which I caressed a good few. I was really taken with them, the actions are smooth and nicely made, the stocks are excellent, stiff and grippy with a lot having a raised cheek piece. I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
I’m sure if your looking to sell either on at a later date the sako will probably fetch more.

The first sentence of the reply is sound advice

 

[Will the chippy]

The first sentence of the reply is sound advice

Not a fan of bergara then?

 

[Dave_45]

Get a tikka pal

Almost unlimited options to rebarrel into whatever calibre you fancy , down the line.

 

[Ronin]

Not a fan of bergara then?

Nope

Won’t work on them

 

[ArchieHicks]

Nope

Won’t work on them

Any particular reason?

 

[ArchieHicks]

The Sako certainly isn’t a light rifle in either precision or hunter form. It’s 3.4kg naked which is similar to a Tikka T3X fully fitted out with scope and mod. The Crest seems about the same unless you are looking at carbon ones.

Was the carbon barrel/stock variant I was interested in, friend of mine has a tikka which I’ve had a play with. Absolutely nothing wrong with the gun but I just find it abit plain hence wanting something abit different to what most people run.

 

[ArchieHicks]

A lot of people will say just get a tikka, not a bad shout but there are other options. I’ve not held a sako s20, I had an 85 and it wasn’t as good as my mates 75.
I was at my local rfd and he had a load of Bergara rifles which I caressed a good few. I was really taken with them, the actions are smooth and nicely made, the stocks are excellent, stiff and grippy with a lot having a raised cheek piece. I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
I’m sure if your looking to sell either on at a later date the sako will probably fetch more.

A friend of mine has a T3X I’ve shot on occasion and I’ve got nothing bad to say about the gun but it’s just abit run of the mill in my opinion, almost like the silver pigeon of deer rifles; it does the job and looks good doing it but everyone and their dog seems to have one hence my interest in Bergara. I’ve only heard good things about spec etc. and they look lovely, being complete carbon and relatively light for a larger rifle is a bonus also!

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I had this exact question last year. Ended up with an s20 and haven't looked back. It'll a little heavier than my previous tikka but I'd say its negligible in reality. I've never had to stop because my rifle is too heavy. Accuracy is insane with pretty much everything I've put through it too

 

[Will the chippy]

A friend of mine has a T3X I’ve shot on occasion and I’ve got nothing bad to say about the gun but it’s just abit run of the mill in my opinion, almost like the silver pigeon of deer rifles; it does the job and looks good doing it but everyone and their dog seems to have one hence my interest in Bergara. I’ve only heard good things about spec etc. and they look lovely, being complete carbon and relatively light for a larger rifle is a bonus also!

I've got a t3x and it shoots superbly well. I just wish there was more option for the factory stocks. I find it odd that if the action is the same throughout the range then why are there only a few stock options available for each model. Howa do there dream it build it, which would be great to do that with tikka.

 

[ArchieHicks]

I had this exact question last year. Ended up with an s20 and haven't looked back. It'll a little heavier than my previous tikka but I'd say its negligible in reality. I've never had to stop because my rifle is too heavy. Accuracy is insane with pretty much everything I've put through it too

What reasons made you go for the Sako over the Bergara? Have to say that I’ve had hands on experience with the S20 in 6.5 and it’s a beautiful gun to shoot, never had the chance to take one out stalking so no experience with the weight but comparing the S20 and my .17, my .17 was heavier anyway

 

[ArchieHicks]

I've got a t3x and it shoots superbly well. I just wish there was more option for the factory stocks. I find it odd that if the action is the same throughout the range then why are there only a few stock options available for each model. Howa do there dream it build it, which would be great to do that with tikka.

I must say I’m a much bigger fan of the more ‘custom’ looking rifles, the T3X UPR (I think that’s the name) is a nice looking gun, I’m in favour of the pistol grip.

 

[Will the chippy]

I must say I’m a much bigger fan of the more ‘custom’ looking rifles, the T3X UPR (I think that’s the name) is a nice looking gun, I’m in favour of the pistol grip.

I'm the same. Id like to buy the upr stock but it's only available in a couple of calibres. And not available on its own.

 

[ColinBr]

Get the Tikka. You can then add to it as and when you please

 

[ArchieHicks]

Get the Tikka. You can then add to it as and when you please

View attachment 366306

Lovely looking gun, what exactly have you had done to it?

 

[ColinBr]

Lovely looking gun, what exactly have you had done to it?

Main bit being I added a PSE Etac ultra light stock to it.

This 1 is a semi custom that I had Ronin re-barrel in 6mmXC with some spiral fluting.

I have a Tikka T3x CTR in 6.5CM that also sits in an E-Tac stock.

 

[grimstone]

Definitely bergara over the S20, speak to Mark at Vale Field & Game in leicestershire

 

[wytonpjs]

I have a S20 and its dammed heavy, especially with a dS on top. Have considered the options, I acquired a T3X as a lightweight alternative in the same calibre - the logic/thinking is summarised here:

Rifle weights

was that my old rifle @Malxwal 🤔 ‘‘twas a killer deal…😂 That one made someone happy....

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