Bergara B14 owners

[Vulpes]

Ahh I see thanks, I think either rifle would be able to outshoot me. I currently home load anyway so would be planning to continue to do so. I suppose if I went with the standard HMR and later down the line decided the trigger was something I wanted to replace, I could get a drop in trigger unit. I just did not want to go from a premium product like a Sako , to be disappointed with the performance of a cheaper rifle. However looking at the reviews of the HMR I don't think this should happen.

Yes correct, any Remington 700 drop in trigger should fit. Likewise any R700 chassis systems also work as the HMR platform is R700 footprint.

 

[badmolassesaccident]

PS to last message, in my opinion, the Tikka TAC A1 would make a better target rifle than the HMR. It has a chassis (better) and a folding stock (more convenient). Isn't much more expensive and you don't need anything for it out of the box other than a scope (it comes with a rail), bipod mount and bipod.

Although I wrote above that I didn't want to cough £1200 extra for a chassis rifle, that was because Tikka didn't make a TAC A1 in the cartridge I wanted, whereas Bergara did. For a 6.5 Creedmoor, it would be a no-brainer for me to get a TAC A1 for a target rifle. Infact I did buy a TAC A1 6.5CM target rifle.

 

[Fordy]

I have a Bergara HMR Wilderness. No experience with Sako. The Sako is a lot more expensive, which suggests higher build quality.

I'd suggest not messing around and just get two rifles. The same rifle for stalking and target (assuming it is prone target, for accuracy rather than fastest speed) is a compromise for both. For target, the HMR stock is good, but it is not as good as a chassis. The reason I bought the HMR was basically cost - the amount I've been spending on guns was getting excessive and I didn't feel like paying the additional £1,200 to get another chassis rifle of some kind. If cost were not a consideration, I'd get a chassis. If you get a chassis, you can also get a foldable buttstock which is a big plus.

If you do get the Bergara, then it is the HMR that you want as AFAIK that can come with the heaviest barrel, 0.85 inch diameter at the muzzle.

The target shooting I would be doing would be PRS style so the speed would be a factor. I do love my current rifle so in an ideal world I wouldn't mind keeping it. However funds and cabinet space at the moment might dictate me having to get rid, as well as just personally liking to keep things minimal, one rifle that does both would suit me better. Although on the other hand I suppose you can never have too many guns.

 

[Fordy]

PS to last message, in my opinion, the Tikka TAC A1 would make a better target rifle than the HMR. It has a chassis (better) and a folding stock (more convenient). Isn't much more expensive and you don't need anything for it out of the box other than a scope (it comes with a rail), bipod mount and bipod.

Although I wrote above that I didn't want to cough £1200 extra for a chassis rifle, that was because Tikka didn't make a TAC A1 in the cartridge I wanted, whereas Bergara did. For a 6.5 Creedmoor, it would be a no-brainer for me to get a TAC A1 for a target rifle. Infact I did buy a TAC A1 6.5CM target rifle.

For a target only rifle I think I am with you. A lad I know had one and although I never shot it he raved about it.

 

[badmolassesaccident]

Although on the other hand I suppose you can never have too many guns.

When it comes to firearms, in the philosophical battle between minimalism and excess, excess wins. Buy more guns.

I've seen a lot of TAC A1s in PRS matches. Bergaras too. The one difference is the TAC A1 is too heavy to shoot offhand. You must fire it supported off something.

Edit: thought of one disadvantage of the TAC A1. It uses Tikka magazines which are about £110 each. The Bergara should have cheaper magazines.

 

[EDCM]

I have a 20" HMR in .308. I like the stock, action and have no problems with the trigger. More accurate that me.

But the thing has only to look at the weather to start rusting. I would personally go for the Wilderness version with the cerakote.

Eddie