Bergara blues…

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Well, after the best part of 10 weeks of testing, the gun shop where I bought my Bergara B14 Wilderness Carbon in .308 have agreed that’s it’s a pile of crap that won’t group for love nor money and have issued me a full refund and thrown the rifle back at Edgar Brothers with explicit instructions for Bergara on where they can stick it….
So, the question is, what do I replace it with???
Don’t want to massively up the budget, so for around the £1600 mark. Thinking keep it simple and go for a Tikka, but wondering if there’s anything else in that range really worth looking at. Had my fingers burned going second hand through a dealer so going to stick with new this time…

Won’t go wrong with a tikka

 

[Yorkie]

Well, after the best part of 10 weeks of testing, the gun shop where I bought my Bergara B14 Wilderness Carbon in .308 have agreed that’s it’s a pile of crap that won’t group for love nor money and have issued me a full refund and thrown the rifle back at Edgar Brothers with explicit instructions for Bergara on where they can stick it….
So, the question is, what do I replace it with???
Don’t want to massively up the budget, so for around the £1600 mark. Thinking keep it simple and go for a Tikka, but wondering if there’s anything else in that range really worth looking at. Had my fingers burned going second hand through a dealer so going to stick with new this time…

Fwiw.
I am quite taken with the Tikka T3X Ace Game. Comes in about the price you are looking at. Some traditionalists may say the stock is a little radical, but i like it.

T3x Ace Game Bolt Action Rifle

T3x Ace Game rifle for NRL Hunter shooters

www.sako.global

Just thought i would throw something a little different into the suggestions.

 

[jimmer.13]

Love my Tikka but a friend had one straight out of the box and nobody or nothing could make it shoot straight. It was replaced with no issues. Sometimes you just get a plumb I guess.

 

[GBR66]

Fwiw.
I am quite taken with the Tikka T3X Ace Game. Comes in about the price you are looking at. Some traditionalists may say the stock is a little radical, but i like it.

T3x Ace Game Bolt Action Rifle

T3x Ace Game rifle for NRL Hunter shooters

www.sako.global

Just thought i would throw something a little different into the suggestions.

I handled one and was thinking about it - went Bergara HMR Pro instead as I really didn't like the chassis feel as a carried stalking rifle....

 

[Yorkie]

I handled one and was thinking about it - went Bergara HMR Pro instead as I really didn't like the chassis feel as a carried stalking rifle....

Hi.
Fair enough, the stock design is not for everyone.

Have you looked at a Sako S20? A little more money than your budget suggested, but a very nice rifle.

 

[Zio65]

Good morning, I personally own four Bergaras, two Hunters, an HMR, and an HMR Wilderness, all used for hunting. Today, I haven't encountered any grouping issues (I reload at home), nor any structural issues, such as Monte Carlo stocks and rigid frames. For what it's worth, this is my little experience.

 

[Tim1989]

for the same budget get a tikka

 

[jimmer.13]

Love both Tikka and Bergaras. Both very versatile for upgrading but the Bergara just have the edge due to the Remmy compatibility. Older rifles get a bad rap due to the poor quality control and poor barrel quality. Different beast today.

 

[Ronin]

The rifle which is the subject of the original thread poster has had it 10 weeks

Have they changed their build quality since then …..

 

[tarponhead]

I had feed issues, fit and finish issues - great design but poor execution from BERGARA - balanced by accuracy. With Tikka, they get the engineering and the material right. Tikka action and barrels with BERGARA stocks would be an unbeatable combination.

 

[nocturnaldave]

A big tikka fan here…. Dam hard to beat…. Simple and reliable.

 

[farrieral]

I have a Tikka (Ace Game in 6.5 PRC) and a Bergara carbon wilderness (.308) and they are both consistently shooters respective targets attached from yesterday's zero check

 

[moeggesit]

As you have found new is no guarantee, a decent dealer won’t leave you stranded if you buy secondhand and you can also buy private where the personal interaction help but is equally not guaranteed. Best if you have someone who knows what they’re looking at to give it a once over or try it.

Tika, Howa, Remington, Ruger all serviceable rifles to fit your budget.

 

[Ratel]

Just cast your eyes over Steve Beaty's offerings at Ivythorne sporting. Always has good new and sh stuff.

 

[malmick]

I got a warranty replacement through Edgar Bros for a Bergara Extreme Sierra in .223 that wouldn't group, that was supplied by the previous importers. This was last week after a few shots to zero and one group to test. I've also got a 6.5CM action that came in a BMP stock that I also use in a HMR stock and a B14r, both of these shoot well.

Luck of the draw?

 

[Donkey Basher]

Have a word with @BE Precision ?

This ^^^^ - beat me to it. For the budget you're looking at I’d see if you can get either a M595 action or a T3 barrelled to your spec. If the latter then look for a CTR floor plate & magazine then fit in a suitable stock. You’ll have a rifle you’ll never need (or want) to sell

 

[Brighty3006]

Sako.. All together a lovely rifle

 

[JRF]

I’ve seen plenty of bad new factory rifles, Bergara, Tikka, Remington, Sabatti, Blaser, Merkel, AI, Howa, etc etc. Regardless of price and so called “premium” brands, they all suffer from it unfortunately. All you can hope is you get good support from the shop and or supplier. Oh, and seen plenty of bad custom work too .

 

[Demetrius]

The M595 and Tikka T3 are different.

tikka T-3 vs M595 detail views & changes shown

There have been lots of threads regarding the tikka T3 and M595 actions, their bedding systems, and other details. However, most folks don't have both models available to really see the differences. Lucky for me, I've got a T3 in 243win and an M595 in 22-250rem. :D This thread will show the...

www.longrangehunting.com

Worth a read for anyone considering a Tikka.....

D.

 

[Bowland blades]

Mass production keeps costs in line with what folks are prepared to pay . I am in the process of purchasing a Begara presently , as usual i will feed it a box of good factory - if it don't shoot i will simply return it to Edgar Bros via my RFD , its called the "sales of goods act "
Edgars are in my experience the most honest and stand on companies in the Trade . Just the same as if you bought a new car and it had a knocking under the bonnet etc. you would / should / must get a refund or exchange