Entry level 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle that can still reach out?

Mossberg Patriot. $589.99 with Vortex scope at most places. Irunguns has Patriot scoped packages starting at $347.94 USD (~$446 CAD plus shipping) if you want to shave off a couple of bucks and wait on monthly import. I now swear by this rifle and with high quality ammunition, let me tell you, it reaches out. Budget friendly, as far as I'm concerned a simple design but well made for the price, and tough as a rock. Highly recommended.
 
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Well after a bunch of research I have to say my top 3 are the Tikka T3x CTR, Bergara b14 and the Savage 10 stealth. All are pretty much around the same price point and offer fantastic reviews. I am more leaning towards the Tikka though. It has the most positive online reviews, is the lightest rifle of them all (7.3lb vs 9+lb on the other two) and I happen to like the brand as my primary hunting rifle is a Tikka. I could get a MDT ESS chassis for it for bench shooting and still throw the synthetic stock on it for hunting. The only thing I do not like is it comes as a 20” barrel where you get the best B.C. out of a 6.5 Creedmoor in barrels 22”-26”. I was still watching guys making positive hits on target at 1000M with the stock rifle with the 20” barrel though so it obviously is not the biggest issue. Thoughts?
 
I don’t know if the loss of 100 ish FPS, from going with a 20 inch barrel, opposed to 26 inch, would make any difference at 1000 yards.
 
Well after a bunch of research I have to say my top 3 are the Tikka T3x CTR, Bergara b14 and the Savage 10 stealth. All are pretty much around the same price point and offer fantastic reviews. I am more leaning towards the Tikka though. It has the most positive online reviews, is the lightest rifle of them all (7.3lb vs 9+lb on the other two) and I happen to like the brand as my primary hunting rifle is a Tikka. I could get a MDT ESS chassis for it for bench shooting and still throw the synthetic stock on it for hunting. The only thing I do not like is it comes as a 20” barrel where you get the best B.C. out of a 6.5 Creedmoor in barrels 22”-26”. I was still watching guys making positive hits on target at 1000M with the stock rifle with the 20” barrel though so it obviously is not the biggest issue. Thoughts?


How about the tikka varmint? No rail and not threaded but has the stainless steel 24” barrel.
 
I put one of the 6.5CM Rem 700 barreled actions into a Magpul stock, it's plenty accurate and not all that heavy really compared to some of my other HB's.

 
For what it’s worth, the Bergara won a bunch awards at Shot 2017.
I think for bench shooting the extra weight is to your advantage.

I can't find anything on the web about how they make their actions? Lots about their "high quality 4140 barrels" but not a word about the action.
Sabbati does the same, and after buying one and being not very impressed with the entire thing being castings and MIM, I'm rather cautious about these.
You can get a Rem 700 5r for less then the HMR and it won't blow bolt shrouds in your face lol.
http://blog.bergarausa.com/bergara-broken-bolt-shrouds/
 
I can't find anything on the web about how they make their actions? Lots about their "high quality 4140 barrels" but not a word about the action.
Sabbati does the same, and after buying one and being not very impressed with the entire thing being castings and MIM, I'm rather cautious about these.
You can get a Rem 700 5r for less then the HMR and it won't blow bolt shrouds in your face lol.
http://blog.bergarausa.com/bergara-broken-bolt-shrouds/

Are you suggesting that Remington would have better quality control standards than Bergara? They’re one of the fast growing firearms manufacturers in the industry and typically have an excellent rep. And Remington is restructuring/going bankrupt (again) and has a horrible reputation for inconsistency
 
Are you suggesting that Remington would have better quality control standards than Bergara? They’re one of the fast growing firearms manufacturers in the industry and typically have an excellent rep. And Remington is restructuring/going bankrupt (again) and has a horrible reputation for inconsistency

I looked at the Bergara and they look better than Remington - if I was looking at another rifle will definitely consider them. Wouldn't want a Remmy if given one - will go directly to EE
 
I can't find anything on the web about how they make their actions? Lots about their "high quality 4140 barrels" but not a word about the action.
Sabbati does the same, and after buying one and being not very impressed with the entire thing being castings and MIM, I'm rather cautious about these.
You can get a Rem 700 5r for less then the HMR and it won't blow bolt shrouds in your face lol.
http://blog.bergarausa.com/bergara-broken-bolt-shrouds/

The action is all machined billet from what I can tell, and is essentially a worked Rem700 action. Tapered lugs, oversized extractor, etc. Very solid piece.
 
The action is all machined billet from what I can tell, and is essentially a worked Rem700 action. Tapered lugs, oversized extractor, etc. Very solid piece.

I can't find any good pics of the actions... but the recoil lug looks integral but the same standard sized as the washer types?
I'd have to see one up close n personal, definitely not something I'd buy because "it looked good"....ate that sandwich already with Sabbati.
B14_HMR_Components_1024x1024.jpg

B14_HMR_Wood_Components_1024x1024.jpg
 
Are you suggesting that Remington would have better quality control standards than Bergara? They’re one of the fast growing firearms manufacturers in the industry and typically have an excellent rep. And Remington is restructuring/going bankrupt (again) and has a horrible reputation for inconsistency

Well with the blown SR primers that's a sign of excessive gap between firing pin and firing pin hole, gas cracking the shroud in front of your face is not really a design spec I'd be interested in. If you read the FAQ's there is a whole host of QC issues like "why is there a gap between my barrel and receiver".
Plus Remington makes millions of firearms annually, Bergara makes 1/25th that amount?
But give them a try... I'll wait until I know the production methods for receiver/bolt before biting.
 
The only issue that the Bergara ever had with regards to the popped primers was when people were using non-magnum small rifle primers and prassures that exceed published max which the manufacture specifically advises against. The echo chambers of the internet continue. Rumours perpetuated over and over despite zero personal experience. Must be one of the fastest growing companies in the PRS world by coincidence.

I’m not trying to come across as a Bergara fan boy, but the modern Remington’s are so much more of a gamble with regards to quality control that I just couldn’t resist responding. As someone who worked in a gun store for 5 years and handled literally tens of thousands of guns, I have seen some brutal firearms come out of Remington factory boxes.
 
The only issue that the Bergara ever had with regards to the popped primers was when people were using non-magnum small rifle primers and prassures that exceed published max which the manufacture specifically advises against. The echo chambers of the internet continue. Rumours perpetuated over and over despite zero personal experience. Must be one of the fastest growing companies in the PRS world by coincidence.

I’m not trying to come across as a Bergara fan boy, but the modern Remington’s are so much more of a gamble with regards to quality control that I just couldn’t resist responding. As someone who worked in a gun store for 5 years and handled literally tens of thousands of guns, I have seen some brutal firearms come out of Remington factory boxes.

So how are the bolts/receivers made on the Bergaras? Casting, forging, billet?
 
who carrys the Bergara here in Canada? website says cabellas but they don't list them. id like to have a close up look at one

Odell Engineering is the distributor, any of the retailers who work with them should have some, or be able to get them. The base-line models - the B14 - are produced in Spain, and the Premier series are made in the US. The B14 line of rifles feel worlds ahead a Remington - I quite like them. The premier series quite frankly has the fit, finish and feel of a significantly higher-end custom action.
 
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