Bergara hmr 308 or 6.5? Or?? Really lost entry level

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vita89

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Hi Everyone,

Kinda lost here and looking for a little guidance. I don’t know anyone at all that does long range. I’m a member at a range that has 300 yards. I’m hoping to get something to get beyond fundamentals with. I was originally considering a savage A10 ashbury in 308, I went to the range and saw a ton of Bergara rifles. So I started looking into them more. It seems a little more budget friendly ( $500 less approx than ashbury) I’m looking to work with a $2200-2500 budget including scope and rings.

So the question is, at 300 yards what’s gonna suit me best? The 6.5 seems more expensive to shoot so that’s why I’ve leaned more towards 308 and I don’t think at 300 it’s gonna make a big difference between the two. I’m only gonna be able to reach out anything further maybe 1-2 times/year.

Any advice. Much appreciated. Also I’d rather stick to buying new, I’ve gotten burnt too many times buying used.

TIA
 
Won’t tell a difference at that range. If your suuuuure you won’t go longer range more often then 308 is easily gonna cut the cake for that use plies cheaper plinking ammo and longer barrel life.
 
Fair that’s the way I’ve been leaning but what would you do for best bang for the buck with rifle and scope? Local store has 10% off on everything so I kinda wanna take advantage of it
 
Ive heard great things about the Bergara line of rifles. From what i've read, they're very similar to a Remington action with a Sako extractor. Haven't shot one, but handling them they feel nice. In my personal experience, if you newer to LR shooting, don't make the mistake I did and drop a pile of money on a rifle and scope setup just yet. I did, ended up selling it all and buying a Savage 10T-SR with a Burris Veracity 5-25x50 and that rife shot just as good as some of the $2000 plus rifles i've owned and shot over the years. I didn't feel so bad if it got a mark on it and was lighter to carry then some long range setups. Another decent option would be a Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon, they shoot fantastic and are nice and light to carry if you choose to go hunting with it.

Do you plan to hunt with it? If not, I would look into a 223. Much cheaper to shoot than both options stated above. Cheap to reload for, and if you want to just go plink for the day it wont break the bank. Not to mention low low recoil so you can focus on breathing, trigger squeeze etc. And dont think you cant still shoot 500+ yards with one on steel. I had a savage 10 predator in 223 with a 9 twist barrel that would stabilize 75gr Hornady ELD's (my handloads) and mine shot a 3" group at 760 yards once. Never tried again as I ended up trading the rifle off on a model 700 22-250 for coyotes. (You can also purchase a Savage 10T-SR in 223 with 9 twist see below)

If you plan to hunt (depending on location and caliber restrictions) a 308 or 6.5 would do fine for both hunting and target shooting. Price wise when it comes to factory ammo and accuracy (long range ammo), you get what you pay for. If you want the best of both worlds between accuracy and $$, start reloading. Money up front, but in the long run you save a pile of money especially if you shoot lots, develop a load specific for your gun that will shoot the best and you can load for all your other calibers.

Seriously check out a Savage 10 T-SR in 223, 308, 6.5 creed or even 6 creed ( I know, savage *spit*) but my 6 creed with 107gr Sierra Matchkings with H4350 would shoot 1 "ragged" hole at 100 yards if I did my part, and shot 3/4"or better with factory 103gr ELD ammo. They run you $800-$900 usually, but Cabelas throws them on sale for $699 quite often. That gives you a little more money to spend on a good scope that you can always put on the next rifle when you choose to upgrade (IMO optics are just as important, if not more then the actual rifle itself). Id recommend a Burris Veracity, Burris XTR II, Vortex Viper, Vortex Diamondback Tactical to name a few.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/1023...ctical-bolt-action-rifle-with-threaded-barrel
 
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Thanks for the reply! I actually have a 223 already in semi. I’m hoping to get the .308 as a kind of alternate to hunting if I get the chance to take it out for deer. I’m looking at purchasing from one of the dealers on here fire arms outlet Canada. I was leaning towards one of the vortex for $569 & the Bergara in .308. I just can’t decide between the savage model 10 & the bergara. I don’t know if the savage being on special $500 off is what’s pulling me towards it
 
Vortex optics are a good choice. Lifetime warranty, no questions asked. They'll either fix it or replace it.

Savages shoot. Ive owned a dozen of them over the years and have yet to have one that doesnt shoot decent. The downfall, for me anyway, is they aren't the most aesthetically pleasing. But if you can get over the look of them then theyre worth every penny imo. But, the bergaras look nice and again, hear they shoot great. Id be leaning towards a Bergara, but thats just cause I want to try one out. Again, if they are what they say they are and a legit remington 700 clone with Sako extractor then they will be tack drivers. Not to mention, aftermarket accessories are everywhere for 700's and their clones.
 
What of the Savage 12FV Cabelas exclusive? Seems a bit more bare bones, but I keep hearing it named dropped as a sleeper. I was waiting for it to go on sale again, myself
 
I have a Bergara HMR in 6.5CM, it is a good shooter with factory ammo-never loaded for it yet. I would also suggest looking at a Tikka CTR in 308, for me that is the BEST value in any long range capable rifle right now. I have three Tikkas currently, a Tac A1 20" 308, a CTR custom with a Benchmark barrel and McMillan stock in 6XC, and an older Tikka Tactical, AKA TIC-TAK also in 308. They are all incredible shooters, the 6XC obviously gets only custom handloads and shoots incredibly small groups when I am on my game, the two 308s have only seen factory ammo and they are also fantastic shooters, easily 1/2 MOA when I am shooting well. The Tikka is a better gun than the Bergara in my opinion, and I believe can be had for less money too.
 
308 is definitely more than adequate for 300 meters. The 308 will have more recoil and therefore be a little harder to shoot. But that will force you to have good fundamentals. With the 20" barrel you will do very well up to 600 meters. You will also get alot more barrel life from the 308. 308 will teach you to deal with wind more as well.

If you plan on doing up towards a 1000 yards then 6.5 for sure.

Ammo cost between the 2 is not that much. And if you reload the cost of the 2 will be pretty much the same.

I'm not saying Bergara is better than high end guns, but I have beaten $6000 AI, Cadex, and custom rifles with my Bergaras in competition. Those high end guns with high end scopes are $10,000+

I shoot with F class guys shooting 7mm SAUM sometimes. (Not in competition) My 6.5 Bergara gets the better of them some days haha.

But in the end I would push you towards the 6.5CM. You are going to be more accurate of a shooter with 6.5, period. I will post a few pics of what Bergaras can do...
 
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It would take up your budget and you would have to save for a scope
but consider the Bergara BMP in 6.5

I have alot of rifles but the BMP is my favorite to shoot hands down. And love the BMP chassis. 2 more " of barrel on the BMP over the HMR as well which helps when you get wayyyy out there. I will take anybody on with any gun at 1000 yards with my factory BMP in 6.5CM. Not saying I will win everytime. But I promise you I will shame some $10,000+ barrel burning customs.
 
I'm not being facetious, but 300y is barely mid range. I would get a bolt gun in .223 for that range, you'll be reloading for that maybe already. Get a Bergera, Remington or Savage, they'll all shoot very well. When you've shot out your .223 barrel and are proficient in shooting at 300y and up, you can always rebarrel in 308 or 6.5CM using the existing short action of you bolt gun. If you get a .223 with a fast twist barrel, ie 1:8 or faster, you can shoot the heavier bullets and be in the same ballistic ballpark as the 308 with bullets up to about 168gr. I've shot my .223 with 80gr Bergers out to 800y and have not given up anything with the 308 shooters ballistically.
 
I would personally pick up the 6.5 over the 308. You won’t notice a difference at the range you are shooting but like most you will grow and want more out of it. Also if you decide you no longer want that rifle odds are the 6.5 will sell faster and will be more desired. The ballistics and efficiency of the round is better in the 6.5
If you think you will ever get into competitive shooting such as PRS I would recommend a Remington 700 in 6.5 as you will likely be changing stocks to chassis, triggers etc and the options are far more abundant in the Remington styles. I had a Magpul hunter Remington 700 that was a great starter and allowed me to build off of it as I grew.
Scope options in you near range I would pick either Vortex PST in a FFP and Mil reticle (most common in group shooting so you can speak the same language) or the Athlon Ares ETR.
Make sure to buy a good base and rings. If you don’t think you will change much in shooting disallowed then the savage and Bergara will be fine choices and I am sure you won’t regret either of them
Good luck and have fun
 
I would strongly recommend a .308 for a beginner over a 6.5CM.

The Win .308 has been in existence for more than 50 years and there are mountains of literature and data available about this cartridge and it's interior and exterior balistics.

There's aalso a much larger selection of factory ammo to choose from if you don't reload. If you do reload this is not as big a concern.

If you are willing to consider a used rifle then a Remington 700 Police or LTR (Light Tactical Rifle) can often be had in either .223 or .308 for less than $1000. These are good value for money and if you decide to upgrade the trigger or anything else there are endless choices in aftermarket parts and accessories. The Tikka Tactical are also good buys and well reported on.

There's a 20" barreled 700 Police for sale for $1000 in the EE right now. I have no affiliation with the seller, just using it as an example.
 
I was in your shoes not long ago. The Tikka CTR is what I would go with but the Bergara HMR was a close close 2nd. My financial situation changed a bit and now I have my eye on the savage 110 tactical. All the reviews and videos seem really good and a few times a year savage puts on factory rebates and they come in at a great price. As long as you do your part I watched a video of one doing a 1 mile milk jug challenge and hitting on the 2nd round I believe. Fit and finish won’t be up to tikka standards but savage rifles are shooters.
 
They feel and look rough but sure shoot. For a tad more I’d go with the other two mentioned above. Better finish and shoot great too.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I’m leaning towards the 6.5 creedmore looking at what round cost for decent ammo I Def won’t be reloading so that’s not on the table. I thought about it a bit more rationally and I’m probably not gonna be putting 200 rounds a day through this gun.

Narrowing down to Bergara HMR & Savage A10 Ashbury optics i Really like vortex and I’ve seen a few for the $500-750 range that I think are gonna work.
 
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