I want a good long range rifle that I can use for hunting and beginner target shooting. I am looking at the bergara hmr in.308. Anyone have one? Thoughts? Should I go 6.5 Creedmoor instead? Keep in mind, I want to hunt with it too.
Bergara hmr
- Thread starter Climberman
- Start date
- Replies 19
- Views 1,331
Slacker
Liquor and Whores...
No question in my mind, 308.
Especially if your going to roll your own.
I have never heard a single bad word about Tikka or Bergara rifles. Just make sure it takes AI pattern mags and is threaded 5/8 x24 and not some your A peein' metric crap.
I prefer a 1/10 twist 20" BBL on my target 308.
Many will recommend a 24 or 26" tube for valid reasons. I like a shorter BBL since I use a can on it. It does require higher pressures to get 2650 fps from a 175gr.
That said, my recommendation is buy a target rifle and a hunting rifle. You will get tired of humping a target rifle really fast.
The Ruger American 308 is a winner.
I think Tikka makes a compact 308 that would be a sweet whitetail rifle also.
Especially if your going to roll your own.
I have never heard a single bad word about Tikka or Bergara rifles. Just make sure it takes AI pattern mags and is threaded 5/8 x24 and not some your A peein' metric crap.
I prefer a 1/10 twist 20" BBL on my target 308.
Many will recommend a 24 or 26" tube for valid reasons. I like a shorter BBL since I use a can on it. It does require higher pressures to get 2650 fps from a 175gr.
That said, my recommendation is buy a target rifle and a hunting rifle. You will get tired of humping a target rifle really fast.
The Ruger American 308 is a winner.
I think Tikka makes a compact 308 that would be a sweet whitetail rifle also.
Last edited:
OP
I have a sporter profiled hunting rifle already. .30-06 rem 700. My main gripe with it is the barrel contour is too thin to suppress and my groups are not as tight as I would like with the factory ammo I am using. I'd like to hunt with a suppressed rifle to help with the hearing.
So the bergara is good to go as a target rifle?
christyouthguy
Well-Known Member
I have a Bergara HMR in 6.5 creedmoor. Shoots great. It shot 1/3-1/2 MOA at 100 yards with hornady black 140’s 2 weeks ago as I was breaking in the barrel.
I haven’t stretched her legs or made a load up for it yet. But I think the 143gr eld-x ammo will have no problem taking any game animal in NC.
I haven’t stretched her legs or made a load up for it yet. But I think the 143gr eld-x ammo will have no problem taking any game animal in NC.
I think the bergara is a great rifle. It’s essentially a rem 700 platform, well built and looks great. I’ve been trying to talk myself into one too but after having put together a 16” Rem 700 AAC that’s much easier to get in and out of the stand and is still maneuverable when suppressed, I just can’t seem to make up a need for a new rifle. I think had I seen the Bergara first though, I’d have definitely bought it.
Ive got a HMR in 308. Very nice for the price. Shot mine out to just under 600 yards last year which is more than 3 times as far as a typical shot I’d have around here.
Bergara HMR is a very good rifle to get into the sport. Good stock and DBM and fit and finish.Would work fine for a short walk or stand hunting but if you plan to go through mountains hiking miles a day then it might get a little heavy.
As to caliber it comes down to use. The 6.5 will have better ballistics but it's only con is it has a shorter barrel life. You could go with either and handload or buy factory ammo. Neither has the advantage for handloading as they both have excellent components and will run about the same cost to handload. Same for factory ammo as both have a lot of factory options in about the same price range.
As to caliber it comes down to use. The 6.5 will have better ballistics but it's only con is it has a shorter barrel life. You could go with either and handload or buy factory ammo. Neither has the advantage for handloading as they both have excellent components and will run about the same cost to handload. Same for factory ammo as both have a lot of factory options in about the same price range.
Last edited:
I love my HMR. I am looking to swap the scope to a PA 4-14 ACSS HUD since it had the drops already.
I think it would be a bit heavy for hunting, but other then that, it shoots great.
I think it would be a bit heavy for hunting, but other then that, it shoots great.
308 vs 6.5
6.5 has less recoil, but a shorter barrel life, has very good ballistics coefficients.
308 with the heavier bullets are getting better ballistic coefficients.
My thoughts:
If you’re staying under 800, 308 will get it done, 308 will go out farther yes, but the wind drifts make it harder.
Either round is great.
6.5 has less recoil, but a shorter barrel life, has very good ballistics coefficients.
308 with the heavier bullets are getting better ballistic coefficients.
My thoughts:
If you’re staying under 800, 308 will get it done, 308 will go out farther yes, but the wind drifts make it harder.
Either round is great.
Honestly.... in my opinion there is no reason to pick the 308 over the 6.5 creed. Better speed. Better ballistics. Drops to sub sonic at a farther distance. Hornady match loads at around 21 bucks a box. And they also have a precision hunter line as well. Less recoil which makes spotting your misses more easily. Also if you are going to get into the long range game ditch the idea of a BDC reticle.
The 6.5 creed will have a shorter barrel life than a 308. But if you are not running hot rod loads you can easily see around 2500 rounds of great accuracy out of a 6.5.
As far as the hmr goes my 14 year old niece has shot a few prs matches with me with her 6.5 bergara making impacts out to 1100 yards.
For hunting I have a 6.5 with 140 grain nosler hand loads. Every kill so far has been a through and through wound. Lots of blood and even blew a lung out of a whitetail. If I can find the picture I'll post it later.
Last edited:
Ive got a bergara hmr b14 in 308. I love it. Its got great accuracy and i wanted a 308...figured if i ever wanted any kind of AR10 it would be good to have the same caliber. Made sense at the time...i sometimes wish i had both. Ive read all about the flatter better 6.5, etc. and the "it's harder on barrel" arguements etc. At this point in my life ive not gotten unto serious long range shooting and ill never shoot out to more than a few hundred yards....so the appeal of a 6.5 and the longer distances dont matter much to me. Ammo availability and ability to store it a little deeper are good enough for me. OP....if you're ever near kinston let me know and you can come see it.
OP
I think realistically.308 will go as far as I have range to shoot. Sigh, I really want one of these.
Also, opinions on this vs a rem 700 tactical? I imagine the bergara is better.
Also, opinions on this vs a rem 700 tactical? I imagine the bergara is better.
OP
There’s a rem 700 tactical in the bst
Yes the Bergara is better. It also takes all the aftermarket parts a 700 takes but you don't NEED to buy them. Get the Bergara.