Need opinions or first person experience with these

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STEVE B

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I would not use a carbon fiber barrel for anything but hunting. Unless your shooting range requires a long hike to reach, the extra cost offers little benefit for target shooting. The light weight barrel is likely to require a lot of load development to get really good groups.
If I was forced to choose, I would go with the second option in 6.5. For distances up to 600 yds, 308 is not a bad choice either.
If you opened the selection a bit, however, I would consider other production rifles. Recently I shot a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 that was a tack-driver: 5-shot groups under 0.5” at 100 yds with factory Hornady ammo - very impressive.


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I have a friend that has a Bergara and he's pretty happy with it. If you're looking to shoot it a lot, I'd pick .308 over 6.5 due to cost of ammo. The distance you're looking to shoot, accuracy variation would be nominal between the two.

Definitely want to go with a heavier rifle if you're doing distance shooting. You won't shoot a lot, but anything to suck up additional recoil is preferred. The carbon barrels only seem worth it to me if you're having to hike the rifle around.
 
After you pick the rifle, you'll need to determine which load weight your barrel prefers. I shoot a 175gr. Federal Gold Medal Match (Sierra Match King) in .308 Win in both my Sig SSG 3000 and HK MR762. They both group well with that load. The SSG can get .703 MOA from a wiggling bench.
 
First, 250-600 yards really isn't long range, and for that range, almost any rifle will be good. I echo staying away from carbon fiber barrels except for hunting. But both Bergara and Christensen are very good rifles; I know Bergara (barrels) from experience, Christensen by rep.
 
Grim said:
After you pick the rifle, you'll need to determine which load weight your barrel prefers. I shoot a 175gr. Federal Gold Medal Match (Sierra Match King) in .308 Win in both my Sig SSG 3000 and HK MR762. They both group well with that load. The SSG can get .703 MOA from a wiggling bench.
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Thank you all for the information. Tikka is now on the list. I do plan to go 1000 yards and beyond once I find a place to do it. I load my own 6.5 now so cost isn't a major issue. If I change to 308 or 300WM I will need to purchase dies/brass/etc.
 
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STEVEN BULLOCK said:
Thank you all for the information. Tikka is now on the list. I do plan to go 1000 yards and beyond once I find a place to do it. I load my own 6.5 now so cost isn't a major issue. If I change to 308 or 300WM I will need to purchase dies/brass/etc.
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Tikka isn't bad, I used to own one, but the plastic bolt cover bugged me.

I'd go for 6.5 for 1000 yard accuracy.
 
Grim said:
Tikka isn't bad, I used to own one, but the plastic bolt cover bugged me.

I'd go for 6.5 for 1000 yard accuracy.
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There are billet ones out there for other rifles. Surely someone makes one for the tikka.


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STEVEN BULLOCK said:
Looking at these 2 rifles in 308 or 6.5. Anyone have experience with them or the companies? I have seen mixed reviews on both and though I would lean on this forum for some knowledge. I don't know how to add links....hope these work. No hunting...just long range shooting between 250 and 600 yards.

https://christensenarms.com/ridgeline/

https://www.bergarausa.com/bergara_premier_series_hmr_pro_rifle.php
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One of my friends just bought the Christensen Arms to take on a hunting trip next year. Most of the rifles he owned cost way more and he was looking for something lightweight. It shoots one ragged hole. He bought his in 300WM. He is really enjoying it.
 
charliedeltajuliet said:
One of my friends just bought the Christensen Arms to take on a hunting trip next year. Most of the rifles he owned cost way more and he was looking for something lightweight. It shoots one ragged hole. He bought his in 300WM. He is really enjoying it.
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It shoots one ragged hole because one shot is all the recoil a person can take! Shooting 300WM from an umbraked ~7.5 lb rifle (with optics) from a bench or prone is not fun.
The problem with lightweight rifles is not the group size. That’s not their intended purpose. Once the right ammo is found and the barrel fouls, groups can be small.
In my experience, though, the first cold-bore shot is not consistent. Also, as temperature changes, the point of impact can shift. This can be frustrating when you’re spending a long day at the range, and the temperature changes 20 degrees. For long range work, I prefer a heavy rifle.


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Agreed. Light rifles will kick your ass zeroing and practicing. They'll also start stringing rounds when the thin barrel gets too hot.
 
Longrange said:
It shoots one ragged hole because one shot is all the recoil a person can take! Shooting 300WM from an umbraked ~7.5 lb rifle (with optics) from a bench or prone is not fun.
The problem with lightweight rifles is not the group size. That’s not their intended purpose. Once the right ammo is found and the barrel fouls, groups can be small.
In my experience, though, the first cold-bore shot is not consistent. Also, as temperature changes, the point of impact can shift. This can be frustrating when you’re spending a long day at the range, and the temperature changes 20 degrees. For long range work, I prefer a heavy rifle.


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I will argue with you there, it doesn’t kick hard. My buddy had actually bought a really nice brake at the same time as the gun. He didn’t put the brake on because it wasn’t unpleasant to shoot at all. He owns ETG Guns in Jefferson and would probably be happy to talk to anyone about it.
 
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Longrange said:
I would not use a carbon fiber barrel for anything but hunting. Unless your shooting range requires a long hike to reach, the extra cost offers little benefit for target shooting. The light weight barrel is likely to require a lot of load development to get really good groups.
If I was forced to choose, I would go with the second option in 6.5. For distances up to 600 yds, 308 is not a bad choice either.
If you opened the selection a bit, however, I would consider other production rifles. Recently I shot a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 that was a tack-driver: 5-shot groups under 0.5” at 100 yds with factory Hornady ammo - very impressive.

I have a .325 that I'd put up against any rifle... it has a carbon fiber barrel.. not heat tempermental, doesn't kick bad, very little load development time... does have a brake though.. I love my carbon fiber rifles... all of them
.325
.308
6.5
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I have a .325 that I'd put up against any rifle... it has a carbon fiber barrel.. not heat tempermental, doesn't kick bad, very little load development time... does have a brake though.. I love my carbon fiber rifles... all of them
.325
.308
6.5
 
charliedeltajuliet said:
I will argue with you there, it doesn’t kick hard. My buddy had actually bought a really nice brake at the same time as the gun. He didn’t put the brake on because it wasn’t unpleasant to shoot at all. He owns ETG Guns in Jefferson and would probably be happy to talk to anyone about it.
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I'd be interested in hearing how many rounds he sends down range to get the impression that the recoil isn't bad.

My current set-up is a Sauer 100 with a Sign Whiskey 5 (3-15x52) with Spuhr mounts, which weighs 9.2 pounds all together. I can shoot about 10 rounds before it gets really unpleasant.

I have shot 40 rounds through this rifle without using a lead sled and it was brutal. This rifle also doesn't have a muzzle brake, but I would prefer to be able to shoot it without hearing protection in the field.
 
You should give him a call at his shop. He owns ETG gun store in Jefferson. His name is Jamie, just ask him about his 300 WM Christensen Arms. I just know he said it didn’t kick hardly at all. He would rather be set on fire then lie, so I know it as much so for a fact as one can secondhand. Truthfully, he wouldn’t keep it if it were too brutal to shoot, much less plan a hunting trip around it.
 
A heavy gun will ride the bags better. I also agree with the extra expense of the C/F barrels. If it is just for hunting, or a dual role maybe. Strictly target, go with the steel barrels, it will be cheaper. Now if you enjoy the cool factor and can swing the extra, get the C/F. Going rate for a un-fit barrel is in the 350 range. A low price on the C/F barrels are in the 600 and up range. A good smith will charge extra most of the time for the fitting on the C/F just because of the chance of nicking the C/F. You can build a 6.5 Creed or a 308 for the same price range as what the factory guns are. I have built 3 rifles with the Brownells pre-fit 6.5 Creed, Satern M-24 barrels and all 3 have been between 1/4 to 3/8 with factory Hornady ammo at 100. Tony Cannon at Doc's Pawn and Gun in Greenville, NC screwed then together for me. Very reasonable for his work. I would build before I bought factory, it is easier to control the outcome. Call Tony and tell him Tom Roupe told you to call.
 
troupe said:
A heavy gun will ride the bags better. I also agree with the extra expense of the C/F barrels. If it is just for hunting, or a dual role maybe. Strictly target, go with the steel barrels, it will be cheaper. Now if you enjoy the cool factor and can swing the extra, get the C/F. Going rate for a un-fit barrel is in the 350 range. A low price on the C/F barrels are in the 600 and up range. A good smith will charge extra most of the time for the fitting on the C/F just because of the chance of nicking the C/F. You can build a 6.5 Creed or a 308 for the same price range as what the factory guns are. I have built 3 rifles with the Brownells pre-fit 6.5 Creed, Satern M-24 barrels and all 3 have been between 1/4 to 3/8 with factory Hornady ammo at 100. Tony Cannon at Doc's Pawn and Gun in Greenville, NC screwed then together for me. Very reasonable for his work. I would build before I bought factory, it is easier to control the outcome. Call Tony and tell him Tom Roupe told you to call.
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The cost factor, would have been true just (2) years ago. I've recently learned that the proof CF barrels can be had for $620-$650 non dealer and the christensens are $700
My krieger, when building my XP-100, was just over $600... so they're getting pretty much on par
 
Grim said:
I'd be interested in hearing how many rounds he sends down range to get the impression that the recoil isn't bad.

My current set-up is a Sauer 100 with a Sign Whiskey 5 (3-15x52) with Spuhr mounts, which weighs 9.2 pounds all together. I can shoot about 10 rounds before it gets really unpleasant.

I have shot 40 rounds through this rifle without using a lead sled and it was brutal. This rifle also doesn't have a muzzle brake, but I would prefer to be able to shoot it without hearing protection in the field.
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I agree with the low recoil... every Christensen I've seen, came with factory brake.. I'm not much on breaks but theirs seem to work really well and not terrible on the ears... my kid has been hunting with my .325 mag "or 8mm mag" since he was 10years old.. killed his first nice buck with it at 15... he loves it.. guess I should be saying his .325... so I'd imagine the 300 is a little more manageable than the .325
 
If you’re wanting to get into LR, there isn’t a better option than the bergara. You won’t find the quality and options it has in any other rifle for the money. I’ve got one and love it .
I did rebarrel to a 26” just for more velocity. I won’t take this one hunting, so it didn’t matter.
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