Which tops rifle

Keen to start stretching my range out and looking at a tops rifle in 6.5 prc.

Think I have narrowed it down to Bergara B14 Extreme Hunter and Tikka T3x Veil. I really like that both options come ceratoked and threaded from factory. I felt that the Tikka had a lot smoother and nicer feeling action, however Bergaras stock was solid and nicer feeling.
Both fit my shoulder pretty well.
Is the increase in price (~$800) really worth it for the gains in action and barrel? As theres a possibility I'll be replacing the stock in the future, making it even more.

What I'm really after is a rig that will continue to perform after many years.

I've put rounds through a R700 in .308, which is the same platform as the Bergara, but I like trying new things so not against the Tikka.

Cheers

Id go for a 7rm over a 6.5prc but regardless of cartridge you cant fault tikkas primo from the factory I like the begaras but im biased due to liking the 700 platform. If likly to be changing stocks anyway id definitely go for the begara for the stock options .

After market stock options better for REM700 & clones like the Bergara. Do you hand load ? Or relying on factory ammo ? Like @Kelton I’d be going 7mm. 280ai is another good option especially if you want to save on weight over a magnum. Performance of 280ai is nipping on the heels of RM. so close it’s almost not funny, & the deer or tahr won’t tell the difference. There’s been a few 280ai for sale on here lately. Factory ammo is available if you don’t handload

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Originally Posted by Kelton

Id go for a 7rm over a 6.5prc but regardless of cartridge you cant fault tikkas primo from the factory I like the begaras but im biased due to liking the 700 platform. If likly to be changing stocks anyway id definitely go for the begara for the stock options .

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7rm looks awesome, but keen on something with a bit less recoil. Yep I miss out on a bigger bullet and greater impact while keeping similar ballistics as the 6.5prc. But at least I'll get to see where my shots are landing.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

After market stock options better for REM700 & clones like the Bergara. Do you hand load ? Or relying on factory ammo ? Like @Kelton I’d be going 7mm. 280ai is another good option especially if you want to save on weight over a magnum. Performance of 280ai is nipping on the heels of RM. so close it’s almost not funny, & the deer or tahr won’t tell the difference. There’s been a few 280ai for sale on here lately. Factory ammo is available if you don’t handload

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Will be relying on factory loads for now but intend to slowly build up the reloading kit and get into that.

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Originally Posted by SoreLegs

7rm looks awesome, but keen on something with a bit less recoil. Yep I miss out on a bigger bullet and greater impact while keeping similar ballistics as the 6.5prc. But at least I'll get to see where my shots are landing.

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Without knowing your stature 280AI is very manageable with recoil and flat out awsome if 6.5 is a must id also be looking at the creed and 260, 260is a handloaders game however . Iv not seen a single prc perform enough above a creed/260 to justify yes I have and love 7mms iv also had 30s and 6.5s my 6.5 saum slung the 156eol at 3080fps very fast flat and good in wind but knock down was lacking compared to the .308 and 7mm iv found my happy medium for big bc good wind bucking and good knock down most importantly.

You won't go wrong with either.

Find which one fits and feels better and if it happens to be the cheaper one then use that money saved to invest in a good scope.

I've shot a few of the extreme hunters plus a few tikkas and I personally prefer the bergara(just for fit and feel) but then there's how many thousand Tikka t3s in this country?

So you won't go wrong buying a Tikka either. Good luck

7mm RM with suppressor or brake is pretty tame in terms of recoil so wouldn’t discount one if you see a good deal.

But seriously both are stellar options with good ring availability allowing for a greater range of optic choices

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Originally Posted by Kelton

But seriously both are stellar options with good ring availability allowing for a greater range of optic choices

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Awesome, might have to see whats around in 280ai and 7rm.
Had figured they were both pretty good just wondering if one was better in the long run. Thanks for the help!

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Originally Posted by SoreLegs

Awesome, might have to see whats around in 280ai and 7rm.
Had figured they were both pretty good just wondering if one was better in the long run. Thanks for the help!

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If memory serves me right. Bergara make 280 and 280 AI chambered rifles?

Keep your options open on caliber and rifle brand and buy a good second hand rifle.
Put the savings into better glass or buy yourself some reloading gear.

Plenty of guys bore quickly and sell literally brand new rifles for a huge price reduction.
You were likely going to swap out the stock anyway.
Even if it's fired a reasonable round count it still should have lots left in it.

Even better but someone's finished project with all the aftermarket lot already on it

I have both 6.5prc and 7rm, the latter recoils a lot harder. Most rifles in prc are slow with factory ammo, would definitely recommend handloading it otherwise there is little gain over a creedmore etc.

There is a sako in carbon stock on here which is a steal

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Originally Posted by matto1234

I have both 6.5prc and 7rm, the latter recoils a lot harder. Most rifles in prc are slow with factory ammo, would definitely recommend handloading it otherwise there is little gain over a creedmore etc.

There is a sako in carbon stock on here which is a steal

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Out of curiosity and off topic i apologize to the OP but still relevant whats the details on the prc with the handloads? Barrel length pill powder speed cheers

Wasn't there a 280 ai on here for sale that would be a good compromise

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Wasn't there a 280 ai on here for sale that would be a good compromise

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

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Sold would have trumped both options in the sence it already had a light weight stock

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Originally Posted by Kelton

Out of curiosity and off topic i apologize to the OP but still relevant whats the details on the prc with the handloads? Barrel length pill powder speed cheers

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Berger 156 eol doing 2980 out of a 24inch tube, 60gr h1000.
Mates rifle was shooting precison hunter 143eldx at 2700 out of a 20inch tube. Got it upto 2850 with the 156s at 59.8gr h1000, es of 3

Confirming my suspicion of the PRC group of cartridges liking abit more barrel nothing wromg with your 24" velocitys

Hi, you say you’re stretching your legs. I didnt pick up what gun you’re using at present.

Are you looking for a second rifle for tops use (in which case it should be significantly different from your current one and definitely able to do what you cant do now eg 7RM at 24” or more, prone style stock and x18 + scope)


or are you going to replace your current gun and this will be your new all rounder ( 22” barrel and 270, 300WSM or 6.5 PRC like with light conventional multiposition freindly stock and excellent feed). ?

@Kelton they don't seem to be that affected by shortening the barrel based off video below.

https://youtu.be/eEvJVZDmLcE

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Originally Posted by Kelton

Confirming my suspicion of the PRC group of cartridges liking abit more barrel nothing wromg with your 24" velocitys

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Ah sorry you were talking 6.5

Tikka 7RM with a muzzle brake is very low recoil. Like a 223 basically.

Tikka Superlite. 7mm rem mag. T1 brake. Carbon stock. Optilocs. A great combo.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....m-build-65079/

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Originally Posted by 308mate

Ah sorry you were talking 6.5

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Talking about all of them mate less the 300 iv not seen a short barrel 300