Christensens versus Seekins Havak versus Bergara Premier and B14?

[FjallJager]

Anyone own both, how do they stack up.

I was going to build a 300 PRC, then I noticed these 3 Remington 700 clones were available at for what I would have in the cost of an action and barrel. Worth a thought anyway.

 

[Schw15]

Anyone own both, how do they stack up.

I was going to build a 300 PRC, then I noticed these 3 Remington 700 clones were available at for what I would have in the cost of an action and barrel. Worth a thought anyway.

Have Vergara b14 good gun shot well but if you have the money and time get a custom action. Because you will eventually want one. That's what I did I prolonged it and cost me more. Now I have my arc nuke and love it. Then you can design it how you want and most customs you can have prefits barrels made quick and easy

 

[Lost_Phil]

Seekins Havak: The Seekins Havak would be the closest thing to a custom rifle build.
Christensen Arms: Then Christensen Arms would be second choice.
Bergara Arms: The Bergara Premier would be next followed by the B14.

 

[FjallJager]

I have a 6.5 CM on a Nucleus and used to own 4 other Nucleus actions.

I am familiar with custom versus production values and quality.

Just need something quick and available. Seekins looks like it it has a lot going on, so does the Christensens but I have handled many Christensens and I don't care for their actions.

Here is my Nuke 6.5 Specs and Cost
Action $1075 by the time I have it at my house.
Barrel $550 non carbon $1050 carbon installed
Trigger $400 Bix N Andy or CG Extreme
Stock $1000 Manners T-6A
Muzzle Brake $300
$3325 or $3825 with a carbon barrel.

The $1500 option leaves a lot of cash on the table for glass.

I have a 7mm Blaser build I am also working on, not every gun I own needs to be custom.

 

[JMcQ]

I bought a Christensen Mesa as a backup rifle for this hunting season and I’m impressed with it so far at the $1200 I paid for it. The trigger tech trigger is a nice touch and the stock is miles better than the junk plastic that most are selling these days .
The Mesa action doesn’t cycle like my Origin but I think it may be the coating. It’s not bad by any stretch and for hunting is no issue. I definitely like it more than the B14 but I can’t comment on the Havak first hand. I suspect it’s probably the best of the brands but I’ve only held on in the shop.

 

[spooledup]

Seekins all day every day. No drama if you have any issue with. They are also good shooters right out of the box.

 

[ffjoey]

I have multiple Bergara Premiers and B14s. Very very happy with them.

 

[KnowNothing256]

I'd skip the B14. I have one, it's my main gun, but I've had to fiddle with it beyond what I would consider acceptable for a gun marketed as match-ready. You'll almost certainly want to drop in a new trigger, and if you reload, you can't get mag-length rounds to feed unless you machine out the bottom of the receiver where the bullet tip otherwise snags. I did it with a Dremel because I'm impatient and would rather fix something by hand if I can than go through the hassle and cost of selling and buying something else; however, most don't have the stomach or desire for grinding on their action and rightfully believe that they shouldn't have to.

Not sure if the Premier addresses this issue, but a quick call to Bergara would likely answer the question. If you go Bergara, immediately step up to the Premier. You get a Cerakoted BA, stainless barrel, TriggerTech trigger, and the bolt with fluting/tool-less takedown/swappable bolt faces; it's very much worth the upgrades in my opinion, but I'd still say skip the Bergara offerings.

 

[Blaiz1]

Seekins all day every day. No drama if you have any issue with. They are also good shooters right out of the box.

I will second that there good

 

[chevy_man]

I'd skip the B14. I have one, it's my main gun, but I've had to fiddle with it beyond what I would consider acceptable for a gun marketed as match-ready. You'll almost certainly want to drop in a new trigger, and if you reload, you can't get mag-length rounds to feed unless you machine out the bottom of the receiver where the bullet tip otherwise snags. I did it with a Dremel because I'm impatient and would rather fix something by hand if I can than go through the hassle and cost of selling and buying something else; however, most don't have the stomach or desire for grinding on their action and rightfully believe that they shouldn't have to.

Not sure if the Premier addresses this issue, but a quick call to Bergara would likely answer the question. If you go Bergara, immediately step up to the Premier. You get a Cerakoted BA, stainless barrel, TriggerTech trigger, and the bolt with fluting/tool-less takedown/swappable bolt faces; it's very much worth the upgrades in my opinion, but I'd still say skip the Bergara offerings.

I think you got a fluke. Mine has always fed from the mags flawlessly. I dropped it into a Bravo and it eats great from aics pattern mags also.


I'd buy the seekins, then the bergara, then anything other than the ca.

 

[KnowNothing256]

I think you got a fluke. Mine has always fed from the mags flawlessly. I dropped it into a Bravo and it eats great from aics pattern mags also.


I'd buy the seekins, then the bergara, then anything other than the ca.

Mmmno, I’m sorry, definitely not a fluke. Others have seen the same in the B14 action (can’t speak for the Premier action though), and MDT even mentions the issue as a common one in factory actions.

Here’s a thread where I posted photos of the Dremel work and another B14 owner verified the issue:

Magazine suggestions that'll offer more room for longer bullet seating....

Three weeks ago I decided to get something fun to shoot at the rifle range other than just my normal hunting guns. I wanted another .308 Win, but my favorite local shop had some new Bergara HMR rifles in...but not in .308. I made 'em an offer on one in 6.5CM.....they accepted and before I...

www.snipershide.com

 

[ffjoey]

Mmmno, I’m sorry, definitely not a fluke. Others have seen the same in the B14 action (can’t speak for the Premier action though), and MDT even mentions the issue as a common one in factory actions.

Here’s a thread where I posted photos of the Dremel work and another B14 owner verified the issue:

Magazine suggestions that'll offer more room for longer bullet seating....

Three weeks ago I decided to get something fun to shoot at the rifle range other than just my normal hunting guns. I wanted another .308 Win, but my favorite local shop had some new Bergara HMR rifles in...but not in .308. I made 'em an offer on one in 6.5CM.....they accepted and before I...

www.snipershide.com

As much as I love Bergara, this has been talked about. It’s not uncommon knowledge with Bergara. For some it’s an issue. For me, I’ve never had an issue but I do not load my handloads exceptionally long in my B14s. I do load my Premiers a little long and never had an issue.

 

[KnowNothing256]

As much as I love Bergara, this has been talked about. It’s not uncommon knowledge with Bergara. For some it’s an issue. For me, I’ve never had an issue but I do not load my handloads exceptionally long.

Right, it's not that you can't run factory ammo just fine, or even handloads. It's that you can't load to mag length, since the bullet tip will hit the receiver just at the front of the mag well cut-out. Depending on what bullet jump you want, it might not be an issue, but most aren't looking for 0.100-200" jump.

 

[Long Range 338]

Seekins is defintely a step up from either the CA or Bergara and not just in the action.

 

[ffjoey]

Right, it's not that you can't run factory ammo just fine, or even handloads. It's that you can't load to mag length, since the bullet tip will hit the receiver just at the front of the mag well cut-out. Depending on what bullet jump you want, it might not be an issue, but most aren't looking for 0.100-200" jump.

Edited my previous for more info.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Edited my previous for more info.

Nice, this is something I've been curious about. Does the Premier receiver protrude into the mag well like the standard B14 action? Is there any chance you could post a pic looking up into the mag well of your Premier mounted up into the HMR stock, or perhaps looking at the top of an empty mag loaded up into the action if it's in another stock/chassis?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[ffjoey]

Nice, this is something I've been curious about. Does the Premier receiver protrude into the mag well like the standard B14 action? Is there any chance you could post a pic looking up into the mag well of your Premier mounted up into the HMR stock, or perhaps looking at the top of an empty mag loaded up into the action if it's in another stock/chassis?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

I don’t have an HMR Pro, I have a LRP Elite and a Highlander. I will take some pics of the LRP when I get a chance though. Be warned though, I’m a much better rifleman than photographer. Lol.

 

[Whiskey_Tango6.5]

Almost went with a PH2 in 300 PRC, but I wasn't sure about the 1:10 twist for 245s and 200 LRX.

Went with a Mesa Long Range and I've only done minimal load work up and zero. No complaints so far, but the lighter weight of the PH2 would be welcome. Solely a hunting rig.

 

[ffjoey]

Nice, this is something I've been curious about. Does the Premier receiver protrude into the mag well like the standard B14 action? Is there any chance you could post a pic looking up into the mag well of your Premier mounted up into the HMR stock, or perhaps looking at the top of an empty mag loaded up into the action if it's in another stock/chassis?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Not sure if these pics help. It’s pretty difficult getting my old iPhone to take decent detailed pics. As you can see though, there is a gap between the mag and the feed ramp.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Not sure if these pics help. It’s pretty difficult getting my old iPhone to take decent detailed pics. As you can see though, there is a gap between the mag and the feed ramp.

That's perfect, thanks. Looks like it has the same issue as the standard B14 action, the receiver protrudes into the mag well. It's the rim between the two red lines I added to your pic, and this is the section that the bullet tip hits when loaded too long.

 

[whatsupdoc]

On the Bergara B14 the issue of the bullets hanging up under the feed ramp only occurs when using a magazine WITHOUT a binder
plate. When using a ACIS binder plate equipped magazine you can load to its full length.

 

[KnowNothing256]

On the Bergara B14 the issue of the bullets hanging up under the feed ramp only occurs when using a magazine WITHOUT a binder
plate. When using a ACIS binder plate equipped magazine you can load to its full length.

Still requiring a shorter COAL, just this time driven by both the action AND the mag.

Anyway, we’ve beaten this to death. OP, sorry for the tangent, thanks for watching lol. My cautions about the Bergara offerings stand, happy shopping!

 

[ffjoey]

That's perfect, thanks. Looks like it has the same issue as the standard B14 action, the receiver protrudes into the mag well. It's the rim between the two red lines I added to your pic, and this is the section that the bullet tip hits when loaded too long.

View attachment 7676929

Appears you are correct. I have loaded longer than minimum COAL without issues but don’t have my loading table in front of me. Either way, I haven’t had issues so far and I get 1/4 MOA out of that rifle with my loads.