High end factory rifles?

[LVLAaron]

Both Savage and Ruger make excellent guns capable of firing 1 hole groups with the right handloads. Both guns are in the 1100-1200 dollar range.

Are the higher end rifles Like Bergara and MPA worth double the price? They're more expensive so I've had a hard time finding any youtube warriors with them that are shooting anything other than factory ammo and 1 inch groups on average.

What's the rub?

I'm looking for an outstanding rifle but would prefer not to spend 5k and 9 months on a custom gun.

Thoughts on something in the middle ground? What other rifles am I not considering?

 

[308pirate]

A Bergara HMR is less than $900 retail. A Howa 1500 Chassis Rifle is less than $800. Both are less expensive than a Ruger RPR.

I think you need to shop around more.

 

[BurnOut]

Guns are like anything else... there's a point at which you run into diminishing returns in terms of performance, and the differences between a "good enough" product and a true high end product come down to things like fit and finish, minor features, and ability to withstand abuse.

Will a Savage rifle shoot small groups? Sure... it's possible. Will it do so after being dropped out of a helicopter into a river, then dragged through the mud for a mile like an AI will? Maybe, maybe not. How about remaining functional after firing a hot load? Again, maybe, maybe not.

When it comes to rifles like the Begara, etc..., part of what you're paying for is attention to detail and the overall "feel" of the weapon compared to lower end products. Then again, part of what you're paying for is the name, too... and while that may not matter to you, there are those to whom it DOES matter.

 

[kRcu]

To my knowledge, the MPA is technically a custom rifle. From the build list I saw on their site a few weeks back, they build on a Curtis Axiom action. The price seemed very reasonable too.

I just moved to a TL3 and ran 20 rounds through it yesterday. I noticed a difference, compared to my 700 AAC in smoothness of the action, I could control the ejection, and it's a hammer. To me, I feel justified in the cost to upgrade from the 700 to the TL3.

 

[LVLAaron]

A Bergara HMR is less than $900 retail. A Howa 1500 Chassis Rifle is less than $800. Both are less expensive than a Ruger RPR.

I think you need to shop around more.

I dont want to shop around for a cheap rifle. I want to spend good money on a good rifle. Bergara makes some high dollar rifles. Those are the ones i'm talking about.

 

[LVLAaron]

To my knowledge, the MPA is technically a custom rifle. From the build list I saw on their site a few weeks back, they build on a Curtis Axiom action. The price seemed very reasonable too.

I just moved to a TL3 and ran 20 rounds through it yesterday. I noticed a difference, compared to my 700 AAC in smoothness of the action, I could control the ejection, and it's a hammer. To me, I feel justified in the cost to upgrade from the 700 to the TL3.

Nothing personal but the 700 isn't a superb firearm (any longer) How's the accuracy on the TL3?

 

[kRcu]

Nothing personal but the 700 isn't a superb firearm (any longer) How's the accuracy on the TL3?

One ragged hole.

TL3 (forgive the quality, they have a tv screen in each lane with your target on it).

The 700 AAC 16.5 I have can do similar when cold.

Honestly, my 700's have never been far off of that, as it seems I've won the barrel lottery on the few I had. Where I noticed issues is chambering and accuracy as the barrel got hot.

 

[USMC 308]

I'll let you know about the Bergara later this week. Taking it out Friday for the first time. It's a Premier LRP in 6.5CM. Definitely more refined than a RPR....hoping it shoots like the test target indicates. Seeking rings and Cronus BTR will be going atop it tomorrow.

 

[NateVA]

Unless I'm mistaken, MPA has a 1/2 MOA guarantee on their rifles. They're a very good company and I've heard nothing but good things about them. If you can save the money to buy one I think you'll be very happy with it, especially with how people are liking the Curtis Axiom actions these days.

 

[mi223]

Guns are like anything else... there's a point at which you run into diminishing returns in terms of performance, and the differences between a "good enough" product and a true high end product come down to things like fit and finish, minor features, and ability to withstand abuse.

Will a Savage rifle shoot small groups? Sure... it's possible. Will it do so after being dropped out of a helicopter into a river, then dragged through the mud for a mile like an AI will? Maybe, maybe not. How about remaining functional after firing a hot load? Again, maybe, maybe not.

When it comes to rifles like the Begara, etc..., part of what you're paying for is attention to detail and the overall "feel" of the weapon compared to lower end products. Then again, part of what you're paying for is the name, too... and while that may not matter to you, there are those to whom it DOES matter.

This is a very good explanation...

I would say the biggest issue with most lower end rifles is the cheap ass stocks. If you put a rem, savage, ruger or most any lower cost rifle in a decent stock you should see decent results.

Of the cheaper rifles you mentioned, i think any of them should shoot because they have a better chassis platform from the factory.

Like said above i think the extra $$$ spent on a higher end rifle is not going to gain a ton of accuracy but you should get a more refined and durable product.

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[brianf]

throw in your expectations of what the rifle is supposed to do. if you want a 1/4" rifle on factory ammo no factory will meet your expectations.
how well do you actually shoot, have you taken a few lessons
do you reload, how well do you reload
shooting off hand, sling, bipod and bags (changes the weight and stock types that are prefered)
just to name a few

that aside unless you want a brand new rifle, you should go on the PX and see if there is anything for sale. especially if you want to shoot 308, you have to try really hard to destroy a 308 match barrel.
a rem 700 trued and barreled by a competent smith will 9 out of 10 times shoot better than a high dollar factory rig never mind a mid range one.

buy this one, offer 1000 and then get a used stock or chassis. you will wind up $300 over your budget but you have a custom barreled action by a smith who knows how to make rifles shoot. has a few upgrades as well. you can spend alot more and not get this quality/accuracy from the factory.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...89015-wts-wtt-lri-barreled-action-700-sa-1100

 

[LVLAaron]

Guys, all I asked was if the more pricey factory rifles are worth it, and where the extra money goes when spending 2500 vs 1200 dollars. I dont need advice on shooting or reloading or helping me pick the right one. I was just curious.

 

[MarinePMI]

The money (typically) goes in fit and finish on the higher end rifles. Any time a tool touches a part, the cost goes up. It really does depend on a shooter's expectations/standards, as to whether it is worth it or not. Also, with the higher end factory rifles, you're paying for the convenience of not having to do much (if anything) to have be a reliable LR rifle out of the box.

JMTCW...

 

[flyer1a]

Guys, all I asked was if the more pricey factory rifles are worth it, and where the extra money goes when spending 2500 vs 1200 dollars. I dont need advice on shooting or reloading or helping me pick the right one. I was just curious.

The extra money is going into options and higher-end materials. Yeah, there are 400 rifles out there that'll occasionally do awesome stuff, but if you want a fully adjustable chassis, tighter tolerances in your action/other machining, etc, you pay more. Shooting occasional small groups from a bench isn't the only measure of a rifle's quality unless that's all you'll ever do with it.

 

[m6z]

You're paying for a better stock/chassis in most cases. More features, built in QD cups, levels, folding stocks.

If you use Bergara as an example, you're getting an XLR Industries chassis, Dead Air muzzle brake, scope base and a Timmy trigger.

 

[lash]

I'm not sure that I'd lump MPA in with factory rifles, unless the criteria is that you can buy a standard version from them without specifying or waiting custom gun smith wait times. With the MPA, as mentioned, you are getting a custom action, a custom style chassis that by itself sells for $800-1000, excellent fit and finish, and a 1/2 moa accuracy guarantee. The Ruger and Savage offerings are good rifles IMO, but the MPA is a level above either one, by a good piece.

It is evident just by looking at and holding them in person.

 

[04JRB]

I'll let you know about the Bergara later this week. Taking it out Friday for the first time. It's a Premier LRP in 6.5CM. Definitely more refined than a RPR....hoping it shoots like the test target indicates. Seeking rings and Cronus BTR will be going atop it tomorrow.

I think you will really like it. I bought the same one, and I am very pleased with it thus far.

 

[kRcu]

Guys, all I asked was if the more pricey factory rifles are worth it, and where the extra money goes when spending 2500 vs 1200 dollars. I dont need advice on shooting or reloading or helping me pick the right one. I was just curious.

Some of us may have been confused about what you were asking in the op.

 

[Dave62677]

worth it, it made guy next to you jealous.

 

[Tucker301]

Ruger made the RPR for people who ask this question. The answer is apparent in their product.
Others like Tikka are following suit. You can easily spend 2x to 3x more and never see where your money went on paper.
As mentioned above, if you're going to be dropping it out of helicopters on critical missions, then perhaps more money is worth it. But I doubt that's most of us.

You can also see what people are doing with what they have and factor that into your decision.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...ed-marksmanship/6252669-sh-100-yard-challenge

 

[Tex68w]

I've owned a RPR, GAP Hospitaler, DTA SRS A1, and now an AIAX. It's safe to say after shooting them all that they will all be within 1/4-1/2 moa of one another if you do your part. They have ranged from under $2K all the way up to $5K+ and on paper there isn't a $3K+ swing in performance. Aside from the bull pup that I couldn't get with, the main differences have been strictly in the materials/durability and fit/finish.
I honestly enjoyed my LRI optioned RPR, it was a great gun for under $2K, but I hated the stock and the AR style controls. The GAP was great but I'd rather build one to my specs and I'd probably go with another builder if I went that route. The DTA was an excellent platform with a surprisingly amazing trigger, light weight, and compact design, but I just didn't gel with the setup and I never liked mag changes or the awkwardly thin and long magazines. I just got my AX and aside from it being on the porky side of things, this is certainly the pinnacle of the battle proven precision world. Can I honestly justify the expense, not really, but I do it happily knowing that the search is over on my end. That said, I do like the idea of an AXMC now lol.
I have no experience with the new Tikka and Bergara sticks but if they are anything like the RPR then it's safe to assume that they are everything you'll ever need without dropping big coin.

 

[LVLAaron]

FYI: Stopped in my local'ish gun store that had some MPA BA rifles in stock. Cycled the bolt and pulled the trigger and handed it right back to them. Holy moly what a sweet gun.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

If you want a high end rifle but just don't want to wait for a custom build, buy the MPA or sako trg, or buy a used custom build off the PX.

 

[USMC 308]

Took my Bergara LRP 6.5 CM to the range for the first time. Will wait for 1 more trip to do a more in depth comparison to the Ruger RPR 6.5 CM.

Initial observations favor the Bergara by a wide margin. More accurate out of the box, smoother action, no slop in the bolt, cleaned up easier. Accuracy is what I'm most concerned about and the Bergara did not disappoint. Shoots better than me....could not say the same of the RPR.....which is why it's in the hands of Mark Pharr for a rebarrel.

 

[roamin]

Fit, finish, esthetics, and sometimes but becoming less so features are the differences between high end and factory rifles. From a function standpoint there is little to nothing a high end rifle can do that a factory rifle can't. Honesty factory rifles are getting better and better all the time and we're nearing the point where reasons to pay top dollar for a high end custom are diminishing if not totally diminished rifles the user aboves Bergara are an example of such.

 

[04JRB]

FYI: Stopped in my local'ish gun store that had some MPA BA rifles in stock. Cycled the bolt and pulled the trigger and handed it right back to them. Holy moly what a sweet gun.

I did the same thing. Except that I tried the B17 LRP after the MPA BA. The Tikka TAC was also nice, but the Bergara was nicer.

I was only browsing, but I liked the Bergara so much that I took it home with me.

 

[Covertnoob5]

I've had savage, Rem, etc. but my DTA and AXMC certainly give a sort of confidence in the quality that I didn't get elsewhere. Is the cost justified? I'm not sure, I think the DTA is more so than the AI. But I went with the Axmc and DTA so I could shoot long action out of both. I think they do warrant a "higher cost" than some other factory rifles because the quick change barrel system certainly adds that.
I think that's what yo get to paying for, when prices really go up. Extra features as mentioned, quick barrel change being one of them in my case.
I would without question bet my life on my AXMC.


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