So if a guy had to choose.....

[gearguywb]

Between these three rifles for a Precision competition gun (for a newbie), what would you choose? (all in 6.5 CM)

1. RPR
2. Bergara B14HMR (or Premier)
3. Seekins Havak Pro HP1

I have not handled the Bergara rifles at all. Just looked at a RPR at a LGS. Just bought a Seekins PH1 to play around with.

Thanks!

 

[j741]

Realize this is only adding on options, but depending on budget, have you also looked at:
PVA John Hancock
Tikka CTR + Chassis or Tikka TAC A1

 

[kRcu]

Between these three rifles for a Precision competition gun (for a newbie), what would you choose? (all in 6.5 CM)

1. RPR
2. Bergara B14HMR (or Premier)
3. Seekins Havak Pro HP1

I have not handled the Bergara rifles at all. Just looked at a RPR at a LGS. Just bought a Seekins PH1 to play around with.

Thanks!

The Bergara has high praise from mike and frank on the podcast. I believe it’s a 700 platform too, so you would have a ton of accessory options.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

I dont know why, and it could have just been the ones i held, but the Bergara and Havak ive felt at my local store had pretty bindy/sticky bolts that kinda turned me off of em'. Id suggest feeling out the ones you can first but the Ruger bolt doesnt bind at all.
The problem is that the Ruger is stuck in the configuration you buy it in, while the others can be dropped into almost any stock you want.
What is the budget? A PVA John Hancock rifle is currently the best option i can think of for $2000, and the options you listed are creeping up on that price, especially if you rebarrel.

 

[gearguywb]

Realize this is only adding on options, but depending on budget, have you also looked at:
PVA John Hancock
Tikka CTR + Chassis or Tikka TAC A1

Thanks...just what I needed.....more options . I already have paralysis by analysis!

 

[gearguywb]

My budget is around the 2K mark. Thanks!

 

[Alexander Cain]

My budget is around the 2K mark. Thanks!

2k with or without optic?

 

[gearguywb]

2k with or without optic?

Without optic.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

4. John Hancock

 

[jda2631]

Without optic.

PVA john hancock is gonna be hard to top for the $2k price point. Only issue is going to be wait time.

Although, if you don't mind sticking to the RPR chassis, for $2k you could get one and make some upgrades. Mine is stock everything and shoots half MOA with any hand load I throw at it. But if you bought one for $1000-1100 you would have money left over for a new barrel and a few other accessories (stock because the ruger one is pretty bad, new handguard, trigger, etc etc). Or keep it stock for now and spend more money on glass, then upgrade over time as you see fit. A big plus is you could have it right now, no waiting on the John Hancock.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Tikka

 

[Lunchbox27]

If it were me... of those 3, the RPR.

That said, a Tikka or the new J.Handcock from PVA are of better value

 

[Alexander Cain]

If you want to get into competition the RPR is hard to beat. Change everything yourself with tools in your garage. Huge aftermarket already. Plus depending on the match you can run higher cap mags. Shorter bolt angle is nice too. I had one that I sold to a friend to get my CTR. Sometimes regret that trade. But it's a good rifle.

 

[pineoak]

I've owned an RPR, my friend has a Bergara.

Both he and Twang 'n Bang love the Bergara, I think they're better than the RPR.

RPR does the job like an unrefined truck. Mine shot very well in 6.5 and the bolt action was quite good for the $$; overall it was a tool and only a tool, did it's job and put it away

Don't know anyone that has the Seekins.

For the $$, I'd get the JH from PVA and wait. The ARC action is promising if it's anything like a Mausingfield and the barrel will shoot very very well.

 

[gearguywb]

Thanks...just what I needed.....more options . I already have paralysis by analysis!

Thanks. I need to find some picks of the PVA guns.

 

[j741]

For the PVA, you can go the route I did and just get the Nucleus Barelled action. The John Hancock rifle is a nucleus barelled action + Timney trigger + KRG BRavo stock. If you just buy the barelled action you can get the chassis of your choice (MPA Hybrid for me) and trigger of your choice.

 

[mrtoyz]

Tikka

 

[gearguywb]

Thanks guys.

I did find that several rifle makers offer a military discount as well. Certainly helps.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

for what it's worth, a used Tikka would be even cheaper than a rpr and you wouldn't be stuck to the rpr chassis. I know where there's one for sale....haha

 

[Bradu]

I like the bergera options but as mentioned the John Hancock is pretty tough to beat with that budget. I guess it would come down to whether you are willing to wait and which stock you wanted.

 

[trob_205]

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Definetely consider the PVA.

And most definitely manipulate the bolt on a Tikka before you buy any others on your list.

 

[gearguywb]

There was a Tika, a Sako 22, and three different GAP rifles at Cabelas when I went browsing last night. If money wasn't part of the equation I would have bout the GAP....but.....

 

[Ledzep]

Without optic.

John Hancock, hands down. You're not going to get a better assembly for 2k.

 

[gearguywb]

Please excuse a new guy, but since this a new rifle how is it that everyone is so convinced it is the best 2K option out there? Again, I mean no disrespect in any way but I have spent a lot of years competing in pistol competitions with custom built guns and the only way to get that reputation is through a number of shooters using the gun with extremely positive feedback.

Thanks!

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Please excuse a new guy, but since this a new rifle how is it that everyone is so convinced it is the best 2K option out there? Again, I mean no disrespect in any way but I have spent a lot of years competing in pistol competitions with custom built guns and the only way to get that reputation is through a number of shooters using the gun with extremely positive feedback.

Thanks!

Known barrel maker using known and reliable parts. The real question is how are they offering this at $2k.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Please excuse a new guy, but since this a new rifle how is it that everyone is so convinced it is the best 2K option out there? Again, I mean no disrespect in any way but I have spent a lot of years competing in pistol competitions with custom built guns and the only way to get that reputation is through a number of shooters using the gun with extremely positive feedback.

Thanks!

That's honestly a great question and something not many people have the guts to ask. From the people involved it "should" be a fantastic option, especially for the price. Unfortunately, the action is indeed the unknown. Anyone who says there's no way it could be anything but great either has a vested interest in it or blind fanboyisim. If there's one thing we can all learn from the ARC mags it's that even a great company can have a fumble once in a while. Either way, I have a neuclius on order just to see.

 

[j741]

I bought a TAC A1 in 6.5 this week. Started doing barrel break in and decided to shoot a couple shots for grouping. Put 4 shots within 0.44" center to center at 100 yards using Hornady American Gunner bulk ammo. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[MarinePMI]

I have no doubt the Nucleus action will be a well built action, but I have to ask.

Are there any John Hancock rifles out in the wild yet?

And if not, how can folks recommend them if they don't have them? Not trying to call BS on anyone, just honestly curious...

 

[Ledzep]

My biggest thing is that accuracy is in the barrel, and the John Hancock comes with a known quality barrel and ESPECIALLY and known quality individual reaming the chamber and cutting threads.

The KRG chassis is a known quality component that works, and that leaves only the Nucleus action as the only "unproven" component.... I'll take my chances there judging by my Mausingfield, magazines, and the M10 ring sets I've had.

For it to flop it requires one or more of Rock Creek, PVA, ARC, or KRG to shit the bed and not take care of the customer, and I just don't see that being the case.

 

[m6z]

It really depends on what you want. The JH is great value and is probably the route I'd go for a ready to shoot setup. The HMR PRO is also worth a look.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

I went PVA.

If I didnt, it would have been a Tikka CTR in a KRG Bravo. That setup will run you about $1250 if bought right.

 

[echo6tango]

I too went with the PVA JHR and put my deposit down last week. I was considering the MPA BA Lite PCR Competition Rifle for the same price, but I got tired of waiting for return emails from them with a couple questions. Also, the PVA JHR action looks to be quite a step up from the trued Rem 700 used in the MPA.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

For me, the John Hancock was a leap of faith. Between the quality work and reputation of the manufacturer, the stir they caused at SHOT, the recommendations and good reviews of their work on this site, and the rifle being all American made,

, I chose the JH over the Tikka and Howa, both of which I was looking at real hard. This will be my first, and probably only, precision rifle. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

 

[gearguywb]

I bit the bullet (pun intended) and took my place in line on the John Hancock.

 

[QuarterHorse]

What are the wait times on these?

 

[j741]

Exact times are unknown. There are some guesstimates of mid to late summer if ordering at this point. But I wouldn't be surprised if it stretches out a bit from that.

 

[QuarterHorse]

Yikes, thanks for the heads up.

 

[gearguywb]

Thats why I went ahead and signed up. I am used to long wait times from custom pistol smiths.

If you think that is long, don't ever take up cycling and order a custom bike frame!

 

[QuarterHorse]

I'm familiar with wait times for work requiring done in other hobbies. Thanks again for the info

 

[j741]

I got my deposit in for the Nucleus barreled action w/barloc on Feb 19th and settled in for the wait, figuring I would be fine waiting until June or July. Then I got impatient, was able to sell some things I wasn't using, and couldn't resist a Tikka TAC A1 on sale to tide me over until the Nucleus comes in. My justification was that the nucleus will be in 6CM and the TAC A1 is 6.5CM

 

[QuarterHorse]

I've strongly thought about that J741.

 

[schlaiek]

my PVA JH preorder was only made a week ago and I was quoted a late June date, so it looks like things are ramping up for PVA!

 

[XLR308]

The only RPR I have ever handled was a brand new one at the gun counter in a store and in all fairness it was a pretty slick looking set up and was brand new but not impressed with the action or the rough notchy and noisy sound of the action. The only Bergara I have handled was a fairly new one with a buddy of mine I was hunting with for a weekend but it was very smooth and pretty well refined for a factory action, I would compare it to my M700 that is well broken in but with tighter tolerances in the race way bolt fit dimensions.

 

[j741]

my PVA JH preorder was only made a week ago and I was quoted a late June date, so it looks like things are ramping up for PVA!

Huh, my Feb purchase may not be all that far away then. Might have to get that MPA Hybrid chassis on order soon...

 

[XLR308]

Huh, my Feb purchase may not be all that far away then. Might have to get that MPA Hybrid chassis on order soon...

I plan on going with the COMP chassis after going back and fourth between the Hybrid and COMP. I'm 6'2" and think the tooless adjustability would pay off for switching between bench and prone not to mention all the extras included for little more money.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

my PVA JH preorder was only made a week ago and I was quoted a late June date, so it looks like things are ramping up for PVA!

Cool, that's the first ive heard anywhere of any sort of time frame. Cool with me no matter what the date is, but I would love to be shooting sooner than later!

 

[MosesTheTank]

My go-to builder is Accurate Ordnance. Their rifles are generally outside of your price range, but I just checked their website and I saw one of their Renegade models on sale for $2,275. It's in 308 but I am wondering if you call them if they will make you one in 6.5 CM for the same price? That would be an incredible deal. Their rifles are simply outstanding, and you cannot ask for better people to do business with.

https://accurateordnance.com/product/renegade-308-fde-forest/

 

[SonicBurlap]

Without optic.

I'd get a Bergara HMR Pro with Bergara's buttery smooth premier action. I wanted to get one but had to settle for the B-14 HMR due to fund restriction after a hail storm pummeled the house. The barrel is 24 inches instead of 22 inches,stainless steel cerakote, the action is smoother, the bolt upgraded, and the trigger is TriggerTech adjustable without taking out the handguard, all the way down to the 1 Lb. range. I shot one at the Bergara Experience Event at the Fort Carson Range and even my wife was hitting steel out to 600 yards and above, she even begged me to get one but after the hail storm there were things a man had to do instead of what he wanted to do.