Tikka super varmint or Bergara HMR PRO

[Jmccracken1214]

Ive had a standard HMR many years ago, and a SV years ago as well. Liked both guns, and both shot very well.

Im looking at these 2 rifles at the moment. The hmr pro is $100 more, but does have a better stock IMO over the SV.

Talk me into 1 or the other.

 

[tacoman69]

I certainly wouldn't play bergara roulette, just Google bergarbage if you had any doubts. you could pick up a bravo for the sv at the krg black Friday sale, or they just came out with their echo that's even cheaper. if you don't shoot a lot something to raise the comb and a vertical grip is definitely sufficient

Bergara sucks ass, buyer beware.

These rifles are pure trash. Against my better judgement I bought a new B14 Sierra Wilderness in 7PRC after already having been burned 2 times by rifles of theirs that shot like crap out of the box (including a premier). The first trip to the range right out of the box it was shooting roughly...

www.snipershide.com

Bergara 7 PRC accuracy issues

Hi There, Yes, I'm new to the community but have been in the precision rifle game for a long time. Typically I build my own rifles, but lacking time I recently bought a Bergara HMR in 7 PRC and cannot get this damn this to shoot better than 1.5 MOA, most groups are 2.5MOA +. I've tried three...

www.snipershide.com

 

[hafejd30]

Having owned several tikka and a B14R I say go the Tikka route. However mines the CTR. So it uses the 10 round double stack mags. My other which is a T3X Alpine Veil uses the plastic tikka mags. I’ve never used one with an AICS setup

The CTR in my book is as close as you can get to stepping up to Sako or AI rifles in factory form.

I haven’t used the exact models you listed though so take my opinion for what’s it’s worth overall

I like short bolt throws like the tikka or AI over a R700

The trigger in my tikka is awesome. Even better if you swap the springs but I’m at 1 lbs and have no need to. I put a trigger tech in my Bergara cause the trigger even adjusted had creep and wasn’t very good. So factor that into there

I have my CTR in a bravo. I also have his little brother the T1X as well

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Having owned several tikka and a B14R I say go the Tikka route. However mines the CTR. So it uses the 10 round double stack mags. My other uses the plastic tikka mags. I’ve never used one with an AICS setup

The CTR in my book is as close as you can get to stepping up to Sako or AI rifles in factory form.

I haven’t used the exact models you listed though so take my opinion for what’s it’s worth overall

I like short bolt throws like the tikka or AI over a R700

The trigger in my tikka is awesome. Even better if you swap the springs but I’m at 1 lbs and have no need to. I put a trigger tech in my Bergara cause the trigger even adjusted had creep and wasn’t very good. So factor that into there

I have my CTR in a bravo. I also have his little brother the T1X as well
View attachment 8551444View attachment 8551446

I’ve actually got a ctr stock and 2 mags in my cabinet. I’ll swap the bottom mag piece out on the SV so I can use ctr mags until I decide to upgrade.

 

[HMRamateur]

I had a bergara hmr pro, bought it back in like 2018 I think. Before there were a ton of complaints about them. Not sure if all the complaints are for every rifle or just the B14's, but it seems like its more to do with the B14's. I can say the premier action is better than tikka though. It was as smooth as my origin, and smoother than my tikkas for sure. Better trigger, as it comes with a triggertech. If most of the complaints involve the B14 and not the premiers, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the HMR pro over the Tikka. I'd still have it if I wasn't a lefty. They don't make premiers in left hand though.

 

[hafejd30]

I’ve actually got a ctr stock and 2 mags in my cabinet. I’ll swap the bottom mag piece out on the SV so I can use ctr mags until I decide to upgrade.

I hunted with a guy this summer who had a Bergara HMR Wilderness in 6.5 PRC

Nice rifle. He was struggling to find an accurate load for it though. He tried lighter, then 140/143/147 class bullets and he was running 156 Berger’s when we shot. Said they grouped about 1 moa.

 

[Turkeytider]

PM sent.

 

[stevieb92]

Here's a vote for the Bergara HMR Pro. My girlfriend purchased one a couple years ago and it turned out to be a good shooter. Below is a thread I put together on some of the load development work on that rifle. My opinion is the HMR Pro has a few advantages over the Tikka, specifically AICS pattern mags, Triggertech trigger, its Rem 700 pattern so lots of accessory options and the Premier action is pretty smooth for a factory rifle. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/bergara-hmr-pro-6-5-creedmoor-load-development.7181261/

 

[stanley_white]

Bergara quality seems to be unpredictable.

Tikka is nice if you like a bolt that requires a pin to disassemble, a detachable recoil lug, and Beretta customer service.

As always, I recommend Howa, especially their barreled actions from Brownells which permit stock customization.

My apologies in advance for answering the question not asked.

-Stan

 

[Turkeytider]

HMR PRO was a finalist for me along with the Tikka Super Varmint for my more capable ( 1 K yards) range gun. Whether or not the rather persistent reports of finikiness ( not sure at all that that’s a word!) in preferred loads applies to the PRO. Went with the SV in large measure due to Tikka’s reputation for shooting well out of the box and eating pretty much anything you feed it. Have certainly found both to be the case. Both guns certainly have features that I found attractive.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Well, the SV would have saved me a few hundred, but I didn’t want to have to order it and wait.
Went to a local store on lunch and came out $3500 lighter. they had a bergara premier ridgeback in 6.5 and some NF glass but ended up with a athlon Cronus btr they had. Never had athlon but this looked very clear.

Hoping to drop a few dear with this and my S&W 6arc this year.

Hope I don’t regret it.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

The "bergara roulette" thing is a little ridiculous. For the last few years, they have probably put as many production rifles on the market as anyone in the industry. The two threads listed above are about rifles chambered in 7prc. I've known of several people who had issues with rifles chambered in 7prc. There seems to be sone yet undefined issue with chambered rifles in that round. Maybe another 6.8spc situation in the making. I own or have owned several bergaras, and they would be my bet for a very accurate rifle in that price range. Their barrels are spectacular. Tikka makes a damn smooth action for a production rifle, and they do shoot well, but if you have a problem with it, you will get the worst customer service in the entire industry, bar none. A literal "F" with the BBB. I won't buy anything from Beretta USA or any of their subsidiaries. I'm glad you went with the Bergara and I hope it serves you well.

 

[Turkeytider]

B it j

The "bergara roulette" thing is a little ridiculous. For the last few years, they have probably put as many production rifles on the market as anyone in the industry. The two threads listed above are about rifles chambered in 7prc. I've known of several people who had issues with rifles chambered in 7prc. There seems to be sone yet undefined issue with chambered rifles in that round. Maybe another 6.8spc situation in the making. I own or have owned several bergaras, and they would be my bet for a very accurate rifle in that price range. Their barrels are spectacular. Tikka makes a damn smooth action for a production rifle, and they do shoot well, but if you have a problem with it, you will get the worst customer service in the entire industry, bar none. A literal "F" with the BBB. I won't buy anything from Beretta USA or any of their subsidiaries. I'm glad you went with the Bergara and I hope it serves you well.

You’re mighty right about Beretta USA customer service. Gave me cause for pause before buying a Tikka. I would love to know what the critical mass would be for people informing Beretta that they are not buying Beretta/Tikka products unless/until customer service AFTER THE SALE improves markedly. It’s been so bad for so long that obviously said critical mass has not been achieved.

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

Went to a local store on lunch and came out $3500 lighter. they had a bergara premier ridgeback in 6.5

The premier series is a nicer action, your chances of a perfectly fine rifle are higher than the normal B14. Just do the usual - if you haven't already, pull the action and scope mount screws, degrease everything, clean up any overspray paint, torque back to spec, and you should be fine.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

The premier series is a nicer action, your chances of a perfectly fine rifle are higher than the normal B14. Just do the usual - if you haven't already, pull the action and scope mount screws, degrease everything, clean up any overspray paint, torque back to spec, and you should be fine.

I put on a scope base and scope last night & cleaned the barrel. Took it out this morning and it would throw a random flyer with 2 different types of ammo. Like 4” to the right, but the next 4 rounds would be where I was aiming and in .5” or less groups. Besides those random ones, the rest of the rounds shot very tight groups.

I’ll check action/stoxk

 

[hafejd30]

I put on a scope base and scope last night & cleaned the barrel. Took it out this morning and it would throw a random flyer with 2 different types of ammo. Like 4” to the right, but the next 4 rounds would be where I was aiming and in .5” or less groups. Besides those random ones, the rest of the rounds shot very tight groups.

I’ll check action/stoxk

Try without the can

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Try without the can

Ill do that as well.

I took the action out of the stock and the front action screw was all but finger tight. The back action screw was pretty snug.
That may be the issue there. I did sand down the pillars to get the paint off and make a smoother mating surface. Ill probably end up bedding this stock at some point anyways.

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

Very good point about the suppressor, I personally wouldn't remove it so much as I would make sure it was completely tight, but yes I've seen a loose can throw rounds.

The loose front action screw will 100% cause the issue, as well. Glad you got that identified and corrected. I half suspect the reason why removing the paint seems to help so many folks is because it forces a re-torque on the action screws... but don't mess with success, I guess.

I have a different Grayboe stock than the one that came with your rifle, but yes, I would recommend it be bedded eventually as well.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Took it back out, 25 more rounds. No fliers

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

Outstanding, very glad to hear. Should just be normal cleaning from here out, keep an eye out for carbon rings and you should be all set.