Tikka T3X CTR vs Bergara B14 HMR

[checkmate101]

Looking at both of these options in 6.5 CM.

I think if I go the CTR route I would most likely put it in a Bravo. Both seems to have pretty good following, aftermarket is good on both, accuracy seems good for both in stock form (not planning to swap the barrel). I like the shorter bolt throw of the Tikka. Does anyone have the weight of a CTR in a Bravo stock?

Anyone have any experience behind both of these? I have been able to handle the B14 at my local stores and have played with some other versions of the Tikka (light and a TAC A1) but haven’t been able to get my hands on a CTR yet. I plan on doing that before making any decisions but figured there might be some opinions here. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Coyote-6]

Have you searched the forum yet? This toPic has been brought up several times, even in the last week.

 

[JakeM]

Bergara. I have both and have the tikka in a bravo. You will have to spend more to get the tikka were you want it, with the Bergara, just buy a trigger and brake.

 

[bgavin]

Tikka

I have 3 and several friends have them. Everyone of them shoot lights out.

One friend has a bergara 6.5 creedmoor and it doesn’t like any factory round we’ve tried.

This is only an example of one. I’ve read great reviews on the forum about them.

Every manufacturer will have a lemon.

For me it would be tikka just b/c of my experience.

 

[Coyote-6]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/decisions-to-make.6978249/ literally top page.

 

[bassmaster07]

My selling point was an issue with the mags binding in the Bergara if pressure was put on them.

Then I went to a store and played with both. The Bergara stock was so much better then the plastic Tikka stock,but then I remembered I am tossing that away for the Bravo.
The bolt on the Tikka was way better. Smoothness the throw all of it.

also knowing that I could always sell the ctr mag or toss it all back in the plastic stock for a nice hunting gun was nice.

I think for the money of a Bergara I would have to look at other cleaned up 700 actions.
Now both are nice production guns with a good scope keeps you all in under $2500. But there is a chance that you will get the lemon from the line.

my Tikka CTR 6.5 with Prime at 100yards. All 5 shot groups. 10 shot group was with magneto on. 143eldx shoots like this too. 140 gunner does sometimes.

 

[DarinC]

I have an hmr with a timney, and my buddy has a ctr in a bravo. They are very similar. Bolt is a little smoother in the ctr, but at the same time, I got mine slightly used for 900 and he’s got about 1400 in his. I do like the little “beefier” grip of the bravo to my hmr, but it’s not a big deal. Both are very accurate, and he hmr barrel is a hair faster.

One thing I’ve read (no direct experience with yet) is that when your barrel wears out on a bergara, you can send it to them and get another installed in any caliber they chamber for, for something like $400. Pretty cheap compared to a $300-$350 blank plus a few hundred more to have it finished and installed.

in a more apples to apples price point, I’d look at the hmr pro series. better action, barrel, trigger, etc, and would be in the neighborhood of the same cost as a new ctr in a bravo.

Either way, they’re both solid and will do everything you want

 

[wade2big]

Shouldered pre-fits are available for the Tikka. If you are a higher volume shooter, that alone should sway your decision. If you won’t shoot much or will be shooting a .308 then it is less weighty.

 

[checkmate101]

Thanks again for all the replies.

Coyote-6, yes i have read just about every thread I found on anything related to either of these guns. I haven't found an answer yet to one of my original questions (edit - question was about weight of CTR + bravo), which was the main reason I posted it as a stand along thread in the first place - hoping it would get attention and an answer.

I try not to ask things that I feel I can research on my own - and I will admit there is a possibility that I have missed things, but for fuck's sake, isn't that what these places are for - finding help from like minded folks? By the logic of the "just use the search function" crowd this forum shouldn't even exist apparently because you can go read an article on the shitter from guns and ammo magazine, so why would anyone ever need to come here and discuss?

sorry, /rantoff. I really appreciate the extra information that is here in addition to all the other threads.

 

[checkmate101]

Shouldered pre-fits are available for the Tikka. If you are a higher volume shooter, that alone should sway your decision. If you won’t shoot much or will be shooting a .308 then it is less weighty.

Do the shouldered pre-fits allow for changing the barrel at home? I am not sure what the advantage of them is - no i didn't search the forum for the answer yet.

 

[JakeM]

Do the shouldered pre-fits allow for changing the barrel at home? I am not sure what the advantage of them is - no i didn't search the forum for the answer yet.

Yes, they do. You’ll need a action wrench, barrel vice, go and no-go gages. As far as weight, with nightforce nxs, and atlas bipod, my 20” ctr .308 is 11 1/2 lbs in the bravo.

 

[JakeM]

Go to a store and check out both of them, and see if you like the stock on the Bergara. Again, I would go with the Bergara.

 

[KnightCar]

I haad a 6.5c T3X CTR for a few months and I would like to check out the B14 HMR because their Adjustable cheek piece, bottom metal takes pmags If you're a lefty, I don't like the ergos of the CTR safety either.

 

[wade2big]

Do the shouldered pre-fits allow for changing the barrel at home? I am not sure what the advantage of them is - no i didn't search the forum for the answer yet.

You will need a $100 barrel vise, an action wrench, and five minutes.

 

[checkmate101]

Yes, they do. You’ll need a action wrench, barrel vice, go and no-go gages. As far as weight, with nightforce nxs, and atlas bipod, my 20” ctr .308 is 11 1/2 lbs in the bravo. View attachment 7237202

Awesome! thanks for the weight info. I am hoping to have a do all type rifle which is part of the reason the tikka is so appealing. I have held the B14 - they are in stock locally but haven't found a place to play with the CTR - just some other variants of the T3x. Being able to swap between the KRG and the original stock (when i hunt with it) is kind of a nice feature, but I am not sure how much i would actually use it.

I love the looks of your Tikka!

 

[checkmate101]

nice feature to change out barrels that easily on the tikka too... to many decisions

 

[Coyote-6]

Being able to swap between the KRG and the original stock (when i hunt with it) is kind of a nice feature, but I am not sure how much i would actually use it.

I love the looks of your Tikka!

Out of curiosity, why would you change out the bravo? You'd be saving a pound maybe, at the expense of rigidity and customized position behind the rig.

 

[checkmate101]

i guess it is more lack of familiarity with anything in a chassis. This will be my first adventure outside of a standard hunting stock on any rifle really. I am a person that prefers flexibility in options i guess. You are probably right... just don't know what I don't know.

 

[Coyote-6]

I would recommend one thing to consider. Don't complicate your shooting habits by having multiple systems. You'll get comfortable in the bravo, and I would just keep with it. It will always be better than a mass produced stock, especially the tikka stock.

TLR - become a master with one setup instead of "good" with both.

 

[j_jeffery]

I was considering these 2 rifles also. After reading about issues with the bergara rifles and nothing but good things about the tikka I ordered a CTR. It’s a awesome rifle. Super accurate.

 

[AndyMan87]

My brothers is a solid 1/2 moa closer to 1/3moa completely stock. Being a lefty state side sucks...

 

[EasySlick]

Where did you find a .308 CTR (if you don't mind me asking)? I've been looking and they're out of stock everywhere.