Looking for New Rifle -- Tikka or Bergara?

[Nomad88]

Just looking for opinions on 2 rifles.

Rifle use: range and hunting from a blind.

Looking at a bergara premier. The hmr pro and the ridgeback versions.

Also looking at a tikka super varmint,

Which way should I lean and why?

 

[effendude]

Both are great choices. I've never heard a bad report on the Bergara rifles, they all seem to shoot well. Tikka's are a given, and probably the best value on the market. I think it will come down to personal preference.

Do you have a specific caliber in mind? Do you reload or shoot factory ammo?
Scott

 

[joshb]

Tikka. Great accuracy and the smoothest bolt on any factory gun.

 

[Michshooter]

I have had a Bergara HMR in 308 and a tikka in 6.5cm

The tikka shoots everything under 1 1/2”, most closer to 1”, hand load 147 is crazy accurate

I had to really work for a hand load in the Bergara to get close to 1”. It did love 150gr Norma whitetail factory ammo as well but that was it for factory ammunition.

I’m sold on tikka if for no other reason than if I need ammo I can go buy a box of whatever is available and it will shoot well

Adding that these are 10 shot groups since I didn’t mention it

 

[Nomad88]

Both are great choices. I've never heard a bad report on the Bergara rifles, they all seem to shoot well. Tikka's are a given, and probably the best value on the market. I think it will come down to personal preference.

Do you have a specific caliber in mind? Do you reload or shoot factory ammo?
Scott

6.5CM and I reload.

I have had a Bergara HMR in 308 and a tikka in 6.5cm

The tikka shoots everything under 1 1/2”, most closer to 1”, hand load 147 is crazy accurate

I had to really work for a hand load in the Bergara to get close to 1”. It did love 150gr Norma whitetail factory ammo as well but that was it for factory ammunition.

I’m sold on tikka if for no other reason than if I need ammo I can go buy a box of whatever is available and it will shoot well

I’ve personally had tikkas in the past and would be upset with 1” groups from them. Every one I’ve had has put down .2-.6” groups consistent.

I’ve never messed with the premier action on the bergaras. For the same money as the tikka SV, the bergara has a much nicer stock.

 

[effendude]

6.5CM and I reload.


I’ve personally had tikkas in the past and would be upset with 1” groups from them. Every one I’ve had has put down .2-.6” groups consistent.

I’ve never messed with the premier action on the bergaras. For the same money as the tikka SV, the bergara has a much nicer stock.

One more rifle to consider.....In a moment of weakness many years ago, I bought my second 6.5CM. It was a sweet Sako A7 with a stainless fluted barrel, factory muzzle brake, and 2 piece picatinny mounts for just a little more than a Tikka. It shot incredible with a variety of factory ammo. I took it to South Africa on my second safari and it took 11 animals with the then new Federal Premium with the 130 grain Berger Tactical bullet including (2) kudu, and the poor man's buffalo blue wildebeest. Everything bang flopped.

Scott

 

[Bill K]

Of the two you are considering, go with the Bergara. They are really nice and shoot very well.
One of my grandson's just bought a Bergara in 270 Win. It shoots so nice and is a nice looking rifle to boot.

 

[turkeynut]

I’ve have both tikka and Bergara in 6.5 creedmoor, they are nice factory rifles. The tikka just shoots better and I had to work with the Bergara to get decent groups but the tikka out of box will cut bullet holes.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’ve have both tikka and Bergara in 6.5 creedmoor, they are nice factory rifles. The tikka just shoots better and I had to work with the Bergara to get decent groups but the tikka out of box will cut bullet holes.

I assume the resale value on a Tikka is better also. Especially the Super Varmint.

 

[pilediver]

Tikka CTR 6.5 with 24 inch barrel, great rifle for the dollar

 

[Michshooter]

6.5CM and I reload.


I’ve personally had tikkas in the past and would be upset with 1” groups from them. Every one I’ve had has put down .2-.6” groups consistent.

I’ve never messed with the premier action on the bergaras. For the same money as the tikka SV, the bergara has a much nicer stock.

10 shot groups, 3 shot groups are often around 1/2”

 

[Squirrelhunter17]

You will never go wrong buying a tikka

 

[K22]

Can only attest to Tikka's - mine are all great out of the box.

The only after market change, I have made is adding the vertical pistol grip to the Lite Models which enabled me to shoot them better. It's hard for me to imagine going wrong with a Tikka.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Tikka.....

 

[tsyarnall]

Tikka all the way!

 

[rebs]

Tikka

 

[Gary in MD]

I’d go with the Tikka and not play the Bergara roulette.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Tikkas shoot good, Bergaras shoot good.

Bonuses for Bergara is they are a Rem 700 clone so they can utilize any trigger OR stock designed for a Remington 700.

Downside on a Tikka is the really small ejection port. If you try to eject a loaded round slowly, it can get stuck in the mag area and hard to get out without dropping the magazine. Also a little difficult to single feed a Tikka during load development. And not as much aftermarket support. But if you like the Tikka, I wouldn’t question them for accuracy and reliability.

Bergara is basically a Remington 700 with modern features so you know what you’re getting there. Tons of aftermarket support on the Rem 700 so there’s plenty of options if you want to modify the Bergara later on.

 

[nakneker]

Tikka, I have a few standard factory Tikkas and haven’t been disappointed with any of them. I was setting up a Tikka 6.5PRC last night for a friend. First shot was a fouler, the next three were touching.

Theres a good amount of aftermarket bottom metal, stocks, chassis etc for Tikkas now days too. Great rifles.

Never owned a Bergara.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Just repeating most of the comments - I own 4 Tikkas -an older .222 with a later barrel, a 223 T3 FTR rifle with a Tru Flite barrel, a T3 PRS style with a Proof barrel and a recent addition, a T3X UPR in 6.5 CM. All shoot well on standard actions and triggers.

The Bergara is a good rifle out of the box - at the end of the day, it's a Rem 700 built well - with a bolt release that Remington should have added years ago If you need a better trigger. it takes most (any?) Rem700 aftermarket triggers.

One point of difference - the Bergara is available with an internal magazine, whereas the Tikka's have removeable ones. If you want a separate mag, the Bergara uses AICS, the Tikka, only proprietary mags.