Bergara HMR Pro and $2500 question?

[devildawg2531]

I bought a new Bergara HMR Pro in 308 and with Atlas bipod and rear bag the best I am getting is around .7 - 1 inch groups at 100 yards with 168 grain FGMM. I am a little dissapointed honestly as I have a precision AR that will duplicate this. I was really hoping that the Bergara would be a .5 or better... maybe it is with the right ammo. Any suggestions are much appreciated (I don't reload at this point).

Part 2 if the sub .5 MOA bolt gun in 308 or 6.5 CM is the goal what is the best option for this for $2500 and under (not including optics). I was looking at the DD5 Pro and they are guaranteeing .5 or better and it has an MSRP of $2500 so currently this is my front runner when available but maybe a better option is out there. Appreciate guidance on maximizing accuracy for $2500 or less (building my own isn't in the cards). Thanks!

 

[Rocketmandb]

I've owned an HMR Pro and it's a great factory rifle. Mine was in 6 CM and I'd reliably get 1" groups at 300 yards with hand loads. While I won't discount that something could be wrong with your specific rifle, it is far more likely that it's not a good match for that specific ammo or, no offense intended, your fundamentals aren't up to snuff on this rifle yet. If you're getting similar results with a precision AR, it's quite possible that both rifles are out-shooting you and the end result is the same.

Before you go through the time and expense of looking for a replacement (in no particular order):

1) Try substantially different ammo

2) Have someone else who has solid fundamentals try out the rifle

3) Start reloading

 

[Gustav7]

I bought a new Bergara HMR Pro in 308 and with Atlas bipod and rear bag the best I am getting is around .7 - 1 inch groups at 100 yards with 168 grain FGMM. I am a little dissapointed honestly as I have a precision AR that will duplicate this. I was really hoping that the Bergara would be a .5 or better... maybe it is with the right ammo. Any suggestions are much appreciated (I don't reload at this point).

Part 2 if the sub .5 MOA bolt gun in 308 or 6.5 CM is the goal what is the best option for this for $2500 and under (not including optics). I was looking at the DD5 Pro and they are guaranteeing .5 or better and it has an MSRP of $2500 so currently this is my front runner when available but maybe a better option is out there. Appreciate guidance on maximizing accuracy for $2500 or less (building my own isn't in the cards). Thanks!

I was in a similar position last year. I had only shot and practiced precision shooting with my AR's, and was pretty decent at it. However that did not transfer over to my 6.5 bolt gun when I got it and I've spent this year relearning and honing my fundamentals as taught on this forum and other places as well.

I would first and foremost shoot a different match ammo like @Rocketmandb suggested. While FGMM ammo is very well liked, that doesn't mean its going to shoot lights out in every gun....and honestly may never do better than 3/4 moa in most rifles.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Sell that piece of junk and buy something decent. With a $2500 budget no way would I be buying a factory rifle, especially something from DD.

I’d buy that impact action thats for sale on here for $1200, then get a proof prefit for $450, a TT Special for $200 and you’ve got $650 left for a chassis. That limits your options a little but a KRG bravo is a great chassis for $350, and you may even be able to find a used MPA for that price.

You’ll need an action wrench, torque wrench, and barrel vise but those are all things you really should just have anyway.

 

[HMRamateur]

Is that the only ammo you have used? It is absolutely capable of better. I have one in 6.5... tried hornady precision hunter, got 0.8 moa. Then tried hornady match, got 0.6. A very fast and effortless load up (less than 20 rounds) got me 0.6 moa with 143gr eld-x. There is more potential to squeeze out of it for sure.

 

[Glock talk]

Starting hand loads in mine were average of .3X lowest was a .2. This was with 140 Berger vld and 142 smk. I would suggest trying some different ammo.

 

[devildawg2531]

Is that the only ammo you have used? It is absolutely capable of better. I have one in 6.5... tried hornady precision hunter, got 0.8 moa. Then tried hornady match, got 0.6. A very fast and effortless load up (less than 20 rounds) got me 0.6 moa with 143gr eld-x. There is more potential to squeeze out of it for sure.

I shot 180 grain Federal Fusion and it didn't do well with that at all .. 1.5 - 2 inch groups. I shot a lot of 175 FGMM and it was about 1 inch at 100 yards. The 168 grain FGMM has been the best at about 3/4 inch at 100 yards. I shot my Bergara and my friends Savage both with the same 168 FGMM and we both shot better groups with his Savage. His gun and optics are roughly 1/3 to 25% the price of my Bergara and optics (his Savage is legitimately a .5 MOA gun at 100 yards). I'm certainly not an elite shooter but a Marine and years of rifle and pistol shooting, competition and courses.. I really don't believe that I'm causing the issue. Will try some other ammo to see if it likes something else better.

 

[HMRamateur]

I'm holding faith its the ammo. I know savage though, I have one and it shoots lights out too... at least it did until recently. It is a hunting rifle, so I didn’t feel like changing out the shitty plastic stock when I got it to shoot so good with it on, but I'm finding issues with the action staying torqued and had to shave down the barrel channel a bit after it was no longer free floating. Going to buy a new stock for it now. My dad put a mcmillan on his and it shoots 1 hole groups. It's mind blowing how precise it is with just a good stock on it.

 

[DocRDS]

Sell that piece of junk and buy something decent. With a $2500 budget no way would I be buying a factory rifle, especially something from DD.

I’d buy that impact action thats for sale on here for $1200, then get a proof prefit for $450, a TT Special for $200 and you’ve got $650 left for a chassis. That limits your options a little but a KRG bravo is a great chassis for $350, and you may even be able to find a used MPA for that price.

You’ll need an action wrench, torque wrench, and barrel vise but those are all things you really should just have anyway.

Little harsh--Bergara has a good rep--capable of better, but the point about DD is SPOT ON. There are tons of options (hint: search for PRS production RIfle) at that price point--above quoted gets you one of (if not THE) top actions out there. Nothing against DD but they are known for ARs, not precision--until they start producing some mad results let someone else do their test drive.

Your money--go with a proven product/company.

Also 308 is over. 6.5 Creed is the clear choice. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.

 

[BadAccountant]

Little harsh--Bergara has a good rep--capable of better, but the point about DD is SPOT ON. There are tons of options (hint: search for PRS production RIfle) at that price point--above quoted gets you one of (if not THE) top actions out there. Nothing against DD but they are known for ARs, not precision--until they start producing some mad results let someone else do their test drive.

Your money--go with a proven product/company.

Also 308 is over. 6.5 Creed is the clear choice. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.

View attachment 7435531

I shoot a .308 because 500 or so is the practical distance I have at the moment and my shorty .308 is good for that. I also like buying up all of the .30 cal bullets from the shooters who moved to a 6.5.

 

[DocRDS]

Don't get me wrong, there is no reason to stop shooting what you have.

But if you are buying a new rifle, 6.5.

Plus, with all the practice reading wind with 308, 6.5 will be cake.

 

[Rocketmandb]

I shoot a .308 because 500 or so is the practical distance I have at the moment and my shorty .308 is good for that. I also like buying up all of the .30 cal bullets from the shooters who moved to a 6.5.

There is limited difference between the 308 and 6.5 out to ranges that most people shoot at. The 308 will have slightly higher recoil, which becomes negligible with a decent brake. Is the 6.5 a better round? Objectively, the answer is yes, but for most people the difference won't matter.

 

[XLR308]

I have no doubt that those rifles will shoot but given what you stated as budget I would really be looking at something like this.

Pinnacle Production Rifle (PPR)

<p>*New for 2020* featuring the new GA Precision 'Gladius' Short Action!</p>

www.gaprecision.net

 

[JBattles]

I second the trying new ammo. I had that rifle in 6.5 CM and it shot 1/2 to 3/8 with factory Hornady ammo. Accuracy dropped and I cleaned it good with BoreTech and it was back to normal.

 

[Kickin45]

How many rounds do you have down the barrel?
Only a couple of boxes, it will tighten up.
If you’ve got 2-300 down it, I’d find the best shooter you know or lock it in a sled. That’ll tell you if it’s the rifle or you.
And yes, try different ammo. Try the 175’s

 

[whatsupdoc]

Take the action out of the stock make sure there is no debris on the action or on the stock, no mold lines/bumps where the action lays.
Put it back together with the rifle in a vertical position pushing the action down into the stock and tighten the action screws going back and forth
between the front and rear screw tightening a little at a time.

 

[JaoeyP]

I bought a new Bergara HMR Pro in 308 and with Atlas bipod and rear bag the best I am getting is around .7 - 1 inch groups at 100 yards with 168 grain FGMM. I am a little dissapointed honestly as I have a precision AR that will duplicate this. I was really hoping that the Bergara would be a .5 or better... maybe it is with the right ammo. Any suggestions are much appreciated (I don't reload at this point).

Part 2 if the sub .5 MOA bolt gun in 308 or 6.5 CM is the goal what is the best option for this for $2500 and under (not including optics). I was looking at the DD5 Pro and they are guaranteeing .5 or better and it has an MSRP of $2500 so currently this is my front runner when available but maybe a better option is out there. Appreciate guidance on maximizing accuracy for $2500 or less (building my own isn't in the cards). Thanks!

You have a factory rifle that is consistently sub moa with factory ammo. You should either reset your expectations or start handloading.

 

[Dooby]

If I had $2500 to spare right now, I would look into buying a GAP PPR. Although only available in 6CM and 6GT. I would go for the 6GT.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Do you simply need to get more practice behind it? But most people seem to get pretty good accuracy out of their Bergaras. My HMR averaged about .7" while I had it. Although, I'm sure plenty of people exaggerate/embellish their experiences.

 

[McMillan]

If you have 2.5k to spare buy one of the top tier production rifles but still don't expect any better accuracy if you are just going to try one factory ammo

 

[Oldmauser]

Check the scope mount- reinstall the scope to be sure it's not the optics. Buy yourself a box of berger ammo or lapua scenar ammo and test it at 100yards for groups.
If the gun did not achieve 0.5 moa with scenars (but only in this case), I would just replace the barrel. The stock is nice, so I would keep it.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Checking torque values of everything is always good too. I suppose you could also try other optics if you have them.

 

[3-0-hate]

Avoiding a DD bolt gun like the plague would be a good idea. Every single one looks like it was machined and assembled by a blind man at 4:45 on a Friday before a holiday weekend. Sharp edges, janky rough bolt throw, rattle cans is all they are IMO.

 

[striped1]

Something isn’t right. Check the rings and base for proper torque. Pull the action and retorque. Try Hornady ELD X ammo and a few different weights. Those guns shoot fine. Maybe even try a different scope.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Avoiding a DD bolt gun like the plague would be a good idea. Every single one looks like it was machined and assembled by a blind man at 4:45 on a Friday before a holiday weekend. Sharp edges, janky rough bolt throw, rattle cans is all they are IMO.

I would agree with this, wholeheartedly. I'm not impressed with the DD versus a same priced tikka or seekins or other offerings.
I shot a guys I met at a nearby range and even he wasn't really enthused about it.