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Upgrades for affordable club match rifle

E

evans1010

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 25, 2014
46
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Every time I buy a new rifle it seems I try to compromise and buy something that will be okay for multiple uses and not great at any of them. I have a Ruger Hawkeye predator 6.5cm in a McM HTG that was intended to be an all around hunting/ long range steel rifle. After spending some time behind some dedicated, much heavier, long range rifles I see that all that weight is there for a reason and a new specific rifle is in order.

I've been torn between a Ruger RPR, Howa action dropped into a Manners or McMillan, and the new Bergara HMR, budget is $1200. In the end I think I've settled on the HMR but would like some opinions on additional costs I should plan on.

I have an Argos 6-24 mil that will go on this for now but would like to upgrade to something with more adjustment per turn in the future. I also plan on Seekins rings/bases, Harris bipod.

Where I'm stuck is the trigger, I do prefer a two stage. The Bergara is supposed to use 700 triggers, so keeping with the budget theme of this setup what are your suggestions for this trigger? The closer to $100 the better.

Any other guidance? While I doubt I will ever enter any PRS matches I would like to get to some local long range steel matches.

Thanks,
Nick
 
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I have a rem 700 .308 with a 1-10 5R 30'' Krieger, B&C stock and an FTR front bipod,and a nightforce 20 moa rail that I am getting ready to post in the for sale section for 1200.00. Has six hundred documented rounds and will shoot the Berger 185 juggs in the .3s.
 
If you want to compromise go with the HMR, its really too short and light to be a dedicated match rifle. For that budget go with the RPR. If you had $2k you could pick up some really nice used rifles or step up to a Bergara B17, which would be great right out of the box. If it it were me Id save up a few more $$ and get exactly what I want.
 
TB, I appreciate the offer but I have a large supply of 6.5 bullets and would rather then not go to waste.

lte, thanks for the insight on the HMR. Not what I'd hoped to hear but understood. My problem with the RPR and the B17's (Premier line?) that I could afford is that I'm just not sure I could get used to a chassis rifle. Not too mention the fact that saving even a little bit more is going to extremely tough to impossible right now.

Thanks,
Nick
 
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I have uncovered a good deal on a Tikka CTR 6.5 as well, It would be light as well for a dedicated steel gun but I am a bit Tikka fan. It of course would get a new stock well...
 
lte82 said:
If you want to compromise go with the HMR, its really too short and light to be a dedicated match rifle. For that budget go with the RPR. If you had $2k you could pick up some really nice used rifles or step up to a Bergara B17, which would be great right out of the box. If it it were me Id save up a few more $$ and get exactly what I want.
Click to expand...


im curious about your reasoning behind the HMR not being a good dedicated match rifle. My HMR all set up weighs just under 16lbs. Which is only a pound under my chassis rifle with a 26" bull contour. The barrel at 22" obviously isn't optimal for the 6.5 creed but doesn't give up enough to make it unable to hang next to rifles with barrel 2-4 inches longer. It's a great rifle and an even better starting point if you have a little extra to spend on it. And if you don't, I don't think that most will find the way it comes to be limiting.
Also, they can be had for 850-950$ hard to beat that IMO.
<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/user/ModernDayTragedy/media/78A4751B-8809-4395-A2B3-CF27EBF9EEE3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/ModernDayTragedy/78A4751B-8809-4395-A2B3-CF27EBF9EEE3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 78A4751B-8809-4395-A2B3-CF27EBF9EEE3.jpg"></a>
 
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Where did you get your hmr at? I can't find one anywhere. I'm thinking about selling my Sig 716 DMR and picking up one of these in 308. For some reason I'm drawn to the bergaras. Maybe they are different enough that it makes them cool for me. I want to hold one first
 
danc1996 said:
Where did you get your hmr at? I can't find one anywhere. I'm thinking about selling my Sig 716 DMR and picking up one of these in 308. For some reason I'm drawn to the bergaras. Maybe they are different enough that it makes them cool for me. I want to hold one first
Click to expand...

i got mine at RifleGear.com for 929$ shipped. looks like they are out of stock now though. Honestly hard to beat, 700 footprint, trued action, sub MOA guarantee mini chassis stock that accepts AICS mags...for under a grand.
 
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The Tikka CTR in factory trim is a very capable rifle for the price, especially with the new 24" option. The 24" .260 should be able to hit 2800 fps or more with 140s. I've been pleased as punch with my 20" .260. Extra velocity would be great, but I just can't bring myself to scrap a barrel that shoots the way mine does. 70* bolt throw is nice, and super smooth. I have no problem staying in the scope while working the action off of barricades.

I hadn't heard of the Bergara, but that looks like a great option too, if they shoot as advertised.

I do wish KMW had the time to do a T3 mini-chassis style inlet for the Sentinel...but I understand why he's busy, and support that 100% over my hobby...
 
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Somewhere I found barrel contour dimensions on Bergara's website. The list the #5 of the HMR to be .7" at the muzzle, not sure what length. They certainly sounds like a lighter weight than I would expect on the HMR. Can anyone confirm the barrel contour?
Thanks!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 
Bergara's are hunting rifles - 1 moa - trigger is great. I have a shooting buddy that ordered one (for target shooting and disappointed) and it will shoot 1 moa with just about everything he feeds it but no better after extensive OCW tests. Not a .5 MOA fo sho...
 
evans1010 said:
Somewhere I found barrel contour dimensions on Bergara's website. The list the #5 of the HMR to be .7" at the muzzle, not sure what length. They certainly sounds like a lighter weight than I would expect on the HMR. Can anyone confirm the barrel contour?
Thanks!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

they use shilens #5, and at 22' it is .750 at the muzzle
 
flyright said:
Bergara's are hunting rifles - 1 moa - trigger is great. I have a shooting buddy that ordered one (for target shooting and disappointed) and it will shoot 1 moa with just about everything he feeds it but no better after extensive OCW tests. Not a .5 MOA fo sho...
Click to expand...

Mine shoots half MOA. I'll be re barreling anyway though, its just a bit skinny for my liking. Moving to a remage setup.
 
Were I you, I'd rethink the RPR.

Have an AXMC, a Custom 700SPS tactical and a tricked out RPR.

All said and done, the 700 tactical ran me about $1700...The AXMC obviously well beyond that...But the RPR ran me about $1400 with the upgrades from LRI and it's sub moa.

For your purposes, the RPR is the ideal solution IMO - Plus, if you ever decide to push back into 308 - The swap is incredibly easy...You could do it yourself, actually.
 
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