Hey everyone. Just thought I’d introduce myself. I’ve been a follower of Jim’s from the early days of his YouTube channel and I’ve always loved his data driven approach. I scoured YouTube during the lockdown days of covid learning everything I could about rifle calibers and manufactures, especially from Jim. Last fall I finally bit the bullet and purchased my first bolt action rifle, in a sort of “do it all” platform. (I know that doesn’t exactly exist but this is my best effort.)
I landed with
-bergara HMR wilderness in 308
-Athlon 4-20 helos btr gen 2
-area 419 20 moa rail and pic rail
-atlas v8 bipod
I plan to get a better bag setup, possibly a small arca rail section, tripod setup, bubble level and so much more
I mostly like bench shooting but I also want to hunt with it if I can. (Didn’t get drawn for elk this year) I know it’s a pig but I’ve loved it so far, getting 1/2” groups at 100 when I do my part with federal premium 175gr Sierra match rounds.
Other than that I love the outdoors and four wheeling and of course shooting. See you around on the forums.
Hey Jim! I am in the phx area, San tan valley specifically. Born and raised in Michigan. My parents just bought a summer home in Washington UT and my family and I were there just last weekend. I kept an eye out for your white Ram but no luck seeing it. Haha.
My parents normally live in Draper now and I went to school at Weber State so I’m quite familiar with Utah in general. We will have to meet up and go shooting sometime when I’m visit the St. George area! The addiction is just barely getting started for me.
Hey Jacob! I’ve been saving up for that exact rifle and finally have the cash. The only reason I’ve not purchased it yet is i wonder if i should get the premier instead of the wilderness. Not sure if the hand fitting and the floating bolt head is really worth the extra $600. What do you guys think?
The other thing the premier comes with is the triggertech trigger. I have noticed the tiniest amount of creep in the bergara performance trigger, but in my very limited experience it still feels very crisp. I only really notice it when I’m practicing with dry fire.
I would love a premier, mostly for the trigger difference as I honestly don’t know the other advantages of the premier. The bolt on the b14 is crazy smooth and seems like a premium unit to me.
Ultimately what I was looking for was this:
-Threaded muzzle
-Moa guarantee and good reputation
-Cerakote
-Adjustable cheek piece and length of pull
-more modern stock than a typical hunting rifle.
I was originally shooting for more of the $1000 price point all in so I was looking at the ruger american with the magpul hunter stock. But I was really in love with the bergara so I stretched for it and kind of blew the budget so to speak. But with the bergara in mind I kind of wanted to stay in the $2k price point all in.
For the scope this is what I was looking for.
-low end of at least 4 power
-ffp
-illuminated
-zero stop and locking turrets
-best value
-mil reticle
I think I achieved all of this with the Athlon scope I chose and I’ve been very pleased so far with the combo! I’m happy with the b14 series. I like tinkering so I may end up with a triggertech diamond in it at some point as well when I feel like the factory trigger just isn’t doing it for me anymore.
