Hello All, I hope I can find solid advice. I found Jim on Youtube and it has spiraled into an obsession. The problem I am having is making a decision on the caliber of rifle and a fairly decent scope. I’m an old vet and I live in Illinois. Not many long ranges here, but I plan on classes out of state. I hunted once with a black powder 50 Call here in Illinois and fell asleep. Hunting may be in the picture, nothing huge. So far, I have been looking at the Begara B14 HMR (caliber unknown). Ammo concerns are price and availability. I have also been looking at Vortex, Leupold, Nightforce for a scope. I’m a Mill guy. Thinking of around $1500.00 to $2000.00 dollars. Any help/focus anyone can provide would be helpful. Thanks in Advance !
My gut says Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor and an Athlon scope.
6.5 Creedmoor is about the easiest cartridge you’ll find to get an accurate load easily.
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Thanks Jim ! Love the videos and excitement in them.
I had similar thoughts and I went with the bergara hmr in 308. I pay $28 a box for 175gr federal gold medal match that shoots great out of this gun. I came in under $2000 for everything I believe. I’m very happy with the caliber choice of .308. As Jim’s videos show most people shouldn’t be shooting past 400y hunting, and with the right bullet 308 can take elk at that range.
I have the Athlon helos gen 2 4-20. I like it ok, if I did it again I think I’d spend a little more and get the ares HD 4.5-27.
Overall I’m happy with the bergara but if I did it again I might have gone with the tikka CTR. I do like that the bergara hmr has a thicker barrel profile for target shooting as that’s most of what I do, and I love the adjustable cheek piece and more vertical grip. With the tikka I think I would have wanted a stock change right away, but I think that action may be a win over the bergara.
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Thanks Jacob ! I’ll check out the Tikka CTR. I ended up knee jerking and buying a Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen 2 Rifle Scope 5-25x 50mm from Midway USA yesterday for $600. It was on sale. Nice rig and awesome shot group ! I’d also like to say- Thanks for responding. I know a lot of the choices are personal based.
I’ve heard great things about that scope! I bought in with what Jim has said about having under 5 power if you want to hunt with it. I do like the field of view at 4 power.
For me I had things that were important to me in the rifle. I wanted accuracy, good brand reputation etc. what set the HMR apart for me was I liked the cerakote, threaded barrel, and especially the adjustable check, vertical grip and adjustable LOP. At the price point this was difficult to find elsewhere and I did make a trade off with how heavy it is. But that’s a positive as well as a negative. It definitely cuts recoil but for a hunt it would be burdensome for sure.
Hope that helps! I do love my HMR
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