Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness or Browning X-Bolt Speed SR

[HoodooHunter]

I have Browning HC that makes me look like a good shot m. Have been very pleased with it.

 

[2Stamp]

As everyone has said, go with the X-Bolt. Both mine are great rifles and shooters (Hunter in 25-06 and a HC in 280ai).

I also have to two buddies that the X-bolt is all they shoot.

 

[pwdrski]

I own 2 Browning Speed X-Bolts .300 Win Mag and 6.5 PRC both sub 1 minute accuracy and flawless cycling. Both killers, many times over Elk, hogs, Pronghorns ,mulies and Axis. Can't go wrong with the X Bolt.

 

[Timjohnson11]

I'm a fan of the x-bolts, I recently picked one up and am pretty impressed as a factory rifle goes, it shots every bit as well as my my custom, much more expensive 6.5 SAUM. That said, there are some quirks to them. Firstly, the triggers suck so i'd upgrade there. Secondly, unless you get the SPR models, the barrel threading is quirky and makes it a bit more complicated when fitting surpressors. Lastly, aftermarket options on xbolts are limited.

I'd also consider a seekins havak PH2 and have seekins swap the barrel for a shorter, 22" surpressor ready barrel (an additional $500 or so)

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

My advice is to buy your suppressor now while you continue to research rifles. We’ve seen some stamps coming back fast, but there are no guarantees. If you want to hunt with your can in 2024, buy it now and get the form 4 submitted.

 

[Pioneerboy99]

My advice is to buy your suppressor now while you continue to research rifles. We’ve seen some stamps coming back fast, but there are no guarantees. If you want to hunt with your can in 2024, buy it now and get the form 4 submitted.

Last one I got took 11 months

 

[Leaf Litter]

I own a Browning X-bolt and two Tikkas as my main rifles. I can confidently say that I like my Browning more than my Tikkas (very narrow margin).

This said, the Browning is 100% your best choice of the two. Bergara seems to have lost motivation to put out quality rifles recently and the Rem 700 design is antiquated (at best).

Bonus: Browning has first generation X-bolt rifles on deep discount now with the X-bolt 2 coming out. $800 for a stalker LR is a STEAL!

 

[Mountainman007]

What did you decide? Did you go with the X-bolt or Bargara? I am in same situation as you were. my first rifle was an old BAR. and had several BAR ever since. since then, I wanted the newer cartridges, so I picked up an X-bolt in 6.5cm. love it! but I felt it was too small to take elk size game with it, so I switched to 6.5 PRC CA. I HATED THAT RIFLE! I could not get that to shoot accurately consistently. yes a few were sub moa but for the most part they were like 2 sometimes 4 inches apart. with 3 shot group. So am selling my CA and narrowed down to those two as well.

 

[RocketRob16]

I ended up with an X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR in 6.5 PRC. My findings are pretty much exactly what @Formidilosus noted in his X-Bolt 2 Speed evaluation. The only exception is that my bolt was horribly tight out of the box. Barely got it installed. 100 rounds later and several hundred bolt cycles and it’s breaking in decent. As far as accuracy goes it’s shooting an average 1.5” 10-shot group at 100 yards. I’m having lots of difficulty keeping the width of the groups down. That could be attributed to the balance and ergonomics of the stock design and also my inexperience. I haven’t been impressed with the scope mounting system. Doesn’t seem very robust to me. Also the factory trigger was poor and ended up being a total fiasco. Replaced with a Timney.

Overall it’s a good gun. I don’t think it’s worth the price however. I’ve started handling some Tikka’s and drinking the Rokslide koolaid and man for half the price I could get a Tikka that’s better, in my opinion, in almost every regard. I wanted to love the Browning but I’m considering moving it down the road and replacing with another Tikka.

 

[KenLee]

I ended up with an X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR in 6.5 PRC. My findings are pretty much exactly what @Formidilosus noted in his X-Bolt 2 Speed evaluation. The only exception is that my bolt was horribly tight out of the box. Barely got it installed. 100 rounds later and several hundred bolt cycles and it’s breaking in decent. As far as accuracy goes it’s shooting an average 1.5” 10-shot group at 100 yards. I’m having lots of difficulty keeping the width of the groups down. That could be attributed to the balance and ergonomics of the stock design and also my inexperience. I haven’t been impressed with the scope mounting system. Doesn’t seem very robust to me. Also the factory trigger was poor and ended up being a total fiasco. Replaced with a Timney.

Overall it’s a good gun. I don’t think it’s worth the price however. I’ve started handling some Tikka’s and drinking the Rokslide koolaid and man for half the price I could get a Tikka that’s better, in my opinion, in almost every regard. I wanted to love the Browning but I’m considering moving it down the road and replacing with another Tikka.

Why didn't you buy a $600 Browning and $200 worth of ammo if you wanted to spend Tikka $

 

[RocketRob16]

Why didn't you buy a $600 Browning and $200 worth of ammo if you wanted to spend Tikka $

Because I thought the upgrades in the gen 2 were going to be awesome and worth the money.

 

[Mountainman007]

Thank for being so honest about your findings on the browning X-bolt 2. Now I really do not know what to get. Here are the specifics I am looking for: I really like the bolt to be locked when in safety. I know that is weird, but that is important to me. I just found out that the Bargara ridge carbon does not have that feature. and I want it to be under 7lb because I hike a long way with it. and want it to be light as possible. I also want a short barrel 22" or less. I do not like the barrel sticking high up on my pack. I am not a big fan of hinged floor plates. I like removable mags. If the floor plate works great! not a deal breaker. I wonder if the older X-bolts are better. I heard mix reviews of the new X-bolts. has anyone else heard anything about this? If I boiled down my must have preferences, it would be, it must have a safety lock and weight and barrel length. I know I just described a X-bolt!!