(UPDATE) Need Help Deciding Tikka T3x TAC A1 vs. Bergara HMR

[Ohio Darin]

I tried searching and coming up short......I am looking for a production gun to be used mainly for long range shooting and occasional pig hunting from vehicles. Wanting to stick with 6.5CM since my mountain rifle is already in that caliber. I know the Bergara is about $600 cheaper which is nice however both rifles fit my budget. The reason I zeroed in on these two is the fact they both can be had in a lefty. I am familiar with Tikka but not the TAC A1 so much. A couple buddies like their Ruger RPR better than the TAC A1 but couldn't give solid reasons outside of the ability of having a 20 MOA rail. I've shot a righty RPR and would be happy with a lefty rifle that felt and shot just as well. Have no experience with Bergara. Anyone have experience with either or both? Appreciate your $.02.

 

[fightthenoise]

If it were me I’d do the Tikka CTR and drop it into an XLR (ambidextrous). Probably shakes out similarly cost wise. Then sell the CTR stock and mag. Use AICS mags with the XLR.

 

[MidGAHunter]

I have the Bergara HMR in 6.5 Creed (Bass Pro version with the 24 inch barrel) and it shoots great. It will shoot Hornady Match 140 grain ELD-M factory ammo consistently 0.5-0.75 MOA and even better with my handloads. I bought the Bass Pro version because I wanted the 24 inch barrel and I had a few hundred dollars in gift cards. Take a look at the HMR Pro as it has some upgrades and typically still comes out a little less expensive than the Tikka TAC. The option of a CTR dropped in an XLR chassis would be a nice setup too.

 

[tstith]

If cost is no concern, go with the Tikka. If I recall correctly, specs wise, the Tikka is lighter. The Bergara's tend to be on the heavy side. Both are great rifles though. Have you shot/held both?

 

[Ohio Darin]

If it were me I’d do the Tikka CTR and drop it into an XLR (ambidextrous). Probably shakes out similarly cost wise. Then sell the CTR stock and mag. Use AICS mags with the XLR.

Thanks I'll look into to it but I am thinking I want to buy a rifle and not fiddle fart with it unless there is an extreme advantage to doing so. Just want a quality rifle that can reach out to 1000-1200 yards on occasion and is a dream to shoot. Mostly used for range time but not getting into competition shooting.

 

[Ohio Darin]

If cost is no concern, go with the Tikka. If I recall correctly, specs wise, the Tikka is lighter. The Bergara's tend to be on the heavy side. Both are great rifles though. Have you shot/held both?

Haven't seen either. Weight really isn't an issue for this one as it is mainly a target rifle. Heck I have a 12 pound .22LR that I reach out to 350 yards with.

 

[Ohio Darin]

I have the Bergara HMR in 6.5 Creed (Bass Pro version with the 24 inch barrel) and it shoots great. It will shoot Hornady Match 140 grain ELD-M factory ammo consistently 0.5-0.75 MOA and even better with my handloads. I bought the Bass Pro version because I wanted the 24 inch barrel and I had a few hundred dollars in gift cards. Take a look at the HMR Pro as it has some upgrades and typically still comes out a little less expensive than the Tikka TAC. The option of a CTR dropped in an XLR chassis would be a nice setup too.

Thanks I'll look into that one. Found out that the CTR even though made in LH is not marketed in the US. I found one place that carried it but was out of stock and had a $1400 price tag on it.....

 

[howl]

You can get th Tikka Sporter from europtic. Word is the tikka web site will soon have a feature for ordering models not currently imported directly to be delivered to your local TIKKA dealer.

 

[Ohio Darin]

You can get th Tikka Sporter from europtic. Word is the tikka web site will soon have a feature for ordering models not currently imported directly to be delivered to your local TIKKA dealer.

Thanks. Don't see it offered in 6.5 though. I think I'll give the HMR a shot as all reviews I've seen have been pretty positive. I can get it and put a Vortex PST on it and still be less than the TAC A1.

 

[camelcluch]

The HMR is a tack driver.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I shoot my HMR a ton and it is a great rifle for the money. Very easy to load for and a great stock.
I love that gun.

 

[Ohio Darin]

Ended up going with the Bergara HMR. I horse-traded with another Rokslider for a new Vortex Viper PST 5x25. After finding the rifle on Locked Loaded for a good price I am all in for right at $1200. That's around $650 less than a bare lefty TAC-A1. Returned a couple weeks ago from a SAAM advanced precision course and couldn't be happier. Had it out to 1600 yards hitting a 1 MOA target. Exactly the set up I was looking for. Thanks again for all the recommendations.

 

[16Bore]

You can run that CTR out of the box and probably get exactly what your looking for.

Might not matter to you, but apparently there’s something funky about changing barrels on Bergara’s. Not 100% certain what it is or if it even matters to you.

 

[Cdroot89]

Sorry I didn’t see your thread earlier. It sounds like you got a great set up. I am just posting for the benefit of others who might be facing the same decision. I have the tikka t3x TAC A1. It is by far my favorite gun to shoot. I have never had an RPR but I feel like the chassis on the tikka is superior. I had wanted an RPR until I handled the tikka.

The CTR in the XLR would be a killer gun but I don’t know if it would be any better. The mags, decrease in weight and maybe lower price would be great. I just like the fact that out of the box the TAC A1 was ready to go.

my only complaint is that the rail is O MOA. IDK what Tikka was thinking and I couldn’t find any aftermarket rails to remedy the problem. I ended up using a one piece cantilever scope mount that was 20 MOA.

I don’t have a Bergara but everyone that I have talked to who owns one speaks highly about them. It sounds like you made a great decision.

I attached some pictures of my gun below. I know I can only shoot about 100 yards from this stand but I love my TAC A1 so much that I still use it here.

 

[JollyRoger]

...

my only complaint is that the rail is O MOA. IDK what Tikka was thinking and I couldn’t find any aftermarket rails to remedy the problem. I ended up using a one piece cantilever scope mount that was 20 MOA.
....

Plenty of after market rails. Mountain tactical has solid 20MOA rails for tikka.


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[Cdroot89]

Plenty of after market rails. Mountain tactical has solid 20MOA rails for tikka.


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Maybe for Tikka in general but we are talking about specifically one that will fit on the Chassis of the TAC A1. Like I said last time I looked I was not aware of any but that was soon after this gun came out.

Edit:
I did a quick search and I am pretty sure Mountain Tactical doesn’t make one. EGW makes one now which is great news.

 

[Ohio Darin]

You can run that CTR out of the box and probably get exactly what your looking for.

Might not matter to you, but apparently there’s something funky about changing barrels on Bergara’s. Not 100% certain what it is or if it even matters to you.

Thanks. I looked into going that route but it ended up being more $ than I wanted to spend after seeing what the Bergara set up would cost me. I am hitting a 1 MOA target at 1600 yds with factory Hornady 147 match ammo with no tweaks to the rifle so it definitely works for me. I don't get into reloading and just enjoy the trigger time.

I heard something about the barrels too but they sell them on their website so worst case I have to send rifle to them to have it swapped out. I have my doubts of ever shooting out the barrel though. Either way for the cost I can almost buy (2) Bergaras for the cost of one CTR.

 

[R6721]

Which 20 MOA did you use? I'm trying to decide which one to use on my Tac A1 and Razor 4.5-27×56.

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

I shot a friends TAC A1 6.5 CM this week and it was the most accurate gun I’ve ever shot. Took him out to 790yds with it after getting some dope entered into StrelokPro. Easy to adjust and set up also. Using a cheap Caldwell bipod and rear bag he went out to 600 the first day. That gun is the easiest to shoot once adjusted. Maybe all chassis setups are like that, but I thought it was a hell of a deal for a factory gun. I would buy one tomorrow if I had funds set aside for a new gun. I will add that all the shooting was done with bulk American Gunner 140gr. It always has worked for me, but it really shines in the Tac A1

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Congratulations on finding a setup you like!! That’s ALL that matters.

Thanks I'll look into that one. Found out that the CTR even though made in LH is not marketed in the US. I found one place that carried it but was out of stock and had a $1400 price tag on it.....

Whoa!! I have a lightly used CTR in .260 that I bought in the classifieds about 5 years ago and I think I gave line $500-$600. Friggin tack-driver but it’s gonna get turned into a 6.5 prc using reamer designed around 156gr Berger’s.


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