16"-18" Bolt gun

[landscraper]

Been looking for a shorter barrel bolt gun in .308. I want a light-ish hunting rifle, with a threaded barrel and internal mag. I'm looking at a Howa 1500 for $539 and a Bergara B-14 Ridge for $830. LGS isn't much help without a Howa for me to fondle. I've got $650 in Cabelas/Bass Pro gift cards coming from a vendor at work for a scope and rings.

There's right at $300 difference in the rifles. Both are claimed to be sub MOA. Is the fit & finish and action on the Bergara $300 better than the Howa? A Savage 110 and a Rem 700 from the 80's are my points of reference on bolt guns. They're the only two I've shot very much in the past 20 years.

I imagine I'll be perfectly happy with either, but will I be happier with the Howa and $300 in my pocket or the Bergara?

 

[kf4zht]

Howa 1500 are a great rifle for the price. I would take one over the equivalent savage, mostly due to accutrigger hate. I have a tikka T3 with a 18" barrel that is a great shooter, but I can't find the equivalent model for the T3x, so it might require finding used.

If you are comfortable/familiar with the Rem 700 the bergara is a clone that just cleans up all the stuff remington has been to lazy to do on their new rifles. Due to that there is a larger aftermarket for these where the howa will be more limited. If you are someone who just buys and shoots it won't be an issue.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Not much experience with either brand. The one howa i was around had some hogue sstock on it, and that thing was flimsy

I would have a hard time not getting a tikka. 16" - 18" barrel is only a zip wheel away.

Wonder what it costs to have one threaded?

 

[landscraper]

I found the Bergara today at Dahlonega for $776, so it's on the way.

Now I've got to decide on glass.

 

[Roc Doc]

Not much experience with either brand. The one howa i was around had some hogue sstock on it, and that thing was flimsy

I would have a hard time not getting a tikka. 16" - 18" barrel is only a zip wheel away.

Wonder what it costs to have one threaded?

FWIW, Tikka barrels are a bitch to remove. My smith had to do a relief cut to get it out when I had it re-barreled.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I have read that they either come right off, or they are a motherfucker. When I cut my tikka down, I didn't bother to even take it out of the stock. It will probly get a pre-fit barrel at some point

 

[Roc Doc]

I have read that they either come right off, or they are a motherfucker. When I cut my tikka down, I didn't bother to even take it out of the stock. It will probly get a pre-fit barrel at some point

That's what I did. Preferred pre-fit, and in a Bravo chassis.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I have a Sendero in a Bravo , Pretty hard to beat that stock for the money.

Kinda wanting to put together a heavy 6 creedmoor with this extra tikka that I have