Buying rifle: bergara b-14 hunter or what?

I think you are doing the right thing by starting with another rifle. Putting your grandfather's Mod.70 up for another time. It could even be a pre-64 Mod 70 which would make even more valuable over the sentimental aspect of it. Don't mod it just to save a few bucks. I still suggest like I did in one of your other threads, look at one of the cheaper bolt guns in 223. Getting used to pulling the trigger for cents per round over dollars per round will get you more experience. Just from reading most of your posts on here it seems like you need that more than anything. Start hitting steel plates regularly at 3-4-500 yards will get you a great start at hitting plates at 6-8-1000 yards with whatever big bore you end up with. We all had to start somewhere.
And when you do start reloading, which you will, that will get addicting.......

Another vote for a 223. If you remember I told you that was the best advice I could give you! Not that I am a big fan, but if not a 223, then a 6.5 creedmore. You can ring steel past 1000 with it,a fraction of the 7mag recoil,and much less powder burned,and it while it's a little light for elk there have been plenty killed with it,plus lots of factory loads available.

Mustang72 said:

Another vote for a 223. If you remember I told you that was the best advice I could give you! Not that I am a big fan, but if not a 223, then a 6.5 creedmore. You can ring steel past 1000 with it,a fraction of the 7mag recoil,and much less powder burned,and it while it's a little light for elk there have been plenty killed with it,plus lots of factory loads available.

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Shooting a elk with a .223 is irresponsible and horrible advice. It's like a fat girl wearing see thru leggins. Just because they make doesn't mean you should use it....

WWP2012 said:

Shooting a elk with a .223 is irresponsible and horrible advice. It's like a fat girl wearing see thru leggins. Just because they make doesn't mean you should use it....

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I think he was referring to the 6.5 for elk.

Brydawg512 said:

Great to hear. I agree Tikka is another great option, just a little outside of my budget unfortunately. I have a Vortex Viper PST waiting to go on it!

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You should be able to pick up a tikka for $699 or less on gunbroker.

WWP2012 said:

Shooting a elk with a .223 is irresponsible and horrible advice. It's like a fat girl wearing see thru leggins. Just because they make doesn't mean you should use it....

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I would think the OP is just a little sharper than that. I can tell you have not read any of his previous threads and other posts.

Whoops, my apologies my dyslexia got the best of me this morning.

The Bergara B14 is a very nice platform to start with. If I wanted a lighter gun, I would go with the Tikka.

Joefrazell said:

Your right on track. I'd go with that or a tikka. My wife went with the bergara over the tikka. Make sure you prepare to spend some $ on a optic also

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Brydawg: I have experience with Tikkas and Bergara. I am not yet a long range shooter as I am trying to upgrade my optics (quality glass is an absolute must) but that being said, I vote for the Bergara. I shoot the Ridge model which I picked up on sale for $700. Same B-14 action but has a heavier, threaded barrel. It is an accurate gun but set up for long range with Harris bipod, weighs just over 10 pounds. I have 3 Tikkas, all the T3 Lite models and in my opinion, are severely lacking in the stock. They are flimsy and need to be upgraded to get the most out of the rifle: more $! My Ridge is a 7 Rem. Mag. and easily shot MOA with 162 ELD-X without any serious load development as I don't have any of my preferred powder. I've had no functional issues with either brand.

Took my 7mm Mag Ridge to the range this morning. Here is my Best target of the day. This is a 4 shot group at 100 with the last being one click to the right. It's shoots better than me as long as I do my part.

Don't have one, but I have a good friend that has one and he really likes it. Now a days, I'm into building not buying rifles, I have looked at them and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

Wow, the Bergara seems to be all that it is hyped up to be -- extremely good to hear. I'm also liking that factory ammo will shoot well out of this rifle, at least giving me some time to shoot factory ammo before I have time & money to buy reloading equipment and develop a load for it. Amazing accuracy from what Iam hearing....

Brydawg512 said:

Wow, the Bergara seems to be all that it is hyped up to be -- extremely good to hear. I'm also liking that factory ammo will shoot well out of this rifle, at least giving me some time to shoot factory ammo before I have time & money to buy reloading equipment and develop a load for it. Amazing accuracy from what Iam hearing....

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I went out and made an emotional purchase on a bergara premier approach a couple weeks ago. After the fact I hit everybody up on here to see if I made a mistake...nothing but positive feedback from those that chimed in. Picked up the gun from the FFL last weekend and it seems super nice, I am excited to go put some rounds through it.

FIGJAM said:

I went out and made an emotional purchase on a bergara premier approach a couple weeks ago. After the fact I hit everybody up on here to see if I made a mistake...nothing but positive feedback from those that chimed in. Picked up the gun from the FFL last weekend and it seems super nice, I am excited to go put some rounds through it.

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Great to hear! Let me know what you think of it if you get the chance!