Bergara Premier HMR PRO in 6.5 Creed. Pros and Cons?

[Turkeytider]

Considering this gun for 700-1,000 yard steel shooting. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LoonWulf]

That's the rifle my dad chose for shooting long range.

I don't really have any cons for it based on personal use....perhaps the price, but even thats pretty reasonable.
Ive heard/read of extractor issues, but beyond that no functional problems.

Pros-
it's accurate
Operate smoothly
Has a nice trigger (trigger tech primary)
Nice bottom metal and AICS magazines
Solid stock with an easily adjustable comb and spacer adjustable length of pull
Stainless steel construction under cerakote

In my opinion, the primary consideration is personal preference.
All of the long range specific models will do what they're supposed to do, unless you get a lemon.
The real questions are do you like the stock design, magazine system, action design, barrel length, etc, etc, etc.

Personally, I'd go with a Christiansen Arms Mesa Long Range, simply because I like the way it looks and feels a little better.
In use, I found the two guns to be nearly identical. Same goes for pretty much all of them rifles in that price point I've owned/used.

 

[Turkeytider]

Thanks Loon. Our club range may be expanding to 1K from 500 yards in the next year or so. Just trying to get some ideas. If it doesn`t, or until it does, I`ll just keep shooting my .223. Plenty of challenge with it at 500 with 4" or so targets!

 

[rayatphonix]

While I don’t have the HMR Pro, I do have the Bergara Approach In 6.5 CM. It’s basically the same rifle with a different stock. I also have the several other models of the “Premier” line. I’ll second everything ‘Loon said. I’ll add that in my experience with Bergaras I’ve found they seem to need some bullets down the barrel before they settle down. My first Bergara frustrated me while I was trying to develop a hunting load. It just didn’t seem like I could find the right combination. I finally found a good load and now it seems that most anything I try works well. My others are similar in that the more I shoot them, the better they seem to do.

 

[md7]

Not the one you’re looking at, but mirroring some previous comments. I really like my B14 Ridge SP in 308 as a suppressed hunting rig within 400 yards.

As has been noted, my barrel is a little picky so don’t be surprised to run into that.

I tried 5 different ammo types and found the barrel loves the bullet or hates it. 2 out of 5 are sub MOA. 2 are around 1.5” at 100, and 1 doesn’t group…. That one patterns lol.

But that’s also not necessarily unique to Bergara. Every barrel and bullet combo known to man seems like a law unto itself.

Pros… great trigger, smooth bolt, accurate with the right load. Good extraction and feeding.

Cons.. yours may or may not be picky with ammo.

I’d expect the positives on the premier to be even better than mine.

 

[Turkeytider]

Not the one you’re looking at, but mirroring some previous comments. I really like my B14 Ridge SP in 308 as a suppressed hunting rig within 400 yards.

As has been noted, my barrel is a little picky so don’t be surprised to run into that.

I tried 5 different ammo types and found the barrel loves the bullet or hates it. 2 out of 5 are sub MOA. 2 are around 1.5” at 100, and 1 doesn’t group…. That one patterns lol.

But that’s also not necessarily unique to Bergara. Every barrel and bullet combo known to man seems like a law unto itself.

Pros… great trigger, smooth bolt, accurate with the right load. Good extraction and feeding.

Cons.. yours may or may not be picky with ammo.

I’d expect the positives on the premier to be even better than mine.

Would in no way be either surprised or disappointed to go through a load selection process. I`ve learned it`s just a part of the " rifle game". Either factory or hand loads usually require it more often than not it appears.

 

[md7]

Would in no way be either surprised or disappointed to go through a load selection process. I`ve learned it`s just a part of the " rifle game". Either factory or hand loads usually require it more often than not it appears.

Well said