What bolt action hunting rifle for just under $900.00 ?

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My youngest son John has been hunting for 20 years, using a nearly 50-year-old 6mm Remington and a 100-plus-year-old 30-06 rifle! He’s done well with them, but mentioned that he’d like a rifle better suited for long range use, on game up to the size of an elk out to 500 yards. I told him I’d like to buy that rifle for his birthday, but he needed to do the research and I wanted to keep the price to $1,000. (we actually got in under $900) - what did I pick? Watch the video to find out!
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[@WHOTEEWHO]

Cva cascade has my vote. Then spend the rest on boolots!

[@machinist7230]

Stevens 200. Essentially a pre accutrigger Savage 110. Can be bought all day long under 300 bucks. It's a shame Savage discontinued them in favor of the Axis...

[@twowheelar]

Agreed. I’ve had both and the Bergara is a beast, but the CVA had a threaded barrel (and Cerakote in camo) and a trigger damn near the same as the B-14, coming in at half the price

[@popadop91]

I agree and it's so much lighter!

[@popadop91]

I will be hunting this season with a Tikka rougtech in 300 mag. I'm running 175 lrx with rl 17 behind it 2975 velocity. It should be a great elk round.

[@charleslee5503]

B14 and CVA Cascade are both excellent rifles. If you can't see spending extra money on B14 you will not be disappointed in the CVA Cascade. I love them both.

[@WHOTEEWHO]

Remington Core-Lokt Tipped 150 grain would be my factory ammo choice for this one. Good bc and consistent

[@lagoonrd4173]

Like your channel

[@WHOTEEWHO]

@@lagoonrd4173 🙏🙏🙏

[@joreypeterson5664]

Tikka or Bergara would be my only 2 picks

[@bryonjmordhorst]

I agree but bergara is a sponsor lol

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@bryonjmordhorst Bergara makes some of the least reliable and worst shooting bolts guns I’ve ever seen. I would rather have an Axis or a Compass.

[@bryonjmordhorst]

@@rifleshooterchannel208 not that I don't agree but I was trying to not trash them publicly since I've only shot othe people's bergara's. For factory rifles I find tikka really hard to beat but that's just me.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@bryonjmordhorst Well except for Tikka’s terrible scope rail system and their inability to shoot longer COAL .223 despite being built on a .30-06 length action.

[@DRHODES1979]

@@rifleshooterchannel208 That's crazy. I've shot several Bergara's and the were all great! Paul Dallin cleaned an NRL Hunter match with a brand new factory Bergara that he didn't even break-in. Guess you've just had bad luck.

[@rsll510]

I love the B14, my father-in-law has one in 6.5 Creedmore. I helped him sight it in and I put the first two rounds in the same hole (exactly the same hole) and the third round made the three-round grouping well under half an inch. I have a Savage Hog Hunter with a custom Boyds stock in .308 and on the same range trip, had a 3-round grouping right at .75 of an inch. All shots were at 100 yards. It was a great day and I was really impressed with the B14.

[@j.t.patton7820]

6mm Rem. AND .30-'06 BOTH kick the shit out of a lot of "new" cartridges being pushed today.

[@guyminer2384]

Two of my favorites for sure, from prairie dogs to grizzly. :)

[@lanceroberthough1275]

Own both both excellent

[@j.t.patton7820]

@@lanceroberthough1275 100% Agreed. Covers any game I need to kill...in 2 rifles.

[@j.t.patton7820]

@@guyminer2384 Wow a Grizzly! Awesome! Could I inquire as to what load you used?

[@coolbeans6148]

I like the 6.8spc

[@hmoobshow2482]

Tikka t3, all the ones i have loaded for and seen have shot well under .5 moa. Most of them shoot .25 inch 5 shot groups @ 100 yards

[@brentbusick2245]

I know of 3 Tikka T3x’s that won’t shoot under 1 1/2” with factory or handloads

[@guyminer2384]

Tikka makes a great rifle!

[@hmoobshow2482]

@@brentbusick2245 never seen one shoot over 1 inch before so I call bs on that. Personally 3 for me have all shot .25 inch, a few others I have loaded for and close friends of mines have all shot well. With none of them shooting over .5 moa.

[@hmoobshow2482]

@@guyminer2384 yes they do. Crisp trigger, good barrels and bolt is extremely smooth. Can’t really ask for a better rifle from the factory.

[@brentbusick2245]

@@hmoobshow2482 you can call bs all you want. It’s a fact. One 7 Mag and two 30-06’s

[@General_Loco]

This channel has gone from loads of good information to nothing more than a commercial

[@guyminer2384]

Kinda thought some might like the handloading info. That load has done well in two different 7mm Rem Mag rifles, my Ruger and John's Bergara.

[@rmbettac]

Great choice of rifle. My first was a 7mm-08 which I lamented at the time as insufficient power. Now I realize it’s PERFECT for the type of hunting I get to do. Bergara are super nice.

[@guyminer2384]

Yes, 7-08 is an under-appreciated cartridge. Great all-around performer.

[@billylee2312]

7mm-08 is a tight race with the 270 for me. I would love a BLR in 7mm-08 with a classic 3x9 leupold on it.

[@billylee2312]

@@avarageguy8934 pretty similar ballistics. The advantage is short action and a little less recoil. Both are great out to 400 yards which is further than most of us need to be shooting at a animal unless we have really put the time and rounds down range. 300 is my limit without a bench or really good bipod. Plus I really don’t have a place to hunt with a shot any further.

[@rmbettac]

@@avarageguy8934 7/08 is extremely versatile. You can use 120gr to 162gr bullets and it fits a short action, which provides a minor weight reduction as compared to long action. It also has premium components available like Lapua brass and match bullets from every manufacturer. I shot it for years before discovering that the Nosler 120gr Ballistic tip was a superb deer/pig bullet. Light weight means light recoil but the jacket construction is crazy thick so it holds together fantastically at all impact speeds. Highly recommend.

[@rmbettac]

@@avarageguy8934 historically 7/08 was very popular with silhouette shooters because it can hit hard and has good trajectory with bullets of a decent BC. Everything is a trade off, of course, so if you want a pure target cartridge with no recoil, you may consider going with one of the 6mm’s like Dasher or GT or something like that (even ARC!) but for a cartridge that can be versatile between paper, steel and anything else, 7/08 will please you. The cartridge I have only recently discovered was VERY fun is 6.5 Grendel. Low recoil, good ballistic coefficients, just really nice in every way.

[@kennethhoffman2521]

I’m shooting a 7-08. I have 2 loads worked up. A 150 gr ttsx, and a 175 gr Berger. Staball helped squeeze some velocity out of the heavy load. Plan on using the ttsx for hunting.

[@guyminer2384]

That TTSX is a great hunting bullet. Lots of penetration! 7-08 should be more popular than it is. Fine cartridge.

[@calebbrown952]

I was just hoping you would post a video today! Awesome video Gavin! Thank you!

[@drewschroeder6714]

I've definitely been considering a 7mm rem mag. That bergara looks like a fine rifle! This season I'm taking a browning x bolt in .308 to hunt deer and black bear.

[@guyminer2384]

That will work!

[@brazzy1467]

Very nice choice of caliber and rifle for elk size game and smaller. I usually use my Remington 700 7mm mag with a 175gr bullet. Now this year I'm gonna be using my new 8.6 blackout bolt action I just had built by my gunsmith. It should be ready for me to pick it up in about two weeks.

[@MaGrath_Gibbons]

That 8.6 sounds pretty cool

[@DRHODES1979]

Bergara B-14 Wilderness would be my pick.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Awesome, stay tuned to find out what we (Actually Guy, for his son) picked!

[@nj-bz8pv]

Would be my pick too. I have one and it shoots great

[@randelclark9219]

My trusty old Ruger M77MKII IN 280rem with 140gr accubonds. Hasn’t failed me yet or needed a second shot. Still has an old Tasco Titan they gave me a deal on when I bought it.

[@guyminer2384]

Excellent! The Accubond is a great hunting bullet and the Ruger M77, well it's a classic choice.

[@futurechamp2]

I have the Ruger M77 in a 7mm Mauser and love it. All I hunt is whitetail and hogs and never had any problems

[@paulnelson9907]

Hand load Nosler 140 grain Ballistic tip for deer, and 168 grain AccuBond Long range bullets for Elk.

[@lifewithabe312]

I don’t own a bergara, I’ve always spent money on the higher end rifles or let’s rather say more expensive rifles but my father has a bergara and every time I get to go out to the range with my dad I’m just so impressed with that rifle when let’s me shoot it. I’m probably the biggest bergara fan who doesn’t own one.

[@elkvalleyH]

Two choices for my big game hunting this fall (though I tend to bow hunt more often than rifle hunt)… .338 Win in a model 70 w/ Timney trigger, fluted, sniper grey cerakote, Bell and Carlson stock. 210 grain Barnes TTSX @ 3010 - 3 shots under an inch at 200 yards. My second option is the 6.5 PRC in a Sako S20. 142 grain Nosler ABLR @3055 and it shoots a half inch at 100

[@trangd87]

Love Bergara. I have a Ridge SP 6.5 Creedmoor with the 18" barrel. Perfect for whitetail out to 400 yards and lightweight.

[@guyminer2384]

Nice. That stubby little 18" barrel is cool.

[@giarcoftheunderworld]

I love mine. My 13 year old son shoots it to and is eying it in a way that makes me uncomfortable. LOL! I guess I have to buy me another one.

[@waynemensen4252]

I run a savage 110, 7 rem mag with the accu trigger and a Leupold III 4.5-14×40, 150 ttsx. I will never torcher myself or others with a muzzle brake! I'm left eye dominant, so I started the savage bolts long ago. I've had no reason to change!

[@gm229357]

Remington 3006, blue printed, Timmy trigger, 26 inch Krieger 5r barrel, heavy duty recole lug and new stock. Built by Sid Goodling. Shooting 168 Barnes ttsx. Lapua cases, fed gold medal primers, 54.6 IMR 4350. Hitting steel out to 1200 yards @ Bang Steel WV.

[@guyminer2384]

Excellent! Love the 30-06, and the Remington 700 as well.

[@backcountrydreamer1996]

I went through the same debacle a year ago and went a little over budget but I finally think I have my perfect set up for everything. I purchased a Winchester model 70 coyote light in 300 WSM and dropped it in a McMillan game warden stock. Out of a large collection of guns it has become my ultimate do it all rifle. Really wish I could show it off and let everyone try it!

[@K-bob_45]

I bought a 30-06 M70 Extreme Weather and threw it in a Game Scout with edge fill. 8.5 lbs with the Zeiss V4 on top. The new M70’s are great rifles.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Huge proponent of 7mm Rem Mag. Great choice. Good stuff.

[@ronws2007]

This is the kind of rifle that if you only needed on bolt action, this would be it. Ron Spomer has a vid where he hunted an elk with his Mossberg Patriot 7 mm Rem Mag. It took 3 shots but the moose was on the move and Ron was shooting from sticks. My pick, however, even though I have some Mossberg rifles, is the TC Compass II in .308 Win. Light, 1/2 MOA out of the box and on average. 1:12 twist and Federal Fusion 165 grain is just right for it.

[@rickclement9439]

Christiansen arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRC, ADG brass 156gr Berger, IMR 8133, cci primers. for elk and deer

[@guyminer2384]

Nice! But... way over my budget for this rifle. :)

[@rickclement9439]

Saved my pennies for this one and well worth it

[@rickerdman9116]

I have the same Bergara Wilderness ridge in 300 PRC. Pushing a 212 ELD-X with 79 grains of Retumbo for Elk. I use a 308 Sig Cross for white tails with a 150 SST and 44 grains of IMR 4166.

[@guyminer2384]

Nice. That 300 PRC is a hammer, no doubt.

[@gerry6.8]

The 7mm Rem Mag is a top choice for an all around cartridge for the reasons Guy mentioned. Such a good balance between power, high B.C. and reasonable recoil. Gavin, if you want to build a shorter barreled rifle in a cartridge that is incredibly well balanced look no further than the 6.8 Western. Every bit as good as a 7mm RM but with a fast twist and a modern short fat case that's all the rage these days.

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

less recoil too. In time the 6.8 will replace the 270.

[@johnoltrogge6333]

Great combination! Really enjoyed the video and logic behind the selection. Doing elk with a muzzleloader this year, but also drew a once in a lifetime moose tag. For moose, my choice is going to be a re-bored Rem 700 in 338-06 with 180 gr Nosler AB at 2800 fps. This barreled action sets in a McMillan Hunters Edge stock, which keeps the total weight with a Leupold VX-5HD to eight pounds and handy for an old guy to carry.

[@msa4548]

Good luck. Moose are my dream hunt as well.

[@guyminer2384]

Congrats on the moose tag! That 338-06 of yours seems like an excellent choice of rifles.

[@davecollins6113]

Started with a 7RM as the lone gun, got into wanting to do some comps, sold the 7RM, got a 7-08 and a 338WM. The 7-08 was the one that really ended up doing the heavy lifting on the hunting end of things, it happened to be what I was carrying that day with moose and elk. Both of those were 700's, the 338 was a KS Mtn rifle. I came to the conclusion I could do 95% of my hunting with the 7-08 after a few yrs, and it also is a very comfortable range gun with many applications available to it as well.

[@USMC6976]

I purchased a Remington 700 SPS .308 cal about 12 years ago. Bore sighted a scope on it. First 5 rounds out of the rifle grouped so tight a quarter covered them. Out of the box with only the scope being the only modification to the rifle. Since then I have had only three modifications to the rifle. I had the barrel threaded, added a badger muzzle break, and had the bolt handle extended. It is just as accurate today as it was then.

[@guyminer2384]

Ya, those were peachy. I was just shooting my 30 year old Remington 700 in 308 Winchester this morning. It did real well, again. :)

[@originalterrorsquad]

Remington 700 sps tactical aac in 6.5 creedmoor. smooth action, heavy barrel threaded barrel. It's a 1000 yard gun with a stock and good glass

[@guyminer2384]

Nice... Good rifle in a great cartridge.

[@bendennis8773]

I'm still using a Savage 110 in 270 Win. I live on the front range of Colorado and it covers me with pronghorn through elk and if I get a moose tag it will be the one there too. I am shooting the Eld-x 145gn at 2900 fps. It's flat shooting for the plains and has enough power under 500 yards for the big stuff. It has an rifle basix trigger, archangel stock and a new Bushnell 4-18x40 scope and consistently shoots 3/4 inch groups which is good enough for what I do. I may change the barrel in the future but then I would have to choose a cartridge, so many choices.....

[@guyminer2384]

The 270 Win is such a classic hunting cartridge, and Savage makes a fine rifle!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Awesome choice for your son there Guy. The 7mm Rem Mag is a classic all around medium to big game hunting cartridge. My brother is looking to get a higher quality rifle in a less recoiling cartridge than his .300 WM or even the 7mm Rem Mag that he gave up on. His top cartridges that he is looking at is the 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, 7mm-08, and 280 AI. He is checking out the Christensen Arms Mesa and he loves Winchester M70s. I shared this rifle with him as well. I am definitely a fan of Bergera rifles, I just wish they offered a lefty and the .300 WSM.

[@masonmcneill3969]

I got a limited entry elk tag this year, didn’t have a rifle that would do it so I went out and got a browning x bolt max long range, maybe not ideal for hunting but I do more than just hunt, I decided on 300 PRC because I liked what it had to offer and I am working up a hand load with badlands precision all copper 195 grain hunting rounds

[@guyminer2384]

300 PRC is absolutely a great big-game cartridge!

[@bangswitch6587]

Bergara .... not a surprise! These rifles are packed with features & quality beyond belief. Deadly accurate!

[@guyminer2384]

Yes, the accuracy didn't surprise me, but sure did impress me! Power and Precision.

[@Titan-iw7xv]

Good choice. Good round and a good platform like that will lead to many great memories with your son!

[@cmillett79]

Bergara Highlander 7mm rem mag , Tract Toric 3-154x50mm BDC , Hornady SuperFormkance 162 sst , .4 moa rifle all day

[@guyminer2384]

Nice!

[@brianmiller1580]

I shoot the exact same rifle and scope, only difference is mine 308win it shoots Federal terminal ascent 175gr lights out accuracy thus far couldnt be happier w it

[@gregtruchot8826]

This year I made a couple changes. I put together a custom 300 WSM for my wife. GREAT shooter!!! And I purchased a Marlin 1985 45-70 (real one). Can't wait!

[@guyminer2384]

Nice! I had a 300 WSM for a number of years. It was accurate! And, I dearly love loading for and shooting the 45-70 Marlins!

[@jimedick9496]

You can’t beat a CVA Cascade for the price. I had a $1,200 budget and had several options I had been looking at. I kept looking up different forums to read what others thought about a particular rifle I was interested in. I kept coming across those who raved about the CVA. I couldn’t find anything bad about them. So I went to check the rifle out first hand, and was immediately impressed. The trigger was crisp, three lug bolt, the stock felt terrific, and the MOA guarantee was something I couldn’t walk away from. Not even the Browning X-Bolt, that costs double, will guarantee that. I learned they are made in the Bergara factory in Spain. I paid $600 on the rifle, then spent the rest on a nice Vortex scope and rings. I took it out and it shoots as nice as it looks. Very accurate, very easy to shoot, and it’s a good looking rifle with the bronze cerakote finish. Looking forward to this years hunting trip.

[@guyminer2384]

Seems you got a great rifle! Best of luck on your hunting trip.

[@otterconnor942]

Bergara makes a great second choice for sub 1k price. Tikka ctr is an obvious first choice. However they're both awesome

[@guyminer2384]

Tikka does indeed make a mighty fine rifle!

[@MrTacklebury]

I have (2) bolt action hunters recently built, one is a Mossberg MVP in .308 and it is the Patrol version that is going to be my first suppressed rifle. I'm still buying the suppressor, but looking at the Harvester EVO from SilencerCo. It's got a 16.5" barrel, but I'm shooting 90% subsonics through it and It's set up for sub 200 yard deer/coyote etc. I'm loading the new Hornady SubX 175gr. bullet and it's coming out of the pipe at about 1000 fps. I've got a 3-9 x 40mm Mil-Dot scope, so it's easy to run off a range card. I've got it zero'd (although will have to update once I get the suppressor) at 100 yards and it drops off the scope at about 180 yards and is still going fast enough for expansion with the subX bullet down to 800fps. Subsonic rounds don't slow as quickly, so still acceptable range for hunting the woods here. I really like this rifle and decided to go this route instead of doing an AR-10. Weight is only about 8.5 pounds. My other recent build is a Thompson Center Compass in 7mm Rem Mag also. I like 7Mag for all the reasons Guy was referring to. I've put the gun in a Boyd's Featherweight Thumbhole stock and added a compensator that works really nicely. I have a Konus Pro 6-24 X 50 Mil-dot on it and an EGW 20moa base. It's zero'd to 300 yards. I'm loading my only load for 7Mag and that's a 175gr. Nosler Accubond LR loaded to about 1/2 grain under maximum using Reloader 22 and getting right around 2900fps. I set this up to easily shoot across ridge lines and can also put the Harvester EVO can on this although it gets a bit long with the 22" barrel.

[@guyminer2384]

Wow! Two very different and very cool rifles.

[@PC-vq5ud]

I would upgrade from the Konus scope. I had two Konus Pro M scopes disintegrate internally. Both spent most of their very short lives on ARs shooting 223.

[@MrTacklebury]

@@PC-vq5ud haven't had that issue. Have them on my 7mm mag, .45-70 and. 450 bushmaster which all kick pretty good and no issue. The only one I ever had an issue with was the first one. I hadn't had it on a gun yet and when I got around to mounting it, the reticle was only moving up and down. Konus immediately shipped me a brand new one following their lifetime warranty. I got it and have since mounted them on several firearms without issue.

[@PC-vq5ud]

@@MrTacklebury Best of Luck! I have had much better results with Leopold, Vortex, Primary Arms, Sightron, Hawke. Two of three Konus failed with less than 300 rounds under them. The third was stolen with my Tikka before it got range time.

[@DanielBoone337]

I think you nailed the choice with the Bergara... a Tikka would've been another good choice or if you was looking to go more budget I would've went with a Thompson Center. The 7mm Rem Mag was a good choice as well I've killed just about everything there is to kill in North America with it. I prefer a 280AI these days but then ammo availability becomes a problem if you're not a handloader. Great video as always keepem coming guys!!!

[@guyminer2384]

Thanks! Tikka is a terrific rifle, and a bargain. We really ought to take a hard look at a Tikka hunting rifle one of these days.

[@6323cole]

Love 7mm mag! Got an elk hunt next month but going with my Weatherby Mark V in 6.5-300 pushing a 143 eldx @ 3,400 fps. It should do the trick.

[@cw2a]

Excellent video guys!! 🤘🏼🇺🇸🙏

[@guyminer2384]

Well, thank you!

[@nospam3409]

We don't have elk here. Just some nice white tail. AR with a 24" upper from Sanders Armory in 6.5G with an Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27 on top, an old Jewel 2 stage trigger, and a Mag Pull PRS stock. It spits 105gr MKZ at just over 2800 fps into sub 3/4 MOA groups (1/2 if I single feed). Trajectory is relatively flat out to 300 yds, plenty of expansion and plenty of penetration for our mature 200 lb bucks. Farthest kill was a prairie dog just under 600 yds.

[@billylee2312]

I’ve never been elk hunting but for everything smaller my go to rifle is a browning BAR in 270. Always shot 130. Grain factory loads in it. I recently sent the leupold on it off for reconditioning and I will try the hornady 145 eldx’s in it. Typically see around.75 moa out of it.

[@guyminer2384]

I don't run across many Browning BAR hunting rifles anymore. Folks sure do seem to like them though. The 270 Win is a great hunting cartridge!

[@billylee2312]

@@guyminer2384 I have my dads bar in 270. I gave my oldest son my bar 270 and I have a bar grade2 308 my dad gave me for graduation. My youngest son has a BLR in 270 ( very sweet also) We have tons of guns but when it comes down to deer hunting I always grab my 270. We are just getting into hand loading and this is one of my favorite channels to learn on. I especially love the builds. Hopefully in the next couple years me or one of my boys will take some gun smith classes and really put what this channel has to offer to good use! Keep up the great videos. Gavin definitely knows how to keep top notch company with you and the others he has on his channel.

[@rvrski1]

Bought a B14 Timber left hand last year in 300WM, changed out the nice timber stock for a bedded, light, pillared composite stock, Timney HIT trigger and its a great rifle. Shoots 1/2 if I do my job. I chose the Bergara for the long mag well, means I can load Berger’s etc out to the lands and still fit them in the mag.

[@msa4548]

I have a 375 Ruger guide gun, it's my only CF rifle. So it's setup for anything from whitetail behind the house on up through brown bear in Alaska. It retains approximately 2500 ft-lbs at 400 yards (the longest I'm comfortable shooting an animal) so plenty for elk.

[@guyminer2384]

Nice! I like 375's. Mine is a Ruger Number One in 375 H&H. You're right, they really can do it all. I'd imagine you like that Guide Gun? I've been considering one.

[@richardbruyere9523]

I'll be elk hunting with my 6.5 PRC again this fall. I'm trying to find some ammo from Berger with their 156 gr bullets. The 143 ELDX did the job last year but think the Bergers are a better choice.

[@guyminer2384]

We just tested some of that Berger ammo recently. Ammo and components are still difficult to find in many cases. Best of luck on your elk hunt!

[@CorwinBos]

Excellent rifles. I consider Bergara to be type of the pile when searching for a factory gun. Ive recommended them to pretty much everyone if they are shopping for a rifle they want to keep for a long time.

[@phild9813]

I’m underwhelmed. Heavy, internal mag, no locking bolt. I’m sure it fits some others’ needs, but there are significant misses for me that would relegate it to the safe if I bought one.

[@CorwinBos]

@@phild9813 This is a hunting gun. You talk like you are looking for a competition gun or something more exotic which you wont find sub $900. Sub 8# is light enough in a magnum caliber hunting gun. Short actions are obviously lighter. Its a hunting rifle, so no real need for an external mag and its associated cost, complexity and weight for the DBM and mag. Hinged floor plate is adequate. The actions ride like they are on rails. I have some custom actions that are only a hair better. They do feed a little harder from an AICS mag and thats the only dig I can think of. The trigger is adequate, but if it isnt good enough, its a Rem700 cloner, so its easy to change. Accuracy is very good for a stock rifle. I can attest to every Bergara Ive shot being sub minute with a little handload workup or good factory ammo. There is a reason Bergara OEMs barrels for other manufacturers. What else are you expecting in a $900 rifle? Lets look at some sub $900 rifles. A Tikka is a close second, but the actions are not as smooth, and accuracy isnt quite there. A Savage is OK, but has its own issues mostly with Savages lack of QC lately. Remington is a non starter, they have honestly been coasting on reputation for years. Weatherby, Browning, etc, all good rifles, but not in the same league for action smoothness and accuracy and sub $1000 generally puts you at the bottom end of their offerings.

[@bartcornelius7717]

I think the 7mm Remington Magnum is perfect for elk and smaller big game. Tikka Veil Wideland is the rifle that I chose.

[@CHenry1951]

Great choice, I don't own a Bergara but I do own a Ruger in 7mm Mag, 24" barrel, and a ported, it also shoots great I mostly shoot 139-140gr. behind 4350 for deer, I did shoot a moose with 175gr one shot and down..............

[@guyminer2384]

My 7mm Remington Magnum is a Ruger Number One, 26" barrel. It's done well for me. Congrats on your moose! I've yet to hunt them. I've taken elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and an unlucky coyote with the 7mm Rem Mag. :)

[@williambutler427]

I shoot the same rifle and have had amazing results with R-P and Winchester brass with Winchester large rifle magnum primers Hornady 162 grain set and eldx. With 65.5 grains of Reloader 23 .

[@chrism2042]

I have several rifle in different calibers but for hunting I stick with the same rifle I have used for over 25 years. A original Remington 700 Sendero with 26" heavy barrel in 25-06 with H-S Precision stock. I purchased the rifle when they were first introduced, never fire a factory round through it. I worked up 5 loads for it and ended up with Nosler 100gr ballistic tip. I have taken deer from 50 yds to 500 yds, never had to track a deer, with the shot placement, that combination is devastating. I stopped hunting a few years ago but get the 25-06 out from time to time and it will still shoot a ragged hole 5 shot group at 100 yds. Have a S&W performance center AR-10 in 6.5 CM which is crazy accurate for a semi-auto, been looking at Bergara 6.5 bolt rifles.

[@mtnhunter5578]

Great choice, very versatile, run a 140 Berger for light skinned game...whitetail, mulies, Prong..ect. Run the 180 Berger VLD for elk and heavy game...great BC, pushing between 2850-2900 FPS , hits like a hammer.

[@danielmatthews3420]

I also love the .300 Win Mag with 180 Nosler Ballistic Tips. Around 74.5 grains of H4831SC used to shoot great for 1000 yard bench rest in the factory rifle class for my 700 PSS .300 Win Mag with Federal 215 Match Primers.

[@mikenavy360]

300 mag and 7 mag depending on witch one I didn’t use last and ELD-X or CX bullets. Both bing bangs are all weather Ruger M77.

[@stevefisher2121]

I’ve said it many times and I will say it again - for the money, it’s hard to beat a bergara or tikka. Excellent choice!!!!!

[@Bowhunter66]

I have the same rifle in 6.5 PRC. I'm shooting Berger 156's right at 3k mv. Groups are in the .3s and I've shot several 1 1/2in groups at 600yds. That 150cx bullet should be a hammer at that velocity, I wouldn't change anything. Great rifle choice!

[@Dedicatedoutdoors]

Awesome! I pick up the same rifle next week! What is your load?

[@Bowhunter66]

@@Dedicatedoutdoors I did a complete load work up starting with a ladder test at 650yds. I then took powder charges 58.3/58.6/58.9 and did another ladder test at 650yds. I chose powder charge 58.6 as it had most consistent POI. Next was seating depth test, all previous testing was done at .025 jump/off the lands. This got me to my final load, powder N565 58.6gn 156Berger at .010 jump. Extremely accurate and very consistent.

[@n2trkys18]

Remington Model Seven SS 7-08 with factory 20” barrel. 140 grain Accubonds @ 2850 fps and 120 grain NBT @ 3000 fps.

[@guyminer2384]

Those are cool little rifles!

[@n2trkys18]

I love them. I have one in a 308 and 7 SAUM, as well.

[@rmbettac]

The 120 BT is an excellent performer. Shame it took me years to discover.

[@richardwilt9016]

Bergara 6.5 PRC Wilderness Terain with Hornady LDX. I LOVE THIS RIFLE. Shorts amazingly well. Love the ACI Mag also. I highly recommend this RIFLE. It's very accurate as well (1/2 moa) at 100 yd.

[@garrytalley8009]

Nice choice. Much like a Remington 700 action. I have a custom Hart barrel in 7mm STW on a Remington 700 and we know the problem there is availability of ammo. It never caught on good enough. 7mm is a great bullet, 7mm-08 is just a medium game down cartridge. The 7mm Rem Mag is everywhere and a well proven round. I had a friend that took many a Kodiak Bear with one.

[@OutofWaters]

My dad bought me a b-14 ridge 7mm 3 years ago. I love it, I've taken 2 nice 3 point bucks so far. Great gun out of the box

[@no_regerts5176]

Great pick. I’m not a long range shooter, so my choice in load is more focused on terminal ballistics. I use 160gr Nosler Partition at 3000 fps from my 7mm RM. coyotes, a hog, several deer, and several elk have all fallen to this load. None required more than one shot.

[@Condor1970]

I bought one of those Japanese made Weatherby Vanguard 2 rifles (Howa) in 30-06 about 5 years ago, and coated the stock desert sand for Eastern Washington Elk hunting. With 2.5lbs stock trigger, and a Vortex Viper 4-12x scope (DNZ mount), it is without a doubt one of the most accurate rifles in 30-06 under $1,200 for EVERYTHING, I've ever fired.

[@guyminer2384]

Yes, I helped another hunter set up their Weatherby Vanguard and was quite impressed with the quality of the rifle and the accuracy.

[@rrr3r2]

I love mine chambered in 300 weatherby mag

[@darrylpacholko5495]

I have one in 7mm rem mag and love it. Great trigger and accurate right out of the box..75 inch group with cheap federal blue box.

[@aaronobrien2004]

7MM Rem Mag 168g Accubond LR over IMR7977 3050 fps. My choice for elk, deer, bear, moose, and anything really.

[@petermurdoch3001]

only long Gun I bought with my own money is a rem 870 12 G , Family hand me downs , Win Mod 17 , 7mmremmag , Browning BBR 3006 , 2 Parker hale 3006 , 7remmag

[@scruffyarms]

I like the choice. My elk rifle is a M77 Original Tang in .338 Win Mag. Just starting to get into handloading but think I'm going to roll with the 225 Grain ELDX.

[@MTLeadSlanger]

Exactly what I went with, except 300 Win Mag. Hits with a 210gr Berger VLD Hunter at 1000 are way easier than they should be.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

Enjoyed video! Love hunting rifles and hand loads.

[@guyminer2384]

Me too! I'm hoping my son does well with it this season.

[@sakostwwy1903]

I am shooting a new rifle this year. Weatherby Mark V, MPI Stock, Triggertech Trigger, Hawke Scope chambered in 7mm Weatherby Mag. Shooting 130Gr Hammer Absolutes and looking to be around 3500Fps (still developing). My other Elk rifle is a 340 Weatherby Mark V Alaskan throwing 210Gr Barnes TTSX at 3100 FPS topped with a Hawke Sidewinder 30 scope.

[@guyminer2384]

Outstanding! You know - that's a real nice combo. The 7mm Weatherby Mag, and then the big 340 Weatherby Magnum... Nice!

[@garyh1449]

Tikka T3x hunter is my choice and in a 6.5x55 Swede. In my New England world it's all I need. Everything that I don't like is featured in that Bergara.( Plastic stock, Cerakote finish, Spiral fluted bolt, that mess at the end of the barrel) Yes, I'm definitely old school. LOL

[@joemisak7925]

Good choice

[@cabochris100]

I love my 300 RUM for longer range elk and bear here in Washington State! I can't stand brakes! I've hunted in many lands, shooting rifles up to 416 Remington and have to say recoil is subjective. I once owned a 375 H&H in lightweight Brown Precision stock and it recoiled like a pussycat! Stock design and material have lots to do with actual felt recoil. Lightweight 416s will hurt! But to be honest, when the 300 RUM first came out and I purchased a sporter stainless 700 in plastic stock, all the Experts warned me to prepare for a fire breathing dragon! I'll never forget my first shot off the bench with full power Remington load. I braced myself for shoulder Busting, retina separation recoil. I squeezed the trigger, the gun went boom and much to my delight... what recoil? I thought less than my 300 Winchester! I think all who warn about 300 RUM recoil, have never shot one! But we're all different and I'll admit not liking heavy recoil. In all the years of hunting, only once did I hear the shot at big game and that was with a ported 450 Marlin! Ouch! Sold the thing as soon as I got back from hunt! Not sure why, but I do not once recall recoil shooting at big game. Even shooting 5 times at an enraged moose with a 375! Recoil off the bench... Yup. But never while hunting. I have zero use for a brake or a can! I'm a hunter and not a wanna-be Sniper! I also feel 30 cal and above kill quicker. Especially the 338 Win Mag, which hammers elk! Every time... 1 well placed shot and done! On the other hand elk shot with 7 Rem Mag, often do not react the same way. Twice it took 3 shots with the big 7 and why I would never hunt elk with any 6.5. And yes I can shoot and off-hand too! Those who choose little calibers for big animals... more power to you! Hunting has become more difficult and expensive and why I wouldn't hunt elk with a 243, despite it sounding folly and has been done often. I tote more than enough gun, if only as an advantage in my favor. But as I get older and am constantly bombarded with articles and ads for sniping rifles, even I can fall for some of this stuff and recently purchased a 28 Nosler. I may end up loving it, but buyers remorse has already set in! I thought I'm a good shot and wanted something lighter/shorter than my RUM for all-round hunting and longer shot opportunities. My 28 is light with a 24in Carbon barrel. But now I'm wondering, do I really want to shoot deer with it in the timber? And will it dump elk as good as my 338? I suppose for normal hunting a 30-06 would serve fine and I'm tempted, as the hunts I enjoyed most were at close range and not the 400 and 500 yard shots I've made. I've searched for the ultimate rifle for years. One can come close, but it's a Unicorn for sure! My thinking was... do I really want to pass on the Bull of my dreams, because it's too far for the cartridge I'm toating? Your Big 7 is a fine general purpose selection. But more and more I'm concluding, I need a long range rifle like a 300 RUM, a thumper like a 375 Ruger or 9.3X62 and a general rifle like a 30-06. Dang it, right now if I had to pick one, perhaps this new to me 28 Nosler is the answer?

[@donspears6557]

Excellent Choice. I have a B14 HMR.

[@unclebob540i3]

Excellent choice on the 7mm Mag. A Tikka T3 would have also been a good choice.

[@masone4589]

I have that same rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and it’s legit half minute with factory Hornady ammo. I’m considering the same one for an elk gun 7mm or 28 Nosler. Wish they made it in 300 WSM

[@guyminer2384]

Good choice!

[@four4bman979]

I have a B14 "Hunter" model in 308 Win. w/ a Burris 2x7 mounted on a DNZ aircraft grade aluminum alloy scope mount. My most accurate load is a Rem brass stoked with 43g of IMR4895 lit up by CCI34 primer launching a Nosler 150g ETip Spitzer with groups less than 2 inches at 200 yards. Accuracy is even better at 200 yds using Lapua 167g Scenar OTP factory ammo.

[@jasonnull2248]

Ended up with the same rifle and it shoots fantastic. I’m either gonna run my Bergara B14 7mm Rem Mag or my Browning X-Bolt 6.8mm. Cheers fellas.

[@zacharysumnicht2723]

I use the exact same rifle with a vx5 3-15x44 Leupold. Shooting factory 162 grain eldx.

[@sanjuancb]

I immediately thought of Bergara when I saw the title. If I was going to consistently shoot elk-sized game I would likely look at the 150 gr Scirocco as well. Leupold 4.5-14x40 with the CDS dial would also get the nod!

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

I thought Remington. Not far off.

[@richardc-ex7rt]

Bergara makes a great rifle. I have a B-14 Ridge in 7-08 that shoots .1 moa with my hand loads. I like the slightly thicker barrel than the regular ridge too.

[@guyminer2384]

That's a tight group! Good work.

[@JEMadaras]

What bullet are you using? Have the same rifle.

[@jeremiah7855]

Bergara b-14 or cva cascade or maybe even the mauser m18

[@akm5611]

Good Morning, great choice, I do lean toward a Remington 700 in a 7mm. I had the same lathe that you have there, but I coupled it with a Haas tool room mill. That was an amazing combo, I made m14 parts. That was my ultimate deer rifle. But I am in Canada so 😢

[@joshuashackelford6696]

Left one of the best options off the list with Savage.

[@guyminer2384]

Savage does make a fine rifle, typically very accurate!

[@markyoung7470]

I have a Browning BBR in 7mm Remington Magnum lately I have been using Hornady SST 139 grain also Nosler 150 BT Never had a deer getaway in over 45 years usually it's a Pancake machine.

[@guyminer2384]

Buddy of mine took his grizzly with one shot from his Browning in 7mm Rem Mag. I was there to watch it happen. :) Great rifle & cartridge!

[@tomlarue654]

3006 180 Nosler Partition. Savage 110 Timberline.

[@guyminer2384]

I'm a huge fan of the 30-06! Savage makes a good rifle as well. Amazingly accurate.

[@tomlarue654]

@@guyminer2384 would love to hear about your Africa trip soon.

[@guyminer2384]

@@tomlarue654 - sadly - had some health issues come up, I won't be going to Africa. Was supposed to be there now.

[@tomlarue654]

@@guyminer2384 sorry to hear this. Get healthy soon.

[@clarkgriswald5732]

All things concerned the used bolt action market is more reasonable than expected. I recently found a Remington 700 LSS in 7mm rem mag 26 inch barrel, in like new condition for $500. It’s factory pillar bedded , stainless, nice laminate stock, rem’s gel type butt pad. I mounted a Athlon 2.5-15x50 scope and I dropped a $125 for a TriggerTech trigger. I shoot 150gr Nosler acubond LR at 3100 fps. Sub 1/2” moa to 600 yds every time I do my part. 26 for 26 ground hogs, 4 200+ lb feral hogs - results as you’d expect from a 7mag. I’m at $1200 ready to shoot. Works well for me.

[@guyminer2384]

Seems you got a great rifle at a great price! I grinned, reading about your ground hogs with the 7mm Rem Mag. Yes, it will do a mighty fine job!

[@rollandklontz]

Tikka T3x superlight in 300wm is what I went with

[@guyminer2384]

Great cartridge, great rifle!

[@soaringbob]

Very nice choice in the Bergara B-14! I'm almost done assembling my recent $900 purchase of Bergara's little brother, a Dikar 24" chambered in 6.5 PRC. I know, what the heck is a Dikar rifle? Dikar S. Coop is the parent company of Bergara Rifles and CVA rifles in Spain. My CVA Cascade, stamped Spain/Dikar on the barrel, leaves little in doubt as to why the B-14 and Cascade look so similar since the same employees probably built both. Did I say my $900 includes an FFP Arken 6-24 scope! The rifle was on sale at $530, and Arken SH-4 on close-out at $320. Yep, I'm a cheapskate, and with Harris bipod the whole deal weighs nearly 11 lbs, but I haven't been hunting since the last century and intend to stick to bench resting paper elk nowadays! The bottom line is...if you're looking for something similar to the B-14, take a look at the Cascade for around $600 when not on sale!

[@fwod1867]

Nice setup for a reasonable prize 👍👏

[@brucebrill3248]

Great caliber, perfect bullet, crazy speed + hunting license = something really good. My weapon of choice -a fly swatter traveling at 23 fps onto a roach's back last night on the kitchen floor.

[@reedbooth543]

308 norma mag 168 eld hornady 75gr. Imr 7828

[@bretf5371]

Still love my .270 Weatherby Mag Fibermark after 18 years!

[@tonydevich7937]

I like that choice I hope he takes lots I use 8mm mag

[@guyminer2384]

Now that's an interesting cartridge! I remember when it was introduced.

[@Cedricmaker]

This is very much what I would choose for my first bolt gun!

[@RumblestripDotNet]

Gavin doesn't have a 7, time for a 280AI.

[@guyminer2384]

That is a cool cartridge! Only a tad behind the 7mm Rem Mag, not much at all, and a standard case head...

[@jonathanmitchell3733]

The hinged floor plate is a restrictive choice for me. I understand the concern, but does it really outweigh the benefit of more options to choose from.

[@guyminer2384]

For a normal hunting rifle, the hinged floorplate is fine. Seldom is more than one shot needed. Sometimes yes, but not often.

[@mikewaite5849]

Remington 700 7mm Remington Magnum is my go to gun for Mule deer and Elk with 162 or 175 grain Hornady ELD-X or Nosler 160 grain Accubond on top of IMR 4831 and/or IMR 7828 depending on style of hunting and animal hunted.

[@sergeantdwz5783]

Hard to beat a venture. Will do everything the others do for half the price. Too bad they quit making them. Mine is sub half minute with barely any load testing with a barnes lrx

[@brentbusick2245]

I have 4 Ventures. They all shoot great! 204, 270 win, 7mm-08 n a 300 wsm

[@martrg1]

Big fan of the 300 PRC out of the Bergara. I'm launching 220 gr ELD-X at 2975 fps out of a friend's rifle I load for. I run 140 gr Barnes TSX out of my Model 70 in .270. We're both elk, deer, and antelope hunters that are getting into long range. Both loads will smack a 10" plate at 1k consistently. The PRC is averaging around .4 MOA though.

[@guyminer2384]

Nice!