Betwixt and Between and Looking for Help

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Tophernj

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Texas... finally
Howdy.
I’m looking for a deer rifle. There are two that have my eye but I’m not set on either. Gonna do a 6.5Creed as I load for it already. Would like something relatively light, and I’m trying to keep the rifle’s price around 1k.
I’m looking at the:
Winchester Extreme Weather
Bergara Wilderness Hunter

Does anyone have any thoughts on these rifles? Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
I've had both. I've actually had 2 Begara's, A Wilderness Ridge in 308 and a Hunter in 6.5CM. I kept the Winchester, sold the Bergara's. IME it isn't even close. Neither rifle is what I'd call truly light, but the Bergara is heavier. Especially the Wilderness series because they use a bit heavier barrel The Bergara Hunter is a little lighter weight due to a slightly thinner barrel.

The Winchester is SS vs matte blue and I found the blue to easily scratch on the Bergara's. The Winchester is CRF vs PF. Winchester has a 3 position safety allowing the bolt to lock down and still open the action with the safety in the "safe" position. The Bell and Carlson stock that comes on the Winchester is a much better quality stock. And while it varies by individual rifles my Winchester is more accurate than either Bergara.

I hunted with my EW with the factory stock for a couple of years before coming across a deal on a used McMillan Edge stock for it. This reduced weight by 1/2 lb and greatly improved the feel and handling. But even with the factory stock I like it better than Bergara.

Another option to consider is Tikka. Street price on a blue rifle is $600, $750 if you want SS. They weigh about 6.5 lbs naked and if you choose the scope carefully will weigh about 7.25-7.5 lbs scoped. If controlled round feeding isn't important to you, and you can live with some unconventional looks and features, you'll not find a lighter more accurate rifle under $3000.

I like my Winchester better than my Tikka's. But the Winchester is double the cost of a blue Tikka, $400ish more than a SS Tikka. Add the cost of the McMillan stock I have on my Winchester I could have bought 3 Tikka's for the same money.

Choose | Tikka
 
@jmr40
Thank you.
I like the Winnie a lot. I had a Fwt. In 308 some years ago and she was very sweet. Sold her in a flurry of selling but never really forgot her. The styling and (apparent) performance of the Winchester’s is very appealing to me.
The Bergara’s get a solid look as they are essentially a R700 v2.0. I happen to like 700 actions. I’ve built several and the instant familiarity with the platform is appealing.
Tikka’s are sweet. However it irks me that they don’t make different length actions. I don’t know why, but it does. Great shooters though. I’ve looked at them a bunch and they just don’t get the nod this time around.
Plus... metric. Gross.
 
I have only fired 1 6.5 CM rifle, which is the one that I own- a Ruger American predator. Cost was $424 OTD and it shoots sub MOA groups. Since this is what I have going on, I don't see a need to look any further. The only downside is its ugly.
 
Sooooo...

I just stumbled in to a lovingly used Mod. 7 in 7mm08.

I guess this thread is moot.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Welcome to the M7 club!

I love the little guns! Don't have a 7mm-08, but do have .260, .350 rem Mag and a .223. Positively my favorite woods/stand rifles.
 
Ugh. That 260 sounds delightful.

Don't be envious. I know 6.5s get all the love right now, but the 7mm -08 has a slight advantage in a hunting role, at least where larger game is concerned.

I'd take a 7mm-08 over a .260 or 6.5 CM every day and twice on Sunday for game gettin'. I've actually been on the prowl for one that's a good candidate for an integrally suppressed build.
 
I just stumbled in to a lovingly used Mod. 7 in 7mm08 ...
Outstanding! One of my favorite rifles in one of my favorite cartridges!

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Ugh. That 260 sounds delightful.

I actually bought it for my then 12 year old and initially loaded it down with 100 grain BTs to mimic a "light" .243. Worked well on several whitetails. He's now moved on to another rifle, so I've made it "mine" by dropping it in an HS stock, adding a Timney trigger, and developing a 120grn load:

EqXARHQh.jpg

What's the barrel length on that 7mm-08?
 
I actually bought it for my then 12 year old and initially loaded it down with 100 grain BTs to mimic a "light" .243. Worked well on several whitetails. He's now moved on to another rifle, so I've made it "mine" by dropping it in an HS stock, adding a Timney trigger, and developing a 120grn load:

View attachment 958569

What's the barrel length on that 7mm-08?
Barrel is OEM/stock but has an insanely large muzzle brake on it.
I have the lathe and tooling and plan to cut those threads off and re-crown. It also is coming with a NIB HS Precision stock. So, some fun, easy work ahead.
 
I bought it as a hunting rifle. I have not hunted it yet, as I've been distracted by a couple of other rifles. Nevertheless, it shoots sub MOA with factory Federal Premium 140 grain Ballistic Tips. I have some 120 and 150 NBTs to try in it too when I start loading for it.
 
I bought it as a hunting rifle. I have not hunted it yet, as I've been distracted by a couple of other rifles. Nevertheless, it shoots sub MOA with factory Federal Premium 140 grain Ballistic Tips. I have some 120 and 150 NBTs to try in it too when I start loading for it.
Thank you.
 
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