Why is this channel not at 1M subscribers I mean come on the absolute fortitude and willingness to go out and test products that they purchase out of there pocket is amazing. There attention to detail and communication while giving us the best review possible without bias.
As a gun lover from India, how I wish we didn't have such regressive gun laws out here. It's an absolute travesty that the government puts such stringent restrictions on it's citizens to bear arms and by extension the right to better defend their homes. Loved this video, some excellent rifles out there.
@@victorwaddell6530 Namaste. While obtaining a gun license is still a tough ask here and we can't have more than 3 guns under a single gun license, I am glad that the government has recently allowed the likes of Taurus, Glock and Webley Scott to sell some of their guns in India. I am looking forward to buy a Glock pistol soon.
What can I say these clones are great. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxyRRlSON42Gvsq2Sv56DpPlr0XZQpL-JB This is the same as the Air hawk but with a few minor changes. The trigger adjustment screw is shorter then the air hawk so you dont get that super light trigger. It's a easy hardware store fix. The synthetic stock to me is 100x better then the air hawk wood stock. This black hawk air rifle is strong and shoots great. The only thing you have to remember with these air rifles is that they are way over greased and oiled from the factory. There are only three ways to cure this but I'm only going to tell you 2 of them. 1. Shoot it and deal with the noise. 2. Disassemble and wipe all the lube off resemble an shoot. Great rifle and all the diana 34 parts will fit these. Edit: Vortek sells seals for these that are way better then the factory installed seals. I installed the vortex seal and a new breach seal with a shim kit and Now I got a efficient and powerful air rifle with a smooth solid shot cycle. This thing shoots smoother then my gamo maxxim swarm.
I use a Tikka T3 stainless. The trigger is perfect. Mixed with a DNZ one piece scope mount - nice. Stainless cleans up like silk; I like the matte stainless. You can't go wrong with any of the top 3 rifles. Great review and you guys did a lot of work. Thank you.
Bought the Weatherby a few weeks ago in .30-06. They aren’t over exaggerating anything about it. The trigger is fantastic, my action doesn’t feel gummy at all, so they might’ve got a slightly flawed production. IMO, the three stage safety also pushed it to the top over the B-14. Anyway this review went a long way in helping my decision of which to purchase. There’s a million options and 2 million things to think about, you guys made it easier!
Do you know your Weatherby Vanguard action and barrel are manufactured by Howa? Howa is a great rifle and therefore, so is your Vanguard. I have a Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel. I chose it because I have an AR 15 in that caliber. The Weatherby Mark V action is made by Howa as well. They have different barrels.
Bought my first Weatherby in 2015. Love it to death! BEST rifle in the safe, and I have others that priced over $1k. I'm surprised that I haven't added more, because I've added a pair of Tikkas, but I LOVE that Weatherby!
THANK YOU guys for all the support. We're BLOWN AWAY with how fast this channel is taking off. We're aware that Howa makes the action for the Weatherby Vanguard. But you put a different trigger, barrel, and stock on a gun, and you have a completely different gun. That's what we see in the test, but we're also interested in putting some aftermarket parts on the Howa and seeing what we could make that gun do because it has a LOT of potential.
Backfire I agree with you arround after market parts but a much cheaper option would be put the vanguard stock on the howa 99% percent sure it will fit... and re test id be interested to see the results Also this m.th-cam.com/video/AWTAuu-neNo/w-d-xo.html is a really good easy modification to the Howa hact trigger If you don’t want to cut the spring use one off a ball point pen which is just a lighter spring of the same diameter and cut to length I have done this with all mine and you can get them arround 1.8-2lb Keep up the good work
The action trigger and barrel are all made by Howa , the only difference is the stock. So save some money buy the Howa and slap a good quality stock on it like one from Boyd's and you'll have a true tack driver
@ that's a fact! Howa makes the weatherby, and weatherby puts there own spin and a larger price tag on it. Howa had made Sako for a long while. Howa still makes the Weatherby Vanguard. And he would pick it for the trigger. Lol I'd rather have a HOWA and do my own bedding, and pick my own trigger(such as a timney,) for the same price as that relabled Howa. Howa makes the best barrelled actions for the money. I've built many of precision Long-rangers with Howa. I was a pretty solid pre-64 model 70 and older Rem 700 guy, before I got linked up with Howa's 👍 I am always sad to see America Fail. I really hate watching it. But that's what the manufacturers do once they get their big money. They stop focusing on QC and the buyer. And just crank em out as fast as possible. Meanwhile, in other places...... 🇯🇵 they continue making things better and better. Take note other manufacturers. And seriously guys...... Take the rifles apart. Look at the bolts. Look at the way the bolt comes apart. Good luck with the remington! The Howa bolt is second to none. Just break em down and get acquainted. Then report back
I'm a Howa Man with 4 rifles and they all shoot 1" or better, especially the 6.5 CM heavy barrel in a GRS stock. The Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa but has a much better stock on it and essentially they are the same rifle. Great review liked it, here in Kiwi land the Tikka is the top selling rifle.
My grandpa who passed a few years back has a vanguard and it is by far the my favorite gun I’ve shot my biggest buck with it and it was passed down from my grandpa
I've always wanted a Tikka Hunter , I don't think it will out shoot my Ruger American 6.5 because mine did a repeated 0.34-0.38 group after sighting in with Hornady precision, that's basically cutting holes at 100 yard's. Topped with a Vortex diamondback tactical 4x16x44 EBR-2C .
that Howa and Vanguard have exactly 1 difference - the stock. otherwise the barreled actions came down the same assembly line at the same factory on the same machines using the same materials...
Just finished with a warranty issue with my Weatherby. Not a pleasant experience, very disappointed. In the end they made me whole. Not interested in risking it again. Love the monte carlo stock on the Weatherby over anything else, wish others would use it. That said I'm Looking to purchase a Tikka today, that is what brought me here to see the competition. Interesting, the Weatherby is made by Howa with a different name???
I agree. And it looks fun. Like, dang it, why could we not be out there taking turns with them. Well, that would be a problem for me because I am in Texas and they are in Idaho. But anyway, I like the range that they have. Looks like repeatable conditions to better isolate rifles and ammo.
I have been able to shoot most of the rifles you tested except the Bergara. I've owned a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 for 12 years (round count is at 1120). The target in the box was a perfect 1/2 inch triangle. With my loads I get .33 inch. Lots of meat in the freezer and on paper and steel it's outrageously great. Deadly accurate, beauty trigger and my action is like butter. I have the "Back Country" model with a fluted barrel. I have since put in a Timney, I always moly the barrel after 200 rounds, added a muzzle brake and I did the paint myself. Great video. I'm going to comment on the 30-06 video as well.
I have the B14, Bergara HMR and the Ruger American all in 6.5 Creedmoor. I love the Bergaras accuracy and smoothness but I always reach for the Ruger when I go out into the sticks. Not only is lighter and can hold its own against the Bergaras as far as accuracy, it’s cheap enough that I’m not worried about beating it up or scratching it. Other rifles make the trip about them, you have to worry about getting them wet, constantly taking care not to ding them up and taking them into consideration in how you go about setting up your shot, they are basically like bringing your high maintenance girl on the hunt. In contrast the Ruger is like one of those tools you buy at a hardware store, sure there’s better but you don’t care if you beat it all to hell to get the job done.
I’ve shot several of these rifles and more expensive ones, but I find myself coming back to the tikka rifles. They do everything well. The line of rifles they just came out with are very impressive go check them out if you haven’t. Anyway fantastic review.!
@@0dirty Dang man I've been trying to find that and even OVER $1k it's next to impossible. I'm not sure why they refuse to import their best models to the US.
I have two Tikkas. Would own at least 2-3 more if they would’ve been available when I was looking. I also have a Vanguard, Kimber Hunter, and X-bolt that took the places of the potential Tikka purchases. I like them all but I still would buy a Tikka over all of them.
I own a Kimber 84m, mine is a select grade in .308. The light weight of the rifle does make it a challenge to shoot. The pencil barrel does force you to slow down. Mine is a shooter and an awesome rifle. Great video guys.
@GastonGross Have to agree. Their new Wilderness series Hunter probably would have won this competition. I love my Tikka T3x SL in 6.5CM, and it's definitely lighter than the Bergara's, but Bergara's overall finish seems just a tad bit nicer. That being said I do not own a Bergara, yet.
See I'm going to disagree. I ve owned the begura and tikka in 300 win mag. The Tikka was an awesome rifle but the action killed it for me. On target I don't like having to deal with any slop and the tikka was slightly more sloppy than I could deal with
I haven't seen such a high production quality in any other shooting video. You guys nailed it. I really appreciate the effort to point out the pros and cons of each rifle.. I subbed and liked you video...keep it up dudes
These reviews are great. I have been looking into getting a Ruger American for some time now. This helped me see its flaws but also it’s added bonuses. Thanks!
Been really impressed with the Ruger. Slap a decent scope on it and it’s a very useable piece. Also they have a predator threaded and ready for suppression, for 400. Excellent value.
Exactly right, slap a scope on it. Why do none of them come with open sights? Could it be a collusion between optic manufacturers and gun manufacturers to increase the cost of every rifle?
@@russellkeeling4387I doubt it. It’s probably because shooting with iron sights is somewhat falling out of style as people go increasingly towards fitting their pistols and rifles with optics. Plus, many of the calibers on these bolt guns are intended for more accurate, long-range shooting out to a point where iron sights would be almost useless. Ruger still puts irons on their American Rimfire bolt gun, but that’s probably because most people wouldn’t be going out past 100 yds or so when shooting .22
Outstanding gentlemen. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and the couch critique. Appreciate the time, energy, resources, candor. The pleasant and welcoming atmosphere is refreshing. You gents are a joy to view.
I have the b14 in 30-06 and I love it. I fully took it apart and put it back together and it was still dialed in at 100 yards. I stored it in my gun case wet after my first few uses and some light rust was forming on the barrel. It took like ten minutes to get it off, but that’s why I took it apart. Hands down one of the best out the box triggers for the price.
The Weatherby Vanguard is my favorite by far. Bought the polymer stock model and had a custom walnut stock made. It is a beautiful firearm and my go to deer rifle. 308 win. Howa makes a fantastic rifle for Weatherby. The trigger if fully adjustable, really like the 3-position safety, blueing is very dark, machining quality is excellent. You can't go wrong with this rifle.
@@josephvladyka3221 I have owned a fair few Howas over the years and they really are fantastic rifles for the money. If you want a good Rem700, buy a Howa lol. The only downside to them is the factory Houge stocks. They are atrocious. I’ve got a few in some Boyd’s stock and they are sublime.
Shartman1433 I’d love to find an older Tikka in an original, wooden stock, chambered in .223, (for the price of a target shooting round). What an awesome feat of research these 3 have done, at their own expense! Incredible.
The Woodstock version of the Tikka is spot on, they finally addressed the plastic recoil lug and bolt shroud. You get rid of the cheap plastic stock with one of the wood variants and its magic, the gun really comes to life and stands out. In my opinion, the extra weight of the wood stock rifles is much needed and balances perfectly.
I have to disagree with you on the Weatherby Camo. I love mine. Especially with the cerakote barrel. I also am glad you made a statement about the Savage 110. I have the Apex Predator 110 in 6.5CM and it shoots very accurate and had very little recoil out of the box. I have since added a muzzle brake and it now has less recoil than my AR chambered in 5.56.
Man that chart was super useful. I was able to take the things that are most important to me as a new shooter (accuracy, weight (use), and price. And for me the Ruger American was the clear winner. I think I'm going to go with the American Predator though for the lower weight and easier carry. Awesome video!
I think these guys are somewhat biased against it because it was cheap in my opinion the trigger on my American is way better then the trigger on my savage but they claim the savage has a better trigger the only thing it scored well in was the only category that wasn't completely opinion based
@@zactapia565 Do you have the Accuutrigger on your gun or the standard one? I understand that the former is much better than the latter, and Savage makes a lot of sub-models and variants with both types of triggers at the bottom end of their price range.
Just get the B-14 Hunter in the new "Wilderness" series. $100 more gets you a hand-painted camo stock and cerakote barreled action. Even just a pinch more gets you the "Ridge" with a heavier contour, muzzle brake, tac knob, drop mag and short barrel availability. Best bang for your buck IMO.
@@Notreallyme377 You'll love it. Idid a lot of research before deciding on the Wilderness Ridge "Special Purpose" w/ 18" barrel. All the extra features and build quality set it apart for me. Plus the short barrel keeps the length/weight down to work great as a brush gun and suppressor host.
I really enjoyed this comparison of budget rifles. It should really help experienced hunters and newcomers make a more informed decision on their first/ next hunting rifle. Especially if they’re looking for something that doesn’t require much more than an optic to get out there and hunt. Good job, guys 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I bought a Tikka T3 stainless laminated stock .243 on sale when the T3x came out. My longest kill is 495yds, coyote w 58 gr Hornady @3925 fps amazing load! it's a "cold barrel" shooter not a bench rest gun, keep it cool and it groups under 1" @ 200 yds and 1st shot dead cold is dead on. It's a true hunting rifle w the best trigger in the biz. My T1x .17hmr can eat rounds but needs a quick clean with a bore snake every 50 rounds to keep the groups tight when hunting ground squirrels. Tikka all the way! Btw Limbsaver makes a recoil pad that bolts right on ;)
Great great great reviews guys love how nobody was a name snob, it hurt that the savage is a POS.... But I don't own a single gun that hasn't been polished, floated, bedded, and a trigger job done.... Great job guys 👍
The Bergara B14 is probably my favorite rifle. I have one chambered in 300 win mag and it shoots like a dream. Does have recoil, but it’s a solid rifle that handles it well and doesn’t kill your shoulder at all. The bolt and trigger are also as good as you’re going to get for the price. Very accurate as well. Could not be any happier with it. Great review of all of them.
i really like the Mossberg predator. I used to dislike mossberg "rifles" about ten years back (love their pump and sem-auto shotguns) but the predator and new offerings are very affordable and well built. I think you can snag a 6.5prc predator for around $400!! Very well built gun for around 400, i was kind of shocked at the low price.
I had a mossberg 464 30-30 (a model 94 copycat) and it was the worse gun I ever put in my hands, would never feed and it felt like it would explode in my face and the whole gun felt really unstable like the screws and stock was loose, still to this day I refuse to buy a mossberg again there’s a higher chance of me buying a Christensen arms than a mossberg
Love Tikkas but they unfortunately come with poor recoil pads. I put a Limbsaver on my T3 in 300 WSM and couldn't believe the difference it made. Like night and day.... And this was a well done review put in terms your average hunter/shooter can relate to. Well done. Thanks.
when you have a tie, choose again from the (in this case) guns in the tie, however you can not choose the gun you initially chose. chances are 2 of you will have a common seconds favourite and that is the winner as one of you thought it was the best and the other 2 think it is the second best
I by far watch this channel the most out of all the gun channels I have . You boys do good work . I have two b14 begara’s a 308 sp , 6.5 prc wilderness ridge love both of those guns as much as I do the browning x bolts
Awesome review this is going to be a great channel, you guys definitely keep up the great content. I have both a Bergera B14 hunter in 6.5 and just picked up a Weatherby Vanguard Meat eater edition in 6.5, and I can tell you it's an awesome shooter! I think the Bergera Wilderness hunter is a perfect match for the Weatherby Vanguard....both have cerakote, painted stocks, both are within .1 ounce of each other ( in 6.5 ). There are some main differences between the two...if you prefer a 2 stage trigger, 3 position safety, fluted threaded "24 barrel..the Weatherby is the way to go. If you prefer a two-position very positive safety, Rem 700 stock-trigger options, an amazing feeling " Mcmillan Hunters Edge clone " stock and a "22 barrel the Bergara is perfect. The accuracy for both rifles is so close it's pretty much a wash, on any given day with factory ammo one could shoot a little better than the other.
SO, Here is my tie-breaker. I went out and got a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in excellent condition for $340. Smooth as butter action, predictable trigger, beautiful wood stock. Heavy, yes, but so accurate.
I own two Model 96 Swedish Mausers that I inherited from my late uncle . One is in original condition , and the other was sporteized by my uncle with a cut down stock , butterknife bolt handle , and scope mount . The 6.5 x 55 Swedish cartrige is better than the 6.5 Credemore as it can take heavier bullets , you just need a long action receiver to manage the cartrige length . I reload my own cartriges , and have about 600 160gn 6.5 bullets in my reloading stock . My uncle bought both Swedes in the 90s when they were going for about $129 . Lately they've been seen for the asking price of around $700 in these parts ( South Carolina ). Model 96 Swedes dont have the features that many look for these days , but they served the Swedish military for decades in Scandinavia.
The Weatherby Vanguard is a fantastic rifle. It may be slightly more in cost than the other options you’ve shown here but you certainly get your money’s worth. I have one in 270 Win and it’s a great shooter.
I'm quite happy to find this video - I'm in the market for a simple hunting rifle, and it has been 10+ years since I purchased one, so I didn't know where to start. This is excellent content. Thank you!
2-year-old video and it's still active. Yes, it's that good! I do exactly what you three did here. I buy something, test it for my liking, make comparisons, and move on the next object/subject of interest. Really glad you put the Weatherby on top. I own 4 of the 7 you tested and the Weatherby is my standout. Granted, I have the Vanguard 2 in the Lazerguard, oak leaf stock, and high-quality bluing. Still not a "throw around" set up, but a real looker! I have more Tikkas in my history, and it's hard to complain about them. Putting Bergara on the radar now. The only thing I think I would do differently here is the price evaluation. It needs to reflect the value and not just the naked price point for scoring. Owning Tikkas and Weatherbys, a shooter understands that when you step lower in price, it costs you something in the overall experience. I have yet to pay the higher price and wish I'd saved $300 and chosen the lower class. The ONLY thing that can even approach that feeling is accuracy, and when that happens, it's gone. I will work with it first but if I can't get it to shoot, it's gone. I sold a Howa 1500, loved many things about it, but it wouldn't group. No room in the safe for a gun I can't trust and will never use. Shockingly, I'm amazed how often I test a new cartridge on an entry level rifle and discover that the entry rifle barrel shoots better groups than the next models up. Between the Ruger Americans and Savage Axis (I&II), I've got MANY great shooters, and because they grouped, I spent the money upgrading them with new triggers and stocks. My only complaint on the rebuild/upgrades is the Savage dbms. They're clunky. No avoiding that. Rust on cheap bluing? Just keep an oil film on them and practice climate control. They'll be fine. Sorry so long in all comparisons, there's a lot to cover, and a lot can be said. Great channel! Love your work here!
after watching this 4 times, lol, and debate after debate, I'm with Ricky and choose the Tikka, besides all of the reasons discussed in your video I have 2 already in 7mm-08 and 243 and love the crap out of em. Nothing against any of the others though, fantastic job fellas.
@@joembarak imo little more kick than the 243, but not unbearable obviously. Well I'm sure you know its 308 case necked down to 7mm , I love it, I'm sure you will too, enjoy sir.
@@michaelvaldez2966 ok cool, thanks for the feedback. I just bought a 7mm08 tikka t3x superlite and I'm just waiting for my permit to acquire to be approved. I've never used a rifle that is as light weight so the recoil is something I was wondering about. I've used a 308 Remington 700 but it has a very thick barrel and is quite heavy. The recoil on that was starting to effect me after going through 25 rounds. I'm sure the tikka should be ok. The only time the recoil is going to be noticable is when zeroing the rifle. I don't shoot very often and shooting more than a few bullets when hunting has been rare for me.
I leaning unto the bregará myself it’s been on my basket list for a while now so with this video I know I’ll be getting it thanks for your awsome and unbiased review!👍
I own a Kimber 84M Hunter "Boot Campaign" in 6.5 C. I went with that one because I'm very weight conscious when it comes to my gear. The 2 main complaints I have are the trigger reach is a touch long, and the barrel does heat up quick at the range. If I had to do it over again I think the Tikka Super-Lite would probably be a better option overall, but you can't get it cerakoted with a Kryptek stock.
Great review guys. If you ever do this again, you should add a review category "Aftermarket parts". Many people will check out to see if parts are easily obtainable if they decide to mod the riffle. Just constructive criticism here, you review was AWESOME. Good job!
Weatherby Vanguard has the ONLY Monte Carlo styled stock. I am not a short necked guy so i prefer MC styles. I'm doubly happy that the Weatherby Vanguard did so well in your testing.
Glad to see two of my favorites make it. I love Tikka and Weatherby rifles. I am surprised the Howa trigger was not as good as the Weatherby. Both should be identical. Do some research and see for yourself. Maybe it was just the individual rifles that were different. Both are two stage.
Agreed. Shooting them both, I was thinking the same thing, but clearly the Weatherby was more smooth and it was set quite a bit lower as far as trigger pull lbs out of the box. This could have something to do with it, but overall build etc. the Weatherby quality was much better. I am not impressed with that Hogue stock at all!
Michael Hill I wondered it also. But thought about it. Weatherby in contract with howa seems to force a slightly higher level of fit and finish. It is a contract gun that had to have the weatherby name. That being said. The vanguard is not free floated. Odd it groups so well. Makes you wonder
The accuracy difference is due to the cheap Hogue stock, which flexes so much it actually touches the barrel. The Howa trigger comes pre-set at about 4 to 4.5 lbs. It's easy to modify the trigger to give it a light, clean break by trimming a spring inside. th-cam.com/video/AWTAuu-neNo/w-d-xo.html Howa (LSI) now offers the HS Precision Howa 1500 with a quality stock. With that one change, the Howa will easily shoot as good as the Weatherby version.
As far as accuracy, super smooth action, light weight portability and durability in all weather conditions the Stainless Steel fluted barrel Tikka is the way to go. Especially when your humping the mountains all day or all week. The recoil is immaterial when hunting. One shot one kill.
Not sure if its just do to the fluting making it lighter, but I have shot a 6.5 tikka with normal barrel, and it seems pretty smooth shooting. I didnt notice any crazy recoil compared to other makes.
Tikka super smooth. Detachable mag .awesome nice trigger. Owned one in 270. Wsm . Kind of what they where talking a out. Couldn't hold a group after 4 rounds. Great hunting rifle. Not good range rifle. That was using a lead sled .
@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill They said the recoil was significant compared to the others in the lineup, but I believe the recoil is very manageable in 6.5 Creedmoor. Now, would I buy the gun in .300 Win Mag without having it threaded for a brake? Nope! My T3x Superlite in 6.5 Creedmoor is getting sub 1" groups at 200 yards with a gen 1 Vortex Razor LH 3-15x42 in Talley low mounts shooting Hornady Precision Hunter 143GR ammo. Great light-weight accurate hunting rifle!
Good video. Next test please include a Savage Model 110 Lightweight Storm. One of the lightest and most accurate guns on the market. Sub 1” groups all day using factory ammo.
I bought the Tikka 3 before I saw this, makes me know I made a great decision. Not sure how many of the others build guns with the bolt on the popper side!
I love your work. It very much deserves to be admired for the amount of man hours you put in. Great job guys. I was hoping to see the tc dimension in the mix, but you still picked very fine guns and did a very comprehensive review. Keep up the good work👍
I just purchased the Weatherby Vanguard Badlands edition in 6.5 creedmoor. NO REGRETS! The gun is beautiful and feels high quality! 🙌🏼 This video helped me decide which one was right for me. Thanks you guys! @Backfire
Your previous video factored into my choosing a Ruger American (great rifle that I saddled with a subpar scope). I've already been seriously considering a Vanguard, and I'm even more on board with it now.
My Ruger American Go-Wild edition is in 7mm08. I replaced the trigger with a Timney, replaced the bolt handle with an anarchy outdoors threaded bolt handle, and polished the bolt and raceways. Now it’s one of the smoothest cycling and best shooting hunting rifle I own. The stock isn’t an issue at all. It’s not the stiffest but it’s not flimsy at all. I’m not a huge fan of the AICS magazines because the mag release is kind of a pain in the ass, but it’s super easy to get additional mags and Magpul makes them pretty cheap and very reliable. The double v-block bedding/recoil lug system is genius and keeps the action rock solid and accurate. All-in, my gun cost around $700 with all the upgrades. In the end, I like having it set up exactly the way I want it, but it was a solid shooter right out of the box. With a loaded mag, Talley rings, and a Leupold 30mm VX freedom scope, a stock saddle, and sling; the whole package weighs 8.4 lbs. While breaking it in, I shot MOA or better with virgin brass, and I rang steel at 300 with ease. Once I run an OCW test and find a good node, I know it will shoot sub-MOA all day with Nosler 140gr Accubonds.
we used the howa 1500 in gunsmithing school, the are a great gun to build. very accurate but we were putting a lot of hours into tearing them down and rebuilding them worked great.
The cheap Hogue stock and heavier trigger weight most likely had the biggest effect on accuracy. Those stocks are so flimsy they'll actually push against the barrel when it's resting on a sandbag. I have a Howa 1500 TSP-X and it's shooting tighter groups than any of these rifles using Hornady match ammo.
I’m blind in my right so I have no choice, but I’ve just been shooting right handed guns. The bolt is the only action I even slightly struggle with. The rest is fine.
I usually don’t comment on videos but this video has helped me on my decision so much. The quality was great and you prevented me from the mistake of throwing away money into a Remington.
I'm an economist and did a little analysis of *your* analysis. Agree with what you've said except you've failed to compare the final score with the purchase price of each gun. This is a major oversight. In the following chart, it's "golf rules": the LOWEST ratio wins because you're spent the lowest amount of cash to "purchase" one point of quality. Paying $5 per pound of prime beef is objectively better than paying $10 per pound of prime beef. Rifles below are listed from best- to worst-value. (Different prices paid or different opinions of quality will drastically affect these rankings.) 1) BERGARA B-14: PURCHASE PRICE/FINAL SCORE = ($700 / 9 POINTS) = $78/POINT, winner! 2) WEATHERBY VANGUARD: $81/POINT, or 4% worse than winner. 3) RUGER AMERICAN: $86/POINT, or 9% worse than winner. 4) TIKKA T3X SUPERLITE: $94/POINT, or 17% worse than winner. 5) HOWA 1500 HOGUE: $96/POINT, or 19% worse than winner. 6) SAVAGE 110 SWITCHBACK: $130/POINT, or 40% worse than winner. 7) KIMBER 84M HUNTER: $150/POINT, or 48% worse than winner. 8) REMINGTON 700: $158/POINT, or 51% worse than winner. Unsurprisingly, "Rustington" is dead last when value is controlled for cost. Congrats to Bergara for the win.
What a GREAT series of videos and this finale is EPIC! GREAT JOB; NOW ONTO THE NEXT! Maybe an "old school rifle" ....all wood stocks/blued barrels competition.
Great Review .. one other thing I would like you to consider in future reviews is .. the availability of Left-Handed Actions ... left eye dominant but right handed .. Thanks
Yeah... Weatherby for the win. I have a Weatherby Vanguard S1, chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. With my hand loads I can shoot 1/4 MOA all day with a clamp on muzzle brake. The only problem with it, is it's a #2 tapered barrel. RifleKuhl works great to get the temp down faster to help prevent barrel flop with a hot barrel.
Michael Hill There is no argument that Weatherby’s rifles are more expensive than Howa, feel free to visit their websites. What explains the price and accuracy difference between them? Even this review supports my opinion. But at the end of the day I don’t work in the factory or truly know but there’s got to be a difference, right?
They make the action. That’s it. They barrel is made by Weatherby, the triggers are made by trigger tech. The better trigger and stock are worth the difference
@@mmholling87 yip, the name is the only difference. I have both rifles and the parts are interchangeable. Just hate when reviewers review things with out doing their homework. This review was a. Biased one and they all probably chose their own rifles.
Timing on me finding this video was perfect. I was looking at rifles today and leaning toward one, and this video sealed the deal. I am going with the Vanguard. It was down to it and the Tikka. I wouldn't cry if someone gave me the Tikka, but the Vaguard looked better and had a much better feel. Your accuracy reports confirmed my decision. Thanks!
I have an American .270, a vanguard .270, and a Remington 700 30-06. I love my 700 but as far as fit finish and accuracy, the vanguard has knocked down more deer than any of my other rifles, definitely my favorite.
I REALLY envy you folks jobs. Doing this quality work on hunting rifles is what these channels are really all about. I have 3 Ruger Americans, the Compact LH.308, and the 7.62x39 and 6.5 Grendel. All shoot lights out, good quality and were inexpensive. Just wish ONE FREAKING MANUFACTURER would make left hand rifles consistently. I found the .308 compact and it's not made anymore. Can't get the others in LH, it's a shame since there's millions of us Southpaws that would spend for rifles like that American that don't break the bank but usually shoot better than we can...Great job guys!!
Picked up a Weatherby Vanguard 2 300 Win Mag 2 years ago and i wasn't even at the store to get a rifle but was looking at a Kimber Micro 9 when i spotted it on the rack. It had a little dust on it and i about fell over when i seen the price...on sale for $345.00 and that sealed the deal. What made it better is at checkout it was $325.00 and i just couldnt believe my luck. Everything about the rifle is amazing. Great trigger, smooth action and consistent 3/4" groups at 100 yards and it handles the power of the 300 Win Mag round with ease.
Probably the best, most fair comparison of firearms I have ever seen. Really appreciated the use of the same type of optic on each gun, the use of multiple loads from multiple manufacturers (did that make a big difference, did each gun seem to have a favorite, or was one type of ammo a standout?), and the use of three shooters. You may a tremendous effort to smooth out the variables!
My two cents....I would go for the Bergara, because you can get it with AICS magazines. BTW, I believe HOWA, makes the Vanguard for Weatherby. I have an older Vanguard and it is awesome, for the first few shots, then it really spreads out. But for Hunting, You only need that first shot.
Why is this channel not at 1M subscribers I mean come on the absolute fortitude and willingness to go out and test products that they purchase out of there pocket is amazing. There attention to detail and communication while giving us the best review possible without bias.
I would be willing to bet that the algorithm is not putting any priority to firearm channels.
I know right! It's not fare, this channel has really valuable materials and a friendly vibe.
Their*
CrazyAmazon fair*
Seriously, this channel has some great content. Maybe a name change could help?
As a gun lover from India, how I wish we didn't have such regressive gun laws out here. It's an absolute travesty that the government puts such stringent restrictions on it's citizens to bear arms and by extension the right to better defend their homes. Loved this video, some excellent rifles out there.
Sorry for your plight , Brother . There are a lot of Immigrants from India in my state ( South Carolina ) . Namaste !
@@victorwaddell6530 Namaste. While obtaining a gun license is still a tough ask here and we can't have more than 3 guns under a single gun license, I am glad that the government has recently allowed the likes of Taurus, Glock and Webley Scott to sell some of their guns in India. I am looking forward to buy a Glock pistol soon.
We could use some more gun loving Americans…
@@leobuscaglia5576 consider emigrating here to the US! Pick a gun-friendly state and you can have anything you want! :)
Also sad because some Indian made rifles are very beautiful
I've got the savage 110 tactical and I've never seen an action so sticky in my life.
I agree 100 percent
Yes I can agree any savage I’ve ever seen they are all super sticky. Cool to see you here love the vids
I have a savage Axis XP 6.5creedmore and I like it
Get a dremel tool with a buffer wheel using some metal buffing compound. Polish up the lugs should help a lot
Clean it and oil it
What can I say these clones are great. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxyRRlSON42Gvsq2Sv56DpPlr0XZQpL-JB This is the same as the Air hawk but with a few minor changes. The trigger adjustment screw is shorter then the air hawk so you dont get that super light trigger. It's a easy hardware store fix. The synthetic stock to me is 100x better then the air hawk wood stock. This black hawk air rifle is strong and shoots great. The only thing you have to remember with these air rifles is that they are way over greased and oiled from the factory. There are only three ways to cure this but I'm only going to tell you 2 of them. 1. Shoot it and deal with the noise. 2. Disassemble and wipe all the lube off resemble an shoot. Great rifle and all the diana 34 parts will fit these. Edit: Vortek sells seals for these that are way better then the factory installed seals. I installed the vortex seal and a new breach seal with a shim kit and Now I got a efficient and powerful air rifle with a smooth solid shot cycle. This thing shoots smoother then my gamo maxxim swarm.
I use a Tikka T3 stainless. The trigger is perfect. Mixed with a DNZ one piece scope mount - nice. Stainless cleans up like silk; I like the matte stainless. You can't go wrong with any of the top 3 rifles. Great review and you guys did a lot of work. Thank you.
Bought the Weatherby a few weeks ago in .30-06. They aren’t over exaggerating anything about it. The trigger is fantastic, my action doesn’t feel gummy at all, so they might’ve got a slightly flawed production. IMO, the three stage safety also pushed it to the top over the B-14. Anyway this review went a long way in helping my decision of which to purchase. There’s a million options and 2 million things to think about, you guys made it easier!
I got the weatherby 300 mag for elk hunting, and I couldn’t even feel the shot when I used it. Great guns.
Do you know your Weatherby Vanguard action and barrel are manufactured by Howa? Howa is a great rifle and therefore, so is your Vanguard. I have a Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel. I chose it because I have an AR 15 in that caliber. The Weatherby Mark V action is made by Howa as well. They have different barrels.
@@Tagerrun What model Vangaurd did you buy? I'm looking to grab a 300 win mag and recoil can be an issue for me.
Bought my first Weatherby in 2015. Love it to death! BEST rifle in the safe, and I have others that priced over $1k. I'm surprised that I haven't added more, because I've added a pair of Tikkas, but I LOVE that Weatherby!
Just bought the weatherby in .308. Can’t complain.
THANK YOU guys for all the support. We're BLOWN AWAY with how fast this channel is taking off.
We're aware that Howa makes the action for the Weatherby Vanguard. But you put a different trigger, barrel, and stock on a gun, and you have a completely different gun. That's what we see in the test, but we're also interested in putting some aftermarket parts on the Howa and seeing what we could make that gun do because it has a LOT of potential.
Backfire I agree with you arround after market parts but a much cheaper option would be put the vanguard stock on the howa 99% percent sure it will fit... and re test id be interested to see the results
Also this m.th-cam.com/video/AWTAuu-neNo/w-d-xo.html is a really good easy modification to the Howa hact trigger
If you don’t want to cut the spring use one off a ball point pen which is just a lighter spring of the same diameter and cut to length
I have done this with all mine and you can get them arround 1.8-2lb
Keep up the good work
The action trigger and barrel are all made by Howa , the only difference is the stock. So save some money buy the Howa and slap a good quality stock on it like one from Boyd's and you'll have a true tack driver
Bell&Carlson sporter stock and a timney trigger would be a fun Howa project.
John Tellier we are thinking about taking it and doing a build with it.
@ that's a fact! Howa makes the weatherby, and weatherby puts there own spin and a larger price tag on it.
Howa had made Sako for a long while. Howa still makes the Weatherby Vanguard.
And he would pick it for the trigger. Lol
I'd rather have a HOWA and do my own bedding, and pick my own trigger(such as a timney,) for the same price as that relabled Howa.
Howa makes the best barrelled actions for the money. I've built many of precision Long-rangers with Howa.
I was a pretty solid pre-64 model 70 and older Rem 700 guy, before I got linked up with Howa's 👍
I am always sad to see America Fail. I really hate watching it. But that's what the manufacturers do once they get their big money. They stop focusing on QC and the buyer. And just crank em out as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, in other places...... 🇯🇵 they continue making things better and better. Take note other manufacturers.
And seriously guys...... Take the rifles apart. Look at the bolts. Look at the way the bolt comes apart. Good luck with the remington! The Howa bolt is second to none.
Just break em down and get acquainted. Then report back
Yes the Ruger American still stood out even though it is kinda inexpensive so happy that it performed the way it did on accuracy
it's also incredibly light weight. No heavier than the Tikka.
I'm a Howa Man with 4 rifles and they all shoot 1" or better, especially the 6.5 CM heavy barrel in a GRS stock. The Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa but has a much better stock on it and essentially they are the same rifle. Great review liked it, here in Kiwi land the Tikka is the top selling rifle.
My grandpa who passed a few years back has a vanguard and it is by far the my favorite gun I’ve shot my biggest buck with it and it was passed down from my grandpa
Grandpa is smiling. Good luck hunting. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to see this, I just bought the Weatherby Vantage II, with a good scope, I've only used in target, it feels and hits really tight
The BEST gun will always be grandpas gun.
Out of these I am picking the Bergara. I have several Ruger Americans because they are so darn cheap
Agree I have two b14s
I've always wanted a Tikka Hunter , I don't think it will out shoot my Ruger American 6.5 because mine did a repeated 0.34-0.38 group after sighting in with Hornady precision, that's basically cutting holes at 100 yard's. Topped with a Vortex diamondback tactical 4x16x44 EBR-2C .
Hard to beat price and accuracy of ruger american in 6.5 mine will shoot with my custom rifles all day
Get a Blaser r8👌🏻
I want the 18” ridge in 308 and cons ?
that Howa and Vanguard have exactly 1 difference - the stock.
otherwise the barreled actions came down the same assembly line at the same factory on the same machines using the same materials...
@@thorseim7177 triggers are the same I'm pretty sure
Just finished with a warranty issue with my Weatherby. Not a pleasant experience, very disappointed. In the end they made me whole. Not interested in risking it again. Love the monte carlo stock on the Weatherby over anything else, wish others would use it. That said I'm Looking to purchase a Tikka today, that is what brought me here to see the competition.
Interesting, the Weatherby is made by Howa with a different name???
lol that shows these guys have no clue
@@starboy32 they obviously have some clue if all of them had less accuracy and less comfort with the Howa than the Vanguard.
@@offroad6309 Yes howa makes Weatherby, but Weatherby handles their own warranties. Howa handles issues fast and efficient.
Excellent. Thanks for taking the time and spending the money to do this for everyone who’s curious about these rifles.
I would love to see how the Mauser M18 would stack up in this group.
That was my first thought!
Absolutely
And Sauer 100
Oh it would do great in my opinion
Love my M18, didnt regret buying it one second. Well built, great trigger, smooth bolt action, precise. Great gun!
So much work into this video! Thanks for making the video!
I agree. And it looks fun. Like, dang it, why could we not be out there taking turns with them. Well, that would be a problem for me because I am in Texas and they are in Idaho. But anyway, I like the range that they have. Looks like repeatable conditions to better isolate rifles and ammo.
Sup WHO_TEE_WHO
InstaBlaster.
Hey Adam!
I have been able to shoot most of the rifles you tested except the Bergara. I've owned a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 for 12 years (round count is at 1120). The target in the box was a perfect 1/2 inch triangle. With my loads I get .33 inch. Lots of meat in the freezer and on paper and steel it's outrageously great. Deadly accurate, beauty trigger and my action is like butter. I have the "Back Country" model with a fluted barrel. I have since put in a Timney, I always moly the barrel after 200 rounds, added a muzzle brake and I did the paint myself.
Great video. I'm going to comment on the 30-06 video as well.
I have the B14, Bergara HMR and the Ruger American all in 6.5 Creedmoor. I love the Bergaras accuracy and smoothness but I always reach for the Ruger when I go out into the sticks. Not only is lighter and can hold its own against the Bergaras as far as accuracy, it’s cheap enough that I’m not worried about beating it up or scratching it. Other rifles make the trip about them, you have to worry about getting them wet, constantly taking care not to ding them up and taking them into consideration in how you go about setting up your shot, they are basically like bringing your high maintenance girl on the hunt. In contrast the Ruger is like one of those tools you buy at a hardware store, sure there’s better but you don’t care if you beat it all to hell to get the job done.
This is exactly why I bought a Howa 1500 to use instead of my Browning A-bolt medallion.
Petty much describes my rifle buying standards.
Amen.
I’m saving up for a Weatherby, thx gentlemen for the hard work that went into this! It deserves more views!
I’ve shot several of these rifles and more expensive ones, but I find myself coming back to the tikka rifles. They do everything well. The line of rifles they just came out with are very impressive go check them out if you haven’t. Anyway fantastic review.!
Trying to find a Tikka in .308 with a threaded barrel for under 1k, but it's been challenging.
@@0dirty this is what I’m looking for right now. Threaded 308 tikka. Not sure what model to focus on
@@0dirty Dang man I've been trying to find that and even OVER $1k it's next to impossible. I'm not sure why they refuse to import their best models to the US.
I have two Tikkas. Would own at least 2-3 more if they would’ve been available when I was looking. I also have a Vanguard, Kimber Hunter, and X-bolt that took the places of the potential Tikka purchases. I like them all but I still would buy a Tikka over all of them.
I own a Kimber 84m, mine is a select grade in .308. The light weight of the rifle does make it a challenge to shoot. The pencil barrel does force you to slow down. Mine is a shooter and an awesome rifle. Great video guys.
Tikka the best out of those 3, I have that same tikka super light and it’s the best hunting rifle I have owned
@GastonGross check out Tikka's new Veil line.
@GastonGross Have to agree. Their new Wilderness series Hunter probably would have won this competition. I love my Tikka T3x SL in 6.5CM, and it's definitely lighter than the Bergara's, but Bergara's overall finish seems just a tad bit nicer. That being said I do not own a Bergara, yet.
See I'm going to disagree. I ve owned the begura and tikka in 300 win mag. The Tikka was an awesome rifle but the action killed it for me. On target I don't like having to deal with any slop and the tikka was slightly more sloppy than I could deal with
@@TheLarzon I have a Tikka Veil 300 win. No slop there. they are still called a T3x, but are definitely an upgrade
@GastonGross I recently wounded a large black bear with a 270. From now on, for large deer and up, I'm using 300 win.
I haven't seen such a high production quality in any other shooting video. You guys nailed it. I really appreciate the effort to point out the pros and cons of each rifle..
I subbed and liked you video...keep it up dudes
These reviews are great. I have been looking into getting a Ruger American for some time now. This helped me see its flaws but also it’s added bonuses. Thanks!
You won't be disappointed with a Ruger American. Sub moa all day.
I love my ruger.👍
Been really impressed with the Ruger. Slap a decent scope on it and it’s a very useable piece. Also they have a predator threaded and ready for suppression, for 400. Excellent value.
For the accuracy:cost ratio, they cannot be beat.
@@phild9813 @avage use to be able to say that
How do those do after multiple shots? Do you have to wait a while for it to cool down?
Exactly right, slap a scope on it. Why do none of them come with open sights? Could it be a collusion between optic manufacturers and gun manufacturers to increase the cost of every rifle?
@@russellkeeling4387I doubt it. It’s probably because shooting with iron sights is somewhat falling out of style as people go increasingly towards fitting their pistols and rifles with optics. Plus, many of the calibers on these bolt guns are intended for more accurate, long-range shooting out to a point where iron sights would be almost useless. Ruger still puts irons on their American Rimfire bolt gun, but that’s probably because most people wouldn’t be going out past 100 yds or so when shooting .22
Outstanding gentlemen. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and the couch critique. Appreciate the time, energy, resources, candor. The pleasant and welcoming atmosphere is refreshing. You gents are a joy to view.
If you're as FABULOUS as Jim is 🤣
I have the b14 in 30-06 and I love it. I fully took it apart and put it back together and it was still dialed in at 100 yards.
I stored it in my gun case wet after my first few uses and some light rust was forming on the barrel. It took like ten minutes to get it off, but that’s why I took it apart. Hands down one of the best out the box triggers for the price.
The Weatherby Vanguard is my favorite by far. Bought the polymer stock model and had a custom walnut stock made. It is a beautiful firearm and my go to deer rifle. 308 win. Howa makes a fantastic rifle for Weatherby. The trigger if fully adjustable, really like the 3-position safety, blueing is very dark, machining quality is excellent. You can't go wrong with this rifle.
I just bought the Howa legacy in 308 win. Ten rounds through and I’m impressed with everything about this gun. Hard to beat Japanese machining.
@@josephvladyka3221 I have owned a fair few Howas over the years and they really are fantastic rifles for the money. If you want a good Rem700, buy a Howa lol. The only downside to them is the factory Houge stocks. They are atrocious. I’ve got a few in some Boyd’s stock and they are sublime.
@@beardedbjorn5520 thanks a lot for the information. So far after a box of shells, for the money, I’m quite pleased.
I've owned most of those rifles and my absolute favorite and most accurate is the tikka in 243
243 is my faviort cartridge for deer hunting or target shooting and I was thinking the kick wouldn't be bad cause smaller
I have the Tikka T3x Hunter which is a wood stock and that shoots way softer than the Superlite but its slightly heavier.
Just bought one myself in .270. Haven't shot it yet.
Shartman1433 I’d love to find an older Tikka in an original, wooden stock, chambered in .223, (for the price of a target shooting round). What an awesome feat of research these 3 have done, at their own expense! Incredible.
I have a Tikka T3 superlite .30-06..6lb $699. I got mine 6 years ago for $495 and it's awesome, smooth trigger, great action and very accurate.
The Woodstock version of the Tikka is spot on, they finally addressed the plastic recoil lug and bolt shroud. You get rid of the cheap plastic stock with one of the wood variants and its magic, the gun really comes to life and stands out. In my opinion, the extra weight of the wood stock rifles is much needed and balances perfectly.
@@mtnhunter5578 totally agree. I have been using the wood version for hunting this year and man it’s absolutely fantastic
I have to disagree with you on the Weatherby Camo. I love mine. Especially with the cerakote barrel. I also am glad you made a statement about the Savage 110. I have the Apex Predator 110 in 6.5CM and it shoots very accurate and had very little recoil out of the box. I have since added a muzzle brake and it now has less recoil than my AR chambered in 5.56.
Plus there is a guy in my town that did my savage Axis II in cerakote any color I wanted (got sniper green) for $100.
Man that chart was super useful. I was able to take the things that are most important to me as a new shooter (accuracy, weight (use), and price. And for me the Ruger American was the clear winner. I think I'm going to go with the American Predator though for the lower weight and easier carry. Awesome video!
I think these guys are somewhat biased against it because it was cheap in my opinion the trigger on my American is way better then the trigger on my savage but they claim the savage has a better trigger the only thing it scored well in was the only category that wasn't completely opinion based
I think you'll be happy with the ruger.i love mine👍
@@zactapia565 Do you have the Accuutrigger on your gun or the standard one? I understand that the former is much better than the latter, and Savage makes a lot of sub-models and variants with both types of triggers at the bottom end of their price range.
@@WisGuy4 I had the axis II with the accuutrigger hated the gun and sold it a few months after purchase
Totally agree...
Just get the B-14 Hunter in the new "Wilderness" series. $100 more gets you a hand-painted camo stock and cerakote barreled action.
Even just a pinch more gets you the "Ridge" with a heavier contour, muzzle brake, tac knob, drop mag and short barrel availability. Best bang for your buck IMO.
I agree and I just bought a WR14 in 308. Cant wait to start shooting it
@@Notreallyme377 You'll love it. Idid a lot of research before deciding on the Wilderness Ridge "Special Purpose" w/ 18" barrel. All the extra features and build quality set it apart for me. Plus the short barrel keeps the length/weight down to work great as a brush gun and suppressor host.
Personally I’d get a t3x CTR or special edition with cerakote and all the extras
I went with the Weatherby Vanguard Badlands after seeing this. Thanks for doing all of the legwork for me!
I really enjoyed this comparison of budget rifles. It should really help experienced hunters and newcomers make a more informed decision on their first/ next hunting rifle. Especially if they’re looking for something that doesn’t require much more than an optic to get out there and hunt.
Good job, guys 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I bought a Tikka T3 stainless laminated stock .243 on sale when the T3x came out. My longest kill is 495yds, coyote w 58 gr Hornady @3925 fps amazing load! it's a "cold barrel" shooter not a bench rest gun, keep it cool and it groups under 1" @ 200 yds and 1st shot dead cold is dead on. It's a true hunting rifle w the best trigger in the biz. My T1x .17hmr can eat rounds but needs a quick clean with a bore snake every 50 rounds to keep the groups tight when hunting ground squirrels. Tikka all the way! Btw Limbsaver makes a recoil pad that bolts right on ;)
Great great great reviews guys love how nobody was a name snob, it hurt that the savage is a POS.... But I don't own a single gun that hasn't been polished, floated, bedded, and a trigger job done.... Great job guys 👍
The Bergara B14 is probably my favorite rifle. I have one chambered in 300 win mag and it shoots like a dream. Does have recoil, but it’s a solid rifle that handles it well and doesn’t kill your shoulder at all. The bolt and trigger are also as good as you’re going to get for the price. Very accurate as well. Could not be any happier with it. Great review of all of them.
im trying to get the BERGARA B14 in 30-06 how u get yours cause i cant find it anywhere
@@IBrokensin Going to go pick one up in 300 prc tomorrow at Cabelas
i really like the Mossberg predator. I used to dislike mossberg "rifles" about ten years back (love their pump and sem-auto shotguns) but the predator and new offerings are very affordable and well built. I think you can snag a 6.5prc predator for around $400!! Very well built gun for around 400, i was kind of shocked at the low price.
I had a mossberg 464 30-30 (a model 94 copycat) and it was the worse gun I ever put in my hands, would never feed and it felt like it would explode in my face and the whole gun felt really unstable like the screws and stock was loose, still to this day I refuse to buy a mossberg again there’s a higher chance of me buying a Christensen arms than a mossberg
Very cool video. Probably one of the best and most honest head to head reviews I’ve seen on TH-cam. Good work gents!
Love Tikkas but they unfortunately come with poor recoil pads. I put a Limbsaver on my T3 in 300 WSM and couldn't believe the difference it made. Like night and day....
And this was a well done review put in terms your average hunter/shooter can relate to. Well done. Thanks.
The newer ones have great recoil pads.
when you have a tie, choose again from the (in this case) guns in the tie, however you can not choose the gun you initially chose. chances are 2 of you will have a common seconds favourite and that is the winner as one of you thought it was the best and the other 2 think it is the second best
Got the Bergara, partially due to this video, love it so far
I by far watch this channel the most out of all the gun channels I have . You boys do good work . I have two b14 begara’s a 308 sp , 6.5 prc wilderness ridge love both of those guns as much as I do the browning x bolts
T3X all the way!...cause it comes in left-hand and love the action!
So does the Bergara
@@joshjamesguitar Bergeras feel gritty and have a 90° bolt throw where Tikkas feel like ball bearings and only 70° bolt throw AND Sako barrels
you can’t go wrong when it comes to a tikka
I bought the T3X Superlite, swapped the stock to a more solid feeling comfortable one, and it is my absolute favorite rifle.
1894cossack they make one rifle in lh
Awesome review this is going to be a great channel, you guys definitely keep up the great content. I have both a Bergera B14 hunter in 6.5 and just picked up a Weatherby Vanguard Meat eater edition in 6.5, and I can tell you it's an awesome shooter! I think the Bergera Wilderness hunter is a perfect match for the Weatherby Vanguard....both have cerakote, painted stocks, both are within .1 ounce of each other ( in 6.5 ). There are some main differences between the two...if you prefer a 2 stage trigger, 3 position safety, fluted threaded "24 barrel..the Weatherby is the way to go. If you prefer a two-position very positive safety, Rem 700 stock-trigger options, an amazing feeling " Mcmillan Hunters Edge clone " stock and a "22 barrel the Bergara is perfect. The accuracy for both rifles is so close it's pretty much a wash, on any given day with factory ammo one could shoot a little better than the other.
Missed the CZ 557. Definitely up there with Vanguard and Bergara.
I'm a cz fan... excellent weapons.
I think fans chose the guns to review?
i picked up a bergara for 500 today with this video in the back of my mind. Thank you guys for all your work
SO, Here is my tie-breaker. I went out and got a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in excellent condition for $340. Smooth as butter action, predictable trigger, beautiful wood stock. Heavy, yes, but so accurate.
I own two Model 96 Swedish Mausers that I inherited from my late uncle . One is in original condition , and the other was sporteized by my uncle with a cut down stock , butterknife bolt handle , and scope mount . The 6.5 x 55 Swedish cartrige is better than the 6.5 Credemore as it can take heavier bullets , you just need a long action receiver to manage the cartrige length . I reload my own cartriges , and have about 600 160gn 6.5 bullets in my reloading stock . My uncle bought both Swedes in the 90s when they were going for about $129 . Lately they've been seen for the asking price of around $700 in these parts ( South Carolina ). Model 96 Swedes dont have the features that many look for these days , but they served the Swedish military for decades in Scandinavia.
@@victorwaddell6530 a model 96 in sweden is between 50-150$ if u find a husqvarna 1900 then you have a great swedish rifle :D
The Weatherby Vanguard is a fantastic rifle. It may be slightly more in cost than the other options you’ve shown here but you certainly get your money’s worth. I have one in 270 Win and it’s a great shooter.
I also have one in 270 from the 90’s and it is flawless
I have a bergara barrel on my muzzleloader and it is extremely accurate. Love it.
Then you probably have a CVA
I'm quite happy to find this video - I'm in the market for a simple hunting rifle, and it has been 10+ years since I purchased one, so I didn't know where to start. This is excellent content. Thank you!
The last time I checked, the Howa 1500 and the Weatherby Vanguard use the same action.
The fat dude has better aim then you
And triggers.
@@soundinsight1076 I am the fat dude, Dude.
@@Trudeau-is-Stalin The Weatherby Vanguard IS the Howa 1500 built to Weatherby's specifications.
2-year-old video and it's still active. Yes, it's that good! I do exactly what you three did here. I buy something, test it for my liking, make comparisons, and move on the next object/subject of interest. Really glad you put the Weatherby on top. I own 4 of the 7 you tested and the Weatherby is my standout. Granted, I have the Vanguard 2 in the Lazerguard, oak leaf stock, and high-quality bluing. Still not a "throw around" set up, but a real looker! I have more Tikkas in my history, and it's hard to complain about them. Putting Bergara on the radar now.
The only thing I think I would do differently here is the price evaluation. It needs to reflect the value and not just the naked price point for scoring. Owning Tikkas and Weatherbys, a shooter understands that when you step lower in price, it costs you something in the overall experience. I have yet to pay the higher price and wish I'd saved $300 and chosen the lower class. The ONLY thing that can even approach that feeling is accuracy, and when that happens, it's gone. I will work with it first but if I can't get it to shoot, it's gone. I sold a Howa 1500, loved many things about it, but it wouldn't group. No room in the safe for a gun I can't trust and will never use. Shockingly, I'm amazed how often I test a new cartridge on an entry level rifle and discover that the entry rifle barrel shoots better groups than the next models up. Between the Ruger Americans and Savage Axis (I&II), I've got MANY great shooters, and because they grouped, I spent the money upgrading them with new triggers and stocks. My only complaint on the rebuild/upgrades is the Savage dbms. They're clunky. No avoiding that. Rust on cheap bluing? Just keep an oil film on them and practice climate control. They'll be fine.
Sorry so long in all comparisons, there's a lot to cover, and a lot can be said. Great channel! Love your work here!
after watching this 4 times, lol, and debate after debate, I'm with Ricky and choose the Tikka, besides all of the reasons discussed in your video I have 2 already in 7mm-08 and 243 and love the crap out of em. Nothing against any of the others though, fantastic job fellas.
The T3x feels like a $2000-3000 rifle; I handled one in the store and bought it on the spot.
How's the 7mm08 with recoil, I'm getting one just waiting for the pta
@@joembarak imo little more kick than the 243, but not unbearable obviously. Well I'm sure you know its 308 case necked down to 7mm , I love it, I'm sure you will too, enjoy sir.
@@michaelvaldez2966 ok cool, thanks for the feedback. I just bought a 7mm08 tikka t3x superlite and I'm just waiting for my permit to acquire to be approved. I've never used a rifle that is as light weight so the recoil is something I was wondering about. I've used a 308 Remington 700 but it has a very thick barrel and is quite heavy. The recoil on that was starting to effect me after going through 25 rounds. I'm sure the tikka should be ok. The only time the recoil is going to be noticable is when zeroing the rifle. I don't shoot very often and shooting more than a few bullets when hunting has been rare for me.
I have the Tikka T3x superlite in 300 winmag and it shoots like a dream I love it. Great video guys!
I leaning unto the bregará myself it’s been on my basket list for a while now so with this video I know I’ll be getting it thanks for your awsome and unbiased review!👍
Ive had the hmr for 2 years now and its been awesome
I own a Kimber 84M Hunter "Boot Campaign" in 6.5 C. I went with that one because I'm very weight conscious when it comes to my gear. The 2 main complaints I have are the trigger reach is a touch long, and the barrel does heat up quick at the range. If I had to do it over again I think the Tikka Super-Lite would probably be a better option overall, but you can't get it cerakoted with a Kryptek stock.
Great review guys. If you ever do this again, you should add a review category "Aftermarket parts". Many people will check out to see if parts are easily obtainable if they decide to mod the riffle. Just constructive criticism here, you review was AWESOME. Good job!
Weatherby Vanguard has the ONLY Monte Carlo styled stock. I am not a short necked guy so i prefer MC styles. I'm doubly happy that the Weatherby Vanguard did so well in your testing.
Glad to see two of my favorites make it. I love Tikka and Weatherby rifles. I am surprised the Howa trigger was not as good as the Weatherby. Both should be identical. Do some research and see for yourself. Maybe it was just the individual rifles that were different. Both are two stage.
Agreed. Shooting them both, I was thinking the same thing, but clearly the Weatherby was more smooth and it was set quite a bit lower as far as trigger pull lbs out of the box. This could have something to do with it, but overall build etc. the Weatherby quality was much better. I am not impressed with that Hogue stock at all!
Michael Hill I wondered it also. But thought about it. Weatherby in contract with howa seems to force a slightly higher level of fit and finish. It is a contract gun that had to have the weatherby name. That being said. The vanguard is not free floated. Odd it groups so well. Makes you wonder
The accuracy difference is due to the cheap Hogue stock, which flexes so much it actually touches the barrel. The Howa trigger comes pre-set at about 4 to 4.5 lbs. It's easy to modify the trigger to give it a light, clean break by trimming a spring inside. th-cam.com/video/AWTAuu-neNo/w-d-xo.html
Howa (LSI) now offers the HS Precision Howa 1500 with a quality stock. With that one change, the Howa will easily shoot as good as the Weatherby version.
I love my Tikka T3x stainless in 6.5cm. The factory trigger is unbelievable, it's basically a match trigger in factory rifle
As far as accuracy, super smooth action, light weight portability and durability in all weather conditions the Stainless Steel fluted barrel Tikka is the way to go. Especially when your humping the mountains all day or all week. The recoil is immaterial when hunting. One shot one kill.
Not sure if its just do to the fluting making it lighter, but I have shot a 6.5 tikka with normal barrel, and it seems pretty smooth shooting. I didnt notice any crazy recoil compared to other makes.
Tikka super smooth. Detachable mag .awesome nice trigger. Owned one in 270. Wsm . Kind of what they where talking a out. Couldn't hold a group after 4 rounds. Great hunting rifle. Not good range rifle. That was using a lead sled .
@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill They said the recoil was significant compared to the others in the lineup, but I believe the recoil is very manageable in 6.5 Creedmoor. Now, would I buy the gun in .300 Win Mag without having it threaded for a brake? Nope!
My T3x Superlite in 6.5 Creedmoor is getting sub 1" groups at 200 yards with a gen 1 Vortex Razor LH 3-15x42 in Talley low mounts shooting Hornady Precision Hunter 143GR ammo. Great light-weight accurate hunting rifle!
Good video. Next test please include a Savage Model 110 Lightweight Storm. One of the lightest and most accurate guns on the market. Sub 1” groups all day using factory ammo.
One of the better review videos I've seen. I just bought the Weatherby Vanguard tungsten Series 2. It has a great trigger and I love the look.
I bought the Tikka 3 before I saw this, makes me know I made a great decision. Not sure how many of the others build guns with the bolt on the popper side!
If you have the 300 win mag like me..... be ready. With such a light stock it will rock the heck out of you're shoulder.
@@zachschoels8597 Mine is 308, I have 7mm in Remington from Alaska.
I have t3x in 30.06. I put a brake on it. Now I can shoot it all day long.
My tikka isn't threaded
@@zachschoels8597 mine wasn't either. I found a good gunsmith on colorado springs and had it threaded and installed
I love your work. It very much deserves to be admired for the amount of man hours you put in. Great job guys. I was hoping to see the tc dimension in the mix, but you still picked very fine guns and did a very comprehensive review. Keep up the good work👍
I just purchased the Weatherby Vanguard Badlands edition in 6.5 creedmoor. NO REGRETS! The gun is beautiful and feels high quality! 🙌🏼
This video helped me decide which one was right for me.
Thanks you guys! @Backfire
Your previous video factored into my choosing a Ruger American (great rifle that I saddled with a subpar scope). I've already been seriously considering a Vanguard, and I'm even more on board with it now.
Try an AB3 instead. It's Japanese budget-perfection
the vanguard is good though
My Ruger American Go-Wild edition is in 7mm08. I replaced the trigger with a Timney, replaced the bolt handle with an anarchy outdoors threaded bolt handle, and polished the bolt and raceways. Now it’s one of the smoothest cycling and best shooting hunting rifle I own. The stock isn’t an issue at all. It’s not the stiffest but it’s not flimsy at all. I’m not a huge fan of the AICS magazines because the mag release is kind of a pain in the ass, but it’s super easy to get additional mags and Magpul makes them pretty cheap and very reliable. The double v-block bedding/recoil lug system is genius and keeps the action rock solid and accurate. All-in, my gun cost around $700 with all the upgrades. In the end, I like having it set up exactly the way I want it, but it was a solid shooter right out of the box. With a loaded mag, Talley rings, and a Leupold 30mm VX freedom scope, a stock saddle, and sling; the whole package weighs 8.4 lbs. While breaking it in, I shot MOA or better with virgin brass, and I rang steel at 300 with ease. Once I run an OCW test and find a good node, I know it will shoot sub-MOA all day with Nosler 140gr Accubonds.
This review was worth the 24 hr wait! Love it TH-cam is hard keep it up!
I would love to see an updated version of this video for rifles under $1500!
we used the howa 1500 in gunsmithing school, the are a great gun to build. very accurate but we were putting a lot of hours into tearing them down and rebuilding them worked great.
The cheap Hogue stock and heavier trigger weight most likely had the biggest effect on accuracy. Those stocks are so flimsy they'll actually push against the barrel when it's resting on a sandbag. I have a Howa 1500 TSP-X and it's shooting tighter groups than any of these rifles using Hornady match ammo.
Just bought the Howa
@@karlschauff7989 yep. Put that thing in a Boyd’s or B&C stock, and you’re laughing.
Doesnt look like they are using the bull barrel either
I have the tikka t3x. Love everything about except for the additional recoil. Replaced the pad and it got better.
Great review. I think another tie breaker could’ve been if they are available in a left handed model. Why do gun manufacturers always forget about us?
Stag doesn't. President of the company is south paw.
Every manufacturer of everything forgets about us.
I know right, luckily tikka is nice and makes most of their guns in lefty as well, savage does as well
I’m blind in my right so I have no choice, but I’ve just been shooting right handed guns. The bolt is the only action I even slightly struggle with. The rest is fine.
Ruger predador have LR now
I usually don’t comment on videos but this video has helped me on my decision so much. The quality was great and you prevented me from the mistake of throwing away money into a Remington.
I'm an economist and did a little analysis of *your* analysis. Agree with what you've said except you've failed to compare the final score with the purchase price of each gun. This is a major oversight.
In the following chart, it's "golf rules": the LOWEST ratio wins because you're spent the lowest amount of cash to "purchase" one point of quality. Paying $5 per pound of prime beef is objectively better than paying $10 per pound of prime beef. Rifles below are listed from best- to worst-value. (Different prices paid or different opinions of quality will drastically affect these rankings.)
1) BERGARA B-14: PURCHASE PRICE/FINAL SCORE = ($700 / 9 POINTS) = $78/POINT, winner!
2) WEATHERBY VANGUARD: $81/POINT, or 4% worse than winner.
3) RUGER AMERICAN: $86/POINT, or 9% worse than winner.
4) TIKKA T3X SUPERLITE: $94/POINT, or 17% worse than winner.
5) HOWA 1500 HOGUE: $96/POINT, or 19% worse than winner.
6) SAVAGE 110 SWITCHBACK: $130/POINT, or 40% worse than winner.
7) KIMBER 84M HUNTER: $150/POINT, or 48% worse than winner.
8) REMINGTON 700: $158/POINT, or 51% worse than winner.
Unsurprisingly, "Rustington" is dead last when value is controlled for cost. Congrats to Bergara for the win.
Great thorough review!!! Thanks for all the time in.
What a GREAT series of videos and this finale is EPIC! GREAT JOB; NOW ONTO THE NEXT! Maybe an "old school rifle" ....all wood stocks/blued barrels competition.
Agreed. Plastic painted guns are the new norm it's sad.
I've owned a b14 bergara in .270 win for several years now and love it...... tight groups and great trigger...
I love my bergara ridge rifle 308! Same stock as the b14 but with a heavier contour barrel.
I usually hate comparisons like this, but you guys did a really good job and approached things in a logical manner.
Great Review .. one other thing I would like you to consider in future reviews is .. the availability of Left-Handed Actions ... left eye dominant but right handed .. Thanks
the intro with the shell toss killed me. haha. so corny and yet so awesome.
Worth waiting for. Thank you for your hard work and unbiased opinions!
I think I’ll get a Bergara...
Yeah... Weatherby for the win. I have a Weatherby Vanguard S1, chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. With my hand loads I can shoot 1/4 MOA all day with a clamp on muzzle brake. The only problem with it, is it's a #2 tapered barrel. RifleKuhl works great to get the temp down faster to help prevent barrel flop with a hot barrel.
I’ve got two vanguards and had 3 Americans. You do realise that howa produce the vanguard barrels and actions?
I was looking at this thinking the same thing
Toyota builds Lexus and there’s a very notable difference between the two. Howa’s higher quality stuff wears the Weatherby name.
Michael Hill There is no argument that Weatherby’s rifles are more expensive than Howa, feel free to visit their websites. What explains the price and accuracy difference between them? Even this review supports my opinion. But at the end of the day I don’t work in the factory or truly know but there’s got to be a difference, right?
They make the action. That’s it. They barrel is made by Weatherby, the triggers are made by trigger tech.
The better trigger and stock are worth the difference
@@mmholling87 yip, the name is the only difference. I have both rifles and the parts are interchangeable. Just hate when reviewers review things with out doing their homework. This review was a. Biased one and they all probably chose their own rifles.
Timing on me finding this video was perfect. I was looking at rifles today and leaning toward one, and this video sealed the deal. I am going with the Vanguard. It was down to it and the Tikka. I wouldn't cry if someone gave me the Tikka, but the Vaguard looked better and had a much better feel. Your accuracy reports confirmed my decision. Thanks!
Love my vanguard.Best $550 I ever spent.Chose 30-06over 300 weatherby mag
I’m lookin at one in a 7mm rem
I have an American .270, a vanguard .270, and a Remington 700 30-06. I love my 700 but as far as fit finish and accuracy, the vanguard has knocked down more deer than any of my other rifles, definitely my favorite.
Love the videos! You left out the CVA Cascade!
I was thinking that and the savage axis myself.
Winchester XPR
@@thebitefight2601 they tested a Savage 110 which is a far better than the axis rifles. The axis isn’t worth putting in this test.
@@chevyon37s I got both and love them both no complaints with either.
axis and cascade are legit trash
I REALLY envy you folks jobs. Doing this quality work on hunting rifles is what these channels are really all about. I have 3 Ruger Americans, the Compact LH.308, and the 7.62x39 and 6.5 Grendel. All shoot lights out, good quality and were inexpensive. Just wish ONE FREAKING MANUFACTURER would make left hand rifles consistently. I found the .308 compact and it's not made anymore. Can't get the others in LH, it's a shame since there's millions of us Southpaws that would spend for rifles like that American that don't break the bank but usually shoot better than we can...Great job guys!!
Would have loved your opinion on the CVA Cascade in this group.
One of the best videos I have ever watched - well done !
I know the pandemic makes all this hard but a video like this about ar15s would be awesome. Great review and Keep it up guys
We are trying to work something out currently for a review of AR’s. Hopefully we can make it happen!
@@backfire Yes! Please do budget ar's because most of us here on TH-cam are young gun enthusiasts that are close to broke. lol
Also Kudos for buying the guns - rather than accepting them from the manufacturer - gave integrity to your review
Love love my Bergara B14 6.5 Creed. Thanks for confirming it's the best 😉
I have FIVE Tikka T3 rifles and all are awesome lights out shooters. From .223 to 7 mag.
Would love to see thoughts on the Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather
Picked up a Weatherby Vanguard 2 300 Win Mag 2 years ago and i wasn't even at the store to get a rifle but was looking at a Kimber Micro 9 when i spotted it on the rack. It had a little dust on it and i about fell over when i seen the price...on sale for $345.00 and that sealed the deal. What made it better is at checkout it was $325.00 and i just couldnt believe my luck. Everything about the rifle is amazing. Great trigger, smooth action and consistent 3/4" groups at 100 yards and it handles the power of the 300 Win Mag round with ease.
Probably the best, most fair comparison of firearms I have ever seen. Really appreciated the use of the same type of optic on each gun, the use of multiple loads from multiple manufacturers (did that make a big difference, did each gun seem to have a favorite, or was one type of ammo a standout?), and the use of three shooters. You may a tremendous effort to smooth out the variables!
Each rifle did like a certain ammo. I will say though, almost all of them shot decent with Hornady 140gr ELD Match
My two cents....I would go for the Bergara, because you can get it with AICS magazines. BTW, I believe HOWA, makes the Vanguard for Weatherby. I have an older Vanguard and it is awesome, for the first few shots, then it really spreads out. But for Hunting, You only need that first shot.