bolt throw. Not a Sako to be seen ? Since Bergara use a Rem 700 barrel (action and trigger too?) One-Piece Picatinny Rail Quick and easy optics mounting. It might be Franchi just trying to stay ahead of magazine restrictions in some (less free) parts of the world. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Not impressed with the plastic trigger guard also because I have broken one on a different rifle and it was a pain in the rear to source. Probably going to be the Waypoint. It is very expensive. Esp in 7mm-08. Ive narrowed it to 3, but just cant quite choose. The trigger is heavy, but thats true on the Browning XBolts as well. I really enjoy watching all of your youtube reviews. Yes, thats five rounds as always. Hes not huge. Most of the great rifles youve taken time to make us salivate for do not make left handed models. A fine rifle like this is perfect for beating to shit while you learn the other basics. enything under 2k. My two next rifles will be a Weatherby Mark V and a Sako 85. From afar it looks pretty standard, but it does set itself apart in a few ways. Instead of light gun oil, I wouldwipe gun with a rig rag. I recently purchased the Momentum Elite in the 6.5 creedmoor and respectfully think an honourable mention for the under $1000 would be appropriate. In my mind, there are only two good options in the sub-$500 price point: (1) The CVA Cascade, and (2) The Ruger American and preferably the Predator version. Thank you! Its a well designed stock, but the fit and finish feels cheesyespecially the checkering pattern they use. Agreed on the MarkV. Am I wrong in my logic? Yes if I were going to Alaska where you can run into damp rainy weather for days on end I would either have my Mauser electrolysis nickle plated (it plates even the inside of a receiver and barrel) or if I wanted to get off cheap take a chance on a modern stainless rifle that probably would freeze up in very cold weather with their speed lock mechanisms which are idiotic in a hunting rifle. 180 gr Remington tipped core lokt and its in the bullseye out to 400. Hi Jim They are built in the same factory where they produce Mauser and Blaser rifles (all owned by the same company), so I guess quality shouldnt be an issue but unlike Mausers and Blasers, these rifles are far less expensive. Jim, based on your reviews and several others, Id really like go with the 6.8 Western. Ill keep one in mind next time Im in the market. Not sure what caliber you tested the bergara b14 ridge in but, I bought one from Scheels last year in 6.5 prc and it would scratch up the casings, and jam up on the last round. 1 Image (s) Franchi Momentum Elite 6.5 Creed Realtree Excape 24" TB Burnt Bronze 41606. Trigger: 2-4 lbs, adjustable, single stage I had settled on this for my next rifle based on the Weatherguard coating, price and MOA accuracy guarantee but now it seems we may never see them. Can't see enough difference to make a difference. Its short, compact, lightweight, sinfully accurate with my handloads, feeds 100%, and adjustable so it fits me perfectly. I want your opinion on there trigger system. Usage for the rifle would be long distance hobby shooting, but also potentially taking it on everything from whitetail up to moose for a hunt should I ever get in to the sport with my brothers and dad. A very accurate danish produced rifle. Meet the Franchi Momentum Bolt-Action Rifle. What would you like to know? Bergara seems to have just come out with a Walnut stock maybe as a result of one of you comparing their stocks to garage floors??? Thats a nice collection. All six chamberings available in U.S.-market Momentums come with a threaded barrel. I agree with you. Way sub-MOA. Its a 3-lug design with a decently large extractor and ejector and large locking lugs. Im giving the Momentum an extra star above average for the polished, fluted bolt and all the checkered ergonomic areas on the stock that fancy it up a bit. Have to admit I love Henrys, so am trying to take my heart out of the decision with wisdom from someone more experienced like you. I just bought a Savage Axis II XP in 308 after much research and debate amongst my hunting partners. Not real excited about paying for a custom build so wondering what you would recommend I consider? Ive tried a lot of others, including Hornady PH (178gr I think) and Hornady Match 168 gr, and they are lucky to shoot 4 inch group with huge point of impact change. It's my 1st long-bolt (actually 2nd, I'd had Win 70 Ultimate Shadow 338 win mag. The action is butter smooth and the stock has a palm swell the sold me when I first picked the gun up. Keep up the great work. So it is not a 700 rem action like the Bergara, So no MDT chassis at this time to match. Store. There are so many other options to consider, but hopefully, that gives you a solid starting place if youre looking for a premium hunting rifle. I actually ordered a CVA cascade first, in .308, but changed my mind and returned it and bought the Franchi. Jim love the reviews and the Channel. Ill be curious to see them for myself, but Ive heard good things. Excellent 3/4 MOA accuracy with Hornady Precision Hunter ammo, QD Flush cups and picatinny embedded in the stock, Available in all the most popular chamberings for custom rifles (including 7 PRC), I personally would have preferred that they went with a more modern vertical grip, I wish there were an arca rail on the bottom of the forend for connecting to a tripod. Yeah, the Reaper is pretty awesome. Do you think this is normal business practice ? I would definitely buy the Winchester XPR SR version, which means suppressor ready, so you get a threaded barrel. My personal Ruger American shoots 0.8 groups consistently. It has the Accufit stock, but not the Accustock with the aluminum rail system. Thanks in advance. It would be a tiny bit more expensive, but really not much. Thanks for the videos, they have been great! Id say Im in the sub-$1,500 range. Chambered in .308 Winchester, the author's Franchi Momentum has a 22-inch barrel with a threaded muzzle and a black synthetic stock with a recoil pad and integral sling-swivel studs. I am a huge fan of their 1911s and know they are big into precision rifles. I dont see the stock being much different really. I saw you also mentioned something coming at Shotshow but did not see if you talked about this yet. I would not even try and shoot a moose with the Creedmore but its no problem with the 6.5 Swede with its 1 in 7.8 twist with the 160 grain slugs. Thanks. It is aggravating that the stock hugs the barrel on one side, but it doesnt contact on mine. Im sure a video review by you would certainly help clarify and perhaps sway my views on the Sauer 100s. Hey Jim, your videos are great not only on rifles, but optics too. Id love to give one a good in-depth review, but I havent yet. With plain Jane 55 grain hornady soft points and max listed load of H4895, it shoots 1/4 to 3/8 at 100 yards if I lay off the coffee. Ive got an old 700 that is a beautiful gun and was a great deal but Im taking the plastic stock Savage up in the tree this fall. Best purchase I ever made. Feeler gauges became shims for my lathe and mill. Jan 18, 2020 #3 C clockworkgator Watch my review here. Love the guns review vid on ones under $500 and everything else! Keep up the great work. They are reviewing new rifles not old ones. Thank you. Its very heavy, the straight pull was difficult to work with and made a few of my shots not go off because I didnt quite push it ALL the way forward. Fierce is about $400 more and almost a pound heavier. . Hey Jim! I really like the Springfield waypoint but it is out of my price range but definitely the nicest rifle Ive held! I wanted to get into deer/large game hunting while trying to stick with one gun for all animals (deer to elk) and I live in northeast South Dakota. Looks great. I had a question on my first rifle purchase. Love you work and your research is unparalleled. Fnanchi is most likely the same design since they share ownership. With a century and a half of firearms manufacturing behind it, Italy's Franchi has unveiled its first-ever centrefire hunting rifle, the Momentum. My initial impression is that it is a pretty standard budget bolt gun. Bergara B14 Hunter? Backfire LLC owns and operates this website. Most of the videos I see you get two shots touching and a flier on the mod 70. I have not seen a semi-auto in 6.5 PRC, should I wait? How about a Bergara Wilderness Ridge in 7 mag? Its a good option for light cartridges, but the light weight and stock design dont make for a good match on heavy cartridges. And I need it in a shorter stock. Keep them coming! I decided to to send Fierce an email basically telling them how disappointed I was with the tight chamber and extractor design issues and failure. Available in: 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 277 Sig Fury. What is your opinion on this gun? (1) The Springfield 2020 Waypoint with a steel barrel, (2) You could wait a few months for the new Bergara B14 Squared Crest to come out, or (3) Get a Sig Cross. Well yeah man its a larger case. Jim, would love to hear some feedback on Cooper firearms if you have any input? I just dont shoot the Weatherby as well as I used to, and even reloading is expensive enough I dont do much plinking with it. As a matter of fact these days it usually sucks. I verified it with factory ammo, Guaranteed 1 MOA accuracy, but probably beats that, Guaranteed 1 MOA. Id like to see how the Sauer 100 performs. Also, what about the Bergara MG Lite with their proprietary carbon barrel? The Franchi Momentum Elite Bolt-Action Rifle also has a 1-piece 1913 Picatinny rail that permits flexible accommodation of various aftermarket optics. Gun Review: Franchi Momentum Rifle in .308 Win, School Security: As a Parent, Hold Your School Officials Accountable, Campus Carry Celebrates Two Years in Texas, Doomsayer Professors Refuse to Comment, Gun Review: Smith & Wesson Model 317 Kit Gun .22LR Revolver, Oh, The Humanity: Latest Polling Shows a Majority of Americans Now Oppose an Assault Weapons Ban, Smith & Wesson Announces the New M&P FPC Pistol Caliber Carbine. To wit: 1. and CVA all the way. Remember the cheap skates that passed up Colt Pythons when they were only $260 bucks and now are 10 times that. What is your opinion on the Edge vs Rival? So Id recommend just paying for it online. Ruger Americans are fantastic. What do you think about the CZ 557 line and the new 600s? Can Italian go to a local gun store and buy one (or any firearm) without a government license or permission? I have been eyeing the ruger go wild.I like the heavier barrel profile. I am looking to buy a Savage 110 Timberline in 300 win mag, what is opinion about it ? It tames the recoil of this 6.6-pound rifle extremely well. I own a Tikka T3 in .300 WSM and love it as my go-to big game hunting rifle. Then I bought an Alaskan 338 Win Mag Laminate in Stainless. Was very happy with all of it. It was raffled, gave winner 450 hoping to thrd and add brake but barrel too thin. If you had 1500-2500 just for one, which make would you drop that cash on? I think in theory controlled feed is better, but they also generally dont feed well (or at all) if you try to feed by dropping one in, rather than mag feeding. Every Weatherby Ive ever shot has been exceptionally accurate and well-built. Hi Jim, I really like the trigger feel, but it is a little heavy. Customization * * * * Same for Austria and Glock. bolt turn was a bit rough out of the box. Franchi Momentum .350 Legend Threaded 24" Bbl FDE BA Rifle 41562. Hey Jim, I would love to hear your imput on which rifle you prefer between the Ruger American, CVA Cascade, and the Winchester XPR. In depth and honest I found not too long ago a Husqvarna Mauser for $400 bucks in like new condition. I agree! Model 70s and tons and tons of various 98 Mauser rifles ranging from converted low cost military guns to commercial Mausers that cost thousands. I was all ready to order the Fierce but I see your post above and now I am on the fence. Love your videos and reviews thanks a ton. I like the straight comb with minimal drop and I found the cheek weld comfortable. Removable e Box Magazine (Large Capacity) An innovative modern design with folding buttstock, pistol grip. I am over 50 now an i have owned and hunted 21 different rifles, that will be all brands from Rem 700, Browning , tikka, several Blasers and Sakos, Heym and some more. Caliber: .308 Winchester (available in five other calibers, too) At present time i run Sakos and Blaser. I am looking for an all purpose dependable rifle to handle more than one role. In our testing, the Weatherby Vanguard shot the most accurately, although the difference between it, the Bergara and the Tikka was so small that I doubt we could call it statistically significant. Would love a Tikka, but your notes on them provide the info for not making the cut. And youre right about the cost of Weatherby ammo. So happy you out this together as it brings all of your work together and I hope you link to it. Great choice in a gun. I really love your channel. Thanks. Looks like a good buy. I have been looking at the 6.8 western. I wish more gun writers would be as informative. I\m looking for a good \all around\ big game hunting rifle (elk, whitetail/mule deer, and antelope mostly). I went with the CVA simply for that reason. XPR has a great barrel (mine was very accurate), free floated; pretty smooth bolt/action for price; same trigger as M70; permacote is durable; stock is better than most in price range. Im down to the Savage 110 Ultralite and the Christensen Ridgeline. Thoughts? The Tikka Superlite 7RM is my dedicated high country rifle, weighing in at 7.1 lbs scoped. Hey Jim I recently found your stuff and have been doing a deep dive. Jim, between the Savage 110 Ultralight and the Weatherby Mark V which would you pick for accuracy? They need to get their stuff together first. Delsin Rowe is the main protagonist and playable character, a young Native-American man who later realizes hes a Conduit with special powers. Performance is really good. Im well aware that there is stiff competition in the semi-custom rifle category. Ive been eyeing them for a while, but the MPR turned me off from the chassis rifles. Savage, Tikka, Browning, Christensen- all offer LH options and should be commended for it. $699.00. I was unaware of the QC issues with the Cross. The ammo is inexpensive and widely available, the recoil in manageable for most shooters, and the cartridge is unquestionably capable of taking elk cleanly. Best 5 shot group was .320 so I wouldnt knock the compass for a budget rifle. See also Gluck. Both have cold hammer forged barrels 2. Thank you. Cannot find the Federal rounds anymore so Shooting the Hornady Precision Hunter 110s now. Is it like the other cheap stocks you mentioned They have shot the ruger and no problem but alittle heavy to be packing around the mountain. Yes, even if my hunting situation means most shots will be shorter range, I want a rifle that will reach out and make a 250 or 350 yard shot accurately in case it needs to. When will you be putting the Seekins HAVAK PH2 through its paces? I enjoy your videos on YouTube, very informative and you dont pull any punches, I like that. Overall * * * * I was disappointed to see that you no longer recommend the Savage 110 ultralight, having watched the original review which just about made up my mind to spend the $1200. I think many of us started on something like that, dads old rifle or grandpas. They come in the same price bracket as Tikka rifles but from what I have read, unlike the popular T3X rifles, Sauer 100 rifles A junk dull blue finish, it would have costed them too much to put a decent high gloss bluing on it. Can you, or have you already, done a review on the Bergara Premier Divide ? Id like to see a comparison between all the weather resistant advertised rifles, quality of weather protection materials, pros and cons of the different coatings or metals. I want to buy a new rifle in 30-06. Lets weed out a few rifles I DONT recommend first. So, here are my quick thoughts on some of the competition for the best premium factory rifle under $2,500. Most people hide their plasticky pieces of shit from their friends if their friends are the old foxes who know what a real gun is. Also, I am 62 and getting tired of the recoil my 7mm Rem Mag and .270 has, would the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC or 7mm-08 be a good alternative? May 7, 2018. I dont say that lightly. Yes and yes. under 9 lb 7 mm or 300 w m. Jim, I know you are a fierce fan. I used to hunt as a kid. You mentioned the cheap filling stock. Adjustable from 2 pounds to 4 pounds, my sample fell right in the middle of that range. If a close friend asked me what hunting rifle to buy at each price point, these would be my recommendations: If you dont want to read this entire post, jump to the section for rifles in your budget. They are also slippery when wet and ice cold to touch in winter. You mention that you felt the Browning X-Bolt Pro was not a good fit for a heavy recoil gun. People harp on me for recommending the Weatherby Vanguard because its essentially the same thing as a Howa 1500, but costs more money. Cries racism when pointed out that is an idiot. Thanks. Luckily I was at a store on vacation that let me handle both. Im going to let it cure for a day or so before testing it, if I still have an issue with slippage or it effects accuracy, I will switch out for new rings. I have been looking at the savage 110 ultralite 6.5 creedmoor. Its just tough to get excited about because it has no single stand-out feature. I like the cleaner lines without the mag sticking out. I love it. it just feels right. Franchi Momentum .308 Win Threaded 22" Bbl Htr Gry BA Rifle 41533. In the end I still believe the 7mm RM is more versatile. 3. and three-stage safety. I understood going into it that it was a boutique and emotionally motivated cartridge choice, but the performance and build quality is excellent. What is your honest opinion of the CZ 600 can you give me your thoughts on this are what i like long range in a good rifle, with hornady ammo. I did go looking for the reloading equipment you mentioned and more on acquiring lowers ahead of time, yet unable to find. (The extra mags are also only like $20 which is nice, too.) If youre into Italian and youre into affordable, but you still want some Ferrari performance at the Fiat price, Franchis Momentum delivers the goods. Hello Jim. So I do still think they have some QC issues to deal with. Both have V block bedding blocks (But Ruger's are Y blocks for pillar bedding the action bolts.) The Tikka T3X Lite comes with an absolutely fantastic action. You have probably heard this before but I am not really a hunter, at least not yet. Manual dont talk about 6.5 Creedmore ! Fierce Rival I really like my Fierce Rival chambered in 6.5 PRC. They look standard, dont include fluting on the (rather beefy) bolt or the (rather beefy) barrel, the action and barrel are just blued, the trigger is fine but not outstanding, the action is quite smooth but not as smooth as a Tikka. The Vanguard does come in quite a few cartridges, but retail stores will only give them so many spots on the shelves, and since Weatherby is always pushing its own cartridges, its common to not find the chambering youre looking for without special ordering it. Are you still doing a full review on that caliber? The trigger is adjustable like the Tikka. Just doing a bit of research on the Momentum because the local gun store has a bunch on sale. Fancy for an affordable rifle, the Franchi Momentum sports a one-piece, fluted bolt. I think you did a good job in your review of 25 hunting rifles at various price points. You should always spend your hard earned money on what *you* like, but the Franchi stock strikes me as an example of what the late Chuck Hawks called "Euro trash.". The new Franchi Momentum is darn near an exact copy to the Ruger American. Do you still recommend them. I ended up buying a Bergara Mountain 2.0, which checked all the boxes for me as a hunting rifle. Franchi Momentum All-Terrain Elite .223 Rem 18" 1:8" Bbl TrueTimber Strata/Midnight Bronze 10+1 Rifle 41751. The reasonwhen Im going to kill an animal, I want to kill it stone deadone well-placed shot. I cant say I love the idea of a polymer sling mount with a relatively thin wall to it, but its definitely more out-of-the-way than a protruding stud. While I believe theyve succeeded in creating a stock that accommodates many different shooting positions and feels above average in all, it doesnt necessary excel in any of them. Some people get a good one, others get a lemon. In regards to the CVA and the Bergara, Im looking at getting one or the other in 7mm Mag. Sorry youtube is being such a pain in the ass to you as well. He recommended a wildcat round, 7 mm SAW. The rings came with friction paper. There really isnt much to complain about on a Bergara B-14. A fairly vertical pistol grip offers comfortable control from most any shooting position. Full Details. Christensen MPR The MPR looks fantastic, but I do feel like its a little bit of lipstick on a pig. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend a Weatherby if you find one in a cartridge you like, or if you dont mind shooting Weatherbys overbore cartridges. Combing the interwebs just now I see other reviews reporting groups from 0.40 to 2 MOA depending on caliber and ammunition brand/load. I had a Waypoint 2020 6.5 PRC on order for a long while- when one finally showed up and I was able to handle it, I just could not warm up to it. However, they really dont get enough attention from huntersmostly because they make few attempts to really stand out from the other rifles on the shelf. Dumb! Both good guns, I would worry about Franchi suddenly stopping production of this rifle and parts availability going to zero. My experience as well Tim! These areas are designed to provide purchase and ergonomic grip options for different shooting positions and styles, such as the five seen above. I am finally biting the bullet and having a custom gun made. The also Cerakote the barrel which lowers the need for oiling the metals on your gun, and protects it in rainy or otherwise wet conditions. As did locking it. I am looking for a 6.5 creedmoor bolt action hunting rifle for our place in north central west Texas. Will be used mostly for white tail and hogs in Texas. The Carbon Predator looks cool, but really just a slight variation on the 110 ultralite. I have been looking for a carbon barrel rifle in a .308 due to ammo availability. He missed the entire point of the product to rant about what great deals can be had on old guns. The Elite series, added alongside the budget-priced original in 2020, did nothing to diminish those impressions. Italians know firearms and so do the Finns. With a typical retail price of $549, the Franchi Momentum is a lot of Italian hunting rifle for not a lot of cash. Have you ever made a review of the Schultz & Larsen rifle? Again not a spot of rust. Heres a link to that rifle in .30-06. Theres also the option of ordering that rifle with a Vortex Crossfire II scope on it. FRUSTRATING. Then you can go pick up in your local store in just a couple days and do the government paperwork and walk away with it. There was getting to the point where I found I needed better but thats not how the first few years took off. Im really down to the Fierce Carbon Rival vs the Weatherby MarkV Backcountry. I dont know even they even sell it anymore but about 10-15 years ago my first .308 was a mossberg ATR. The SIG Cross would be a best second choice. The data-driven nature of the content is extremely helpful. I used to not care about if the bolt locked on safe but after a walk in the woods of ND with a Ruger American and the bolt falling out, to not be recovered on the opener, I now only have guns that lock the bolt on safe. There are a few really nice ergonomic details that Franchi has implemented on their stocks. excellent trigger. Nearly every touch-point Ive had with the company shows obvious signs of errors. However, as Ive owned the Sig Cross for almost a year now, Im surprised by how frequently its the gun I reach for in the safe. 2) the 6.5 prc vs the 7 prc ( i have 2 338 win mags i am planning on keeping for elk +), My thoughts? You never mentioned. I do have a question that I hope you will address. Very impressed. Overall, it seems like a decent gun for the price. Jim love your channel. I just want an all around deer rifle that is easy to find ammo for. Great deal. Scope bases follow the Remington 700 mounting footprint, but the action length does not so only 2-piece R700 bases or separate rings will work. Hello Jim, great article. killed three whitetail with it this past season. We hunt in northern Utah. I have played with many of the rifles you have. I didnt see a Bergara in your list. Had a question, What are your thoughts/opinion on the Wilson Combat AR10s? love the mauser style trigger guard/magazine. The Elite Varmint, introduced last year, should readily . The stock is not very rigid, the butt pad is too stiff, and the stock geometry is only acceptable. It was made for them as a throw back to the Finbear (now Discontinued) Its chambered in 270. If I were buying a new hunting rifle today and I could drop $2,300, Id pick the Fierce Rogue with a steel action. I own one in a 30-06, with 3 safes full of guns, it is my favourite. And have heard mostly good things on it, so I kinda think it was mostly a caliber issue for that gun. Its just so short, light, and accurate. Nor did it entirely love the excellent Hornady Black ammo, putting two rounds through the O that I was aiming at and three in another very tight group some distance away. First of all, LOVE all of your video reviews !! Loved this article keep em coming! Get one , in 30-06 for the purest experience , and youll be convinced ! As you can see I am a gun collector and have not used my 7 mm Mag. RECENTLY SOLD View More Data . Why I Picked These Three Rifles Over the Competition. Hunting rifles per say but not many of the new techno rifles. I know they are two different price points, but Id love to see a side by side comparison between the 2020 Waypoint and the Savage 110 Ultra Lite.