So as you saw in my last post I picked up a Bergara b14 HMR and topped it off with a vxr 4-12x40 I had in the safe, liberty freedom suppressor. Today I put it through its first 50 or so shots. I only have 100yds to shoot behind my house and I was kind of rushed today. Gun shot fantastic. Process is as follows:
Shooting of wobbly plastic table with Allen front and rear bags. Real state of the art precision stuff you know
Shoot fouler shot then 5 shot group. Clean the barrel. Shoot another fouler and another 5 shot group. When I got to the federal power shock and Remington corelokt I didn't have much of those so I did 3 shot groups. Pics will tell the story. I tried a few handloads as well. Full length sized brass. Now I can just size the necks and get them tuned for this rifle. One shows alot of promise. I just need to tune it.

Range and table.

175gr barnes match over 42.5gr of varget. 2.81oal.

Another of load above.

Cheap perfecta 147gr 3 shot group.

5 shot group. I pulled the flyer on the right.

Perfecta 5 shot. Again I probably pulled the flyer.

Federal 150gr powershok 3 shots.

Remington 180gr corelokt 3 shot.

This is my first time out with rifle. Rest was not a concrete table with lead plead. This is just quick set up and shoot stuff. I am positive with more time I can tighten all the groups up. Now I have some fireformed brass I can work up a really good load for this gun. I also really need to try some 168gr Federal gold medal match. In my experience it usually shoots the best groups of store bought ammo. I love the rifle. Can't wait to put a more target style scope on it, work up a good load, and stretch it's legs at cmp. I will continue to keep y'all updated on load progress. Don't have a lot of time to shoot so it may take a while. Sorry.

Good shooting. What are your plans for the rifle. Since your reloading I'd suggest some 168 bergers as well. I had really good luck with them and the 175 bergers out of my 5R out to 1100 yards.

A good rest will make a lot of difference in your groups.

Looks good so far! I'm sure you will, but I know I'd be playing around with seating depth on those 175's and Varget.

Also, this makes me really want to get my hands on one in 6.5 so I can get to work on a load.

I can't wait to try the 168's. They always shoot best in my 308's. I plan to use the rifle for hunting and medium to long range paper punching. I planned on putting a vortex viper pst or leupold vx3i, or Burris Xtra on it but recently have been looking at the Athlon stuff since I am on a bit of a budget right now. Haven't made my mind up though.

Yeah I really either need to lay out prone and use the bipod and rear bag or build a decent table. But didn't have much time so I threw out the plastic table. Still not too shabby for some walmart Perfecta 147gr trash ammo.

Definitely going to be playing with the seating depth. I have a starting point now, so as you know the real work begins now. I went in to buy the 6.5 but it was out of stock. Kind of happy I have the 308 though. I have a ruger in 6.5 and love it. Let me know when you get your 6.5.

What kind of rifle hunting? I imagine a short trip to a stand over a long field. I'm always interested when someone mentions hunting with such a rifle.

R H it really isn't all that bad. No difference in toting that to the stand than any other rifle. Now climbing up and hunting out of a climber is a different story.

Definetly not bad at all for the perfecta ammo, I wanna build a concrete table to shoot from. That should be a shooter with some good handloads.

This will be a power line, clear-cut, field rifle. I have a spot in mind that has a shooting house sitting on a clear cut where you can see pretty far. I usually always walk in to my spots. It's really not that heavy and this is Alabama where you usually don't have a long drag out to a spot where you can get a 4 wheeler (unless you hunt wma). Its not Colorado where I am packing meat out for miles in high altitudes and need a 6lb rifle.
For brush, woods, close range stuff I have plenty of lever guns. Like originally stated it is a multipurpose gun. It is not a dedicated Hunting rifle, it also will do a lot of target work for fun. But it can be hunted with, bergara actually designed it to be multipurpose.

Concrete tables are awesome. If I could shoot further behind my house I would build a concrete table but it's only 100yds, 130 max, and I really don't get much time to shoot so I can't justify building one. I do wanna get out to cmp in talladega here soon and try it out though. Looks like a great facility.

If I was really dedicated to shrinking the groups I would just lay down and use the bipod, but it is so Sandy by that tree that it is basically one big ant pile. Angry little things are really distracting.

Good shooting. Hoping I can get mine to the range before too long.

I know you have some good recommendations already but the Hornady 178 grain ELDX will be great in that rifle

I second this based on my experience last week.

Got the call yesterday that my bergara in 6.5cm came in. Hopefully I'll get to shoot it this weekend. I can't wait!

Awesome. Can't wait to see the range results.

Me either! I got about 4 different types of Hornady to try out. I need to order some Prime ammo. I've read good things about it.