It is so fun to shoot and is extremely accurate! Never bother with a Winchester M70, because I thought it was old fashion. Its the classic , its The One , its stood the test of time , its been around longer than the rest and will still be here long after these other rifles have fallen out of fashion. 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. Sako has major problems with there stocks , I have owned several finnlight 85s and the stock will get sticky , Its not if its when , Sako will not do anything about this issue , They blame it on det in insect spray , I had one still in the box that got sticky and they didnt have an answer for that , You can read about this issue online its everywhere , Browning took care of this problem when they had this issue , I will never buy another sako for this reason , Do your research before buying one. And although most of my center fires are Deluxe grade, the aforementioned still holds true. How may races are there and is idiot one? Can Italian go to a local gun store and buy one (or any firearm) without a government license or permission? Thanks for all of your vids and you helped me get my last two rifles with all the choices. I knew an unknown secret that they did not know, its called grease and oil. Launched on the March 2018 cover of Guns & Ammo, the Momentum was actually Franchi's first rifle. And a nice walnut stock would have cost them a few more pennies to use. Do you have a suggestion for a backcountry hunting rifle that does well with heavy recoil? 1 is the Footprint for the Action is proprietary, It is NOT made by Bergara. Thanks in advance. Or is the lighter, cheaper, better looking cva more applicable? Thanks and keep up the great content! I was down to the Ultralite or the Savage High Country and went with the High Country because of this. I know you get requests for reviews a lot but Id be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the CVA Cascade line of bolt action rifles. What are your thought on the Ruger precision? Id be interested in seeing a review of the q fix. There are a few really nice ergonomic details that Franchi has implemented on their stocks. It is very expensive. Im not the person I asked the question but I am also looking at one chambered and 308 and another shop down the road has a 30-06. John did tell me that they are currently working on a fix for the extractor problem. Hi Jim. Since recording the review of the Sig Cross, my copy of the gun did develop the issue with the safety where it doesnt quite go to the correct position. Do you know a lot about rifles. Went on my first hunt (elk) this October. I would like a 280 Ackley and Fierce only makes it in the Rival. A junk plasticky trigger guard, its enough to make you barf just looking at it. Like, sure. Unfortunately, I cant weigh in on the Sauer 100 yet because I havent tried it. Wish you wouldve done a review on Mauser 18 or sauer 100 as I became interested in those two guns and did ultimately pick up a Mauser this year based on some other reviews. I like the Sig Cross because its lightweight, easily adjustable to fit me or my kids, very accurate, and the short barrel and folding stock make it easily packable for hunts. Another group was slightly more evenly distributed but similar in size. 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.". I have watched your reviews on both, so maybe your opinion on whether itd be worth the additional money To go with the Waypoint. Its an EXCELLENT do-all caliber. The sub-$500 version of the CVA Cascade comes with just blued steel. Hello Jim, Your videos and information are amazing. I really wanted a 6.5 PRC for my first hunting rifle but with the ammo limitations Im probably going to get a 6.5 Creedmore instead. Helping the Franchi Momentum turn in great groups well, helping the shooter do his or her part better is a wonderful factory trigger. Instead of light gun oil, I wouldwipe gun with a rig rag. Thanks. I do like the Weatherby rifles as well as Tikkas. What about the Winchester Model 70? The budget rifle video and cartridge wars are among my fav on YouTube for hunting alone. Hey Jim! My assumption has been that given the limited rifles and ammos out, the x-bolt with browning ammo would have to work well together right out of the box. So where are you from originally and where are you now..Im thinking not the US. Both have NO bolt lock when on safety. Any opinions/guidance would be much appreciated! I too had nailed it down to the Savage or the Ruger American Rifle. It looks to be right @ the very top of weight class Id like, but with the adjustable stock,shape,look & Carbon Barrel, seems to be right in the wheelhouse of what Id like for my larger caliber (wish they had it in .300 PRC) rifle. 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. There is one drawback to the Tikka T3x Lite. 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. Ive shot it twice and didnt like it either time. Frankly, I just dont see the value in the Werkman. 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. Vlad is an asshole in general who needs to go away. I personally prefer the Bergara B-14 Ridge, but they are all good options. Good luck wearing one out with your old ass, you could have the best or worst and it wouldnt matter since its seeing all of a day of use once a season. Have you reviewed one yet? I would love to hear you critique rifle makers that offer nothing left handed in their main lines. 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. He recommended a wildcat round, 7 mm SAW. I recently had a chance to sight it in and run everything over the chronograph . Commissions are earned for links to Brownell's, Amazon, MidwayUSA, GoHunt, OpticsPlanet, Sportsman's Warehouse, and other retailers. 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 looked at the Tikas as well and for the calibers Im looking at, I just think theyll beat the hell outta my shoulder. I dont say that lightly. Do you still recommend them. Franchi Momentum All-Terrain Elite .223 Rem 18" 1:8" Bbl TrueTimber Strata/Midnight Bronze 10+1 Rifle 41751. I was about to buy a Christenson Arms rifle but you and a few others have commented about the quality. Problem is , Im not sure it is practical to spend so much on a custom for some folks. If not the ultralight, whats the best 7 PRC for around $1500? TIKKA is proven, Franchi has some good reports. It weighs a little heavy per the stats, Ill admit but at that price point, its very hard to ignore especially since lightweight after-market chassis can cost as much as the base model B-14, Rem 700, Tikka T3, etc. The Momentum is Franchi's hunting rifle, introduced by the Italian firm in 2018. Watch my review here. I just took the first shots with the Winchester XPR in 6.8 Western today. The stock looks like a varmint/tactical/long range/hunting compromise, and may do those thing well, its just not what I was looking for. Regards kjetil A B Strandengen. My builder said (because of the bad Winchester brass) he would not recommend the 68 Western. CVA all the way. They need to get their stuff together first. Hi Jim, Thank you and keep up the great job! (I\m in Denver and could use a road trip). Itd make a Backstreet Boy jealous. Definitely the most accurate rifle I have owned right out of the box. Synthetic as in black plastic, to be clear, not as in carbon fiber or some other fancy stuff. I really like the Springfield waypoint but it is out of my price range but definitely the nicest rifle Ive held! Sure, you can have better fit and finish, but it costs more. Some day Ill give one a more fair look. I am a big Fierce fan. But the biggest difference is that Franchi is hoping to sell rifles, and theyll sell 90, 6.5 Creeds for every 6.555 they sell , quoteBut the biggest difference is that Franchi is hoping to sell rifles, and theyll sell 90, 6.5 Creeds for every 6.555 they sell quote. Beater rifles go until they cant. Obviously your not going to buy one move on. Availability might be part of the problem. You never mentioned. I have a slue of rifles in many calibers 22LR up to 338WM, except the 7mm mag. Heres a link to that rifle in .30-06. In regards to the Howa 1500 I got one in 300 PRC, it had a Houge stock, I installed a Bell & Carlson, put a Konos M30 on top and got a group the size of a 50 cent piece at a 100 yards. I am looking to buy a new rifle and Im between the Franchi Momentum Elite and the Weatherby Vanguard MeatEater edition mainly because of availability. Thanks for doing great work. I recently purchased a Franchi Momentum 300 win mag w/24 in. And true to their ads, it is a sub-MOA shooter. It would also handle bigger calibers MUCH better than the Cross. Great comment, Frank. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Just how it shot when the time came. Iv shot most all And I need it in a shorter stock. (The extra mags are also only like $20 which is nice, too.) The Sig Cross: Amazing design after some early quality control issues. 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. Copyright 2000-2023 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In regards to the CVA and the Bergara, Im looking at getting one or the other in 7mm Mag. The reason I put the CVA Cascade above the Ruger American is: (1) It has a better action with more reliable feeding, (2) Its stock is more rigid, (3) It doesnt have a super loud safety like the Ruger American, which I found to be tricky to hunt with. Nearly every touch-point Ive had with the company shows obvious signs of errors. I have Burris rings for a Tikka T3 base which are basically the same as the Zee rings. Id prefer 7mm-08, but 6.5 is the newest kid on the block. I like the straight comb with minimal drop and I found the cheek weld comfortable. Floorplate, spring, and follower tilt out. Never spent over $500 before. Twist Rate: 1:11 Its one of the best 3 out of 8 rifles we tested in this price range. Overall Length: 42.3 inches Suppressors are DEFINITELY the future, so I wouldnt buy a non-threaded barrel anymore. Now they are North of $400. I appreciate the blunt honesty. To wit: 1. I think a majority of Americans know the old saying you just took a paragraph to explain. My loads averaging 3050 fps with the 162gr eldx. Does that make sense from what I\ve mentioned? Luckily I was at a store on vacation that let me handle both. The gun feels good in hand and the trigger feels great. Great reviews, but nothing on the Browning AB3? FRUSTRATING. I took it back to Scheels and the guys said its the second time someone has brought one back with that issue in a week. In our testing, we had all of the guns chambered alike, but as soon as any of the reviewers shot the Tikka after shooting the other rifles, they all commented that the recoil felt heavier. Customization * * * * I absolutely love the 2020 waypoint! The trigger however appears to be decent and I like the one piece bolt but I think the internal magazine is a deal breaker for me. I would also love a video on the Winchester model 70 extreme weather! The trigger is adjustable like the Tikka. Spacers are included for length of pull adjustment. Thanks. (weight) Franchi Momentum .350 Legend Threaded 24" Bbl FDE BA Rifle 41562. and see how it stacks up next to the high end factory rifles. Really enjoy your content! . Im looking for a great elk rifle/big game in left handed. Ive narrowed it to 3, but just cant quite choose. Made in Italy? NO, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control_in_Italy, F Franchi, and Baretta and their ilk. My mossberg patriot shoots like a custom rifle. Fancy for an affordable rifle, the Franchi Momentum sports a one-piece, fluted bolt. Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5. One-Piece Picatinny Rail Quick and easy optics mounting. I went ahead and ordered a scope today, I had a leupold vx5 3x15 and sent it back, and today I ordered a Burris Signature HD 3x15, so I will see how they compare. I just want an all around deer rifle that is easy to find ammo for. Im looking for a 7mm-08 in a left handed model. It was raffled, gave winner 450 hoping to thrd and add brake but barrel too thin. Doesnt do it when there is no round in the chamber. It uses the same barrel as the more expensive Bergara B14 rifles, because they are both owned by the same parent company and come out of the same factories in Spain. Saving a penny by not buying grease and oil costs you hundreds of dollars in rust repair. A shiny one. The Tikka T3X Lite comes with an absolutely fantastic action. Its like saying 300 Blackout isnt as effective as 300 WinMag. So not sure what went wrong with the patriot, and I dont really use the ATR except for friends to use but it is a hell of an accurate rifle. Actually, I like it a lot. It's my 1st long-bolt (actually 2nd, I'd had Win 70 Ultimate Shadow 338 win mag. Thanks for the info , it will certainly help those with no interest in spending too much to have a good rifle. How is it Franchis fault again? Which leaves Winchester, Weatherby, Tikka/Sako. Yes and yes. Thanks for your time Jim, love the channel! Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Thank you! One issue that has come up with all three of their guns is having to check and tighten the front and rear action assembly screws. Savage, Tikka, Browning, Christensen- all offer LH options and should be commended for it. Backfire LLC owns and operates this website. Thank you for your great videos especially on moderately priced optics and arms. Hi Jim love your content I was wondering if you had a chance to fire a Benelli lupo I own one and love it also have a Tikka tac t3x a Daniel Defense delta 5 pro a accuracy International at. The controlled-round feed action is great. I recently purchased the Momentum Elite in the 6.5 creedmoor and respectfully think an honourable mention for the under $1000 would be appropriate. Really, the only thing that keeps me from owning more of them is that I can rarely find them in the chamberings I want. The ammo is inexpensive and widely available, the recoil in manageable for most shooters, and the cartridge is unquestionably capable of taking elk cleanly. Ive been eyeing them for a while, but the MPR turned me off from the chassis rifles. It might be Franchi just trying to stay ahead of magazine restrictions in some (less free) parts of the world. So, too, will the rifles 2-position safety allow you to load and unload safely. Thanks. The one I tested was in Badlands camo, and is probably the most common edition I see on store shelves. I am between a Bergara B-14 Hunter and the Weatherby Vanguard. The stock feels really cheesy. Its just tough to get excited about because it has no single stand-out feature. The rings are on a 30mm tube though, which has more surface area pressure from the rings to hold the scope in place. Granted, I got the better tools for measuring how off what they sold is but theres some applications where cheap is better. I was pretty confident in the 110 Ultralight that I found locally for a hair under $1000 but your updates here are making me rethink that. You are using an out of date browser. I will be hunting suppressed from now on and want to keep my rifle as short as possible. Would like to buy a Tikka Super Varmint barrel and action with MDT chassis but am also considering Bergara UpR. Whats the pros and cons in your opinion? Ive got a line on a used Seekins Havak Element in 6.5 PRC. I decided to go a different direction by changing out the barrel for a 20 inch Proof. You made your point. I recall in a vid you talked about hunting with Mosin Nagans, the Russian 30.06! In the end I still believe the 7mm RM is more versatile. then Theres something cool coming. Good read. Italians know firearms and so do the Finns. 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. Will be used mostly for white tail and hogs in Texas. It can be tough to watch all the individual reviews of rifles that I do on Youtube and get a sense for where each rifle stacks up on the Jim Scale, so in this post, Ill give it to you straight. These are incredible results from a rifle with an MSRP barely over $600! Thanks. I enjoy watching your videos but havent found any with this specific manufacture. On the range, the Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint is a bit larger and heavier compared to some of the thinner and shorter barreled Momentum rifles, coming in at 9 lbs., 6.4 ozs. 2. have a metal finish at the trigger-guard, Hello Jim, great article. Id like to see how the Sauer 100 performs. Just easier to carry in hand, never a sling. Mine is in 223 for chucks. Thanks for your thoughts and time! Accurate, lightweight, and comfortable with a great trigger, its a solid choice to fill your freezer this season. and the weathermark? 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. Fnanchi is most likely the same design since they share ownership. Question. Im familiar with it, but havent done an official review. For the record the cheapest gun Ive ever owned is a TC compass in 6.5 Creedmoor and it has shot sub MOA with most factory offerings from day one and consistently shoots sub 1/2 moa with handloads. I was in the market for an affordable hunting rifle this year and you helped me a lot and changed my mind on my first choice. it just feels right. Jim great reviews. I owned one in .28 Nosler and it was a very poor choice for that heavy-recoiling of a cartridge. can you give me your thoughts on 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. Accuracy * * * * * In this price range, this rifle appears to be a very good value. Really enjoy your advice and reviews on guns and equipment, I appreciate your opinions. We hunt in northern Utah. And yes, I did get the stainless barrel, but its cerrakoted, so reflection should be minimized. So if you are shooting 300 win mag, will it throw inaccurate shots on the 3rd shot (or even the 2nd)? Thanks! The best part of learning how much I love hunting was how little I first put in. And have heard mostly good things on it, so I kinda think it was mostly a caliber issue for that gun. Italian? It and the Fierce Rogue are tight competitors. 80lbs maybe. Get one , in 30-06 for the purest experience , and youll be convinced ! Ive seen your comments that fierce rifles have poor fit and finish and that customer service is also poor. Wow, what a shooter! As a side note, I have a Sako 85 from Cabelas. Would I buy this rifle? Kimber Mountain Ascent Subalpine I just dont like the Kimber Mountain Ascent. I didnt see a Bergara in your list. I am looking for a semi-auto gun for hunting, been looking at the Savage MSR 10 in 6.5 CM and the Smith and Wesson M&P 10 in 6.5 CM (I would really love to see an AR10 in 6.5 PRC). Best known for making value-priced shotguns, Franchi may well have taken a leap of faith by entering the highly competitive centrefire market. Your email address will not be published. Never fired, sold it for 600). $699.00. 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. Is it ever gonna happen or should I just buy a 6.5 prc? All six chamberings available in U.S.-market Momentums come with a threaded barrel. I have been looking for a carbon barrel rifle in a .308 due to ammo availability. If youre patient and know what youre doing. I got it in 6.5 creedmoor for deer hunting. The CVA Cascade is an exceptional rifle for the price. Im a lefty that has to shoot cross over right handed bolts. 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. Stock: AG Composites Alpine Hunter. Id go with the Sako in that case. Very impressed. I own a 6.5-.300 Wby and reload my own ammo. Fun to read through this after watching all the vids. Its incredibly well built. I mean, this is one heck of a tight group! Thoughts? I know its very high end but with a replaced hip and knee, I want anchored shots and believe that cartridge is a slight upgrade on the venerable 300WM. The only downsides I have read of it is its screw-on bolt-knob and the fact that you may need a few more tools to disassemble the rifle. As a matter of fact these days it usually sucks. The Elite series, added alongside the budget-priced original in 2020, did nothing to diminish those impressions. YOU SHOULD TEST THE SAKO S20 in 6.5 PRC OR THE SAKO BRANDS. Meet the Franchi Momentum Bolt-Action Rifle. I went with the CVA simply for that reason. Since Bergara use a Rem 700 barrel (action and trigger too?) I just wish there was a better feeling about the Ridgeline. You mentioned in your latest live video that youre off the Savage Ultralight these days. Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.6.1.1 (Release build 20180111) Page Time: 0.097s Queries: 14 (0.037s) Memory: 3.1032 MB (Peak: 3.2586 MB) Zlib disabled. Store. The redesigned rifle includes all the original features that. Those that do could at least be highlighted. Great review. Franchi, a 150-year-old shotgun manufacturer, clearly felt it was high time an affordable Italian hunting rifle hit U.S. shores. Is the quality that good? Today, though, I would buy a Dead Air Nomad or a CGS Hyperion given the choice of anything on the market. I dont know even they even sell it anymore but about 10-15 years ago my first .308 was a mossberg ATR. The scope I bought is a Sea Adler, 3x9x40. Trigger: 2-4 lbs, adjustable, single stage I have played with many of the rifles you have. I have found the majority of shooters have a herd mentality and always believe that the latest is the greatest. Shot yesterday and shot at 200, 300 and 400 yards, 1/2-3/4 MOA. FRANCHI MOMENTUM ELITE 6.5 CREEDMOOR 24" 3RD BOLT RIFLE - REALTREE EXCAPE / BURNT BRONZE True Price: $ 813.69. I guess Im looking for an under 2K rifle chambered in a 300 win mag. Jim Harmer is a host of the Backfire Youtube channel. Any information is greatly appreciated. That limits my choice of rifles.