Ultimate Reloader: Bergara Competition Elite - 6mm Dasher at 1 Mile!

I love it when manufacturers deliver on their promises. In the world of precision rifles, there's an awful lot of hyperbole (anyone remember the claims about the 224 Valkyrie?). So it's great when a factory rifle meets expectations (especially when it meets the Production Division maximum of $2999.99, which isn't cheap). In a recent video, Gavin of Ultimate Reloader reviews the new Bergara Competition Elite in 6mm Dasher. Built around Bergara's Premier Action and MDT's ACC Elite chassis, the rifle combines factory convenience with the features and performance serious precision rifle shooters expect. Let's see how it shoots.

A Competition-Ready Platform

Gavin was particularly interested in the Competition Elite because it is a mainstream factory rifle chambered in 6mm Dasher, a cartridge he considers exceptionally easy to tune for accuracy. The rifle is also available in .22 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .25 Creedmoor, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6mm GT, and .308 Winchester.

At its core is Bergara's Premier Action, featuring an external bolt release, floating bolt head, dual ejectors, and a sliding plate extractor. The barrel is chambered in 6mm Dasher with a 1:7.5 twist rate and a threaded muzzle. Gavin's review rifle also arrived with a 20 MOA rail installed, although he notes that this was specific to his sample rather than standard.

The MDT ACC Elite chassis is a major part of the package. It includes extensive M-LOK mounting options, a full-length ARCA rail with integrated grip tape for added stability on barricades and bags, a full-size barricade stop, thumb shelves on both sides, and a stabilizing bar that adds rigidity to the buttstock. A rubberized vertical grip and one-inch length-of-pull spacer round out the ergonomics. The rifle also features a TriggerTech Special trigger adjustable down to one pound and an MDT 12-round 6BR magazine.

Accuracy Right Out of the Box

After mounting an optic, Gavin began testing the rifle with a 109-grain Berger load he had already developed for PRS competition. The sight-in process was remarkably quick. After bore-sighting and a small correction, his first five shots grouped to approximately 0.32 inches at 100 yards.

The Athlon Rangecraft chronograph recorded a standard deviation of just 6.6 fps, adding another encouraging data point to the initial results. Gavin described the performance as unlike anything he had experienced from a factory rifle in a first five-shot group. With that early success, he moved on to test the rifle at longer distances.

Taking the Shot to One Mile

Using a Seeker rangefinder and its associated ballistic profile, Gavin worked through targets at intermediate distances before moving to a target precisely one mile away. The setup included a CKYE-POD Double Pull, an Armageddon Gear Game Changer rear bag, and a Bergara BTI30 suppressor (fitting, right?). After adjusting the elevation, he began launching projectiles at the distant target.

Gavin ultimately reported hitting the one-mile target five times in a row while holding approximately 0.1 to 0.2 mils, describing the rifle as a "laser beam." He also really liked the ACC Elite's ergonomics, which let him get into a comfortable, stable position behind the rifle. The BTI30 performed well, and Gavin noted that its vented cap noticeably reduced recoil during testing.

Final Thoughts

Gavin left impressed with the Bergara Competition Elite, especially its out-of-the-box accuracy and long-range consistency. For him, the Competition Elite is competition-ready out of the box. Its combination of accuracy, adjustability, and features makes a strong case for the 6mm Dasher as a factory-rifle option.

For more videos like this, check out the Ultimate Reloader YouTube channel.