Bergara MgMicro Lite Rifle
To me, mountain hunting means steep, rocky faces, brush-choked avalanche chutes, and heavy-timbered ridgelines–areas requiring above-average effort to hunt. These are the places where I spend the bulk of my hunting seasons. In order to hunt these places efficiently, pack bulk needs to be minimized, and as much as pack weight and rifle designs are no exception. Heavy, bulky, long-barreled rifles are not efficient to carry and are harder to shoot quickly. With this in mind, I’ve been looking into short-barreled, chassis-stocked rifles to help reduce the length and weight of my mountain rifle. A foldable buttstock combined with an 18”-20” barrel seems ideal for packing into the mountains as long as it can perform in harsh environments.
In 2024, Bergara added a second chassis rifle to their line: a shorter and lighter model, the MgMicro Lite. Designed with the mountain hunter in mind, this rifle incorporates cutting-edge materials, like a foldable carbon fiber stock, a proprietary magnesium alloy chassis, and a short carbon fiber barrel to offer portability and mountain hunting performance. The Bergara rifles I’ve used in the past have been high-quality and accurate, blending function with precision engineering. In this review, I’ll dive deep into the MgMicro Lite’s specifications, real-world performance, and suitability for the demanding environments I prefer to hunt.
The Details
Bergara Premier Action
Bergara’s Premier action is at the heart of the Micro Lite, built on a Remington 700 footprint. The differences between the more expensive Premier action and the economical B-14 action are subtle but substantial. Made from stainless steel, the Premier has more cut-outs around the ejection port than the chromoly steel B-14 action. This allows better clearance of the ejected round and easier port loading when needed.
The action is Cerakote-coated in a sleek Graphite Black finish for durability in harsh conditions and is tapped with 8-40 base mounting holes for additional strength. The rifle comes factory-equipped with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, providing an alternative optics mounting platform to direct-mount bases. The trigger is a TriggerTech Primary unit that’s adjustable between 1.5 and 4 pounds.
Premier Series Bolt
The bolt of the Premier series is also stainless steel and has a non-rotating gas shield on the bolt head as a safeguard to case ruptures. It features dual plunger ejectors and tool-less take down of the bolt; none of which are present on the B-14. Finally, the bolt shroud is a robust machined piece of steel compared to the thinner cast metal shroud of the B-14 giving the back end of the bolt more strength and a clean appearance.
Bergara Carbon Barrel
The Micro Lite boasts an 18-inch No. 6 contour barrel, utilizing Bergara’s proprietary unidirectional high modulus carbon fiber wrapping system. This design reduces weight over a similarly dimensioned steel barrel with exceptional rigidity. The barrel is threaded for 5/8×24 for the use of a suppressor or a muzzle brake and comes with a thread protector end cap. This test rifle is chambered in 6.5 PRC with a 1:8 twist rate for stabilizing the longer 6.5mm bullets. Built in the US, the rifle comes with a sub-MOA accuracy.
XLR ATOM Chassis
One of the most striking features of the MgMicro Lite is its XLR ATOM magnesium alloy chassis. Paired with a folding carbon fiber buttstock and carbon fiber grip, the weight of the chassis is just under 2 pounds, contributing to the rifle’s remarkable weight of just 6 pounds (bare rifle).
The ATOM chassis features a built-in bubble level behind the rear tang and a machined-in Arca-Swiss dovetail forend, enhancing its versatility and functionality. The forend measures 6 inches long and has six M-LOK slots, two on each side and two on the bottom. The rifle comes with an AICS detachable magazine. The magazine holds three rounds for the 6.5 PRC chambering, while the other chamberings (308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor) come with 5-round magazines. After initial testing of the factory magazine, I swapped in a Hawkins Precision lightweight magazine for comparison. It’s a 3-round magazine with a lower stack height.
Folding Stock
The folding stock is a minimalist design made of carbon fiber with an adjustable carbon fiber cheek piece and capped with a thin Limbsaver recoil pad. An XLR Industries Bag Rider (1.5 oz) was added to the buttstock toe for additional surface area. Half-inch spacers are available to increase the length of pull if the standard 13.75 inches is too short. The MgMicro Lite has a carbon fiber vertical grip for improved hand positioning and minimal weight. The chassis free-floats the barrel, while the machined inletting ensures consistent bedding without the need to glass-bed. The carbon fiber grip and stock mixed with the magnesium chassis give the rifle a sleek, modern appearance.
Riflescope
For testing, a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm scope was mounted using Hawkins Precision ultralight rings (2 ounces). With its 13.25-inch length and 20-ounce weight, the scope complements the rifle’s compact nature. The complete rig, including the scope and rings, weighed 7.6 pounds. Folded without a suppressor, the overall length is 28 inches.
Performance and Impressions
Field Conditions
Although a compact and short rifle is my ideal mountain rifle, the first opportunity to field-test the MgMicro Lite was on the open prairie hunting antelope. It’s a good place to familiarize yourself with the fit and function of a rifle and introduce the moving parts to blowing dust and other fine particles that can cause malfunction. The remainder of the season was spent in the mountains enduring rain, freezing fog, wet and heavy snowfall, and face plants in the deep snow. The number of times I had to blow moisture out of the action throughout the season is countless: as a test rifle, the MgMicro Lite took a beating.
Accuracy and Shoot-ability
Strictly using factory ammunition for the season, (Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain ELD-X and Federal 130-grain Terminal Ascent) accuracy was tested from a bench and bags with either a Thunder Beast Ultra 5 or a SilencerCo suppressor mounted.
The 3 and 5-shot groups consistently measured between 0.70 and .88 MOA at 100 yards. The ten shot groups fired were between 1.09 and 1.32 MOA, which is excellent for a light rifle like the MgMicro. Velocities from the 18-inch barrel are as expected: 2712 fps with the 143-grain ELD-X load and 2995 with the 130-grain Terminal Ascent load. I opted to use the Hornady load for hunting.
The Premier action cycles smoothly and feeds without issue. The bolt knob is small and some may prefer to swap out the bolt handle for something larger. In my opinion it fits the trim aesthetics of the rifle and was not problematic gripping it even with heavy gloves.
Trigger
The TriggerTech Primary trigger contributed to accuracy with its crisp break and zero creep. Set at 2.5 pounds the trigger has been ideal for precision shooting. After spending time in the dusty conditions of the prairie I was concerned about the reliability once it was exposed to rain and freezing conditions, but everything functioned without issue. The magazine release latch in the chassis is trim yet is exposed the perfect amount to easily actuate, but not enough to snag and accidentally release a magazine.
Handling
The rifle’s carbon-wrapped barrel was consistent and maintained accuracy, even as ten-round shot strings led to heat buildup during extended range sessions. The lack of a muzzle brake and 18-inch barrel gave the rifle more muzzle jump than usual, making spotting hits difficult. Adding a brake is incredibly easy and effectively reduces recoil and muzzle jump. Adding a suppressor has the same effect, although it does change the balance somewhat. The adjustable cheekpiece ensures repeatable placement and enough adjustment to set a negative comb orientation.
Lightweight
Weighing in at six pounds, the MgMicro Lite is designed for portability. In the field, the compact overall length and lightweight construction made this rifle easy to carry during long days in rugged terrain. For long approaches to my hunting areas, I folded and strapped the rifle to the side of the pack with the muzzle barely extended beyond the pack lid. While quickly covering ground, the rifle would be carried in the EXO rifle carrier. Quickly removing the butt from the holder was easy with the addition of the Bag Rider.
The combination of the barrel length, magnesium chassis, and lightweight buttstock results in a well-balanced rifle. The stock AICS magazine is a little awkward protruding from the magazine well but adding the Hawkins magazine makes the rifle feel more streamlined. Resting the magazine on my forearm and holding the hinge point behind the grip is an effortless way to carry the rifle for quick shots. Gripping the magnesium in cold weather can be an issue, so I resorted to the forearm carry 90 percent of the time.
Real-World Hunting Scenarios
The MgMicro Lite’s portability and quick-handling characteristics shine during hunting trips in the backcountry as well as the open plains. The integrated Arca-Swiss dovetail proves useful while shooting from a tripod. The shorter forend limits the placement of the tripod (or bipod) but it didn’t seem like an issue in the scenarios I encountered. The first trip out with this rifle found me using a tripod for an easy rest on open prairie.
Maneuvering through thick brush and steep inclines was effortless with this rifle, and the short overall length made it easy to maneuver for quick shots. While lightweight rifles can magnify shooter error, the MgMicro strikes an excellent balance between weight and stability. The shot on my mountain whitetail was fast-paced, and I ended up shooting quickly off a knee. The quick handling characteristics of the MgMicro Lite proved beneficial on every trip into the mountains.
Pros
- Lightweight design: At 6 pounds, this rifle is a dream for mountain hunters.
- Exceptional accuracy: Sub-MOA performance with factory ammunition and excellent 10-round groups.
- Innovative materials with the magnesium alloy chassis and carbon fiber parts set it apart.
- Compact and Packable: The short barrel and folding stock make this rifle easy to carry in a variety of ways.
- Premier action is robust and smooth, with highly refined details.
Cons
- Metal chassis can be cold on the hands in freezing conditions.
- The standard AICS magazine system would be better for mountain hunting with a flusher fit.
- A shorter forend can limit the placement of a bipod/tripod.
- Doesn’t come with a muzzle brake.
Final Thoughts
The Bergara MgMicro Lite is a purpose-built hunting rifle that combines cutting-edge technology with field-ready performance. Its lightweight, compact design and premium components make it ideal for backcountry hunters prioritizing portability. Some hunters may prefer a more traditional stock or a longer barrel to optimize velocity and those options are available elsewhere. But for those wanting a rifle that’s purpose driven for the mountains and is highly accurate, the MgMicro Lite fits the description. The months spent traversing steep mountain ridges and navigating dense stands of timber, put this rifle to the test and the MgMicro Lite passed. While it comes with a premium price tag, the rifle’s performance and build quality justify the investment for serious mountain hunters.
Comment or ask Josh questions here.
You may also enjoy this review of the Bergara MgLite by Travis Bertrand.
Check it out at Bergara’s official website.
MSR Rifle price: $3099 – $3149
Check out the chassis accessories at XLR’s webite
Bergara is a Rokslide Advertiser, but all reviews are written by independent writers who can say what they want.
