Bergara B14- a good design?

[coloradoan]

I like the looks and feel of the Bergara Hunter rifle. I like what I’m reading about their barrels and their accuracy. I’ve read on this forum that their triggers will be inherently less reliable because they’re based on the Remington 700 platform. I’ve also seen a couple of YouTube videos, including one by a gunsmith, the criticize the design of the bolt itself.

It’s not too hard to find analysis of pros and cons of actions that have been around for a long time. Hard to find much on the Bergara that really gets into the weeds of the technical detail details, but that’s kind of what I’ve been looking for.

So for any of you who are rifle nerds and own one of these rifles or have worked with one, what are your thoughts about the design?

 

[brentr9]

I have the same questions. Trying to decide the next bolt gun

 

[T3clay]

Well I’m no expert… but I have a B-14 ridge in 7mm rem mag. I like the gun. I took mine when it was new to have a gunsmith glass bed it and have all the bolts and screws checked for correct tightness.

The gun shoots great. I’m shooting under .75” at 200 yards. I like the trigger. It’s light and crisp, especially for a factory trigger. I bought another for my son in 7mm-08

 

[FacePlant]

I’m shooting under .75” at 200 yards

 

[T3clay]

 

[T3clay]

 

[T3clay]

That’s a 200 yard group

 

[wapitibob]

That’s a 200 yard group

This is a sighter and a 600 yard group. I could say it's shooting 1-1/2" at 600 but I'd be wrong.

 

[TaperPin]

I like the looks and feel of the Bergara Hunter rifle. I like what I’m reading about their barrels and their accuracy. I’ve read on this forum that their triggers will be inherently less reliable because they’re based on the Remington 700 platform. I’ve also seen a couple of YouTube videos, including one by a gunsmith, the criticize the design of the bolt itself.

It’s not too hard to find analysis of pros and cons of actions that have been around for a long time. Hard to find much on the Bergara that really gets into the weeds of the technical detail details, but that’s kind of what I’ve been looking for.

So for any of you who are rifle nerds and own one of these rifles or have worked with one, what are your thoughts about the design?

I don’t have one, never shot one, but I’m a Remington fan and have always looked them over at the gun store and paid attention to the gossip about them. If you take apart the factory trigger it’s been dumbed down to be idiot proof, so it’s like any heavy factory trigger and should be replaced. The only thing that stands out as oddball is the extra heavy firing pin spring. If current production hasn’t changed, I believe it uses a 32 lb spring, whereas Remington and most clones use a 28 lb spring. It doesn’t hurt anything, but does make the bolt lift heavier. It’s an odd choice since for half a century the 28 lb spring has been considered ideal. However, If the rifle is dirty or used in freezing rain conditions the extra spring power can help keep even primer ignition.

They do make their own barrels, so that seems to have been good for consistent accuracy in rifles over a number of years.

That’s all I know. A solid basic rifle.

 

[T3clay]

Fair point.

 

[WW2 Buff]

For sub $1000 rifles I put them in 2nd place behind a Tikka. I like a 3lb trigger and find the factory setup to be excellent. Stock is rigid with lots of aftermarket options for future upgrade. I have a 450 BM so I don’t shoot long range with it but like it a lot.

 

[JMundy84]

I enjoy mine, the trigger is decent for factory I did put it in a KRG Bravo but the factory stock felt a lot better than my factory Remingtons do.

 

[SC HUNTER]

I have a ridge in 6.5 creedmoor that I like alot. I'm deer hunting in Georgia so I'm not hiking miles and miles, if so it would be heavy. It shoots good and the trigger isn't bad. I'd buy another one without hesitation.