Testing: Bergara MG Micro Lite

[Josh Boyd]

In early 2024 Bergara released a Premier series rifle mounted in a XLR Atom chassis called the MG Micro Lite. It Is offered in a choice of 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5 PRC. The barrel is an 18" Bergara made carbon Cure and it's threaded into one of their Premier actions. Bergara MG Micro Lite


I was sent a test rifle this fall to use and evaluate for a forthcoming review. I'm new to the world of folding chassis rifles and am curious how it will fit into my style of hunting; backpacking in steep, heavily timbered mountains. The folding aspect is a feature I'm really interested in and will report back with my thoughts.

To get comfortable with the rifle I decided to take it to the prairie and work out any kinks in my handling of the rifle. It performed quite well and I think it could be a great rifle for my upcoming mountain hunts.



At this point in the evaluation I have used it a little at the range prior to the antelope season and have been in the mountains a few days. I'll report back with any issues and updates as the season progresses and will have a full written review after the Montana season has ended. If there are any questions please ask them here.

 

[The Guide]

What caliber is your test model?

Jay

 

[Josh Boyd]

What caliber is your test model?

Jay

Thanks for asking what I should have had in the original post!

The rifle I’m testing is chambered in a 6.5 PRC. I’ve been shooting Hornady factory 143 ELD-X out of it. Velocity has been an average of 2715 fps. I’m happy with that.


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[MuleyFever]

What was the actual weight?

 

[tsiewert]

Really interested in hearing how it shoots and hoping they expand the calibers.

 

[Josh Boyd]

What was the actual weight?

The bare rifle is right at 5.9 pounds.


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[Yfz04drt]

This is a buddys 18" .308 with Leupold rings and Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50.

 

[Lentuk]

Here is mine in .308, Hawkins featherweight rings and a Trijicon Creedo HX 2.5-15x42.

 

[Josh Boyd]

A huge benefit of using a chassis is the ability to customize the fit and feel of the rifle. Since the Mg Micro Lite uses an XLR Atom as its foundation, the components available seem endless. @XLR offered up a few parts that can make their standard chassis feel more streamlined and performance driven.

First up is the Hawkins Precision lightweight AICS magazine. Swapping out the factory Accurate magazine for the Hawkins saves 2 ounces but more importantly to me, eliminates the protrusion of the longer magazine. This makes handling the rifle more ergonomic when carrying it in the hand and less prone to hang-ups in brush. Feeding has been extremely smooth without any fitment issues in the mag well. Definitely worth the upgrade.



Next is the buttstock Bag Rider. This adds additional area to the toe of the buttstock allowing for more precise adjustment on the rear bag or pack. It also makes the heel and toe insert easier and exit more smoothly from the EXO K4 rifle carrier. This add-on is easily worth the extra 1.5 ounces of additional weight.


The third add-on is the adjustable thumb rest. Most of my "traditional" stocked rifles have grips that encourage a forward thumb grip and it was something I was missing on the Atom chassis. The first few trips to the range had me habitually feeling for a thumb rest but was forced to adjust my grip. For me this addition from XLR has made a difference in my trigger squeeze with only a 0.6 ounce weight penalty.


If you own one, let me know what additions you've made to the Micro Lite if any at all. I'm curious what other have done.

 

[Trade2hunt]

That’s a nice looking rifle, following…