Bergara B-14 Hunter -- Your thoughts/possible issues?

[Brydawg512]

Hello all,

I'm within about a week of purchasing a Bergara B-14 Hunter in 7mm rem mag... I now am concerned and am reconsidering this option. I was told on another post that the bolt shroud on this rifle can break as a result of the firing pin hole being too large, which results in a pierced primer and sending the firing pin back far enough to break the shroud. Has anyone here personally experienced this problem? Is there any other problems with this rifle (easy rusting, action issues, etc.) you have experienced? Should this possible issue scare me away? I'm open to other recommendations of equal quality rifles under $700!

As a side note, I plan to use handloads in the rifle down the road (yes I know it voids the Bergara warranty), but for a few months will just be shooting cheaper factory loads.
Thank you all!

 

[the hunter]

I have two and both are my fav guns, just keep them well maintained and they will not rust, I've had mine in rainstorms and they are just fine. I also have about 150 high pressure rounds in my B-14 hmr and have not had one problem.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

Hello all,

I'm within about a week of purchasing a Bergara B-14 Hunter in 7mm rem mag... I now am concerned and am reconsidering this option. I was told on another post that the bolt shroud on this rifle can break as a result of the firing pin hole being too large, which results in a pierced primer and sending the firing pin back far enough to break the shroud. Has anyone here personally experienced this problem? Is there any other problems with this rifle (easy rusting, action issues, etc.) you have experienced? Should this possible issue scare me away? I'm open to other recommendations of equal quality rifles under $700!

As a side note, I plan to use handloads in the rifle down the road (yes I know it voids the Bergara warranty), but for a few months will just be shooting cheaper factory loads.
Thank you all!

I've heard way too many bad reports on the Bergaras.
Check out this killer deal on a much better rifle, I'd replace the factory trigger with a Trigger Tech at some point though.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/REMINGTON-ALL-WEATHER-RIFLE/2464796.uts

 

[mrjashu]

I have a B-14 Ridge in 6.5CM and have a buddy with a Ridge in 7mm RM. Neither of us have had a bit of trouble. The Bergaras are great rifles and the B-14 series is an amazing value. I'd buy another if given the opportunity.

 

[Brydawg512]

I've heard way too many bad reports on the Bergaras.
Check out this killer deal on a much better rifle, I'd replace the factory trigger with a Trigger Tech at some point though.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/REMINGTON-ALL-WEATHER-RIFLE/2464796.uts

What things have you heard about them? I hadn't heard anything negative about them, besides a few nitpicky things people wish they had, until someone mentioned the bolt shroud issue the other day. Thank you for your response.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Here is one story.....
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/bergara-rifle-issues-and-solution.218873/#post-1617723

 

[tmmcampbell]

I have one in a 6.5 creedmoor HMR. Action is very smooth. Fit and finish are great. It shoots everything I have put in it under .75. Very accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another bergara. I just bought my son a tikka. I would have picked bergara instead if they had left handed rifles.

 

[Korhil78]

I am the person that started that other thread about my problems with my Bergara rifle. I am sure there are more Bergara rifles made that have no problems than ones that have problems. But from seeing pictures of others primer strikes on cases (and the primers being cratered) I can tell you that the firing pin hole is an issue with a lot of them. Whether it's enough to pierce primers or not is dependent on how big that hole is which is scary.

I could have sent my rifle back to them and they most likely would have found nothing wrong with it and sent it back or they could have replaced the bolt but I didn't want to take that chance when I can spend $143 and be done with it. Should I have to spend $143 more to fix the problem? No, but it is what it is. Can I recommend another one? I can't really because of my problems and what I had to do. But there are more people shooting these rifles than me and a lot of them have had no problems. So take that for what it's worth. Take all the info and formulate an educated decision from it.

The action is super smooth, the trigger is ok and the thing shoots really good. I mean really good.

100 yards with a 215 Gr Berger.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

What things have you heard about them? I hadn't heard anything negative about them, besides a few nitpicky things people wish they had, until someone mentioned the bolt shroud issue the other day. Thank you for your response.

Here's a few examples.
I do not have personal experience with Bergaras but I've talked with enough guys who know way more than me, and the consensus is that QC sucks.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/bergara-rifle-fail.188366/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Precision-Rifles/Kinda-****ed-at-Bergara/3-7651/

https://forum.snipershide.com/threads/bergara-b14-hmr-6-5-creedmoor-issues.6900467/

http://www.65creedmoor.com/index.php?topic=10037.0

https://www.ingunowners.com/forums/long-guns/445774-bergara-hmr-rifle-problems.html

 

[Brydawg512]

I am the person that started that other thread about my problems with my Bergara rifle. I am sure there are more Bergara rifles made that have no problems than ones that have problems. But from seeing pictures of others primer strikes on cases (and the primers being cratered) I can tell you that the firing pin hole is an issue with a lot of them. Whether it's enough to pierce primers or not is dependent on how big that hole is which is scary.

I could have sent my rifle back to them and they most likely would have found nothing wrong with it and sent it back or they could have replaced the bolt but I didn't want to take that chance when I can spend $143 and be done with it. Should I have to spend $143 more to fix the problem? No, but it is what it is. Can I recommend another one? I can't really because of my problems and what I had to do. But there are more people shooting these rifles than me and a lot of them have had no problems. So take that for what it's worth. Take all the info and formulate an educated decision from it.

The action is super smooth, the trigger is ok and the thing shoots really good. I mean really good.

100 yards with a 215 Gr Berger.

View attachment 131186

Wow, that is scary... not sure how much I like the idea of playing Russian roulette with a rifle. Thank you for your input. Alot to think about. Is there any way prior to shooting the rifle to determine if the firing pin hole is too large?

 

[Brydawg512]

Here's a few examples.
I do not have personal experience with Bergaras but I've talked with enough guys who know way more than me, and the consensus is that QC sucks.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/bergara-rifle-fail.188366/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Precision-Rifles/Kinda-----ed-at-Bergara/3-7651/

https://forum.snipershide.com/threads/bergara-b14-hmr-6-5-creedmoor-issues.6900467/

http://www.65creedmoor.com/index.php?topic=10037.0

https://www.ingunowners.com/forums/long-guns/445774-bergara-hmr-rifle-problems.html

Thank you much. Does anyone have any input on the Tikka T3X Lite? It looks to be the only Tikka somewhat close to my budgetary requirements. I'll be honest, I'm fairly uneducated -- Tikka's are more than capable of producing the same (probably better) results as a Bergara? How tough are parts (picatinny bases, etc.) to find for them?

 

[Deleted member 25294]

Thank you much. Does anyone have any input on the Tikka T3X Lite? It looks to be the only Tikka somewhat close to my budgetary requirements. I'll be honest, I'm fairly uneducated -- Tikka's are more than capable of producing the same (probably better) results as a Bergara? How tough are parts (picatinny bases, etc.) to find for them?

Tikkas are excellent, I had a T3 lite 7mm rem mag and it shot extremely well.
I re barreled it to 6.5 saum and put a carbon fiber stock on it for my ultralight LR set up.
I've taken my last three bulls with it.
The only issue with Tikkas using LA chamberings is that you are limited by short magazine length.
Aftermarket parts are pretty easy to find.
You can get EGW picatiny rails, or talley mounts, and you can get DBM bottom metal from Redsnake Tactical.

 

[Brydawg512]

Tikkas are excellent, I had a T3 lite 7mm rem mag and it shot extremely well.
I re barreled it to 6.5 saum and put a carbon fiber stock on it for my ultralight LR set up.
I've taken my last three bulls with it.
The only issue with Tikkas using LA chamberings is that you are limited by short magazine length.

Ok good to hear. Now with it being so light, how hard is the recoil to control? What other options are out there in this price range (if any) where magazine length doesn't offer a restriction?

 

[Deleted member 25294]

Ok good to hear. Now with it being so light, how hard is the recoil to control? What other options are out there in this price range (if any) where magazine length doesn't offer a restriction?

That's where the Remington 700 shines, 3.65" mag length is perfect for a 7 RM.
I'd put a brake on a sub 7lb 7mm for sure.
There's better more expensive options out there, but I'm telling you the Remington 700 AWR is one hell of a rifle that you won't beat for the price.