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

[RoyB]

Can't tell you how many rifles I've rechambered from xxx large rifle primer to 6BR with small primer and never once changed firing pin. Now I'm intrigued.

 

[TRG65]

First time I ever heard of changing firing pins based on rifle primer size. Can someone direct me to some reading on the subject.
!

The Rem 700 was known to pierce primers on small rifle brass when converting a 308 or the like to something like 6.5x47. Why I'm not entirely sure. I had 2 6.5x47s built on Rem 700s, both had excessive cratering until I had them bushed. I've heard of this on Ruger RPRs, but mine has never had a problem. My Sako TRG has never has a problem.

As far as bushing and turning or replacing the firing pins. I've always used GreTan, but I've also heard LRI does a good job. However, I'm sure there are others.

 

[ronstone09]

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 like the tikka t3 for accuracy and lightness !

 

[ronstone09]

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?

i have several amd they are the most accurate rifle i have found for their price as they are made by sako ! ive never had a problem with my tikkas or sakos !

 

[RoyB]

Huh? Bergara made by Sako....Oh, I see, now we are talking about Tikka

 

[GregBFL]

I purchased a Bergara B-14 Ridge in 6.5mm CM a couple of months ago and I haven't had any issues with primers, bolt shroud, etc. Perhaps I am just lucky or they have corrected the manufacturing issues. Regardless, I am very happy with it and it's by far my most accurate rifle shooting consistent .5 inch and less groups.

I looked at getting a Remington and I was appalled at the manufacturing quality issues I saw when I was looking at them in the store. For example, I was looking at a Remington 700 Magpul and when I looked down the barrel I could see the barrel touching hard against the stock. I showed it to the dealer and he tried loosening the bolts and retightening but it spicier touched against the stock. I have no idea how that could have gotten past Rem Quality Control.

 

[JC Lepley]

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!

Bough one a year ago, B14 Hunter, in 7mm Rem. Mag. Nothing but handloads, Prolly put near a 1000 rounds thru it so far. I shoot out to 550 yards regularly, and it shoots several bullets in the 1/2 MOA range, everything under a 1 MOA. The trigger does not go down to the advertised level of adjustment, has a ever so tiny amount of creep but still better than any other factory trigger I have shot. i sent a message about this and received a new trigger in the mail within 3 days. Still have it, never installed it. No other issues. The bluing is not a top flight polished bluing job, I used EESOX on the externals and that puts an end to any rust issues for any metal. I would say it is near impossible to get this much quality at the price from any other maker. The action very smooth, no problems and I have reached top pressures on more than one occassion. I have 10 different bullets that I load. I consider this a deer rifle, but with 160 nosler partitions, I would not hesitate to use it on elk. For banging steel, the 150g Laupa, Berger hybrid, Hornady ELD-X, are fantastic running 3150 fps with R26, Fed 215 primers. The Speer 145 B.T. is just as accurate, the Barnes 140 TTSX shoots about a minute of angle, not the best but good enough for hunting at reasonable ranges.
160 Nosler Partitions and Accubonds, and Speer 160 hot core spitters are good at 3050 fps, the only bullet has yet to shoot well is the 175g Swift A Frame. R26 and H1000 are my go to powders. The 168 berger hybrid, and 162 ELD-X shoot great, the 150's edge them out for accuracy in this rifle. The 130g GS HV bullet runs 3500fps. I seat most everything in the .010-,015" off the lands. I love the gun, wish they made it in a hot 338 chambering.

 

[JC Lepley]

Bough one a year ago, B14 Hunter, in 7mm Rem. Mag. Nothing but handloads, Prolly put near a 1000 rounds thru it so far. I shoot out to 550 yards regularly, and it shoots several bullets in the 1/2 MOA range, everything under a 1 MOA. The trigger does not go down to the advertised level of adjustment, has a ever so tiny amount of creep but still better than any other factory trigger I have shot. i sent a message about this and received a new trigger in the mail within 3 days. Still have it, never installed it. No other issues. The bluing is not a top flight polished bluing job, I used EEZOX on the externals and that puts an end to any rust issues for any metal. I would say it is near impossible to get this much quality at the price from any other maker. The action very smooth, no problems and I have reached top pressures on more than one occassion. I have a dozen different bullets that I load. I consider this a deer rifle, but with 160 nosler partitions or the TTSX, I would not hesitate to use it on elk. For banging steel, the 150g Laupa, Berger hybrid, Hornady ELD-X, are fantastic running 3150 fps with R26, Fed 215 primers. The Speer 145 B.T. is just as accurate, the Barnes 140 TTSX shoots about a minute of angle, not the best but good enough for hunting at reasonable ranges.
160 Nosler Partitions and Accubonds, and Speer 160 hot core spitters are good at 3050 fps, the only bullet that has yet to shoot well is the 175g Swift A Frame. R26 and H1000 are my go to powders. The 168 berger hybrid, and 162 ELD-X shoot great, the 150's edge them out for accuracy in this rifle. The 130g GS HV bullet runs 3500fps. I seat most everything in the .010-,015" off the lands. I love the gun, wish it was lighter, wish they made it in a hot 338 chambering.

 

[Frog4aday]

<SNIPPED STUFF> I used EESOX on the externals and that puts an end to any rust issues for any metal. <SNIPPED STUFF>

I had never heard of this so I googled it. Came up with something called EEZOX. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing. https://www.eezox.com/

 

[Terry wickenheiser]

Can't tell you how many rifles I've rechambered from xxx large rifle primer to 6BR with small primer and never once changed firing pin. Now I'm intrigued.

I've never had issues with any gun including ar-15 when switching from small to large primers... seems odd to me. I was on the fence on buying a bergara but I think it'd be wise to stay clear.

 

[Brydawg512]

I'm definitely not using small primers in a 300 win mag.

Brydawg, Im pretty sure there are many smiths that can do it out there. I just went with him because he really was dialed in with what he was talking about on the Bergara. His actual time is about 9 weeks. The reason I went ahead and went with him is because that is in the summer and I hardly do any shooting in the summer because I live in the SW desert and temps get into the 100+ a lot.

The only reason I knew that the firing pin assembly comes back and hits the shroud is because the piece of the shroud came back and hit me in the cheek. It didn't hurt me in anyway but scared me a little. I think on the Remington 700, the assembly is pinned which would be nice.

Thank you for the response. Man, I'm really not liking the possibility of this issue with one of their rifles I would buy.

 

[Frog4aday]

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!<SNIPPED STUFF>

Hey Brydawg512,
I think if you were set and happy about getting the Bergara B-14 Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag, then you should get it. The odds of YOUR rifle having ANY problems is very small. And if it does, Bergara will (reluctantly at times) take it back and attempt to fix or resolve the issue.

But if you are just 'turned off' on Bergara at this point, then my vote is for one of the Tikka T3x line of guns. I like the laminated stainless model, but the Lite's are more prolific and likely to be found at your $700 threshold.
$605 for blued = https://tssoutfitters.com/shop/tikk...on-magnum-24-3-3-1-synthetic-black-stk-blued/
$685 for stainless = https://tssoutfitters.com/shop/tikk...24-3-3-1-synthetic-black-stk-stainless-steel/

 

[Brydawg512]

Hey Brydawg512,
I think if you were set and happy about getting the Bergara B-14 Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag, then you should get it. The odds of YOUR rifle having ANY problems is very small. And if it does, Bergara will (reluctantly at times) take it back and attempt to fix or resolve the issue.

But if you are just 'turned off' on Bergara at this point, then my vote is for one of the Tikka T3x line of guns. I like the laminated stainless model, but the Lite's are more prolific and likely to be found at your $700 threshold.
$605 for blued = https://tssoutfitters.com/shop/tikk...on-magnum-24-3-3-1-synthetic-black-stk-blued/
$685 for stainless = https://tssoutfitters.com/shop/tikk...24-3-3-1-synthetic-black-stk-stainless-steel/

I really do like the Bergara, just not the possibility of the problem. I guess my only concern is if I do have this problem and I need bushing done, the turnaround on parts is somewhat timely so would hope it wouldn't happen a week before hunting season lol

 

[Frog4aday]

I hear you. No one wants a gun problem screwing up hunting season!