Since there isn't a whole lot about them on the board, figured I would post some thoughts after shooting and hunting with a Bergara B14 woodsman for one season (deer at least, did not receive it in time for moose.)
Its pretty much a small batch, single malt Remington 700. If you like the 700 but you also like quality control and higher standards than Big Green, it is a good buy. The action is smooth, although loading the mag takes a little bit of attention compared to other short actions on the market. Feeding is slick, and getting slicker. The finish and wood stock are honestly a little bit on the bland side for the money. The good news is it shoots like it says it will on the package and the trigger is a joy. Very light, very crisp. It has honestly made me fussy towards rifles in my safe I have shot for quite a while.
Its so far seen only two boxes of factory ammo, Federal 150 gr Powershok and Fusion (and accounted for a 4 point whitetail with the fusion. Wow do those make a mess when you hit bone but the deer sure died.) Very smooth shooter. Handles recoil well. If you are a rather simian built fellow like I am, it might feel a little bit short in stock dimensions for you but once I was in my hunting clothes and cold weather stuff, I didn't so much notice at all. The stock is a little clubbish or thick in feel but I got used to that fast too. Not bad just don't expect as slim as a Ruger Hawkeye or a Winchester 70 Featherweight. The good news is the controls are very ergonomic, it is light and handy. Feels quite compact with the 22" barrel and other dimensions. Weight and balance are very good. That bigass bolt knob looks funky but I like it! Put some loctite on it though. Its threaded on and loose. Honestly fine with me, that they leave it up to you to lock it down or not.
The group shown here is representative of what it can do when I do my part. 3 shots into slightly under an inch. The limitation there was very much me and not the rifle. I have a feeling with good handloading this is going to shrink considerably anyway. As it is, getting this result with the first brand of factory ammo I put through it, especially cheap stuff, was great...although IMO the Federal Blue Box stuff usually shoots.
Is it the be-all, end-all rifle for over a G? No, but it is a very nice rifle all the same and I am very happy with it. It was much smoother, had a nicer trigger pull than the CZ 557 I had bought at the same time, for example. Were they equal in price I would much sooner pick up the Bergara. It would be a steal if it was in the $900 range or thereabouts but I still feel like it is a good rifle for the money as a 700 fan, and like it more every time I have it out.
Its pretty much a small batch, single malt Remington 700. If you like the 700 but you also like quality control and higher standards than Big Green, it is a good buy. The action is smooth, although loading the mag takes a little bit of attention compared to other short actions on the market. Feeding is slick, and getting slicker. The finish and wood stock are honestly a little bit on the bland side for the money. The good news is it shoots like it says it will on the package and the trigger is a joy. Very light, very crisp. It has honestly made me fussy towards rifles in my safe I have shot for quite a while.
Its so far seen only two boxes of factory ammo, Federal 150 gr Powershok and Fusion (and accounted for a 4 point whitetail with the fusion. Wow do those make a mess when you hit bone but the deer sure died.) Very smooth shooter. Handles recoil well. If you are a rather simian built fellow like I am, it might feel a little bit short in stock dimensions for you but once I was in my hunting clothes and cold weather stuff, I didn't so much notice at all. The stock is a little clubbish or thick in feel but I got used to that fast too. Not bad just don't expect as slim as a Ruger Hawkeye or a Winchester 70 Featherweight. The good news is the controls are very ergonomic, it is light and handy. Feels quite compact with the 22" barrel and other dimensions. Weight and balance are very good. That bigass bolt knob looks funky but I like it! Put some loctite on it though. Its threaded on and loose. Honestly fine with me, that they leave it up to you to lock it down or not.
The group shown here is representative of what it can do when I do my part. 3 shots into slightly under an inch. The limitation there was very much me and not the rifle. I have a feeling with good handloading this is going to shrink considerably anyway. As it is, getting this result with the first brand of factory ammo I put through it, especially cheap stuff, was great...although IMO the Federal Blue Box stuff usually shoots.
Is it the be-all, end-all rifle for over a G? No, but it is a very nice rifle all the same and I am very happy with it. It was much smoother, had a nicer trigger pull than the CZ 557 I had bought at the same time, for example. Were they equal in price I would much sooner pick up the Bergara. It would be a steal if it was in the $900 range or thereabouts but I still feel like it is a good rifle for the money as a 700 fan, and like it more every time I have it out.
Last edited:
