I see a lot of people posting asking about the Bergara line of rifles so I thought I would attempt to do an honest review of my B14 HMR in 6.5 Creed and my experience with load development.
To shorten this up, I am the 2nd owner of this rifle. I took it on trade and put it to work. It came with a trigger tech special in it already. I am not a competitive shooter, nor do I pretend to be. I am a firm believer in the KISS method and try to represent the group of shooters who are on a budget and aren't looking to set records or compete but just want to have fun.
First impressions:
The stock is very easy to hold, shoulder and get comfortable with. The adjustable cheek piece is slick and easy to use. HOWEVER be warned for those who shoot with ear muffs and not plugs. The cheek riser I find gets close to my muffs, and when shooting the recoil pinches your cheek between muff and the end of the cheek riser. It actually made my buddy bleed the one night, so I would highly encourage ear plugs, not muffs. Moving on, the LOP is also adjustable but since I am 2nd owner I didn't receive the parts to adjust it, and it doesn't need to be adjusted for me. Why fix something that isn't broken. It was nice to see a factory rifle with AICS compatible mag's and a big tab to release the mag, not some tiny button thats difficult to find and push. The barrel is threaded with 5/8x24 threads for you to thread your own brake on. I threw a APA Lil Bastard Gen 2 from the EE on, very happy with its performance. The action is as smooth as a Tikka, but the footprint of a model 700 AND has a Sako extractor. Basically, what I would describe as the best factory action on the market. With it having the TT in it, I see no need to change our parts or upgrade anything else on it.
**The biggest downfall is the mag well isn't as long as the magazine. I seated leads to 2.880 which is all the magazine holds, and could not feed them. A quick fix was grab some cotton balls, fill the chamber, triangular file and round file were used very carefully to open up the middle of the mag well. 5 mins later that issue was fixed**
Range Review/Accuracy:
After getting this rifle, I put a Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 FFP MOA scope on and as stated above, APA Lil Bastard Gen 2 Brake. The rifle came with Lapua SRP brass and some 140gr Berger HUnting VLD's. Previous owner stated it liked 43gr of H4350 with the Lapua brass but couldn't remember length. After giving it a thorough cleaning (I always clean a new to me rifle) I went and tried every length from jam to 0.200" off. No dice, the best I was able to get it to shoot was about 2" at 200 (2.840" OAL). I removed the brake, tried again. Same results. I then put brake back on, set it to 2.840 OAL and started at 39.5 and went to 42.8 in 0.3gr increments. Once again, not the results I was after. Groups anywhere from 1" to 3" at 100 yards. Tried Hornady brass with my best depth, and results were the same with various charges.
I gave up hope with the VLD's and bought 100 Nosler RDF's and started from scratch. Found what I would describe as a node at about 42.3gr of H4350 and played with depth. Long story short, I found a "1 hole" load with RDF's and H4350 but without the brake, put the brake on and that "1 holer" went to 2" *sigh* After shooting all 100 leads, trying both Hornady brass and Lapua SRP brass in groups of 3 (and 1 group of 4 obviously lol) still nothing better then 1 MOA. I was about ready to call it good enough, but my instructor at fire college drilled into my head that "good enough isn't good enough" and keep trying.
Frustrated, I bought some 140gr ELD-M's, said screw the Lapua SRP brass and went back to the basics. Every other 6.5 Creed i've ever loaded for has driven tacks with 41.5gr of H4350. 2.965" OAL was jammed in my rifle, I loaded everything with 41.5gr H4350 from 2.950" to 2.880" in 0.010" reductions. I left the brake on and took 3 shots at each depth. Expecting it to not shoot to my standards, I was shocked. Every single depth I tried, shot 0.5 MOA or under. Multiple "1 Hole" loads were discovered @ 100 yards. Since my magazine can only seat out to 2.880" thats what I picked, as it shot 1 hole at 100 and 0.5" at 200. The next day, I went out to my hide away and hung steel at 400 and 700 yards to test this load. 400 yards was impressive, dialed 7.5 MOA up and 0.5 MOA Left for wind, fired 5. First one was slightly high and left, next 4 were all in a 2" group slightly high maybe 0.25-0.5 MOA, giving me a 2.5" group at 400. Success, out to 700 we go. Again, dialed up (19 MOA) and over a few for wind, 6 shots, 6 hits. Upon examination, I found a 4.6" group at 700 yards on the right side of the plate. I couldn't believe it, I was more excited than a kid on Christmas.
Conclusion:
If you are someone who is looking to start shooting longer ranges without breaking the bank, this is the rifle. In my opinion, as someone who shoots on a budget and after owning multiple Tikka's, Remingtons, Savages and Brownings, this is the best bang for your buck. You can find them on the EE for anywhere from $1000-$1500 depending on condition/round count. It has an awesome stock/mini chassis, magazine setup is perfect and action is top notch. Yes the mag well needed to be opened up a bit BUT in the big picture thats minor. I am fond of this rifle not only for the accuracy and how impressive everything is, but the fact that if I wanted to build a "custom" I wouldn't need to change anything. The stock/chassis is perfect, action is trued up, has a nice detachable mag thats already AICS compatible and this particular one has a trigger in it. If you ever cook the barrel, for $800 +/- you put a new tube on and away you go. No bedding, truing, anything and you'll have a gun that will shoot as good as your neighbours cousins uncles $4500 custom.
I just also want to clarify I estimated my velocity at 2700 FPS and have yet to check an ES or SD. As above, I believe in KISS and have seen some low ES/SD loads shoot like garbage and i've seen high ES/SD loads shoot good. Im not saying it doesn't play a factor, but for the crowd on a budget and not competing, go throw lead, learn something and have fun.
To achieve this accuracy was a slight pain HOWEVER I am posting this to help others who might be struggling to get the same results. I would chalk it up to the fact that this particular rifle doesn't like the 140 VLD's, 140 RDF's or for that matter the Lapua SRP brass. That doesn't mean that your will like the 140 ELD-M's either. Just have to be patient and try different things. If anyone has any questions, or would like photos of my groups please ask. I do have pictures to prove my I am slightly tech challenged and cannot figure out how to post pictures here but I am more then happy to send them to someone to enjoy or to even post them up here on my behalf.
Happy shooting everyone!
To shorten this up, I am the 2nd owner of this rifle. I took it on trade and put it to work. It came with a trigger tech special in it already. I am not a competitive shooter, nor do I pretend to be. I am a firm believer in the KISS method and try to represent the group of shooters who are on a budget and aren't looking to set records or compete but just want to have fun.
First impressions:
The stock is very easy to hold, shoulder and get comfortable with. The adjustable cheek piece is slick and easy to use. HOWEVER be warned for those who shoot with ear muffs and not plugs. The cheek riser I find gets close to my muffs, and when shooting the recoil pinches your cheek between muff and the end of the cheek riser. It actually made my buddy bleed the one night, so I would highly encourage ear plugs, not muffs. Moving on, the LOP is also adjustable but since I am 2nd owner I didn't receive the parts to adjust it, and it doesn't need to be adjusted for me. Why fix something that isn't broken. It was nice to see a factory rifle with AICS compatible mag's and a big tab to release the mag, not some tiny button thats difficult to find and push. The barrel is threaded with 5/8x24 threads for you to thread your own brake on. I threw a APA Lil Bastard Gen 2 from the EE on, very happy with its performance. The action is as smooth as a Tikka, but the footprint of a model 700 AND has a Sako extractor. Basically, what I would describe as the best factory action on the market. With it having the TT in it, I see no need to change our parts or upgrade anything else on it.
**The biggest downfall is the mag well isn't as long as the magazine. I seated leads to 2.880 which is all the magazine holds, and could not feed them. A quick fix was grab some cotton balls, fill the chamber, triangular file and round file were used very carefully to open up the middle of the mag well. 5 mins later that issue was fixed**
Range Review/Accuracy:
After getting this rifle, I put a Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 FFP MOA scope on and as stated above, APA Lil Bastard Gen 2 Brake. The rifle came with Lapua SRP brass and some 140gr Berger HUnting VLD's. Previous owner stated it liked 43gr of H4350 with the Lapua brass but couldn't remember length. After giving it a thorough cleaning (I always clean a new to me rifle) I went and tried every length from jam to 0.200" off. No dice, the best I was able to get it to shoot was about 2" at 200 (2.840" OAL). I removed the brake, tried again. Same results. I then put brake back on, set it to 2.840 OAL and started at 39.5 and went to 42.8 in 0.3gr increments. Once again, not the results I was after. Groups anywhere from 1" to 3" at 100 yards. Tried Hornady brass with my best depth, and results were the same with various charges.
I gave up hope with the VLD's and bought 100 Nosler RDF's and started from scratch. Found what I would describe as a node at about 42.3gr of H4350 and played with depth. Long story short, I found a "1 hole" load with RDF's and H4350 but without the brake, put the brake on and that "1 holer" went to 2" *sigh* After shooting all 100 leads, trying both Hornady brass and Lapua SRP brass in groups of 3 (and 1 group of 4 obviously lol) still nothing better then 1 MOA. I was about ready to call it good enough, but my instructor at fire college drilled into my head that "good enough isn't good enough" and keep trying.
Frustrated, I bought some 140gr ELD-M's, said screw the Lapua SRP brass and went back to the basics. Every other 6.5 Creed i've ever loaded for has driven tacks with 41.5gr of H4350. 2.965" OAL was jammed in my rifle, I loaded everything with 41.5gr H4350 from 2.950" to 2.880" in 0.010" reductions. I left the brake on and took 3 shots at each depth. Expecting it to not shoot to my standards, I was shocked. Every single depth I tried, shot 0.5 MOA or under. Multiple "1 Hole" loads were discovered @ 100 yards. Since my magazine can only seat out to 2.880" thats what I picked, as it shot 1 hole at 100 and 0.5" at 200. The next day, I went out to my hide away and hung steel at 400 and 700 yards to test this load. 400 yards was impressive, dialed 7.5 MOA up and 0.5 MOA Left for wind, fired 5. First one was slightly high and left, next 4 were all in a 2" group slightly high maybe 0.25-0.5 MOA, giving me a 2.5" group at 400. Success, out to 700 we go. Again, dialed up (19 MOA) and over a few for wind, 6 shots, 6 hits. Upon examination, I found a 4.6" group at 700 yards on the right side of the plate. I couldn't believe it, I was more excited than a kid on Christmas.
Conclusion:
If you are someone who is looking to start shooting longer ranges without breaking the bank, this is the rifle. In my opinion, as someone who shoots on a budget and after owning multiple Tikka's, Remingtons, Savages and Brownings, this is the best bang for your buck. You can find them on the EE for anywhere from $1000-$1500 depending on condition/round count. It has an awesome stock/mini chassis, magazine setup is perfect and action is top notch. Yes the mag well needed to be opened up a bit BUT in the big picture thats minor. I am fond of this rifle not only for the accuracy and how impressive everything is, but the fact that if I wanted to build a "custom" I wouldn't need to change anything. The stock/chassis is perfect, action is trued up, has a nice detachable mag thats already AICS compatible and this particular one has a trigger in it. If you ever cook the barrel, for $800 +/- you put a new tube on and away you go. No bedding, truing, anything and you'll have a gun that will shoot as good as your neighbours cousins uncles $4500 custom.
I just also want to clarify I estimated my velocity at 2700 FPS and have yet to check an ES or SD. As above, I believe in KISS and have seen some low ES/SD loads shoot like garbage and i've seen high ES/SD loads shoot good. Im not saying it doesn't play a factor, but for the crowd on a budget and not competing, go throw lead, learn something and have fun.
To achieve this accuracy was a slight pain HOWEVER I am posting this to help others who might be struggling to get the same results. I would chalk it up to the fact that this particular rifle doesn't like the 140 VLD's, 140 RDF's or for that matter the Lapua SRP brass. That doesn't mean that your will like the 140 ELD-M's either. Just have to be patient and try different things. If anyone has any questions, or would like photos of my groups please ask. I do have pictures to prove my I am slightly tech challenged and cannot figure out how to post pictures here but I am more then happy to send them to someone to enjoy or to even post them up here on my behalf.
Happy shooting everyone!
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