Bergara B-14 HMR Accuracy Problems

[SonicBurlap]

I’m actually sending it in this week. I’m sure other people’s HMR shoot well under moa, that’s why I purchased it, because of the reviews here at the hide.
I’m just worried that the rifle will shoot a good 3 shot group for them, because it does shoot an occasional sub moa group specialty 3 shot groups. The problem is that is very inconsistent. See I shoot off a bipod I don’t use bags or a rest like I’m sure they’ll use over at bergara.

Okay, let's try that again: Tokay444s question, and in addition what bipod are you using and how do you have it mounted? Are you front loading the bipod, and are you shooting prone, offhand, or off a bench? Are you keeping track of conditions, what you use, and results? When you are sending it in you might want to include that info as well. Bergara will likely also want to know what range you're shooting at and what optic you are using, and how it is mounted.

 

[robeast2000]

Okay, let's try that again: Tokay444s question, and in addition what bipod are you using and how do you have it mounted? Are you front loading the bipod, and are you shooting prone, offhand, or off a bench? Are you keeping track of conditions, what you use, and results? When you are sending it in you might want to include that info as well. Bergara will likely also want to know what range you're shooting at and what optic you are using, and how it is mounted.

What do you mean by lets try that again?
When did you ask this questions before?
I answered Tokays in two posts. I said I’ve used pretty much everything in the hornady match line with no luck. In respect to the hardware, I’m using an atlas. I’ve used 3 different scopes PMII, ZP5 and Khales K525. I use a seekings scope base with a recoil lug and a saker muzzle brake. I’ve shot it from the bench and from the prone.
In addition, I’m a somewhat experienced shooter. I’ve taken several LE courses and competed in a few small local riffle matches as well as putting in shorting time at least 3 times a month. Like I’ve said on previos posts I have other rifles which I consistently get .5 moa and less in the same conditions that I shoot the Bergara in and I’m using the saker muzzle brake in all my rifles.

 

[robeast2000]

What do you mean by lets try that again?
When did you ask this questions before?
I answered Tokays in two posts. I said I’ve used pretty much everything in the hornady match line with no luck. In respect to the hardware, I’m using an atlas. I’ve used 3 different scopes PMII, ZP5 and Khales K525. I use a seekings scope base with a recoil lug and a saker muzzle brake. I’ve shot it from the bench and from the prone.
In addition, I’m a somewhat experienced shooter. I’ve taken several LE courses and competed in a few small local riffle matches as well as putting in shorting time at least 3 times a month. Like I’ve said on previos posts I have other rifles which I consistently get .5 moa and less in the same conditions that I shoot the Bergara in and I’m using the saker muzzle brake in all my rifles.

And I’m using a Triggertech diamond trigger.

 

[Tokay444]

Have you tried the ammo Bergara recommends?

 

[robeast2000]

Have you tried the ammo Bergara recommends?

You’d make a great CS rep for BCM.

 

[Tokay444]

I’ll take that as a no.
I’d probably start there, then make sure everything is torqued to spec.
but my money is on you using the wrong ammo.

 

[Steel+Killer]

Sorry everybody i haven't had time to get back to the thread cause of working keeping me really busy. The rifle is still at the gunsmith they have tried just about everything they can think of with out voiding any warranty with it. My gunsmith had his teacher look at the rifle and he immeditley noticed that the recrown Bergara did was not concentrical this problem was resolved and the rifle still shot sub par still grouping 1.5 MOA. I'm going to cover as many of the questions in this post as i can. No i do not have another stock or chassis that will fit the 700 footprint and i do not want to buy another one due to the fact that i spent around $1000 for this rifle and do not want to spend another 1000 dollars on a chassis. The gunsmith did take the rifle out of the stock chassis system and checked for excess paint and oil and did not find any. We have ruled out just about everything we can on this side and short of taking the gun and turning it into a custom build and dropping more money. My gunsmith a awesome gunsmith and build precision rifles that are used in competitions and consistently shoot sub half MOA. So i don't think its him either. We have opted to send the rifle back to Bergara again we believe its going to be a barrel issue that is going to require the barrel to be replaced. Overall I am not impressed with Bergara and I really wanted to be i put off buying my Tikka T3X Tac A-1 in 308 to buy this Bergara but it ended up not preforming the way i need it to so ended up buying the Tikka anyways. The Tikka however shoots solid consistant .3-.4 MOA groups with Federal GMM 168 gr. I couldnt be more happy with that rifle. I will keep yall updated when i get the Rifle back again to see what they changed but with the way things are going the store where i purchase my rifles and ammo has stated that if they will not carry Bergara anymore cause they have had 4 HMR's with this same problem and sent them all back with same results.

Its been 7 months since the OPs last update anybody else like to know what the outcome was/is with Bergara? OP please let us know......

 

[Tokay444]

We’re on to the next guy who claims his gun has problem but can’t formulate an intelligible response to the simplest of questions.
How’s that sound? Can I still be a CS rep for BCM?

 

[robeast2000]

Lol. Even more than before

 

[Tokay444]

Let us know how you make out after using the ammo Bergara recommends.

 

[chevy_man]

Let us know how you make out after using the ammo Bergara recommends.

You realize he answered that 15 times and you can't read?

 

[Tokay444]

You realize he answered that 15 times and you can't read?

He never actually did answer, and actually stated he didn’t know what they recommend, and that he’d, “call them” about it.

 

[Big Bo]

Son and I went to the range today. NEW Rifle, NEVER fired except by the manufacturer. After cleaning we shot it. First shot was a few inches off, but on paper. Spent an hour trying to get this damn thing to shoot and hit paper. Found the bipod loose. Scope was tight, still would not shoot. Cleaned it again. Got it on paper, AND made small adjustments while zeroing. Hornady 140 gr American Gunner shot superb, 1/2" and 3/4" groups at 100yds. I was ready to throw in the towel. My son loves his new rifle.

OP, check all the screws on everything. Clean it, then clean it again. Good luck.

 

[SonicBurlap]

What do you mean by lets try that again?
When did you ask this questions before?
I answered Tokays in two posts. I said I’ve used pretty much everything in the hornady match line with no luck. In respect to the hardware, I’m using an atlas. I’ve used 3 different scopes PMII, ZP5 and Khales K525. I use a seekings scope base with a recoil lug and a saker muzzle brake. I’ve shot it from the bench and from the prone.
In addition, I’m a somewhat experienced shooter. I’ve taken several LE courses and competed in a few small local riffle matches as well as putting in shorting time at least 3 times a month. Like I’ve said on previos posts I have other rifles which I consistently get .5 moa and less in the same conditions that I shoot the Bergara in and I’m using the saker muzzle brake in all my rifles.

Looks like you just need to send it in, and make sure you list your set up, and what you tried. Bergara should be able to diagnose it and make it right.

 

[robeast2000]

Looks like you just need to send it in, and make sure you list your set up, and what you tried. Bergara should be able to diagnose it and make it right.

It’s going back tomorrow. We’ll see how Bergara handles this.

 

[Rick King]

How many rounds do you shoot in a group . I have a B-14 wilderness . If i shoot a 3 round group its usually sub moa . If i shoot 5 round groups its usually 1.5" groups or more . From what I am seeing once the barrel starts to heat up the group spreads out . I checked the Bergara web site and turns out they only guarantee 3 shot groups from a cold bore . If you send it in they fire 3 rounds from a cold bore wait for it to cool off and repeat . If both 3 round groups are sub moa it passes . If only one group is sub moa they wait till it cools off and shoot a 3rd group if 2 out of 3 are sub it passes . I am very disappointed in mine . I had a $600.00 Ruger MK-77 that shot better groups even with a hot barrel than my $1,000.00 Bergara does . i bought the Bergara hoping to get into PRS or benchrest shooting . I have not found a competition match that allows you to take a time out after three rounds to wait for your barrel to cool off . I will never buy another bergara .

 

[Glock talk]

Ugh not good, I recently bought a HMR pro 6.5 creedmoor. I usually do not shoot factory ammo out of bolt guns and do a full handload work up to the best of my abilities. I have not fired the rifle yet but I certainly hope that it is capable of at least .5” 5 shot group at 100 yards since it comes with a $1400 price tag. I have 140 Berger vld and 142 smk loaded in .3 gr increments of H4350.

 

[TriggerHappy0125]

I purchased a 300WM HMR last summer. My first impressions about the gun was great, but at the range my groups were in the 1.5” or greater range and steadily got worse. I found that my scope base has loosened up to the point of being able to move the scope 1/4” by hand. Fixed that issue. Second trip to the range and my groups were more consistent but still 1.5”+. Like a previous post my action screws had come loose. I finally got my muzzle break and Started working out a load for the gun. Got down to about .75” groups at 100 with 180gr AB and H1000 before I ran out of time (Let me know of interested and i will send the fullspec). Started loading at mag length but ended up reducing OAL a lot more than I would have thought. Not sure if this gun just likes more jump on the bullet? This was the first time I have ever had any issues with a scope base or action screws. Anyway I took an elk last November from 654 yards with it.

 

[Daherc]

I purchased a 300WM HMR last summer. My first impressions about the gun was great, but at the range my groups were in the 1.5” or greater range and steadily got worse. I found that my scope base has loosened up to the point of being able to move the scope 1/4” by hand. Fixed that issue. Second trip to the range and my groups were more consistent but still 1.5”+. Like a previous post my action screws had come loose. I finally got my muzzle break and Started working out a load for the gun. Got down to about .75” groups at 100 with 180gr AB and H1000 before I ran out of time (Let me know of interested and i will send the fullspec). Started loading at mag length but ended up reducing OAL a lot more than I would have thought. Not sure if this gun just likes more jump on the bullet? This was the first time I have ever had any issues with a scope base or action screws. Anyway I took an elk last November from 654 yards with it.

I’m glad you were able to make it work for you. My friend and I both bought that same rifle, and I could not get the 208gr ELD-M’s to work, but he was able to get the 178gr bullets to group well. Maybe the rifle just likes the lighter bullets.

I got rid of mine and picked up a 338 Edge.

 

[TriggerHappy0125]

I have been working on loads for my Bergara 300 WM HMR and I wanted to share my results and the loads, maybe this will help some that are still having issues. A couple of observations first. I purchased the gun last year, I did an initial cleaning before I shot it for the first time, and followed the break in procedure partially. I am still on the fence about break ins, but I figured it couldn't hurt. Since then, I only cleaned it once after hunting season before I put it away for an extended time. I ran some patches through to remove gun oil in the barrel before starting this latest session of load development. I won't go through my load development or reloading process here but if you are interested let me know and I will send you that information. I am not a master reloader by any stretch of the imagination, but I am meticulous. The more I shoot the gun the better it performs. Again I have not cleaned it again at this point. I also took the gun off the Bergara stock and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis before shooting these loads. Here is the latest load data (all rounds were Hornady Brass and CCI large magnum primers). All groups in this phase were three shots at 100 yards. Moving to 300 this weekend. Once I settle on some loads, I will shoot some 5 shot groups.

180 grain Barnes TTSX
76.6 grains H1000
0.050 off lands - 3.506" OAL
0.752 MOA
3043 FPS
ES - 20 STDEV - 10.0

200 grain Hornady ELDX
76.6 grains H1000
0.050 off lands - 3.477" OAL
0.855 MOA
2940 FPS
ES - 15 STDEV - 7.5

180 grain Hornady GMX
77.5 grains H1000
0.050" off lands - 3.433" OAL
.590 MOA
3118 FPS
ES - 24 STDEV - 12.3

180 grain Hornady GMX
77.5 grains H1000
0.100 off lands - 3.383" OAL
.698 MOA
3063 FPS
ES - 27 STDEV - 15.6

180 grain Nosler AB
75.5 grains H1000
.050" off lands - 3.508" OAL
.953 MOA
2949 FPS
ES - 40 STDEV - 20.0

180 grain Nosler AB
75.5 grains H1000
.100" off lands - 3.458" OAL
1.070" MOA
2926 FPS
ES - 15 STDEV - 7.9

I also shot 180 grain Barnes at 0.100" off lands, first two shots were touching, then I had a bi-pod malfunction that I did not realize and sprayed the third shot off about an inch. ES was 14 with STDEV of 7.6, 3008 FPS. 200 grain Nosler AB were shot next with the same bi pod issue so those groups were terrible 1.5" or so but the node I am loading at for that round looks great and I will shoot it again this weekend. ES was 6 with STDEV of 3.0 for 0.050" off lands and very similar for 0.100" off, 2955 FPS. 200 grain Hornady at 0.100" off same issue. I will reshoot those again this weekend as well.

You can see a bit of a pattern, the gun likes 76.5 grains of H1000. That was the sweet spot based on the chrono results, but the GMX seem to like the hotter load and 180 AB seem to like the slower 75.5 grains.

The GMX in particular are running pretty hot, I started to see pressure signs on the brass at 78 grains. Please do not take these at face value, always start low and work up to make sure you stay safe, and the loads are compatible with your rifle.

 

[OG10]

For the record you shot the recommend ammo ?

 

[cruze5]

Accuracy Testing - Bergara USA

Accuracy Testing

www.bergara.online

ammo?

i am already not happy with my HMR PRO in 300PRC. the thread protector required a tool to remove and the action is the absolute worst i have ever worked for that price rifle...

 

[OG10]

Did you not look at the rifle and inspect it prior to purchasing it ? Have you contacted Bergara,

 

[TriggerHappy0125]

For the record you shot the recommend ammo ?

No I have never shot the recommended ammo. I purchased a box of 180 Grain Norma Oryx which is recommended in case I needed to fall back on it, but I have not needed it.

 

[OG10]

This post was aimed at blueline67 the original poster.but since then this post has gone off in a different direction.For anyone having accuracy problems with a Bergara contact the manufacturer they are very willing to help.Disclaimer I do not work for Bergara have no ties or vested intrest, just a customer who was extremely happy with my purchases...

 

[TriggerHappy0125]

I have been working on loads for my Bergara 300 WM HMR and I wanted to share my results and the loads, maybe this will help some that are still having issues. A couple of observations first. I purchased the gun last year, I did an initial cleaning before I shot it for the first time, and followed the break in procedure partially. I am still on the fence about break ins, but I figured it couldn't hurt. Since then, I only cleaned it once after hunting season before I put it away for an extended time. I ran some patches through to remove gun oil in the barrel before starting this latest session of load development. I won't go through my load development or reloading process here but if you are interested let me know and I will send you that information. I am not a master reloader by any stretch of the imagination, but I am meticulous. The more I shoot the gun the better it performs. Again I have not cleaned it again at this point. I also took the gun off the Bergara stock and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis before shooting these loads. Here is the latest load data (all rounds were Hornady Brass and CCI large magnum primers). All groups in this phase were three shots at 100 yards. Moving to 300 this weekend. Once I settle on some loads, I will shoot some 5 shot groups.

180 grain Barnes TTSX
76.6 grains H1000
0.050 off lands - 3.506" OAL
0.752 MOA
3043 FPS
ES - 20 STDEV - 10.0

200 grain Hornady ELDX
76.6 grains H1000
0.050 off lands - 3.477" OAL
0.855 MOA
2940 FPS
ES - 15 STDEV - 7.5

180 grain Hornady GMX
77.5 grains H1000
0.050" off lands - 3.433" OAL
.590 MOA
3118 FPS
ES - 24 STDEV - 12.3

180 grain Hornady GMX
77.5 grains H1000
0.100 off lands - 3.383" OAL
.698 MOA
3063 FPS
ES - 27 STDEV - 15.6

180 grain Nosler AB
75.5 grains H1000
.050" off lands - 3.508" OAL
.953 MOA
2949 FPS
ES - 40 STDEV - 20.0

180 grain Nosler AB
75.5 grains H1000
.100" off lands - 3.458" OAL
1.070" MOA
2926 FPS
ES - 15 STDEV - 7.9

I also shot 180 grain Barnes at 0.100" off lands, first two shots were touching, then I had a bi-pod malfunction that I did not realize and sprayed the third shot off about an inch. ES was 14 with STDEV of 7.6, 3008 FPS. 200 grain Nosler AB were shot next with the same bi pod issue so those groups were terrible 1.5" or so but the node I am loading at for that round looks great and I will shoot it again this weekend. ES was 6 with STDEV of 3.0 for 0.050" off lands and very similar for 0.100" off, 2955 FPS. 200 grain Hornady at 0.100" off same issue. I will reshoot those again this weekend as well.

You can see a bit of a pattern, the gun likes 76.5 grains of H1000. That was the sweet spot based on the chrono results, but the GMX seem to like the hotter load and 180 AB seem to like the slower 75.5 grains.

The GMX in particular are running pretty hot, I started to see pressure signs on the brass at 78 grains. Please do not take these at face value, always start low and work up to make sure you stay safe, and the loads are compatible with your rifle.

A few more notes. H1000 works for bullets up to 180 grain. I was not able to get the heavier bullets to group very well. Probably need to go with Reloader 23 or 26. I have the 180 Barnes down to about 0.5” at 100. Also shooting about .6-.7 MOA at 300 yards.

 

[brushbuster49]

I know this is an old thread but I read a review that had the same problem. Turns out a few were sold that had a muzzle break which didn't meet specs. Bergara made good on the break.

 

[Pilot7752]

Have you tried fgmm 168 or 175 grain ammo ? This is the ammo Bergara recommends for their 308. This is for @BlueLine67.

With FGMM 175, mine shot .53 MOA before I fixed the paint issue on the pillar.