Bergara HMR 14 6.5 CM early range reporting

[Dgtrnr]

Ordered through Midway to my local FFL for a great price given the current environment/market. 1075$ Plus a meager tip to my dealer .

Initial impressions are very positive. After cleaning off the packing grease and shipping oil I headed to the range. Currently amidst the barrel break in process at round 20. The gun shoots lights out and will likely exceed my capabilities for sometime. After getting on paper I was able to print multiple 1/2 inch groups with Hornady American Gunner .

Now for a few questions . Does the factory trigger have a break in period? I removed action from stock while cleaning and made sure the setting was on the lightest. I am positive it is not 2.8 # and will pull it with a gauge today.

As for aftermarket triggers I understand that you are not supposed to use anything lighter than 2.8# due to the firing pin spring being heavy. Is there anyone who does bolt work for on them or is my only option the premier bolt from Bergara?

thanks for any and all input guys !

 

[atepointer]

I've had mine since the fall and use the same bullet, but hand load it and the results are beyond anything I ever envisioned for a mass produced factory product. All I can say is get ready for fun b/c like you I don't see this rifle holding me back at any point and I'm stretching it as far as my glass will let me. Regarding the trigger I actually like mine where it is, but funny you bring that up my buddy did a really cool paint job on mine over the weekend and we talked about tweaking the pull weight....will follow this thread please let me know what you do in case I ever decide to go that route. Enjoy!

 

[Dgtrnr]

I also hand load and plan to do load development as soon as the barrel is broken in.

What is your load combination as for primer, powder, and oal?

 

[DarinC]

I have a 24” version that’s about 3 yes old at this point. Prior owner put a timney in it so I haven’t played with the trigger at all.

I’m running a 147 eld .060 off the lands over 41.5G RL16 with a FGMM primer in Hornady brass in mine. 2733 FPS SD 5, ES about 19 holding sub half minute if I can keep it together for all 5 (I’m not a very good group shooter). I currently have about 1200 rds on her and she doesn’t hold me back.

While I want new shiny things, I can’t justify it so I’ll run her till the barrel is done, then probably send her back to Bergara for another barrel.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Regarding the aftermarket trigger limitations, I think you can run a TriggerTech at any weight they’re made for, since their design makes sear engagement independent of pull weight.

Have somebody else verify that, I’m like 90% sure on it but I guarantee someone here can provide a hard yes/no to this statement.

The factory rebarrel option is a pretty unbeatable value, as long as you’re good with the limited barrel options. You’re not gonna find a $500 stainless rebarrel with Cerakote anywhere else.

 

[IowaGeologist]

I've had mine since the fall and use the same bullet, but hand load it and the results are beyond anything I ever envisioned for a mass produced factory product. All I can say is get ready for fun b/c like you I don't see this rifle holding me back at any point and I'm stretching it as far as my glass will let me. Regarding the trigger I actually like mine where it is, but funny you bring that up my buddy did a really cool paint job on mine over the weekend and we talked about tweaking the pull weight....will follow this thread please let me know what you do in case I ever decide to go that route. Enjoy!


View attachment 7572683

Looks great. Am wondering if that cheek riser is comfortable for you. I don't think I've ever seen one that high up before, especially with normal height rings.

 

[atepointer]

Looks great. Am wondering if that cheek riser is comfortable for you. I don't think I've ever seen one that high up before, especially with normal height rings.

Yea fits like a glove had to modify to get it that high the bottom of the posts are threaded buddy who painted it dropped some bolts in and voila extended. Had a horrible home made setup that worked ok since last fall, but wanted a permanent solution that didn't wiggle on me. I have -8.5x glasses and I can only see 20/20 through the dead center of them...have to keep my head quite upright. I also have really high cheek bones....add that up and it's a weirdo setup:/ Bench only simply can't shoot prone at this stage in the game. Not really that important to me to shoot prone jsut so i'm out there with the boys having fun. Getting my cataract surgery here in the next couple of years so will revisit prone at that time.

 

[Dgtrnr]

Regarding the aftermarket trigger limitations, I think you can run a TriggerTech at any weight they’re made for, since their design makes sear engagement independent of pull weight.

Have somebody else verify that, I’m like 90% sure on it but I guarantee someone here can provide a hard yes/no to this statement.

The factory rebarrel option is a pretty unbeatable value, as long as you’re good with the limited barrel options. You’re not gonna find a $500 stainless rebarrel with Cerakote anywhere else.

I have heard similar things about the trigger techs. If that holds true I’ll order one today cause this one is pretty darn stiff!

 

[KnowNothing256]

I have heard similar things about the trigger techs. If that holds true I’ll order one today cause this one is pretty darn stiff!

I’ll say that I’ve had no issues whatsoever with my TT Special, adjusted fairly low. No bump/slam fires, never observed any issues with it. I’m with you on the factory trigger, I was immediately displeased and bought the Special without a backward glance.

I also meant to mention, you’ll wanna check the firing pin hole on the bolt face and make sure it’s small; can’t recall the old vs. new dimensions, but mine was too big and I was getting blown/cratered primers on otherwise normal hand loads. You can get the old ones bushed to fix the problem, but gotta send your bolt off, so I just bit the bullet and sprung for the Premium bolt, which also fixed the issue. Bergara got wise to this eventually and started machining the bolt face with an appropriately sized firing pin hole, but I guess mine was earlier than that.

 

[Dgtrnr]

You ran the TT with the original bolt correct?

I’ll probably bite the same bullet and get the nicer bolt .

I just got mine so I’m assuming it the update model

 

[KnowNothing256]

You ran the TT with the original bolt correct?

I’ll probably bite the same bullet and get the nicer bolt .

I just got mine so I’m assuming it the update model

Yep, TT trigger’s done time on both bolts, no issues with either. If it wasn’t for the primers, I’d be running the original, I actually prefer the operation of it. Still, love the toolless takedown and swappable bolt heads on the Premium.

 

[KnowNothing256]

You ran the TT with the original bolt correct?

I’ll probably bite the same bullet and get the nicer bolt .

I just got mine so I’m assuming it the update model

Yep, TT trigger’s done time on both bolts, no issues with either. If it wasn’t for the primers, I’d be running the original, I actually prefer the operation of it. Still, love the toolless takedown and swappable bolt heads on the Premium.

 

[JHoff162]

I am running a trigger tech 2 stage on my HMR and love it. The Bergara has the footprintwill of a remington 700 and will accept almost all remington 700 triggers without the bolt release.

 

[Dgtrnr]

I am running a trigger tech 2 stage on my HMR and love it. The Bergara has the footprintwill of a remington 700 and will accept almost all remington 700 triggers without the bolt release.

Have you had any issues with reliability/ safety?

What’s your round count with the set up!?

Just ordered a primary flat from member about 10 mins ago.

 

[Jackjam]

I have primary’s in both my bergaras set at 1.5 lbs. no problems so far, honestly didn’t know there was a potential issue when I put them in.

 

[JHoff162]

I have only ever heard about 2 issues with trigger techs.
1. The older triggers has carbide rollers and several cracked. New triggers are stainless steel rollers. They recalled these.
2. The new 2 stage diamond, set to a low pull weight, could experience a slam fire if the rifle was dropped with the safety off. The mass of the trigger had enough inertia to actuate itself when dropped, similar to the Sig P320.

I have put about 200 rounds on my 2 stage special and it does not have that issue. First thing I did when I installed the trigger was drop the rifle on the but stock repeatedly.