Bergara hmr

[iukamedic]

I just purchased a bergara hmr. Couple things. I have been shooting 308 for some time. Never bought into new caliber hype but this 6.5 creedmoor is intriguing. Less recoil and accurate. I’m getting 3/4 Moa after partial break in. Anything I should know about this rifle as far as problems or beneficial upgrades? I didn’t know how I would like the stock but it’s more comfortable than my krg X-ray. Thanks ahead of time. Oh by the way how do these rifles shoot the American gunner? I can buy them for not much more than reloading cost.

 

[1911hombre]

I shoot the American Gunner in my 6.5 RPR and they got me impacts on first four rounds first time shooting at 1000 yds. (Actually 1025 yds.) 140 gr. BTHP. Also, if you see Hornady Black on sale it's the same ammo as the American Gunner, just repackaged. In the 140 BTHP, that is...

 

[TRG65]

I couldn’t get factory ammo to shoot all that well in my sons Bergara. Once I got dies and started loading, got to a .5 moa gun for 3 shot groups. We also moved it from the Bergara chassis to a KRG bravo.

 

[SonicBurlap]

I eventually ended up ordering the fluted Bergara Premier SA bolt for it because of the lighter firing pin and ease of disassembly, and replaced the Bergara trigger with a TriggerTech Special, not because the trigger was bad but because I like the TriggerTechs. I also added a Patriot Valley Arms 6.5 Creedmoor Jet Blast muzzle brake, and a Wiebad stock mini pad for the cheekriser which feels better on the skin when it's cold. As for factory ammo mine especially likes the Federal Gold Medal Match Berger, 130gr. and the Hornady Match and Precision Hunter ammo in the 140s gr. range. Heard from some that American Gunner shoots just fine, others not, each barrel is different in what ammo it likes but that is not unique to Bergaras but goes for all brands. If you get a throw lever for whatever scope you mount the 90 degree bolt throw can conflict with the lever set to low mag other than that using bore shine before the actual break in minimized my clean up afterwards compared to my B14 .300 WinMag. that's about all I can think of right off the bat.

 

[JakeM]

In my experience, it will shift zero a little bit after it gets hot but accuracy does not fall off. The best factory ammo for mine was federal Gold Metal match 130gr berger. It would do good to ad a trigger tech special, I did

these groups are hand loads

 

[iukamedic]

I couldn’t get factory ammo to shoot all that well in my sons Bergara. Once I got dies and started loading, got to a .5 moa gun for 3 shot groups. We also moved it from the Bergara chassis to a KRG bravo.

Did the bravo change your weight much? I’ve been thinking of the same thing. I’ve been doing some loading for it. Have had decent results with 140 stuff but not exceptional. I bought some Berger 130 today to try.

 

[iukamedic]

I eventually ended up ordering the fluted Bergara Premier SA bolt for it because of the lighter firing pin and ease of disassembly, and replaced the Bergara trigger with a TriggerTech Special, not because the trigger was bad but because I like the TriggerTechs. I also added a Patriot Valley Arms 6.5 Creedmoor Jet Blast muzzle brake, and a Wiebad stock mini pad for the cheekriser which feels better on the skin when it's cold. As for factory ammo mine especially likes the Federal Gold Medal Match Berger, 130gr. and the Hornady Match and Precision Hunter ammo in the 140s gr. range. Heard from some that American Gunner shoots just fine, others not, each barrel is different in what ammo it likes but that is not unique to Bergaras but goes for all brands. If you get a throw lever for whatever scope you mount the 90 degree bolt throw can conflict with the lever set to low mag other than that using bore shine before the actual break in minimized my clean up afterwards compared to my B14 .300 WinMag. that's about all I can think of right off the bat.

Did that bolt change much with the function or accuracy?

 

[Jmccracken1214]

If you load, you’ll probably have to notch the feed ramp, or just seat billets short. And I had to have my firing pin bushed. Larger hole than factory Remington 700 and wouldn’t allow me to push 140’a past 2730 with small primers, without pulling them out.
Outside of that, it’s a slick rifle

 

[Tokay444]

Keep the action screws at 55in/lbs and it’ll shoot like that ‘till the barrel burns out.

 

[SonicBurlap]

Did that bolt change much with the function or accuracy?

Improved accuracy some, plus the trigger feels a whole lot lighter even over using the same TriggerTech Special set at the same value as with the B14 bolt. It took a bit of prep but after running the bolt about 200 - 300 times it actually runs smoother than the B14 bolt. I love the easy disassembly with the bayonet style firing pin assembly, no tools required, 1/4 turn and it is disassembled for cleaning and lubing, also the bolt shroud is much more substantial where at least the old B14 bolt shrouds were actually just welded. The non-rotating gas shield is another nice feature in the rare off hand chance you should ever have a squib load. The fluted bolt, just is nice if you get out in the snow and ice much, or if you shoot in windy and dusty semi-arid , or desert areas, all of which apply to where I'm at, and the lighter firing pin and spring are less likely to crater your ammo, especially if you shoot handloads, which I do sometimes when I'm out with a buddy who shoots an HMR as well and who uses his own loads primarily.
Overall it's not a must have, just a nice to have just like the TriggerTech trigger. It got my HMR to where I'm sure I'll keep it and pass it on to the next generation eventually. In regards to the cratering I could have probably achieved the same by actually just having the B14 bolt firing pin hole bushed but then I wanted the machined shroud and the fluting as well so that just getting the Premier SA bolt was either only slightly more, or about the same price.

 

[SonicBurlap]

Keep the action screws at 55in/lbs and it’ll shoot like that ‘till the barrel burns out.

Very important, most folks that I knew and complained about the accuracy of their HMR had their action screws torqued to 65in/lbs. and Bergara states that they recommend sticking to the 55in/lbs for accuracy.

 

[iukamedic]

I tried some 130 Berger’s today. All I can say is wow. The 140 stuff was ok but the 130’s. Are unreal.

 

[zr600]

My hmr shoots the hornady match ammo very good. It shoots reloads mostly though. The match ammo had high extreme spreads in my gun. I haven’t had any issues. It shoots awesome.

 

[Bcamos]

I’m pretty happy with this thing. Bought it from another Hide member and picked it up last Friday. I got it on paper at 100yds and then took a few shots on one of my plates at 270yds. Once my neighbor moves his cows out of the field next to me I’ll be able to push the plate back farther.

This is just Hornady American Gunner 140gr. I’m excited to see how things tighten up with match grade stuff or had loads if I eventually start reloading.