For those of you interested in the Bergara HMR Pro

[cattleman99]

So I recently purchased a Bergara HMR Pro in 6.5 creedmoor our of curiosity for how it would perform. After putting at least 100 rounds down range from it already, I absolutely love this rifle. It is a very very accurate factory rifle. After developing loads for it using Hornady brass and Hornady 143 ELD-X bullets, she throws every round basically in the same hole at 100 yards. The action on this rifle is smooth as butter, often making me have to double check to see if I even chambered my next round! All around this rifle is a great rifle for people wanting a good hunting rifle or just getting started in the long range game. Well worth the money paid!

 

[Potss]

As someone who is very much interested in these rifles, I have two questions:

1.) Where did you get it and what did you pay for it? I cannot find them in stock anywhere!

2.) What other rifles can you compare it against for reference?

 

[Codiekfx400]

I have a Bergara lrp elite and it will put all the 123 lapua scenars in the same hole with boring accuracy. Nice shooting.

 

[cattleman99]

As someone who is very much interested in these rifles, I have two questions:

1.) Where did you get it and what did you pay for it? I cannot find them in stock anywhere!

2.) What other rifles can you compare it against for reference?

I actually purchased this from Scheels in Nebraska. They prices matched for me so it was around $1400. Most places are out of them and back ordered 1-2 shipments already. It’s crazy. I would compare it to Remington 700’s accessorie wise because it’s set up like one, but has Bergaras Premeier action, and smooth fluted bolt. The bolt head is floating which would be great if you plan changing to a different caliber. Removing the Firing pin and spring is extremely easy; just a quarter turn and pull it out. I got rid of my RPR and picked this up. In my opinion it’s so much better than that Ruger action. The stock on the HMR Pro is nice as well. Really hard to go wrong with it.

 

[cattleman99]

I have a Bergara lrp elite and it will put all the 123 lapua scenars in the same hole with boring accuracy. Nice shooting.

I hear ya. It’s really nice having a factory rifle that accurate.

 

[ChadL]

I actually purchased this from Scheels in Nebraska.

Scheels in Lincoln or Omaha?

 

[cattleman99]

Lincoln

 

[ChadL]

Cool.....thanks....I live in Lincoln. Will have to check it out. The new store is starting to really take shape.

 

[cattleman99]

Looks that way. Supposed to open in September I believe. Biggest one in the Nation is the word.

 

[Potss]

Very nice, especially for the price. I keep hearing the barrels are easy to change on the premier action, but I don't see how they are any different from the R700 (have to have a smith spin one up). Do people just say that because of the floating bolt head? Maybe I'm missing something but it doesn't seem as easy as a Tikka/Savage/Remage setup with a Bugnut or PVA Prefit, etc.

 

[Codiekfx400]

I called in to Bergara and they told me a rebarrel would cost $500 on my lrp elite. I thought that was reasonable enough.

 

[ThePretzel]

I have a Bergara lrp elite and it will put all the 123 lapua scenars in the same hole with boring accuracy. Nice shooting.

I got the chance to shoot a Bergara LRP Elite that a friend of mine recently bought in 6mm Creedmoor and I have to honestly say that the action was a lot nicer than I expected from a production rifle. It's not a cheap gun, but the action was as tight and smooth as some of the custom actions I've felt. Not as smooth as a broken in Impact or Bighorn, and not as tight as a Defiance, but definitely a solid action on that gun.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe the lrp elite and the HMR pro is the same action.

 

[cattleman99]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe the lrp elite and the HMR pro is the same action.

I believe the actions in the premier series are all the same.

 

[ThePretzel]

I believe the actions in the premier series are all the same.

I thought they were too, which is why I really only talked about the action since it's the only part of the gun that would be the same. If they are the same action then $1,400 for that rifle would be a really nice deal, considering that the action to me is on par with what you might expect to receive from a "mid-tier" custom action manufacturer.

At a minimum it definitely seems worth the extra $500 over the standard HMR to me anyways.

EDIT: Just checked, and the product page for the LRP Elite says it has the "Bergara Premier Short" action. The product page for the HMR Pro says that it "is coupled with our proprietary Bergara PREMIER action". They almost certainly are the same action.

 

[cattleman99]

My thoughts exactly. It’s a great in between set up for someone wanting to move towards custom rifles and away from R700’s and those of the sort.

 

[jlficken]

I probably handled that rifle at Scheels back on the 9th.

It seemed like a nice rifle.

 

[cattleman99]

I probably handled that rifle at Scheels back on the 9th.

It seemed like a nice rifle.

I bought it on the 11th, I’m loving it for what it is.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Does anyone know if the barrel is the same between the lrp elite and the hmr pro.

 

[Jhayesvw]

Cattleman or anyone else with a bergara higher end rifle, can you look to see if your feedramp is notched so longer loads don’t catch under the ramp?

I heard Bergara is starting to notch their actions. Maybe just the pro models? Thanks.

 

[cattleman99]

It’s notched

 

[Jhayesvw]

It’s notched

Very cool!
If you have a chance to measure the size of the notch I’d really appreciate it.

I run a trued 700 action and am having feed issues. The rounds are catching under the ramp. I’m going to notch it but I get conflicting reports on how much to notch. I’m trying to put together a good data set on notches.

Thanks.

 

[jlficken]

I bought it on the 11th, I’m loving it for what it is.

I'm standing here again and they have another in 6.5CM it looks like. It is also notched.

 

[cattleman99]

I'm standing here again and they have another in 6.5CM it looks like. It is also notched.

Better buy it!

 

[Jhayesvw]

I'm standing here again and they have another in 6.5CM it looks like. It is also notched.

Can you guess/estimate how wide and deep the notch is?

 

[cattleman99]

About 1/4” wide and .130” deep

 

[Jhayesvw]

About 1/4” wide and .130” deep

That’s exactly what my gunsmith buddy said he does. Guess that’s the ticket. Thank you for the help.

 

[jlficken]

That’s exactly what my gunsmith buddy said he does. Guess that’s the ticket. Thank you for the help.

Sorry I didn't see this when I was there yesterday :-(

I don't know about 1/4" wide but 1/8" deep seems right. I'd guess more like 5/32" wide.

 

[jlficken]

Better buy it!

The thought occurred to me but I have my AIAT (308), a Tikka T3x CTR (308), and a Bighorn TL-2 (223) right now.

I need another bolt gun like a need another hole in my head

That being said it was a very nice rifle. They took the trigger lock off and had me dry fire it and it has a very nice trigger. Overall, the action seemed very, very nice compared to the basic HMR since it has replaceable bolt heads and was incredibly smooth.

If I was just starting out I'd buy one instead of pretty much anything else out there right now.

 

[AverageGrunt]

I just reserved one with a store in Louisiana...I can’t wait till I can shoot it these things are out of stock everywhere