HMR Barrel vs HMR Pro

[Jim C]

I'm researching my first LR rifle and have a question about the difference between the Bergara HMR and HMR Pro barrels. The Pro has a stainless steel barrel, while the HMR has a 4140 CrMo steel barrel. Not sure, but I don't think CrMo steel is the same as stainless. So my question is - is stainless better in terms of accuracy? And will stainless outlast CrMo?

Thanks,
-jim

 

[Drumie]

I have both in 6.5. I'm not sure about how long they will last but the Pro barrel is a better barrel on my 2 guns. The pro does not heat up nearly as fast, seems a little more accurate and likes more kinds of ammo. Also the action on the Pro is a lot better.

 

[ffjoey]

CroMo is not the same is stainless. They can be equally accurate but the stainless should last longer

 

[Codiekfx400]

The pro is the same barrel as my Bergara elite. My elite is very accurate and I would put it on the same level as a x-caliber or Shillen type of custom barrel. As far as the hmr It would be on the same level as a Ruger type of barrel imo.

 

[midSCarolina]

CroMo is not the same is stainless. They can be equally accurate but the stainless should last longer

Does stainless last longer? I have always heard that CMV last longer but it isn't necessarily a significant difference. The major upsides to stainless are more corrosion resistance so you are less likely to encounter any issues if you don't have a very thorough maintenance schedule, and stainless is easier to work with. Because SS is softer and easier to work with, some argue that you can make them with better precision and thus have a more precise barrel. IME I have seen some pro barrels that are more accurate than the standard and I have seen some standard that are more accurate than the pro. So for me personally, the SS barrel was neither a pro nor a con since both the SS and CMV have a good reputation for accuracy. I think the major selling points of the pro are the trigger and the bolt. I do kinda wish that my premier bolt handle was threaded so I could swap it out for something a little larger but it really isn't a big deal. The premier bolt can be purchased from bergara for about $300 and dropped into a standard HMR which is nice.

 

[ffjoey]

Premier trigger and bolt are the big selling points. I have no proof but think the premier action is probably a bit of an upgrade over the b14 as a whole. CMV vs SS, any difference is going to be pretty marginal in reality. Bergara’s barrel are very good either way.

 

[HMRamateur]

Does anyone know if their HMR barrels are honed? I know the premier barrels are honed, and when I received my pro I looked down the barrel and it was as shiny and smooth as can be. Either way, I contacted BPI before I went with the pro, and I was told the only difference between the two are length and material. I didn't ask about any heat treating or finish processes, but I wasn't informed of any either. I can say too, that the action is a major upgrade compared to the regular HMR. When the HMR was fully opened I noticed a lot of side to side slop in the bolt. There is barely any movement besides forward when the bolt is fully opened on the premier action.

 

[ffjoey]

Does anyone know if their HMR barrels are honed? I know the premier barrels are honed, and when I received my pro I looked down the barrel and it was as shiny and smooth as can be. Either way, I contacted BPI before I went with the pro, and I was told the only difference between the two are length and material. I didn't ask about any heat treating or finish processes, but I wasn't informed of any either. I can say too, that the action is a major upgrade compared to the regular HMR. When the HMR was fully opened I noticed a lot of side to side slop in the bolt. There is barely any movement besides forward when the bolt is fully opened on the premier action.

I’m not 100% sure but I believe both barrel types go through the same production process. Regardless, I own a Premier and have shot several B14s. Neither is a slouch in any way. Both shoot lights out. Premier just has more of a semi custom feel with a nicer action. B14 feels more like a factory 700 that is built with quality in mind instead of a profit margin.

 

[midSCarolina]

What exactly is the difference in the actions other than materials and the bolt. When they talk about the upgraded action, all the upgrade info seems to be pertaining to the bolt and the action itself being SS. I’ve never heard of any other differences when it comes to dimensions or manufacturing process and the fact the the premier bolt drops in to the standard action makes me think that at least the dimensions are the same, but I may just not know enough about the process to know any better.

 

[HMRamateur]

What exactly is the difference in the actions other than materials and the bolt. When they talk about the upgraded action, all the upgrade info seems to be pertaining to the bolt and the action itself being SS. I’ve never heard of any other differences when it comes to dimensions or manufacturing process and the fact the the premier bolt drops in to the standard action makes me think that at least the dimensions are the same, but I may just not know enough about the process to know any better.

I didn't know that the premier bolt was interchangeable. Rough size might be the same, but the exact measurements have to be different in my opinion. I can't say for sure though. The feel of bolt felt tighter, yet smoother in the premier. I don't remember how bolt lift felt on the B14, but I am pretty impressed with the bolt lift on the premier. Best bolt lift I've felt on any factory rifle I've handled. I haven't touched a custom action though so I can't compare it to anything like that. When it comes to pulling or pushing on a bolt, maybe my hands just aren't sensitive enough to notice a difference between much of what I've felt. My savage 7mm feels just like my tikka 22-250. Both are close to the bergara. All are smooth. But what I really notice is the bolt lift. The bergara doesn't take much effort at all, with the tikka coming in second and the savage in a distant third. Maybe someone with a B14 can clarify how it feels compared to others, but people like to compare everything to tikka, especially the B14, and I personally don't see what the hype with tikka is about when it comes to how smooth they are.

 

[wade2big]

I didn't know that the premier bolt was interchangeable. Rough size might be the same, but the exact measurements have to be different in my opinion. I can't say for sure though. The feel of bolt felt tighter, yet smoother in the premier. I don't remember how bolt lift felt on the B14, but I am pretty impressed with the bolt lift on the premier. Best bolt lift I've felt on any factory rifle I've handled. I haven't touched a custom action though so I can't compare it to anything like that. When it comes to pulling or pushing on a bolt, maybe my hands just aren't sensitive enough to notice a difference between much of what I've felt. My savage 7mm feels just like my tikka 22-250. Both are close to the bergara. All are smooth. But what I really notice is the bolt lift. The bergara doesn't take much effort at all, with the tikka coming in second and the savage in a distant third. Maybe someone with a B14 can clarify how it feels compared to others, but people like to compare everything to tikka, especially the B14, and I personally don't see what the hype with tikka is about when it comes to how smooth they are.

You take that last statement back!!!

 

[HMRamateur]

You take that last statement back!!!

? I'm sorry, I should clarify... Like I said, the tikka felt just as smooth as my savage. Maybe I got a good one, because I hear nothing but bad things about savage actions, yet besides bolt lift, mine feels just like my tikka. Both feel great. So if people don't like the savage, and my tikka feels like my savage... I can only assume I suppose though
Edit: I guess the correct thing for me to say was I dont understand the hate savage gets! No hate on tikka, I love my 22-250.

 

[41magnum]

What kind of round count can I expect on a 6.5 with the HMR barrel?

 

[stello1001]

What kind of round count can I expect on a 6.5 with the HMR barrel?

Factory loads and not too many rapid strings you might make it to 4k.

Anywhere from 2k to 4k depending on how harsh you are with it.

 

[41magnum]

140gr RDF at 2750 FPS

 

[rangerlong]

I picked up an HMR Pro yesterday. Have not shot it yet, but the action feels similar to the r700 based custom actions I've felt. I like it better than the seekins or christensen mpr.
As mentioned previously, the triggertech trigger is also nice to have. I think it's the closest you can get to custom in a factory rifle. The manual also states it's made in the same facility by the same people that build the custom guns that Bergara makes.