Replacing Begara barrel?

[rogerg12]

I've got a relatively new Begara B14 6.5CM rifle. Loving live and my new hobby.

I've got about 650 shots on it. I understand somewhere over 1000 shots my barrel is likely to get worn out and need replacing.

Newbie question: How do I get the barrel replaced?

I emailed Begara with this question, expecting they would send me the options, but no response. I understand that the parts are fairly standard and not hard to swap out.

Rightly assuming I'm no gun smith, is the most common thing for me to do is buy a replacement barrel and/or take it to a gun smith? Are barrel changes easy enough for the average shooting to DIY? I've done dozens of gun mods (mostly pistols) over the years...but nothing beyond what might take 20 minutes to do and following instructions on YouTube.

So what's the normal process for replacing barrels?

 

[_Windrider_]

I've got a relatively new Begara B14 6.5CM rifle. Loving live and my new hobby.

I've got about 650 shots on it. I understand somewhere over 1000 shots my barrel is likely to get worn out and need replacing.

Newbie question: How do I get the barrel replaced?

I emailed Begara with this question, expecting they would send me the options, but no response. I understand that the parts are fairly standard and not hard to swap out.

Rightly assuming I'm no gun smith, is the most common thing for me to do is buy a replacement barrel and/or take it to a gun smith? Are barrel changes easy enough for the average shooting to DIY? I've done dozens of gun mods (mostly pistols) over the years...but nothing beyond what might take 20 minutes to do and following instructions on YouTube.

So what's the normal process for replacing barrels?

You should get at least 2000-2500 rounds out of a 6.5 barrel. But if you want to change they are really easy with just a few tools required. Torque wrench, action wrench of some kind, barrel vice, some grease and a few other small things.

 

[Schw15]

Preferred barrels sells barrel nut barrels for them

 

[DocRDS]

Really I thought Bergaras had that cone bolt face that required special machining (gunsmith) to match the bolt. If I need to be corrected, please advise.

 

[rogerg12]

Preferred barrels sells barrel nut barrels for them

preferredbarrelblanks.com? Or another company?

 

[rogerg12]

You should get at least 2000-2500 rounds out of a 6.5 barrel. But if you want to change they are really easy with just a few tools required. Torque wrench, action wrench of some kind, barrel vice, some grease and a few other small things.

That just made my day...knowing I have 100% more shots to go than I previously thought before I have to think about replacing it.

 

[dimar1492]

Really I thought Bergaras had that cone bolt face that required special machining (gunsmith) to match the bolt. If I need to be corrected, please advise.

That cone can be cut into the breech face of a prefit just like the Rem. 700 pattern prefits include the counterbore. Less ideally, the breach face could also be cut staight. But you'll lose a thread or so that way.

 

[spife7980]

That just made my day...knowing I have 100% more shots to go than I previously thought before I have to think about replacing it.

Id say 3000-3500 is more in the range for a good 6.5 barrel. They can go sooner but itll go way longer than you were expecting so long as you dont run 100 rounds through it in 10 minutes trying to burn it out.

But I would send it to a good smith to have them put a abrrel on it when the time does come. I havent heard much about the bergara prefits so until there is a more long standing rep of good results I would let someone measure it before they cut.

 

[Schw15]

preferredbarrelblanks.com? Or another company?

Yes that company under the rem 700 then you are able to pick the begara. Or having a Smith turn a barrel with your action in hand is option. But you will get more than 1000 from 6.5 cm 2500ish more or less depending on string and heat

 

[TM6]

They can go sooner but itll go way longer than you were expecting so long as you dont run 100 rounds through it in 10 minutes trying to burn it out.

Yeah, like this here:




TM6

 

[FisherT&C]

Frequency of fire is definitely a factor in barrel life. If you stick to no more than 10-12 rounds within 2 minutes and let the barrel cool to 100° ( warm to the touch) you can get maximum life expectancy.

 

[ropin]

FAQ's Archive - Bergara USA

www.bergara.online

First question in FAQ.

 

[HousePlant]

You can send your rifle to Bergara and have a new barrel installed for the same price (or less) as buying one and doing it yourself or paying a gunsmith.

You have at least 1400 more rounds before you need a new barrel. Keep firing my dude.

 

[whatsupdoc]

My 6.5 creed B14 original barrel went around 2700 rounds and was still accurate but had a significant loss of
velocity so I sent it to Bergara and had them install a 6mm creed barrel. The second barrel now has 1480 rounds
through it and is still accurate with just a little loss of velocity.

Shoot the rifle and dont worry about it.
When you drive your car you dont think about wearing out your tires.

 

[DocRDS]

That cone can be cut into the breech face of a prefit just like the Rem. 700 pattern prefits include the counterbore. Less ideally, the breach face could also be cut staight. But you'll lose a thread or so that way.

So a Bergara "Remage"/prefit does exist..its just sorta rare?

 

[rogerg12]

FAQ's Archive - Bergara USA

www.bergara.online

First question in FAQ.

Thanks. I don't know how I missed this. Still, why Begara is not responding to my emails about the same is strange. I guess I need to call. But thank you!

 

[rogerg12]

FAQ's Archive - Bergara USA

www.bergara.online

First question in FAQ.

Don't know how I missed it. Thanks.

 

[rogerg12]

Frequency of fire is definitely a factor in barrel life. If you stick to no more than 10-12 rounds within 2 minutes and let the barrel cool to 100° ( warm to the touch) you can get maximum life expectancy.

Thanks for the advice. I probably, at most, right now, fire a handful of rounds in 2 minutes. But after firing for 4-5 hours, the barrel seems to become extremely hot sometimes (maybe over 200F). I'll have to consider the heat now...I hadn't previously considered it beyond when it was safe to put back in the gun back. But the comments here (and the great YT video someone else posted) made me realize I have to consider it. Thank you.

 

[EotS]

$500 for a Premier bbl, cerakote, installed and checked all while retaining warranty is impossible to beat.

 

[ropin]

$500 for a Premier bbl, cerakote, installed and checked all while retaining warranty is impossible to beat.

The appeal to me is you get to choose any length/contour/chamber combination they currently make.
It's bad that I can't wait to shoot out my 6.5 barrel to get the longest, heaviest 6CM barrel they make.

 

[EotS]

The appeal to me is you get to choose any length/contour/chamber combination they currently make.
It's bad that I can't wait to shoot out my 6.5 barrel to get the longest, heaviest 6CM barrel they make.

That as well.
Really opens up possibilities to serious range if you have a long action.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

My RPR has more than 2000 rounds down the original factory barrel and it is still hitting the targets. I hav not checked bench rest accuracy lately but it is still good at hitting steel at 700-800 yards with ease.

 

[Pstau13]

You can send your rifle to Bergara and have a new barrel installed for the same price (or less) as buying one and doing it yourself or paying a gunsmith.

You have at least 1400 more rounds before you need a new barrel. Keep firing my dude.

They have halted that for now. I tried about a month ago and they told me unless it was a warranty claim they are no longer supporting the re-barreling program

 

[Pstau13]

Thanks. I don't know how I missed this. Still, why Begara is not responding to my emails about the same is strange. I guess I need to call. But thank you!

This is the reply I received from them on 2/21/22:

“Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
At this time our rebarrel program is suspended, we are 6 months back logged on our barrel production, and cannot justify offering a program that would cause us to hold on to your rifle for 7-9 months while waiting for a barrel, cerakote, and range testing.”

 

[Schw15]

Good thing there are more options for barrels now for them. Deep south tactical crownridge barrel works and preferred barrels all offer prefits now. Barrel nut option

 

[Pstau13]

I went with a Preferred Barrels 26” Heavy Palma, should have it in another week or so. I’ll have to post a group shot after I get it set up and broken in

 

[Just-in]

I went with a Preferred Barrels 26” Heavy Palma, should have it in another week or so. I’ll have to post a group shot after I get it set up and broken in

Did you receive your barrel yet? If so, how was the process of installing the new one? How did it shoot?

 

[Pstau13]

Did you receive your barrel yet? If so, how was the process of installing the new one? How did it shoot?

Received it a few weeks ago, haven’t gotten the chance to shoot it yet. I will next Friday.

Pretty simple install if you have the right tools. I have a MechForce barrel Vice and a Wheeler action wrench, factory barrel took 100+ Ft lbs to get off, didn’t heat or anything though.

Once the action was cleaned up, new barrel threaded in easily, no machining defects noticed. The barrel nut had some rough spots in the threads, had to brush them out with a brass brush.

Put anti-seize on the threads, spun the barrel until the go gauge seated, backed off ~1/32 of a rotation and torqued the nut to 35 ft lbs (that’s what they advised). Rechecked go and no-go.

 

[Just-in]

Received it a few weeks ago, haven’t gotten the chance to shoot it yet. I will next Friday.

Pretty simple install if you have the right tools. I have a MechForce barrel Vice and a Wheeler action wrench, factory barrel took 100+ Ft lbs to get off, didn’t heat or anything though.

Once the action was cleaned up, new barrel threaded in easily, no machining defects noticed. The barrel nut had some rough spots in the threads, had to brush them out with a brass brush.

Put anti-seize on the threads, spun the barrel until the go gauge seated, backed off ~1/32 of a rotation and torqued the nut to 35 ft lbs (that’s what they advised). Rechecked go and no-go.

Cool deal. Thanks for the information. Do you have the standard B-14 or the Premier action? Let us know how it performs when you get out to the range.

 

[Pstau13]

Cool deal. Thanks for the information. Do you have the standard B-14 or the Premier action? Let us know how it performs when you get out to the range.

Standard B-14 HMR action, I’ll be sure to let y’all know after my CMP trip next Friday

 

[Just-in]

Standard B-14 HMR action, I’ll be sure to let y’all know after my CMP trip next Friday

We will be looking forward to it

 

[Pstau13]

We will be looking forward to it

Here are some groups after a brief break in. This was in 8-12 mph winds with some 15+ mph gusts. Using factory 308 Federal 168 gr SMK

3 shots at 200 yards: 0.37 MOA
3 shots at 300 yards: 0.71 MOA
5 shots at 600 yards: 0.74 MOA, 0.87 MOA

It for sure outclasses me.

 

[308pirate]

So a Bergara "Remage"/prefit does exist..its just sorta rare?

Bergara Carbon Fiber Prefit Barrels

OMR Bergara Carbon Fiber Prefit barrels now fit ALL Bergara Premier Series, B-14 Wilderness Series, and B-14 Series of rifles. Other calibers available upon request Please allow 2-4 weeks for shipping. If time is a factor, please call to confirm inventory. *Bergara B-14 BMP is currently...

omrifles.com

Bergara Prefit Barrels Archives

preferredbarrelblanks.com

BERGARA B14-R – International Barrels

internationalbarrels.com

These are the only three I could find, but it took less than 5 minutes.

 

[b6graham]

another 1500-2000 rounds is enough time to save up and get a zermatt origin and barrel of your choice if you don't like the proof prefit options

 

[308pirate]

And more:

Bergara – Crown Ridge Barrel Works

 

[Just-in]

Here are some groups after a brief break in. This was in 8-12 mph winds with some 15+ mph gusts. Using factory 308 Federal 168 gr SMK

3 shots at 200 yards: 0.37 MOA
3 shots at 300 yards: 0.71 MOA
5 shots at 600 yards: 0.74 MOA, 0.87 MOA

It for sure outclasses me.

Wow! That’s pretty dang good. Thanks for the update!

 

[Pstau13]

Wow! That’s pretty dang good. Thanks for the update!

No problem! And I shot 20 three or five round groups after break in, varying distances. 12/12 groups at 200-300 yards were sub MOA. 6/8 groups at 600 were sub MOA. I believe this thing will punch holes after load development