Bergara B14 HMR Review and Buyer’s Guide

Introduction

There are many starter long-range rifles in the market today, but among the best is the high quality, Bergara B14 HMR. What the Bergara B14 is primarily known for is its remarkable factory barrel as the action is built similar to the Remington 700 design. Make sure you check out our review of the Remington 700. It makes it the best rifle that you should consider buying for both hunting and sports competitions. 

The Bergara B14 is made in Spain and rightfully so because it is a country with a long history of long-range hunting rifles. It is a center rifle, and the HMR stands for -Hunting and Match Rifle. As the name implies, this rifle can accomplish multiple tasks, and that is the case in reality.

The Bergara B14 HMR is what you can call a Varmint target as it combines the medium barrel with the standard action and heavier stock that can be used for target work and also double as a hunting or varmint gun given the caliber.

Since their introduction into the market, Bergara’s bolt-action rifles have caused quite a stir. By imitating the successful Remington 700 with some tweaks here and there, it has transformed into something special. It is a versatile design, and you will have multiple purposes. 

What the Bergara B14 HMR Has to Offer

The Bergara B14 HMR is a well thought out center rifle, and it is clear that the design team are true shooters themselves since the packaging includes every feature you could ask for when looking for a single factory rifle.

Buttstock and Cheek Rest

The butt pad is very soft, and it does a great job of eating the recoil. The overall length of pull is adjustable with spacers. All you have to do is back out the screws, remove the spacers, and lastly finish by tightening the screws back down.

This cheek rest is very aesthetically appealing, wide, large, and uses a screw knob so that you can make quick adjustments.

Pistol Grip

When shooting with the Bergara B14 HMR, I felt like the checkering needed to be slightly more aggressive, but it was still good enough as it is, and I have no qualms with it. The nearly vertical shape of the grip gives an excellent platform for consistent trigger pulls.

Adjustable Trigger

The trigger is quite fantastic and mine came at about 2.75 pounds while other users have reported others that come set up to 3 pounds.  It is ultra-crisp, and you will enjoy it as the stock is at par with most of the upgraded aftermarket triggers. 

The trigger is adjustable, but even the stock trigger setting is at its lightest and also a field-safe weight. You can make the trigger heavier, but there is no way to make it lighter. 

Bergara is a classic rifle that uses a curved trigger compared to the more tactical flat-faced triggers. In the manual, the trigger is adjustable from 2.8 to 4.4 pounds. The trigger is also a Remington clone and this functions so well, and it allows any aftermarket trigger to be retro-fitted.

Bolt/Bolt Handle

The bolt is also based on the Remington 700, and you will find a 2-lug 90-degree throw bolt. It works well and also gives a smooth cycle. It fed all types of ammo flawlessly, and I like the bolt handle as it’s large and has a comfortable grip.

Because of the Bergara signature 2-lug system and coned bolt nose, the feeding is very simple, and the extraction process is almost flawless since it uses the Sako-style extractor.

Magazine

The B-14 HMR takes the AICS magazines and also comes from the factory with a 5-round Bergara branded magazine capacity. The AICS magazine is detachable and is an excellent feature as it makes the reloading process much more manageable.

The Bergara B14 HMR is easy to operate and load as all you need is to push back, and the magazine pops out. It is all polymer, and this is a functional feature as you will mostly drop it or rest on it when in the field, and therefore, it will take some abuse. The magazine is a single stacked feed.

Mini-Chassis

The Bergara stock features a mini-chassis designed into it, and this makes the stock pretty solid, stiff, and stable. The B14 HMR rifle integrated mini-chassis molded into the stock gives the gun repeatable accuracy and bedding. 

It also supports a fully free-floated barrel that makes it achieve optimal precision. The Bergara B14 HMR offers both hunters and competition shooters an incredible performance in either situation.

The Bergara B14 HMR mini-chassis is intended to give the stock its stiffness and provide reliable and repeatable fixing. The mini-Chassis Material is a 7075 T6 aluminum, and this is very sturdy. 

Barrel

The barrel is the crown jewel of the Bergara B14 HMR, and it has an excellent free-floated stock finish. It comes with 5/8-24″ threading and even features a metal thread protector.

The action and barrel use the traditional method as opposed to the popular barrel nut system. The two-piece and two-lugged bolt operate so smoothly. The bolt handle is also extended with a knurled knob so that it gives you a fast operation. 

Because it uses standard Remington 700 scope bases, it allows a latitude of scope mounting options. The weight without the scope is only 9.25 pounds and is, therefore, a lightweight center rifle. 

Stock

The action is bedded via pillars to secure it accurately to the stock for enhanced precision and consistency. The black sculpted recoil pad called the Crush Zone that is fitted to the synthetic models only. It makes it have suitable recoil-reducing properties.

The fore-end is slim, and a little flexible, but is fully floated from the barrel, and this gives no issues when a bipod is fitted. The barrel does not touch the stock under recoil, so accuracy is always maintained.

Sling Studs and QD Caps

For hunting, the Bergara B14 HMR rifle has a stock three sling swivels. One is in the back, and two are at the front. It also has 2 QD cup mounts that give you a lot of options when choosing slings and bipods. The QD flush cups are included in the stock to allow for a simple attachment and detachment of slings.

Is Bergara Worth?

Why I Love this Rifle

• Very smooth operation
• It comes with a solid CrMo steel free-floated barrel
• Easy to use and perfect for beginners
• Versatile
• Budget-friendly

The Not So Good:

• Difficult to clean
• Weighs a lot, and you will get its proper use from a fixed position.

See more product details here

What to Look out for When Buying the Bergara B14 HMR

Buying any product without any prior knowledge about the key features or what to look for can be quite costly. You should ensure that you know everything about all the features and how they will make your hunting success. 

And since the Bergara rifles are costly, you should have an idea about its features and what you need to look for before you buy. You should consider the following before purchasing any rifle.

Accuracy

Accuracy is arguably an essential feature in a rifle. You don’t want to buy any gun that doesn’t hit its mark correctly. A lot goes into making the accuracy of a rifle better, and having a smoother operation always helps.

If the firearm is lightweight, then it makes it easier to aim. To get more accuracy on your Bergara B14 HMR rifle you should consider using it with a scope.

Durability

The Bergara B 14 HMR is a long term investment, and it doesn’t come cheap. So if you buy one, you would naturally know that it is going to be a long-lasting rifle. To that end, you should consider the construction of the stock and the barrel. You should ensure that they are reliable and sturdy, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of comfort.

Versatility

As any skilled hunter would tell you, hunting is not a single note process. A hunting rifle needs to be used in multiple positions and ways. The Bergara B14 HMR construction and design are quite versatile and will serve you in many situations. 

Weight

The Bergara B14 HMR is not heavy, and it will not hinder its performance in the field. Many guns with great performances are challenging to use as they are too heavy, and this leads to difficulty in maneuverability. When buying a rifle, consider the weight as the ones that weigh too little can be a result of weak construction. However, this does not apply to the Bergara B14 HMR as it has a balanced weight of 9.25 pounds. 

Caliber

In recent years, there have been several rifle calibers that have overtaken the old champions of long-range accuracy.

There’s plenty of overlap, and you should know that the top long-range hunting caliber may not be a top long-range rifle caliber since terminal ballistics do not equal the flight path ballistics. While the 6.5 Creedmoor isn’t the answer to every shooting problem, it’s a solid contender for the ultimate long-range competition and hunting round.

But there are other great options with a stable terminal ballistics and flight path that will not dent your wallet so hard. The .308 Winchester has fallen out of favor in most competition circles, yet is affordable and gives decent terminal ballistics. If your concern is the budget, then the .308 is still a legitimate option, even if it’s no longer the most popular long-range round.

Trigger

Trigger control is essential for every type of shooting. But it is especially critical in long-range shooting, where tiny movements of your muzzle can lead to inches or feet of the difference in the point of impact. Your trigger squeeze is the only thing with the most potential to move your muzzle. Therefore, the trigger on your long-range firearm is vital for the long-range equation.

When you check the trigger of the Bergara B14 HMR, it has an excellent squeeze for a long-range rifle. Of course, if you’re planning on installing an aftermarket trigger, this is also a non-issue, as you can easily do so. Before going to compete or hunt with your long-range Bergara B14 HMR rifle out of the box, check the trigger squeeze before you buy it.

There is an individual variation when it comes to triggers. But, here are a few guidelines to help you evaluate triggers:

Pull weight

The most accurate shooters and hunters in the industry run their triggers between 2 and 3 pounds. You may find that you prefer something outside this range, and therefore having a rifle with an adjustable trigger is a great thing to have. Just keep in mind that having an extremely light trigger may compromise the drop-safety of your rifle.

Also, consider the break, uptake, and over travel. All good trigger squeeze involves a reliable follow-through. The process involves a steady squeeze until the shot breaks, press until the trigger bottoms out, and then release the trigger until you feel the reset.

A good trigger requires minimal movement to accomplish a complete trigger squeeze. It reduces muzzle movement during the shot and therefore gives you better accuracy.

Pull Length

Pull length is one of the most misunderstood aspects of all triggers. It is the distance from the center of the trigger to the end of the butt stock. It is also entirely subjective, and the right pull length for you depends on the size of your hands and length of your arms.

Some firearms include spacers or an adjustable stock to adjust the pull length. However, many firearms with the potential to adjust the pull length are very limited.

Most Popular Accessories

Conclusion

The Bergara B14 HMR is a strong contender for the best value and long-range shooting platform.  It is based on the Remington 700 bolt action, and this means you get your pick of almost any accessory. Yet this is not its most outstanding feature. The Bergara’s barrels are the ones that HMR to a whole other level of shooting experience. Following the rifle test I did for the Bergara B14 HMR rifle, it did not disappoint, and it lives up to the hype.