Bergara b14 rifles after almost 10 years from the release, reliability/accuracy/durability/features!

[randello88]

Thanks for the information, so
It didn't break under field use but when UNscrewing?? That doesn't make sense to me but i am not an expert on metal behaviour under stress.. did you screw it instead od unscrewing it maybe? Btw it seems like that the trigger guard being metal is not always a good thing ahah

Whilst cleaning undid the 2 action screws and it snapped right in half, looked like a cast piece of metal that had a void inside creating a weak spot

 

[Shaun Goss]

Exactly that, iam well aware of how to loosen a screw so it just happened to be one of those things, as I say replaced in good order by ruag the importers.

 

[Shaun Goss]

Btw guys, i know tikkas are very good rifles and maybe i was wrong taking it as an example! While comparison with any rifle brand other than Bergara, tikka included, are more than welcome, i wish this didn't become the usual "tikka vs bergara" thread cause i already know where it would go. Again, i am sure tikkas are very reliable and they have good qc but i don't wanna this thread to become victim of the extreme popularity of tikkas. I am sure tikkas have a huge fan base for a reason but, when people start saying they are basically perfect with a better trigger than a trigger tech or that they are all talk drivers with, at the same time, a lot of threads on various forum reporting accuracy issues or mechanical problems, i start thinking that yes, it's a good rifle, but people tend to overrate it based on it being popular and fashionable. It's always nice to be able to say "my rifle must be perfect because it's a tikka and everyone says so" but lemons exist for any mass produced rifle and tikkas are sold for 600 usd in the US. Ok, they save some money on the stock, but at that price it's just impossible to have perfect testing and QC so when people say tikkas are perfection i understand that there is some kind of bias! I would love unbiased opinions based on experience and with motivated answers
Sorry for the OT

Bizarre response I think to people just giving genuine findings through use. Spend your money take your chance they will all shoot very well.

 

[randello88]

Bizarre response I think to people just giving genuine findings through use. Spend your money take your chance they will all shoot very well.

I didn't mean to offend anyone and i don't think my amswer was bizzarre, i am just very skeptical when everyone replies saying "buy this, it's much better", without context, but I got that tikka is the great favourite among the overwhelming majority of hunters. It's like this for a reason and i don't doubt that as i said, the fact is that if we are talking about one brand, replying comparing it only to another one it's not very informative for the purposes of this thread, which is summing up what are the experiences with b14s are. And i am also skeptical when a product is said to be almost perfect, a no brainer choice for any hunter, but then there are many threads reporting issues with the rifle. Nothing is perfect, especially at these price point but for sure these finnish rifles are a good choice and i could also end up buying a tikka or a mauser or something else if this threads convince me that bergaras are garbage. I am not biased in anyway towards one brand or the other. I didn't try nearly enough hunting rifle to consider my points surely valid otherwise I wouldn't be here and therw wouldn't have been any reason to ask you guys. If it's from personal experience or if the answer is motivated i think the reply gets much more relevant to me!

 

[Julian S]

I have a Bergara b14 in 300wm, had it about 6 years and dont shoot a lot of rounds but it is a great rifle for the money,very happy with it. Got Sako too but if on a budget would get another Bergara.

 

[randello88]

I have a Bergara b14 in 300wm, had it about 6 years and dont shoot a lot of rounds but it is a great rifle for the money,very happy with it. Got Sako too but if on a budget would get another Bergara.

The problem is that at the moment sako only offers the s20 rifles. The 85 is discontinued

 

[NullMac]

I had a 270 Ridge. It was a minority sport wi the semi weight barrel. Very accurate, like it shot a 0.3moa group off sticks. Completely invalid statistically but good enough for me and a complete surprise. The stock was surprisingly good. For that price I thought it would need an immediate replacement but it was ok, certainly better than the equivalent Tikka tupperware stocks. Trigger was ok as well although i did replace it. Very front heavy wi the big barrell and moderator.

Zero second hand value, so I lost 75% on the package. Not moaning, I knew what I was getting into.

Only thing that was really substandard was the blueing, it almost rubbed off. I guess I thought the magazine could have been better, 3 shot is a bit small IMO. I liked the fact it was compatible wi the Remmy aftermarket stuff and that I could easily put a pic rail on it.

Unless you really want a semi weight barrel like me or you are buying a cheap barrelled action to upgrade with aftermarket stuff then I think there are alternatives which will hold their value better.

 

[randello88]

I had a 270 Ridge. It was a minority sport wi the semi weight barrel. Very accurate, like it shot a 0.3moa group off sticks. Completely invalid statistically but good enough for me and a complete surprise. The stock was surprisingly good. For that price I thought it would need an immediate replacement but it was ok, certainly better than the equivalent Tikka tupperware stocks. Trigger was ok as well although i did replace it. Very front heavy wi the big barrell and moderator.

Zero second hand value, so I lost 75% on the package. Not moaning, I knew what I was getting into.

Only thing that was really substandard was the blueing, it almost rubbed off. I guess I thought the magazine could have been better, 3 shot is a bit small IMO. I liked the fact it was compatible wi the Remmy aftermarket stuff and that I could easily put a pic rail on it.

Unless you really want a semi weight barrel like me or you are buying a cheap barrelled action to upgrade with aftermarket stuff then I think there are alternatives which will hold their value better.

I am thinking to buy a hunter (slimmer profile than the ridge) and then put it into a pse e-lite stock. I agree on the blueing, mine has worn out on the bolt release button because of rubbing against me while stalking, altough i never had rust issues

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I didn't mean to offend anyone and i don't think my amswer was bizzarre, i am just very skeptical when everyone replies saying "buy this, it's much better", without context, but I got that tikka is the great favourite among the overwhelming majority of hunters. It's like this for a reason and i don't doubt that as i said, the fact is that if we are talking about one brand, replying comparing it only to another one it's not very informative for the purposes of this thread, which is summing up what are the experiences with b14s are. And i am also skeptical when a product is said to be almost perfect, a no brainer choice for any hunter, but then there are many threads reporting issues with the rifle. Nothing is perfect, especially at these price point but for sure these finnish rifles are a good choice and i could also end up buying a tikka or a mauser or something else if this threads convince me that bergaras are garbage. I am not biased in anyway towards one brand or the other. I didn't try nearly enough hunting rifle to consider my points surely valid otherwise I wouldn't be here and therw wouldn't have been any reason to ask you guys. If it's from personal experience or if the answer is motivated i think the reply gets much more relevant to me!

I'd take the begara, not owned either but shot both. The tikka has always been to small for me, you get 'just get a pse stock' but if I'm doing that I could build a custom when all is said and done. An action, barrel and stock to suit for a couple of k.

Get in to a shop, pick them both up and see how they feel. Choose whichever one fits best if you intend on leaving it be. If you want to change stocks buy whichever is on the shelf on the day because you can get a wide selection of parts for both.

 

[Mungo]

Btw guys, i know tikkas are very good rifles and maybe i was wrong taking it as an example! While comparison with any rifle brand other than Bergara, tikka included, are more than welcome, i wish this didn't become the usual "tikka vs bergara" thread cause i already know where it would go. Again, i am sure tikkas are very reliable and they have good qc but i don't wanna this thread to become victim of the extreme popularity of tikkas. I am sure tikkas have a huge fan base for a reason but, when people start saying they are basically perfect with a better trigger than a trigger tech or that they are all talk drivers with, at the same time, a lot of threads on various forum reporting accuracy issues or mechanical problems, i start thinking that yes, it's a good rifle, but people tend to overrate it based on it being popular and fashionable. It's always nice to be able to say "my rifle must be perfect because it's a tikka and everyone says so" but lemons exist for any mass produced rifle and tikkas are sold for 600 usd in the US. Ok, they save some money on the stock, but at that price it's just impossible to have perfect testing and QC so when people say tikkas are perfection i understand that there is some kind of bias! I would love unbiased opinions based on experience and with motivated answers
Sorry for the OT

It more less looks like you’ve made up your mind.

There’s very little difference between all the cheap end factory offerings (Bergara, Tikka, Howa etc).

Since much of it is a subjective personal opinion, the obvious thing to do would be to arrange to handle both side by side and see which you like.

 

[randello88]

I'd take the begara, not owned either but shot both. The tikka has always been to small for me, you get 'just get a pse stock' but if I'm doing that I could build a custom when all is said and done. An action, barrel and stock to suit for a couple of k.

Get in to a shop, pick them both up and see how they feel. Choose whichever one fits best if you intend on leaving it be. If you want to change stocks buy whichever is on the shelf on the day because you can get a wide selection of parts for both.

Thanks for the feedback! So what is your hunting rifle?

 

[randello88]

It more less looks like you’ve made up your mind.

There’s very little difference between all the cheap end factory offerings (Bergara, Tikka, Howa etc).

Since much of it is a subjective personal opinion, the obvious thing to do would be to arrange to handle both side by side and see which you like.

You are right, probably reading too many forum threads make a simple decision much more difficult! What do you consider not "cheap end" as far as factory offerings?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Thanks for the feedback! So what is your hunting rifle?

Howa 1500 in 223 + 6.5 and browning X bolt 7mm

 

[Mungo]

You are right, probably reading too many forum threads make a simple decision much more difficult! What do you consider not "cheap end" as far as factory offerings?

In the UK, the easily available cheap(er) end are Tikka, Begara, Howa, Browning Xbolt, and Mauser 18. Remingtons are around, but current factory quality is very variable indeed. I’m not sure what the current offering from CZ is or how easy it is to find.

The rest are mid or high end. And seldom worth the money…

You can definitely spend far too much time reading forums, and gain a very peculiar view. It’s easy to slide into confirmation bias and it’s easy to be over influenced by a few very vocal opinions.

I made this mistake years ago, convinced myself my Tikka was no good, sold it, and spent years and absurd amounts of money going through a stupid number of guns. In the end, I went back to Tikkas. My original gun is still owned by a friend, and it is every bit as accurate and reliable as guns I spent five times as much money on. It’s still set up as it was the day I first zeroed it. If I was starting again knowing what I now know, I would have kept that tikka, swapped out the stock, and left the rest alone.

 

[randello88]

Howa 1500 in 223 + 6.5 and browning X bolt 7mm

Oh so 223 for roes or varmints i guess! I would love to try that caliber for hunting! Did you have any issue with either of them?

 

[randello88]

In the UK, the easily available cheap(er) end are Tikka, Begara, Howa, Browning Xbolt, and Mauser 18. Remingtons are around, but current factory quality is very variable indeed. I’m not sure what the current offering from CZ is or how easy it is to find.

The rest are mid or high end. And seldom worth the money…

You can definitely spend far too much time reading forums, and gain a very peculiar view. It’s easy to slide into confirmation bias and it’s easy to be over influenced by a few very vocal opinions.

I made this mistake years ago, convinced myself my Tikka was no good, sold it, and spent years and absurd amounts of money going through a stupid number of guns. In the end, I went back to Tikkas. My original gun is still owned by a friend, and it is every bit as accurate and reliable as guns I spent five times as much money on. It’s still set up as it was the day I first zeroed it. If I was starting again knowing what I now know, I would have kept that tikka, swapped out the stock, and left the rest alone.

Sounds reasonable. One think that making more research will save money and time but it can end up the opposite

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Oh so 223 for roes or varmints i guess! I would love to try that caliber for hunting! Did you have any issue with either of them?

No issue with any of them, 223 for vermin, 6.5 and 7 rem mag for anything else. Not had any issues with any, plenty of parts available for the howa, not so much for the browning.

 

[randello88]

No issue with any of them, 223 for vermin, 6.5 and 7 rem mag for anything else. Not had any issues with any, plenty of parts available for the howa, not so much for the browning.

How is the accuracy and what ammo do you use for roes?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

How is the accuracy and what ammo do you use for roes?

About as accurate as you could want. It shoots sub half MOA with federal factory ammo and the same with reloads. Thats for the 6.5, the 223 is sub half with reloads and the 7mm is around 1/2-3/4 with reloads.

 

[randello88]

About as accurate as you could want. It shoots sub half MOA with federal factory ammo and the same with reloads. Thats for the 6.5, the 223 is sub half with reloads and the 7mm is around 1/2-3/4 with reloads.

Basically all mid price range rifles in the market seem pretty accurate nowadays. That's very, very accurate tough.