Bergara Barrels seem controversial, any reason why this is please?

[Yorkie]

Hi.
It seems that among all the custom Barrel makers, there tends to be some negative opinion of the Bergara blanks. I do not have a Bergara barrel so do not have a dog in the fight, just curious as to why the 'hate', for want of a better word.

When they were first produced they seemed impressive. Ed Shilen was technical consultant, the Guy's reputation stands for itself, the Bergara barrels were made on new machinery and used the impressive, to me anyway as a layman, barrel honing machinery. This i suspect was to remove the machining marks that you see in 'budget' button rifled barrels like Savage.

On the surface, and to a layman like myself, i can't see why a Bergara does not seem to be accepted quality wise the same as say a Shilen.

Is their barrel steel not as good as it should be? Is the manufacturing process flawed in some way?

Would the skilled smiths that we are lucky to have on the forum care to offer an opinion?

Like i said, i do not have a Bergara barrel nor do i have a Bergara rifle. I have no particular opinion either way.

Anyone's thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi.
It seems that among all the custom Barrel makers, there tends to be some negative opinion of the Bergara blanks. I do not have a Bergara barrel so do not have a dog in the fight, just curious as to why the 'hate', for want of a better word.

When they were first produced they seemed impressive. Ed Shilen was technical consultant, the Guy's reputation stands for itself, the Bergara barrels were made on new machinery and used the impressive, to me anyway as a layman, barrel honing machinery. This i suspect was to remove the machining marks that you see in 'budget' button rifled barrels like Savage.

On the surface, and to a layman like myself, i can't see why a Bergara does not seem to be accepted quality wise the same as say a Shilen.

Is their barrel steel not as good as it should be? Is the manufacturing process flawed in some way?

Would the skilled smiths that we are lucky to have on the forum care to offer an opinion?

Like i said, i do not have a Bergara barrel nor do i have a Bergara rifle. I have no particular opinion either way.

Anyone's thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Apparently they changed steel supplier and then produce barrels that rusted very easily so ruined their reputation. Apparently they have now rectified this but mud sticks.

 

[ejg]

I recon Bergara is somewhat under pressure producing at lower costs to cater for the lower end rifles price wise. One hears quite a few complaints as well as some extremely happy customers. Often accuracy issues are related elsewhere and magically gets sorted after some time. So far we had around ten Bergara barrels fitted to all sorts of rifles. They all shot well as in 1/2inch and a few below that. The last three sporter barrels were fitted to 2x 223 and mine as 22-250. All three group well under half inch and I couldn't be happier.
edi

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve got one on a .260 - it’s fussy but can shoot well with the right load.

 

[tackb]

begara barrels are mass produced and won't have the quality of bartlein or shillen etc but they also won't have the price either

 

[dropmdead]

begara barrels are mass produced and won't have the quality of bartlein or shillen etc but they also won't have the price either

I would suggest that All barrels by barrel manufacturers are mass produced in some shape or form. If you need more, you buy more machinery....
There is a difference in the manufacturing process between Bartlein and Bergara, and time is money and shows in the price point.

Would a poorly fitted Bartlein still be better (or on par) that a well fitted Bergara?

At the end of the day, this discussion may be different if on an ELR type forum over a stalking forum, but so would the equipment.

Bergara are good enough for 99% of stalkers (along with other button or hammer forged barrels - Border archer at the time, Pacnor etc)

 

[dropmdead]

Going back to the OP, the button defines the dimensions of the barrel, and displaces the steel.
Pacnor has a good reputation, and is button made.
I would disregard the price of barrels as a method of deciding whether it is a good barrel or not, or it's quality.
A poorly fitted "high brand" will not be value for money.

 

[Demetrius]

I have a s/steel one on my 6x47, and it's a cracker.........the blank cost £200, plus £290 for chamber and proof. I borescoped the blank before I had it fitted, and it looked like it had been honed, faint criss cross pattern throughout on the lands.
It doesn't look like a buttoned barrel, and it doesn't pick up a lot of copper, unlike our Savage, which had the typical button chatter marks.

D.

 

[JH83]

I wouldn’t call it hate, indeed it’s difficult to muster such emotion about an inanimate object, but an objective opinion based off findings that hopefully folks find useful-which is kinda the point of a online forum.

The rifles are represented as a rem 700 clone, in a PSE style stock, with a custom barrel-for basic tikka money. Instantly I was suspicious, where’s the catch?

It appears to be QC and materials. It seems you either get a bargain, or a lemon.

I have had several mates buy, and get rid, all serious riflemen who know their onions. I know a chap who runs a grouse moor who issued a few to keepers, and they were back on tikkas very quick. Usual complaints, as well documented on here.

 

[Stevie/P]

Not a barrel but a complete rifle I bought one b14 sporter in 6.5x55 brand new for £599 the fact it had a 24" barrel convinced me.
It shot really well never seen any rust internally that others have mentioned my only gripe was the bolt didn’t lock and that cost me a sika hind as when carrying the bolt had opened so missed my chance if this issue was rectified I buy another Bergara.

 

[triggertrix]

I’ve had a few lothar Walter barrels rust too, even from just going to a proof house and coming back.

As per Bergara, button rifles barrels are simply not of the same steel quality, same internal honing and lapping, and not stress relieved to the same standards as a good cut rifled barrel.

Look at how Schultz Larsen make their barrels, it’s a different world, and they are bloody good - I’d argue, as good as the best you can find globally.

But, you don’t buy a Skoda and expect it to perform like a Mercedes, then complain when it can’t keep up

 

[ejg]

I’ve had a few lothar Walter barrels rust too, even from just going to a proof house and coming back.

As per Bergara, button rifles barrels are simply not of the same steel quality, same internal honing and lapping, and not stress relieved to the same standards as a good cut rifled barrel.

Look at how Schultz Larsen make their barrels, it’s a different world, and they are bloody good - I’d argue, as good as the best you can find globally.

But, you don’t buy a Skoda and expect it to perform like a Mercedes, then complain when it can’t keep up

And still... for me the S&L is useless because it is not stainless. I'd prefer a button pulled stainless over a cut chrome molly for hunting. Some button barrels have beat the pants off cut barrels in world class competitions. I would prefer cut barrels but also have very good button barrels just the chrome molly rust while stalking.
edi

 

[triggertrix]

Hmm, where do they rust? I’ve had mine out in all weather, and had one going back to Otterup days of SL, they don’t rust on the outside, nor the inside.

 

[dropmdead]

Going to the question of chromoly barrels, are tank barrels chromoly, just a higher grade of steel?
And on the topic of rust/corrosion, Tikka T3 stainless have went through a period of excessive corrosion (given its stainless)

 

[sauer]

I had a b14 hmr that was cloverleaf out the box... no issues with it ...
Another lad I know got same in a different caliber ( both new ) and his in less than 150 rounds wouldn't group... borescoped and Internal barrel you'd have thought 1150 rounds or more ..bergara washed their hands wouldn't take rifle back or replace
I think as said above its hot or miss if get a topper or a lemon ...
Is it QC ?

Paul

 

[ejg]

Hmm, where do they rust? I’ve had mine out in all weather, and had one going back to Otterup days of SL, they don’t rust on the outside, nor the inside.

Of course inside, outside one can oil or duracoat etc... just inside in the bore one has bare steel and damp air in our case. Clean a barrel in the morning, go stalking for a few hours and pull a brown patch out in the evening even without firing a shot. Hard to sell a non stainless rifle in Ireland.
edi

 

[Dickie]

I think you'll probably get an answer from any of the rifle builders on here to get the answer to your post.
If someone owns one and it's a shooter you'll only get a positive answer likewise if someone bought one and it didn't group they'll say they're to be avoided.
But if someone in the trade who's respected for quality won't work with them then I'd say that's a true reflection.

 

[triggertrix]

I think you'll probably get an answer from any of the rifle builders on here to get the answer to your post.
If someone owns one and it's a shooter you'll only get a positive answer likewise if someone bought one and it didn't group they'll say they're to be avoided.
But if someone in the trade who's respected for quality won't work with them then I'd say that's a true reflection.

To play the devils advocate, could be they also just want to sell their own stock or don’t have them as a supplier

 

[Bowland blades]

Hmm, where do they rust? I’ve had mine out in all weather, and had one going back to Otterup days of SL, they don’t rust on the outside, nor the inside.

If a magnet is attracted to the steel - It can rust ! That's pretty much any steel rifle barrel . Finish on the steel and the amount of time doing good maintenance helps a fair bit likewise coatings

 

[triggertrix]

If a magnet is attracted to the steel - It can rust ! That's pretty much any steel rifle barrel . Finish on the steel and the amount of time doing good maintenance helps a fair bit likewise coatings

Agreed, but I have to say that the ONlY barrels I have ever had rust, were buttoned rifles. They were notorious for rusting inside, and also outside. None of my good barrels have ever exhibited rust

Have only owned two stainless barrels, and didn’t like them, they’re ugly and just don’t look right IMHO