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

[Yorkie]

Personal choice (for my own rifles) every time would be Cut Rifled from any quality manufacturer

Either UK (GB Barrels , Phoenix, or US Brux, Bartlein, Kreiger)

Second choice would be button rifled from Lothar, Pac Nor, Broughton etc

Accuracy differences - I’ve not noticed any I can speak of but there is less stress imparted into the steel using the cut rifling method and that is the only reason I make that choice for my own rifles

Thanks for the advice.
I had forgotten about Pac Nor, it's good to see they are up and running again after the fire.

 

[MilesW]

Hi Ronin.
Thank you for helping.

So 416r can vary in quality depending on the steel mill?

I was assuming it was a standard that had to be met to be called 416r.

Yes, and even between melts from the same mill. To meet a particular grade, each element is to be within a specified range, and each physical property is also specified within a range. Small variations in ratios of the elements can affect the physical properties, as can the rolling process and heat treatment/s. The material is still in spec for the grade though. In many critical applications, further restrictions are put on the chemistry and physical properties to ensure the required properties.
It is not uncommon for 2 bars of the same material but different heat to machine differently. One may appear "sticky" while the other may cut like butter. This is where the experience and skill of a good machinist comes in.

 

[MilesW]

All stainless steels are not created equal. The 400 series as used in rifle barrels are not specified principally for their corrosion resistance, but more their mechanical properties, with the bonus of improved corrosion resistance over the usual CrMo grades. Formability and machinability are also considerations. Material selection is always a trade between properties.

 

[Yorkie]

All stainless steels are not created equal. The 400 series as used in rifle barrels are not specified principally for their corrosion resistance, but more their mechanical properties, with the bonus of improved corrosion resistance over the usual CrMo grades. Formability and machinability are also considerations. Material selection is always a trade between properties.

Hi Miles.
Thanks for replying.
Judging by the knowledge contained in your answer i assume you work in the industry?

It seems i may be incorrect in saying Bergara use 416 steel, a contributor to the thread suggested 410.

 

[MilesW]

Hi Miles.
Thanks for replying.
Judging by the knowledge contained in your answer i assume you work in the industry?

It seems i may be incorrect in saying Bergara use 416 steel, a contributor to the thread suggested 410.

Not in the firearms industry, but I peddled high performance metals for demanding applications for quite a few years. Had the privilege of working with some very talented metallurgists, engineers, welders, fabricators and machinists in that time.
I don't know what grade Bergara are using, but recall they claimed 416R in some of their literature a while back. This is a tweaked version of 416 specifically for barrels. There is a chance they have changed grades at various times.
A good stainless scrap merchant will have a handheld XRF and should be able to confirm the grade of a barrel for the inquisitive without harming it. May be a small "fee", but probably less than a Metallurgy Lab.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

I'm late to the party with my response,but I bought a second hand Bergara B14 hunter rifle in May last year,and it shot fantastically well with factory Hornady 120 grain Eld-m in 6.5 Creedmoor,sitting at around 0.3-0.250 M.O.A. The B14 hunter barrelled action now sits in a factory Bergara HMR stock with bottom metal. Last week I tested a new home load using 123 grain Eld-m and 44.5 grains of N555 in Norma brass,and Magtech large rifle primers. The result was 3 shot groups from .250 M.O.A to .144 M.O.A. I've owned 2 tikka t3x rifles in the past,and an older 6 series,which was better the the t3 series. In my humble opinion,the Bergara B14 I have is better than the tikka rifles I've owned in the past. I've also owned several full custom rifles in the past,and the Bergara B14 I have hangs with them accuracy wise. I know I could of got lucky with my one and only Bergara rifle,but,when the time comes,I'll be looking to re-barrel my Bergara with a like for like factory barrel.

 

[HDShark]

Anectdotaly, they're junk. I'll speculate and say quality of steel went out the window when they brough the HMR series to the table and sales went wild. Wouldn't have another.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

As I said,I've only had this particular Bergara B14 rifle,and maybe I've been very lucky,but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's been truly outstanding accuracy wise,and has out performed any other factory rifle I've owned in the past.
As things stand,I would take a chance on another Bergara B14 rifle. Maybe that rifles barrel will be made of paella,and only last 3 rounds before it's shot out,but I'm willing to take that chance on the evidence that I've seen with my current Bergara B14. Each to their own.

 

[reiver]

There was a rumour that they supplied the Blaser group (as in Blaser , Mauser , Sauer)

Which , after contacting them and asking was put to bed with a resounding negative

Sauer make the barrels for all three names in the group so your Blaser barrel is a Sauer

 

[Ronin]

Sauer make the barrels for all three names in the group so your Blaser barrel is a Sauer

Yup I’m aware - That is who I posed the question to (Sauer)

 

[Demetrius]

I haven't used my Bergara barrel for a while (it's 6x47)......I'll shove it back on the RPA and give it a whirl.

D.

 

[ejg]

Yesterday I put my new Evolution stock onto my 22-250 Bergara barrelled T3 sporter that was lying around stockless since a while. First shot was at a stone of around 3-4" at 556m. Went a tiny bit low and after correcting 3 clicks up there was no more stone. Had good 5mph wind as well. This Bergara barrel behaved from day one.... long may it last. She was last zeroed maybe two years ago in an E-Lite stock.

edi

 

[GBR66]

Good question. I am just sentimental i suppose.

You've got the metal from your plating. When I had my knee replaced I asked if I could have the bone for the dogs and surgeon wouldn't play ball. I recently had an artery damaged by a chiropractor cut and patched and the bit they took out is in a jar in my desk....just sentimental!