Initial impression of B14

[Daniel n]

As most of you know, I picked up a Bergara rifle a few weeks ago. Between work, gym, and family activities I haven't had much time. I had a little time this morning so I snuck off to fire a few rounds. I ended up firing 15 rounds total and I'm very pleased. I'm no marksman and I have never shot off a bipod until this morning. Until this morning I had never fired anny bolt guns other than a few Remington 700s and some different low end savages.

Rifle stats are
Bergara B14 Wilderness HMR
Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-14x44
Caldwell bipod.

Ammo this go round:
Hornady Black
168 grain amax

Initial take away from gun function:
Bolt is extremely smooth and you can move the action with one finger.
Trigger is amazing, by far the best trigger I have pulled.
This is the first vortex I've owned other than a red dot and I'm happy with the purchase.

Other things:
I will upgrade the bipod, not a big fan of it.
I need to invest in some bags to shoot off of. I shot this morning with the stock rested on a folded up sweatshirt.

I'll attach the 2 separate targets from this morning. The first target is initial scope sighting and you can tell I made a few wrong adjustments.

The second is by far the best I have ever shot at 100 yards and I pulled the 4th shot a little bit. Best 4 were under 7/8 of an inch.

Any advice?

 

[Spurhunter]

I bought a used B-14 two years ago and I absolutely love it. Except for the hinged floorplate. I prefer a removable magazine. Bergara has a $125 kit to change it over and I will probably do it. I've never heard anyone speak negatively about a B-14. You made a good purchase!

 

[Antler Daddy]

I bought a used B-14 two years ago and I absolutely love it. Except for the hinged floorplate. I prefer a removable magazine. Bergara has a $125 kit to change it over and I will probably do it. I've never heard anyone speak negatively about a B-14. You made a good purchase!

Why don't they just make a detachable magazine option? I love my browning detachable and don't understand the hinged floor plate desire.

 

[Spurhunter]

Why don't they just make a detachable magazine option? I love my browning detachable and don't understand the hinged floor plate desire.

Not sure. I know a LOT of hunters love a hinged floorplate, but for the life of me I don't know why. A removable magazine is a no-brainer for me personally.

 

[Daniel n]

I bought a used B-14 two years ago and I absolutely love it. Except for the hinged floorplate. I prefer a removable magazine. Bergara has a $125 kit to change it over and I will probably do it. I've never heard anyone speak negatively about a B-14. You made a good purchase!

Thank you! Mine does have a removable mag. It takes a AICS magazine.

 

[Antler Daddy]

BTW, next rifle I buy must be short action, wood stock, 3 position safety, and detachable magazine. I don't even know a company that makes one, but that is what I want.

Winchester made one with the controlled feed at one point, but that was eons ago. My only complaint about my browning is lack of 3 position safety because I want to be able to work the bolt with trigger safety still on.

 

[mr.big]

Why don't they just make a detachable magazine option? I love my browning detachable and don't understand the hinged floor plate desire.

If the magazine and bottom metal are all flush with the stock would be ok but I don't like a magazine that sticks down below the stock on a carry/hunting rifle

 

[Spurhunter]

My only complaint about my browning is lack of 3 position safety because I want to be able to work the bolt with trigger safety still on.

I know for a fact that you can work the bolt with the safety on with a B-14 and a Mossberg Patriot. It's a pretty common safety feature nowdays.

 

[Spurhunter]

If the magazine and bottom metal are all flush with the stock would be ok but I don't like a magazine that sticks down below the stock on a carry/hunting rifle

Why not?

 

[Spurhunter]

Thank you! Mine does have a removable mag. It takes a AICS magazine.

You buy it new like that or had it been changed over by someone else?

 

[Jcalder]

Why don't they just make a detachable magazine option? I love my browning detachable and don't understand the hinged floor plate desire.

They do have a detachable mag option

 

[Spurhunter]

They do have a detachable mag option

Good info. I bought mine used so I didn't know what was available new.

 

[Daniel n]

You buy it new like that or had it been changed over by someone else?

I bought it new.

 

[mr.big]

Why not?

Just personal preference, sometimes that's where I like to hold onto a rifle and at times it's in the way shooting off top of a fence post or other makeshift rests

 

[Spurhunter]

Just personal preference, sometimes that's where I like to hold onto a rifle and at times it's in the way shooting off top of a fence post or other makeshift rests

Makes sense. The convenience of a magazine outweighs that for me, but I can see your point.

 

[MUP]

I'd say you did good buddy! You'll be stretching it out soon!

 

[mr.big]

Makes sense. The convenience of a magazine outweighs that for me, but I can see your point.

My plinkers and steel plate shooting rifles have AI mags but the ones I carry in the woods hunting have the hinges floor plates

 

[Jcalder]

Good info. I bought mine used so I didn't know what was available new.

I have a premier series that takes Aics mags and it's factory. I do agree with Mr big and would prefer a hinged floor plate for hunting, or at least a a smooth mag on the bottom of the rifle.

 

[Tenntrapper]

BTW, next rifle I buy must be short action, wood stock, 3 position safety, and detachable magazine. I don't even know a company that makes one, but that is what I want.

Winchester made one with the controlled feed at one point, but that was eons ago. My only complaint about my browning is lack of 3 position safety because I want to be able to work the bolt with trigger safety still on.

The newer model 70s are 3 position as well. And the CRF is back. Thinking all that happened around '07...

 

[DaveTN]

The newer model 70s are 3 position as well. And the CRF is back. Thinking all that happened around '07...

They are sweet. I have a Super Grade. But I think the year was 1992 for return of CRF.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I'm with Mr big on the mags. Not only do they potentially limit your COAL, but the mag sticking out of the bottom is a pain. Sling it and you have a mag digging in your back. Can't believe how many rimfires have mags sticking out the bottom.

 

[knightrider]

BTW, next rifle I buy must be short action, wood stock, 3 position safety, and detachable magazine. I don't even know a company that makes one, but that is what I want.

Winchester made one with the controlled feed at one point, but that was eons ago. My only complaint about my browning is lack of 3 position safety because I want to be able to work the bolt with trigger safety still on.

I can work my xbolt with safety on, just push the little button on the handle

 

[Jcalder]

I'm with Mr big on the mags. Not only do they potentially limit your COAL, but the mag sticking out of the bottom is a pain. Sling it and you have a mag digging in your back. Can't believe how many rimfires have mags sticking out the bottom.

An Aics will not limit you unless you have a ridiculously long throat.

 

[Antler Daddy]

I can work my xbolt with safety on, just push the little button on the handle

I have abolt, but I will try it.

 

[knightrider]

I have abolt, but I will try it.

Not sure if abolt has it or not, little button on top of bolt handle

 

[backyardtndeer]

Have never heard of any bergara's that would not shoot well. Congratulations on the new rifle.

 

[mr.big]

An Aics will not limit you unless you have a ridiculously long throat.

My short action AI mags are pretty much the same as a Rem 700 internal mag at 2.850

 

[jlanecr500]

Just personal preference, sometimes that's where I like to hold onto a rifle and at times it's in the way shooting off top of a fence post or other makeshift rests

My sentiments exactly. That is typically the balance point and where my hand is when carrying the rifle. A mag that extends below the stock is a deal breaker for me. If I can't get the deal done with 2 or 3 shots from a flush magazine, I sure don't need to keep slinging lead.

 

[Spurhunter]

A mag that extends below the stock is a deal breaker for me.

I don't need a magazine that extends below the stock. It's not about extra shots. It's about convenience. My Bergara with the hinged floorplate is a PITA to load. Tennessee Rifleman told me to flip it over and load it from the bottom, and that definitely helps, but still a PITA compared to a magazine.

 

[jlanecr500]

I don't need a magazine that extends below the stock. It's not about extra shots. It's about convenience. My Bergara with the hinged floorplate is a PITA to load. Tennessee Rifleman told me to flip it over and load it from the bottom, and that definitely helps, but still a PITA compared to a magazine.

I'll have to remember that when loading mine. Thanks for the tip.