I first got the opportunity to put hands on Bergara’s rifles at the 2016 SHOT show in Las Vegas. I came away impressed with the level of fit and finish, but withheld a final verdict until I finally got to put one through its paces at TTAG’s super secret squirrel testing facility.

The LRP Elite I tested turned out to be a rockstar as it consistently delivered sub-MOA five shot groups with factory ammo. Even more surprising was that the rifle I tested wasn’t a shiny, new media sample – it was the same rifle they took on the road for demos. The LRP’s only problem: its price. At a shade over $2600, it’ll take a chunk out of the ole wallet.

I was similarly impressed by their B-14 Woodsman hunting gun. It’s not nearly the tack driver that the LRP Elite was, but it can be a third the price. Of course the B-14 Woodsman lacks some of the gizmos on the LRP Elite, and definitely wouldn’t be at home on the competition circuit.

Now Bergara’s seen fit to remedy all that by making a tactical/competition/hunting rifle built off the much less expensive B-14 platform. Enter the B14 HMR. Here’s their press release:

Lawrenceville, Ga. (January 2017) – Bergara Rifles is pleased to introduce the B14 Series Hunting and Match Rifle (HMR) for 2017. Completely built at the Bergara, Spain facility, the HMR is a huge addition to the incredible lineup of rifles in the B14 Series. It is a feature-rich rifle, designed to meet the needs of hardcore hunters, precision rifle shooters, and those desiring absolute quality and accuracy.

The B14 HMR features a solid molded synthetic stock with a built in machined aluminum mini-chassis. The sturdy aluminum mini-chassis is built into the HMR stock using precise molding and machining techniques, and is designed to offer repeatable bedding for each B14 action installed on the rifle. It also allows for the support to fully free float the Bergara Barrel, which in turn ensures extreme accuracy for this rifle. The world-renowned Bergara barrel, produced using a proprietary vertically honed, button rifled barrel, on the HMR is designed to be light enough for a hunter to carry, yet heavy enough to deliver the utmost in performance and precision.

The finish of the stock on the HMR is completed using a multiple stage method, which gives it proper texture and adds protection to the stock itself. The HMR uses a precision-machined bottom metal and is designed to accept AICS style magazines. The rear stock of the HMR is specifically created to offer a multitude of adjustments for many different types of shooters, both right and left handed. The cheek piece, or cheek riser, is fully adjustable up and down to accommodate proper eye alignment with the optic for different size shooters. Length of pull is fully adjustable for shooters of all types and sizes. Equally as important, most of the quick adjustment can be made completely by hand, and without the requirement of a tool. The stock offers multiple flush cup mounts for QD attachments, as well as multiple sling swivel studs for traditional bipod and sling attachments. The HMR stock is created and precisely machined to reduce weight, yet offer extreme functionality for every shooter out there.

The Bergara B14 HMR will initially be offered in .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor, utilizing the world famous Bergara barrel and backed by a 100% accuracy guarantee. The Bergara barrel is produced using a proprietary vertically honed button rifled barrel and is threaded 5/8”x24 to accept most compatible muzzle devices and suppressors. All B14 HMR’s are guaranteed to produce sub-1.0 MOA groups, or less, at 100 yards using factory match-grade ammunition.

Looking at their presser, and talking to their team, my interest is piqued. Truth be told, my plan for the B-14 Woodsman I had on hand was to pull the barreled action out, toss it in one of those new Grayboe stocks, give it a detachable bottom metal, and have myself one of those “shooters on a budget” everyone seems to love. It seems that Bergara has a similar idea that relied less on shadetree gunsmithing and more on thoughtful design. The best part? The price. MSRP on the rifle pictures (sans scope) is $1150. Given that the B14 Woodsman I tested can be found for $150 back of MSRP, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see the HMR on the street for less than $1000 – right in Ruger Precision Rifle territory and a perfect fit for the newly formed Production division of the Precision Rifle Series.

Given that some shooters, myself included, never warmed to the chassis rifle concept, the HMR is a tantalizing prospect. The extra pound off vs. the RPR doesn’t hurt either. Like I did after SHOT, I’ll withhold judgement until I get one in my hands for a thorough and proper review. If it lives up to the press release and the performance matches up with what I’ve seen from their other rifles, it should be a standout. We’re in line for a test rifle, so check this space for the full review.

B14 HMR Rifle Specifications:

  • Caliber: .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor
  • Weight: 9.15 lbs.
  • Mini- Chassis Material: 7075 T6 aluminum
  • Action: 2-lug action / sliding plate extractor / cone bolt nose and breech to ensure smooth feeding and extraction
  • Magazine: AICS style mag compatible – Includes a Magpul® PMAG AICS Magazine
  • Barrel: Bergara barrel – 4140 CrMo steel barrel
  • Barrel Thread: 5/8” x 24 with thread protector
  • Barrel Caliber/Length/Twist Ratio:
    • .308 Win – 20 inch barrel – 1:10
    • 6.5 Creedmoor – 22 inch barrel – 1:8
  • Trigger: Bergara B14 series adjustable trigger
  • MSRP: $1,150.00

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21 COMMENTS

  1. That has all the right ingredients to be a sweet little rifle. Cant wait to see what you guys think of them.

  4. This by far is the best looking rifle that Bergara has put out that I have seen to date. Other Bergaras TTAG has reviewed have had normal hunting style stocks and mediocre accuracy for the price. The stock on this model is a home run, and if it is truly a sub moa rifle for $2600, this will be a win for them in the marketplace.

  6. What is that don’t you like about the embedded chassis systems? I would seem at first blush that they would offer a very stiff platform for the receiver, more so than a pillar bedded system. But what do I know. Please tell.

    • The embedded chassis doesn’t bother me at all. It’s the actual chassis like the Mega Orias or KRG Whiskey 3. They just never fit me right.

    • Price

      I love mine, and needed something to quickly change between my wife’s lop and mine, but close to twice the price of a nice McMillan stock… hard to justify the significant upcharge when it’s a rifle just built to you…

  7. Looks very cool and promising. Maybe this will be the platform for the 6.5 Creedmoor that I “need.”

    • You and me both. I’ve been looking around. The Savage Model 10 BA Stealth is intriguing, with its blue printed action, aluminum chassis, and button rifled barrel. This Bergara runs about the same price.

      • Agree on another offer for barrel length on the hmr. At least out to 24″. But at a lower cost production unit, the 22″ is adequate out to 1,000 yrds which is generally past most game shots.

  8. I just ordered this rifle chambered in 6.5 creedmoor from a local Cabelas. Really long wait time on it and I am frankly disappointed by that, but its winter here in Wisconsin, so hopefully I will be able to start putting rounds through it sometime within the next few months. If there are a lack of reviews out there I will let you folks know what a U.S. Army infantry vet thinks of this.

    Really looking forward to it.

  9. Anyone know which Vortex that is on top the rifle?

    What do y’all think of 6.5 Creedmore out of a 22″ tube? I would have rathered a 24″.

  11. I love the thought of owning one in 6.5 but I lov to elk hunt an iam not sure about that ,also I heard some bad reports abou the AIC mags that they a little difficult but the magpul worked fine, what’s your thoughts on this

  12. I shot this rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor at the Bergara Experience in Eufaula, AL two weeks ago. Bergara treated us well and let us shoot at 400, 600, and 1,000 yards. I am not a long range shooter, but I was able to hit the target at all those ranges. Of course, it helped to have an Army sniper with 26 years experience giving us DOPE. Nice rifle and I have seen it on Gunbroker.com in the $900 price range.

  13. I have one in the 6.5 and can’t wait to send some down range. I just had a major surgery on my shoulder though so I will have to wait a little on that activity. So far, I am very impressed by the fit and finish of this rifle and am very happy with my purchase at just a little over 800 with military discount. Winchester makes some very good prospects in ammo for this caliber and will give this little lead slinger a nice boost in accuracy and range using their WINCHESTER AMMO 6.5 CRDMR EXPEDITION BIG GAME 142GR ACCUBOND Ammo. I used to do a little shooting in the Army so I am very anxious to get back on the range with this little beauty to zero it in for future hunting trips.

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