Bergara B14 HMR 300 PRC Group Woes

[Skeetman59]

Bought the above rifle from an individual sold as a new gun. It came with a muzzle brake installed. I believe it’s the Bergara Omni Brake. I didn’t realize that Bergara old the rifle with a brake.

I did the break in procedure with Hornady 225 Match. I now have 65 rounds down the barrel. All groups are underwhelming.

Shooting off a Bald Eagle rest at 100 yards produces 3” or worse 3shot groups. I set a timer of 2 minutes between shots.

I decided to clean it. I just gave the barrel a really good cleaning with Hoppes and Bore-Tech.

the only mod I’ve made is swapping out the trigger for a 1.5 pound Timney hoping to see better results. Nope.

I loaded up some 230 grain Hornady A-Tips with RL 26. I got one decent group but the group strings horizontally.

I’m not new to shooting. I do well with my 6.5 and .308 but I’m totally baffled. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deadidarren]

I will add the usual check all your fasteners and action screws for the correct torque other than that all I can think of is seating depth or even bore scoping the barrel and look for an obvious problem

 

[Skeetman59]

I forgot to add that the Pic rail and rings are tight. The Pic rail installed with red Loctite.

 

[Kurz]

This type of remote diagnostic question will often yield 2 - 3 pages of every solution possible of what could possibly be wrong or creating your problem. Obviously you've checked a couple of the primary potential problems and resolved that those were not it.

The next idea would be to unscrew the muzzle brake from the barrel and shoot your targets again for comparison.

 

[DangerRanger]

Call bergara, but the muzzle brake idea is a very good very easy one

 

[Skeetman59]

Thanks Gentlemen. I’ll try shooting it without the muzzle brake.

I’ll call Bergara as well.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

My buddy has 4 bergaras that all pound tiny holes.

Make sure everything is tight.

Replace scope.

If that doesn't work send to bergara.

 

[Skeetman59]

I’m sending it to Bergara tomorrow.

 

[Kurz]

Please try to remember to write an update when you get the rifle back and tested. Updates really make our day when considering problem solving.

 

[1bamashooter]

Take the BA out of the stock and clean the paint off the aluminum mini chassis then re torque your action screws to their specs front is 55in/lb if I remember correctly. Removing the brake on my wilderness ridge 300mag caused my groups to open up an inch or more.

 

[Talon]

What ever came of your return to Bergara? Groups w/o the brake? Curious minds...

 

[Skeetman59]

When I took the brake off, it shot the same 3-4” group.

Begara has the rifle. It’s been a while. I’m going to call them tomorrow and see where my rifle is in the testing que.

 

[284winner]

Could be as simple as a crown issue.

 

[Ironworker]

It's 1/1/2025 What's going on with your rifle?