KI Precision Bergara B14r Prefit Barrel

[xswanted]

I couldn’t resist it anymore so I ordered a KI Precision Prefit for the Bergara B14r. 22” in length. 1.25” straight taper, 16 twist.

Initial impressions were top notch. The barrel looks good, stainless was finished well and the KI logo and chamber engraving on the shank look great.

I own two Bergara B14r’s one carbon and one steel. My steel shoots very well. With the lot of Tenex I use the rifle will consistently shoot MOA groups at 200 yards when the dope yanking on the trigger isn’t messing it up.

My carbon, doesn’t shoot as good as the steel but it’s very close. I chose to put this barrel on the carbon gun as it balances less than perfect when compared to the steel barrel.

Carbon Barrel Removal: This was easy. I’m not a gunsmith but I am a hobbyist and fairly handy with fixing and modding rifles. Your experience may be more or less but I believe anyone could do this swap.

I used a Wheeler 700 action wrench, the same I’ve used on countless Remingtons. With the barrel snug in my vise and the vise gripping as much of the steel near the shank as I could, I attached the action wrench orientated so the handle is facing up and slightly angled towards the direction the action needs to spin to loosen. I support the back of the action. I do not pull and twist but rather take a wood block and simply give a firm “crack” on the angled handle of the action wrench. One crack is all it took and the action was loose from the barrel.

I take the wrench off the action and unthread the action by hand.

The new barrel was placed in the vise Bergara has a unique way the recoil lug sits in the action, there’s basically a small hood that covers it. The lug self times to be straight so there is nothing tricky about that.

I threaded the action as far as I could by hand, installed the wrench and tighten again with the action supported in the rear. 50ft/lbs is what is recommended.

Total time so far to do this was about 20 minutes.

I dropped the barreled action into my MDT ACC Premier and fired one 10 round mag through the rifle for a function check.

KI Precision recommends checking headspace with the proper gauge.

Gun fired and functioned like normal.

Scope was installed and I stepped out on my deck to sight in the rifle.

It was getting dark so I didn’t shoot a lot the first night but used a very good shooting lot of SK Biathlon from my steel barreled rifle.

I fired 6 shots to get it zeroed at 50.

The next 10 shots were fired to continue seasoning the barrel.

I then fired 10 5 shot groups.

I didn’t take any pictures but the worst group I fired was the initial 10 round group and it measured .399”

All the 5 shot groups were one small hole.

Below is a picture of a 10 shot 50 yards group. Measuring .322” fired with Tenex. I took this picture after the first day of testing. SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR produced groups nearly identical to this one with ten shots as well.

KI Precision was great to work with. I talked with them and from the time I placed my order to when it was shipped was less than an hour. UPS had a hiccup with it otherwise it would have been here one day sooner.

Next up was 100 yard testing with Tenex, SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR

16 consecutive 5 shot 100 yard groups produced an aggregate of .906” between the 3 ammo types. (pics below)

Tuesday in light winds the gun produced numerous MOA groups at 200-300 yards with Tenex.

From a perspective of an “upgrade” to the factory barrel it most certainly is. My steel barrel rifle shoots very well, this one is more consistent across the board from 50-300 with varying ammo.

Balance is easier to achieve with the straight taper barrel.

It’s quieter going from an 18” to a 22” barrel and velocity was brought down from 1111 to 1080 which I believe helps a tad with the consistency.

Easy to install, affordable and looks good.

If you’re looking to upgrade I wouldn’t hesitate to go this direction again.

I’m not sponsored or paid by KI in any way, strictly getting the info out there for everyone as I couldn’t find any when I was trying to decide.

Happy shooting.

 

[MUP]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your how-to xsw! Definitely something to consider if in the market for a B14 barrel now!

 

[Longrange22]

I have just installed a KI barrel 24” 1.25 contour.
Took it out to the range today for the first time. It was raining and blowing wind. I mainly shoot a game called LongGong with 8”,6”,and 4” gongs at 300yds. I was quite impressed with the accuracy. Huge up grade from the carbon barrel.

 

[Jeff82]

I have a B14R steel that I purchased to shoot in prs/nrl 22 matches. Rifle shoots extremely well but bolt close is its biggest down fall. Did the KI precision barrel correct that issue or is bolt close still an issue with the new barrel?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have a B14R steel that I purchased to shoot in prs/nrl 22 matches. Rifle shoots extremely well but bolt close is its biggest down fall. Did the KI precision barrel correct that issue or is bolt close still an issue with the new barrel?

Probably jamming.

 

[kojaone]

Probably jamming.

Some do that,mine did it a bit, I beveled the the back of the bolt lug.Runs like a top,this is my fourth B14R,I had one that was a bit catchy on closing of bolt.
Maybe you can answer a question.
How can one prefit a B14r ? B14r's have a very course threading,flat breeched, with extractor cuts
I'm building a Vudoo handgun 13, 14-15",on an undesignated, new repeater action.I had plans to buy a take off barrel and shorten it. A member had a pistol barrel here for sale.I called Vudoo,they said the breech had to be remachined.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Some do that,mine did it a bit, I beveled the the back of the bolt lug.Runs like a top,this is my fourth B14R,I had one that was a bit catchy on closing of bolt.
Maybe you can answer a question.
How can one prefit a B14r ? B14r's have a very course threading,flat breeched, with extractor cuts
I'm building a Vudoo handgun 13, 14-15",on an undesignated, new repeater action.I had plans to buy a take off barrel and shorten it. A member had a pistol barrel here for sale.I called Vudoo,they said the breech had to be remachined.

Never made one.

 

[Bigdaddy67]

what does the extractor grooves look like in the barrel ? did they cone the barrel area ?

 

[kojaone]

New VG's are semi coned

 

[Jeff82]

Probably jamming.

Agree but I am just curious if the barrel helped with head spacing a little to lessen the jamming… wishful thinking I guess

 

[Jeff82]

Some do that,mine did it a bit, I beveled the the back of the bolt lug.Runs like a top,this is my fourth B14R,I had one that was a bit catchy on closing of bolt.
Maybe you can answer a question.
How can one prefit a B14r ? B14r's have a very course threading,flat breeched, with extractor cuts
I'm building a Vudoo handgun 13, 14-15",on an undesignated, new repeater action.I had plans to buy a take off barrel and shorten it. A member had a pistol barrel here for sale.I called Vudoo,they said the breech had to be remachined.

A good friend of mine did the the same thing and it helped his a lot. I put his bolt in my rifle and shot a group and the gun shot the best group of its life with his bolt.. and bolt close was much better… I need to try that I guess

 

[urbanrifleman]

Agree but I am just curious if the barrel helped with head spacing a little to lessen the jamming… wishful thinking I guess

Well yes. Apparently, it is head spaced to do a quite a bit of jamming would be my guess. I'm guessing that increasing the headspace a bit would make it easier to close the bolt. It would probably also be ammunition dependent. I would guess.

 

[Cuda440]

I couldn’t resist it anymore so I ordered a KI Precision Prefit for the Bergara B14r. 22” in length. 1.25” straight taper, 16 twist.

Initial impressions were top notch. The barrel looks good, stainless was finished well and the KI logo and chamber engraving on the shank look great.

I own two Bergara B14r’s one carbon and one steel. My steel shoots very well. With the lot of Tenex I use the rifle will consistently shoot MOA groups at 200 yards when the dope yanking on the trigger isn’t messing it up.

My carbon, doesn’t shoot as good as the steel but it’s very close. I chose to put this barrel on the carbon gun as it balances less than perfect when compared to the steel barrel.

Carbon Barrel Removal: This was easy. I’m not a gunsmith but I am a hobbyist and fairly handy with fixing and modding rifles. Your experience may be more or less but I believe anyone could do this swap.

I used a Wheeler 700 action wrench, the same I’ve used on countless Remingtons. With the barrel snug in my vise and the vise gripping as much of the steel near the shank as I could, I attached the action wrench orientated so the handle is facing up and slightly angled towards the direction the action needs to spin to loosen. I support the back of the action. I do not pull and twist but rather take a wood block and simply give a firm “crack” on the angled handle of the action wrench. One crack is all it took and the action was loose from the barrel.

I take the wrench off the action and unthread the action by hand.

The new barrel was placed in the vise Bergara has a unique way the recoil lug sits in the action, there’s basically a small hood that covers it. The lug self times to be straight so there is nothing tricky about that.

I threaded the action as far as I could by hand, installed the wrench and tighten again with the action supported in the rear. 50ft/lbs is what is recommended.

Total time so far to do this was about 20 minutes.

I dropped the barreled action into my MDT ACC Premier and fired one 10 round mag through the rifle for a function check.

KI Precision recommends checking headspace with the proper gauge.

Gun fired and functioned like normal.

Scope was installed and I stepped out on my deck to sight in the rifle.

It was getting dark so I didn’t shoot a lot the first night but used a very good shooting lot of SK Biathlon from my steel barreled rifle.

I fired 6 shots to get it zeroed at 50.

The next 10 shots were fired to continue seasoning the barrel.

I then fired 10 5 shot groups.

I didn’t take any pictures but the worst group I fired was the initial 10 round group and it measured .399”

All the 5 shot groups were one small hole.

Below is a picture of a 10 shot 50 yards group. Measuring .322” fired with Tenex. I took this picture after the first day of testing. SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR produced groups nearly identical to this one with ten shots as well.

KI Precision was great to work with. I talked with them and from the time I placed my order to when it was shipped was less than an hour. UPS had a hiccup with it otherwise it would have been here one day sooner.

Next up was 100 yard testing with Tenex, SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR

16 consecutive 5 shot 100 yard groups produced an aggregate of .906” between the 3 ammo types. (pics below)

Tuesday in light winds the gun produced numerous MOA groups at 200-300 yards with Tenex.

From a perspective of an “upgrade” to the factory barrel it most certainly is. My steel barrel rifle shoots very well, this one is more consistent across the board from 50-300 with varying ammo.

Balance is easier to achieve with the straight taper barrel.

It’s quieter going from an 18” to a 22” barrel and velocity was brought down from 1111 to 1080 which I believe helps a tad with the consistency.

Easy to install, affordable and looks good.

If you’re looking to upgrade I wouldn’t hesitate to go this direction again.

I’m not sponsored or paid by KI in any way, strictly getting the info out there for everyone as I couldn’t find any when I was trying to decide.

Happy shooting.

Just wondering how are you liking the KI retrofit Barrel after some time with it?

I have the same Begara B14R with the Carbon barrel. Been shooing with it for a couple of years now. Recently I put a TT Diamond trigger in it and arriving today is an MTD XRS chassis and I’m adding the MTD 1 pound weight that slides under the barrel to it also. Have a barrel tuner, but the vote is still out on it. I just put it back on and shot different ammo’s at 100 yards. It did seem to help so I‘m going to leave it on for awhile.

I have done a lot of reading on this rife and shoot bench rest competition at 50 and 100 yard distance. The rifle does pretty good but think it is light and now I almost wish I would have gotten the steel barrel. Hoping the new chassis and adding weight will help.

The guys I shoot against are good, and I need just a little something to win more (we all say that). That is where I think the new barrel might help and hope it would like different ammo better as finding the lot it likes can be hard as I’m sure you know. Midas plus and Center-x seem to be the best. Eley tennex at 50 seems to do alright. The Midas plus is really hard to find. Just tried some X-ACT, it looks good but at the price I will have to pass.

If you had to do it again, would you get the barrel or put the money into something else, like blueprinting the bolt carrier?

I was thinking about a 24” barrel. Do you think a 22” is better? I see KI offers a 1.220 and 1.250 diameter barrels. For bench rest only, what you choose for length and diameter?

Appreciate any feedback and really like your write up.

 

[xswanted]

Just wondering how are you liking the KI retrofit Barrel after some time with it?

I have the same Begara B14R with the Carbon barrel. Been shooing with it for a couple of years now. Recently I put a TT Diamond trigger in it and arriving today is an MTD XRS chassis and I’m adding the MTD 1 pound weight that slides under the barrel to it also. Have a barrel tuner, but the vote is still out on it. I just put it back on and shot different ammo’s at 100 yards. It did seem to help so I‘m going to leave it on for awhile.

I have done a lot of reading on this rife and shoot bench rest competition at 50 and 100 yard distance. The rifle does pretty good but think it is light and now I almost wish I would have gotten the steel barrel. Hoping the new chassis and adding weight will help.

The guys I shoot against are good, and I need just a little something to win more (we all say that). That is where I think the new barrel might help and hope it would like different ammo better as finding the lot it likes can be hard as I’m sure you know. Midas plus and Center-x seem to be the best. Eley tennex at 50 seems to do alright. The Midas plus is really hard to find. Just tried some X-ACT, it looks good but at the price I will have to pass.

If you had to do it again, would you get the barrel or put the money into something else, like blueprinting the bolt carrier?

I was thinking about a 24” barrel. Do you think a 22” is better? I see KI offers a 1.220 and 1.250 diameter barrels. For bench rest only, what you choose for length and diameter?

Appreciate any feedback and really like your write up.

I’m more thrilled with the KI Prefit now than when I received it.

It continues to shoot very well, with multiple different types of ammo and doesn’t seem to have first shot fliers like many rinfires do.

If I were back at square one I’d buy the prefit again. I haven’t had anything that has deterred me from my decision as of yet. I really like the B14r action and mags so a Vudoo or Rimx wouldn’t gain me anything from a personal preference standpoint. That and this rifle will shoot with any rifle on the line when I’m at an NRL/PRS match. The operator is a work in progress

The only reason I’d go with the smaller diameter barrel is if my chassis/stock setup didn’t allow for the 1.250 diameter barrel to fit.

I don’t believe they had a 24” option when I ordered mine but I may have went with it. NRL/PRS is all about balance and barrel weight is a guys friend for that. I probably would do a 24” if I did it today.

KI Precision has a good operation going from what I can tell, I’m not sponsored by them or anything along those lines. Just a happy customer.

 

[Cuda440]

I’m more thrilled with the KI Prefit now than when I received it.

It continues to shoot very well, with multiple different types of ammo and doesn’t seem to have first shot fliers like many rinfires do.

If I were back at square one I’d buy the prefit again. I haven’t had anything that has deterred me from my decision as of yet. I really like the B14r action and mags so a Vudoo or Rimx wouldn’t gain me anything from a personal preference standpoint. That and this rifle will shoot with any rifle on the line when I’m at an NRL/PRS match. The operator is a work in progress

The only reason I’d go with the smaller diameter barrel is if my chassis/stock setup didn’t allow for the 1.250 diameter barrel to fit.

I don’t believe they had a 24” option when I ordered mine but I may have went with it. NRL/PRS is all about balance and barrel weight is a guys friend for that. I probably would do a 24” if I did it today.

KI Precision has a good operation going from what I can tell, I’m not sponsored by them or anything along those lines. Just a happy customer.

Thanks for the responds. Went out and did a little shooting last night for the first time after changing to the MDT XRS chassis and added the MDT 1 pound weight.
Also put a ARCA rail on and made a custom bipod for bench rest shooting.
The added weight, stiffer chassis and the bipod I built is way better so now that part is taken out of the equation.
I shot with the tuner on and it was not all that great, removed it and that shifted my POA by about 3” @ 75 yards and shot better.
Going to do a good barrel cleaning today and start over again with ammo hunting for the best group.
From your comments, I think by Monday a new barrel will be on the way in hopes it won’t be so picky on ammo and tighten those groups up. Have had a couple of lots of Lapua midas+ and center X that shot really great out of this barrel but it does cost more than most. If the cheaper ammo shoots as well in the new barrel, maybe it will pay for itself, or at least that is what I will tell the wife LOL.
From what you said, I will order the 1.25 in a 24” length. The MDT XRS chassis will accept that large of barrel. I was hoping after changing the chassis and adding the weight… would improve groups enough to where I would not want to spend the cash to get a new barrel, but now I have my mine made up.

 

[Cuda440]

Shot several brands and lots of ammo yesterday to get ready for a bulls eye shoot a local gun club was putting on today.

Was a little windy out, but surprising enough Midas Polar Biathlon was the tightest group.

I shot it at the bulls eye competition today and got first place. Score 497 out of 500. Really happy with the new chassis and bipod design I came up with.

Was almost wishing I would not shoot that good so I could say I absolutely need a new barrel. Guessing Tomorrow I will still order it, in hopes it will shoot different/cheaper ammo.

 

[Cuda440]

Well I ordered a new KI barrel for my B14R. Purchased the 1.250 in a 24” straight length, match chamber and polished color.
I’m really hoping it helps the cold bore shift as most of the competitions I shoot doesn’t allow any sighters.
Attached are my targets from last weekends 100 yard IBS shoot. A little wind came up on the first target but I ended up with a 497 and 12 X score. This was my first IBS shoot, is that a good score? I did win but there were only 12 competitors.

 

[Cuda440]

I couldn’t resist it anymore so I ordered a KI Precision Prefit for the Bergara B14r. 22” in length. 1.25” straight taper, 16 twist.

Initial impressions were top notch. The barrel looks good, stainless was finished well and the KI logo and chamber engraving on the shank look great.

I own two Bergara B14r’s one carbon and one steel. My steel shoots very well. With the lot of Tenex I use the rifle will consistently shoot MOA groups at 200 yards when the dope yanking on the trigger isn’t messing it up.

My carbon, doesn’t shoot as good as the steel but it’s very close. I chose to put this barrel on the carbon gun as it balances less than perfect when compared to the steel barrel.

Carbon Barrel Removal: This was easy. I’m not a gunsmith but I am a hobbyist and fairly handy with fixing and modding rifles. Your experience may be more or less but I believe anyone could do this swap.

I used a Wheeler 700 action wrench, the same I’ve used on countless Remingtons. With the barrel snug in my vise and the vise gripping as much of the steel near the shank as I could, I attached the action wrench orientated so the handle is facing up and slightly angled towards the direction the action needs to spin to loosen. I support the back of the action. I do not pull and twist but rather take a wood block and simply give a firm “crack” on the angled handle of the action wrench. One crack is all it took and the action was loose from the barrel.

I take the wrench off the action and unthread the action by hand.

The new barrel was placed in the vise Bergara has a unique way the recoil lug sits in the action, there’s basically a small hood that covers it. The lug self times to be straight so there is nothing tricky about that.

I threaded the action as far as I could by hand, installed the wrench and tighten again with the action supported in the rear. 50ft/lbs is what is recommended.

Total time so far to do this was about 20 minutes.

I dropped the barreled action into my MDT ACC Premier and fired one 10 round mag through the rifle for a function check.

KI Precision recommends checking headspace with the proper gauge.

Gun fired and functioned like normal.

Scope was installed and I stepped out on my deck to sight in the rifle.

It was getting dark so I didn’t shoot a lot the first night but used a very good shooting lot of SK Biathlon from my steel barreled rifle.

I fired 6 shots to get it zeroed at 50.

The next 10 shots were fired to continue seasoning the barrel.

I then fired 10 5 shot groups.

I didn’t take any pictures but the worst group I fired was the initial 10 round group and it measured .399”

All the 5 shot groups were one small hole.

Below is a picture of a 10 shot 50 yards group. Measuring .322” fired with Tenex. I took this picture after the first day of testing. SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR produced groups nearly identical to this one with ten shots as well.

KI Precision was great to work with. I talked with them and from the time I placed my order to when it was shipped was less than an hour. UPS had a hiccup with it otherwise it would have been here one day sooner.

Next up was 100 yard testing with Tenex, SK Match and Eley Semi Auto BR

16 consecutive 5 shot 100 yard groups produced an aggregate of .906” between the 3 ammo types. (pics below)

Tuesday in light winds the gun produced numerous MOA groups at 200-300 yards with Tenex.

From a perspective of an “upgrade” to the factory barrel it most certainly is. My steel barrel rifle shoots very well, this one is more consistent across the board from 50-300 with varying ammo.

Balance is easier to achieve with the straight taper barrel.

It’s quieter going from an 18” to a 22” barrel and velocity was brought down from 1111 to 1080 which I believe helps a tad with the consistency.

Easy to install, affordable and looks good.

If you’re looking to upgrade I wouldn’t hesitate to go this direction again.

I’m not sponsored or paid by KI in any way, strictly getting the info out there for everyone as I couldn’t find any when I was trying to decide.

Happy shooting.

What barrel vise did you use to get the Carbon barrel off? I have an action wrench and need a barrel vise. New barrel is Ø1.250 so I will need a set of jaws for that. I have not measured the Bergara carbon barrel to check what diameter jaws I will need for it, do you remember what those were? Thanks.

 

[xswanted]

What barrel vise did you use to get the Carbon barrel off? I have an action wrench and need a barrel vise. New barrel is Ø1.250 so I will need a set of jaws for that. I have not measured the Bergara carbon barrel to check what diameter jaws I will need for it, do you remember what those were? Thanks.

I believe it’s a Viper. I’m not completely sure.

It clamps around and uses leather shims to grip the barrel.

A bit crude but I’ve used it to take off a lot of different barrels and it’d always worked.

 

[Cuda440]

I believe it’s a Viper. I’m not completely sure.

It clamps around and uses leather shims to grip the barrel.

A bit crude but I’ve used it to take off a lot of different barrels and it’d always worked.

I just bought a barrel vise, full stainless steel with the leather shims you talked about. Also have the Rem 700 wrench to remove and torque the action back on. I ordered the barrel over 4 weeks ago. Have not heard anything about delivery. The website said 5-6 weeks. I sent a message with some questions to him and never got anything back. Told a buddy of mine about him and he ordered a new prefit for a CZ also. Think I might try and call to hear how it is going.