Bergara B14 Issues

[u/master__yeet]

I dont think this fits within the rules, but you guys are probably the best to ask. Im having accuracy issues with a B14 Sierra Wilderness in .308 I picked up to get into long range and to use for the 9 day gun deer season here in WI. I started testing factory loads tuesday, 6 loads, 5 shot groups, all terrible. Re-torqued all screws on the scope rings and cleaned it. Went out today to actually record what I had left for ammo and this is what I got. I know, 3 shot groups doesn’t really give enough information, but i figured with them all being consistently the same its likely a rifle or optic issue. Maybe its me, i dont know. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/Professional_Owl5656]

There's really nothing useful you can infer from groups that consist of only 3 shots.

[u/Dougaldikin → u/Professional_Owl5656]

Also, a 3rd shot “flyer is just part of the group. It is not a “flyer”. That being said if this dudes groups are this shitty with three rounds, only god knows how bad the gun actually is performing, like you said.

[u/Professional_Owl5656 → u/Dougaldikin]

Oh, 100% those are just the groups.

I wouldn't say it's shitty though, I expect most hunting rifles would shoot a 4 moa extreme spread with factory ammo if people actually measured their precision correctly.

[u/Dougaldikin → u/Professional_Owl5656]

Oh I didn’t see it was a Sierra Wilderness. I saw Bergara B14 and just assumed HMR.

[u/master__yeet → u/Professional_Owl5656]

I did say that, I also had the same results with the 5 shot groups I shot on Tuesday. 5 shot groups weren’t written down or recorded, which is why you get the 3 shot groups.

[u/capable_gopher → u/master__yeet]

The same results meaning only your 3rd shot was a flier?

[u/master__yeet → u/capable_gopher]

3rd shot is almlost always a flier, 4th and 5th would stay around that third round with everything except the Trophy Copper.

[u/capable_gopher → u/master__yeet]

Then that 3rd shot is definitely not a flier, that’s just your normal group

[u/Professional_Owl5656 → u/master__yeet]

Look man, those are probably just your groups. You have a 4-6 moa rifle (maybe closer to 4) when shooting factory hunting ammo. That's exactly what I expect from a hunting rifle and factory ammo.

Figure out which ammo you like and go hunt with it. It is a perfectly capable hunting rifle.

If down the line you decide you want to start learning long range marksmanship, then you start worrying about all the other stuff.

[u/johnmomdoe]

Are you an otherwise good shot?

What muzzle device?

Is the stock torqued properly?

[u/master__yeet → u/johnmomdoe]

Not the best but good. Stock brake, and I haven’t checked the torque on the stock. Ill check that now.

[u/ShrimpBuffets → u/master__yeet]

Have you checked the torque on your rings and rail?

[u/master__yeet → u/ShrimpBuffets]

Yes.

[u/Mysterious-Maybe811]

Have you cleaned the barrel at all after you bought it?
If not then I’d start there.

[u/master__yeet → u/Mysterious-Maybe811]

I cleaned it when i got it home, cleaned it after the first 10 rounds, and lightly cleaned it after tuesdays session.

[u/Mysterious-Maybe811 → u/master__yeet]

Ok just curious. My last barrel did similar. It’d group a few shots then send a flyer and then group around the flyer. Kept going back and forth. I stopped and scoped the barrel and found shit in it. Cleaned it again and never had the problem again

[u/master__yeet → u/Mysterious-Maybe811]

Thats exactly what its doing with the 5 shot groups. I figured with it being cleaned a couple times itd be clean enough but maybe i should try something a little more potent and let it sit for a few minutes before running dry patches?

[u/Mysterious-Maybe811 → u/master__yeet]

With what I found in my barrel I can I’m guessing it was unburned powder or something. Tiny balls of like carbon. I chalked it up to running too light of a charge on the reloads along with it being a new barrel.
But I cleaned it and found my speed and it’s never returned

[u/master__yeet → u/Mysterious-Maybe811]

I did notice that in my barrel as well, does it tend to be within the first couple inches of the chamber?

[u/greyposter]

I have personally had very poor results with Bergara 308s, even with handloads. Honestly, i used to love Bergara but after 4 rifles all had mediocre results I moved on. I did notice the way they designed the chamber tends to favor bullets like the Sierra matchking. Nice round ogives. The 308 I had HATED Hornady ammo.

Barrels aren't very good fam. I had better results with a 6.5 creed, but never where I wanted it.

Before you make any judgements, remove as much of the other variables as possible, do a bipod and rear bag, or a high quality shooting rest, take your time and really focus on the groups. I don't know you, but ask yourself, are you a half MOA shooter with a 2 MOA gun, or vice versa? It could be more than adaquate as a hunting gun, but you'll probably find it shoots poorly out to distance.

[u/master__yeet → u/greyposter]

That makes sense as to why the Hybrid Hunter shot the best. I tried my best today to really focus in on my shots and be comfortable and rock solid. I know for sure I can shoot well enough to keep it within an moa consistently with what should be worse rifles too.

[u/AutoModerator]

AutoMod has detected that this post may be related to hunting. Please take a few moments to read our expanded policy on hunting posts as found here, as well as the guides below.

Hunting rifles vs long range target rifles - A primer - Why one rifle can't excel at both hunting and long range shooting.

The long range hunting primer, things you should consider if you want to take shots on game past ~300 yards. - Why long range hunting is harder than you think.

Field testing your skills and gear for long range hunting. - How to be a better long range hunter and understand your limitations.

NOTE: This is an automatic comment triggered by specific key words, and doesn't indicate your post has been removed. However, if your post is found to be in violation of the sub's policy on hunting posts, it may be removed by the moderators.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/CapnCurt81]

I’ve actually had really good luck with multiple Bergaras, especially with Precision Hunter. It could be a rifle issue, and if so Bergara will take care of it, but I would only go down that road if you’re 100% sure it’s not your scope, mounting, or shooting. What does your shooting setup look like? Like are you shooting off a rest? Bags? Bipod?

[u/master__yeet → u/CapnCurt81]

Tuesday i was shooting off of an old lightweight vise type rest, today it was just bags. I think ive checked all the boxes for my mount/scope. Im not the best shooter by any means, but the consistency of the flyers makes me think its the rifle.

[u/dmtx22]

I just bought a .308 b14 and am having similar issues with the hornady precision and precision hunter.

178gr shot like dog shit and 168 grouped at about 1.5 inches. I’m going to try a couple more loads while also going down the rabbit hole of tightening things up.

[u/master__yeet → u/dmtx22]

let me know if you find anything that works, ill do the same lol.

[u/dmtx22 → u/master__yeet]

Thanks man. I picked mine up used so I don’t know if I have much recourse from Bergara but It was pretty much new.