Bergera b14 Wilderness Ridge 18” Right up

[Geraldg6]

A coupe of months of ago I asked what was the best ammo for the Bergara B14 Wilderness Ridge with the 18” barrel. The input was a little inconsistent but the the overall consensus was that this particular model Bergara is picky. Today I finally got out and tested 5 different factory loads. Some performed better than others but I was shocked by the rounds that turned out the best. I tested these five different cartridges.

1. Hornady Precision hunter 178 gr
2. Federal Premium 175Gr
3. Barnes Vortex 168 gr TTSX
4. Nosler Trophy grade 150 Gr
5. Gold Dot personal defense 150gr





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[Greenheadless]

I forgot what cal you got, but my .308 shoot cheap Rem. CoreLokt 150gr where a 5 round group will all touch at 100. I am also shooting suppressed.

Not sure if it matters, but did you follow the break in procedure?

[32drawlength]

Following

[Geraldg6]

Top Target Picture

Bottom Left target:
Hornady Precision Hunter 178gr eld-x

Bottom right target:
Federal Premium 175gr

Center target
Gold Dot 150 gr

Bottom Target Picture

Left bottom target
Nosler Trophy grade 150gr

Bottom right target
Barnes vortex 168gr


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[Geraldg6]

I forgot what cal you got, but my .308 shoot cheap Rem. CoreLokt 150gr where a 5 round group will all touch at 100. I am also shooting suppressed.

Not sure if it matters, but did you follow the break in procedure?

My Bergara is in 308 and shooting suppressed.


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[mkk]

.

[kkp005]

I had an 18” 308… it shot 175gr federal tlr / terminal ascents the best … but was never really consistent

[Geraldg6]

I had an 18” 308… it shot 175gr federal tlr / terminal ascents the best … but was never really consistent

What did you end up doing with it?


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[fish4food]

I’d stock up on those gold dots and call it good. Not to shabby!

[kkp005]

What did you end up doing with it?


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Gave up on it..
Sent it to APR and had it rechambered/barreled into a 6mm creed.. Now it shoots great. Lol.



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[Geraldg6]

I’d stock up on those gold dots and call it good. Not to shabby!

It’s not precision or hand loads but I will take it. I really thought that barrel would have liked the heavier bullets.


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[Greenheadless]

It’s not precision or hand loads but I will take it. I really thought that barrel would have liked the heavier bullets.


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Mine didn’t care for heavy loads either. If I remember correctly, the recommendation from Bergara was 150gr to 168gr. They even gave a list of tested rounds with the break in procedures? It’s been a while.

[ClayW]

It’s not precision or hand loads but I will take it. I really thought that barrel would have liked the heavier bullets.


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I have the same setup, suppressed, and it loves the Norma 150gr. I'm a terrible shot with a rifle but I can put em in the same hole at 100yards

I'd recommend finding you some 150gr soft points. I've read several others having the same results.

[duckhunter175]

Are you running a QD or direct thread can?

The Gold Dots obviously ran well but I've never seen Hornady Precision Hunter or Nosler Trophy Grade shoot so poorly-- even in factory guns. I've shot several rifles (factory and custom) in several cartridges and bullet weights.

I'd even include the Barnes in there as well.

Are those the very first rounds through that rifle? What sort of base/bag/tripod set up are you running? I would not be happy with how that rifle is shooting if everything is shooting inconsistently except the Gold Dots.

The most consistent factory ammo I've had in 308 is the Hornady Black 168 AMAX-- numerous gas and bolt guns just seemed to love that stuff and that bullet crushes whitetail-- something about the construction of the bullet (not overly tough), the speed (not overly fast), and SD/diameter (not to big or small) that just gets great performance every time.

[Geraldg6]

Bergera b14 Wilderness Ridge 18” Right up

Are you running a QD or direct thread can?

The Gold Dots obviously ran well but I've never seen Hornady Precision Hunter or Nosler Trophy Grade shoot so poorly-- even in factory guns. I've shot several rifles (factory and custom) in several cartridges and bullet weights.

I'd even include the Barnes in there as well.

Are those the very first rounds through that rifle? What sort of base/bag/tripod set up are you running? I would not be happy with how that rifle is shooting if everything is shooting inconsistently except the Gold Dots.

The most consistent factory ammo I've had in 308 is the Hornady Black 168 AMAX-- numerous gas and bolt guns just seemed to love that stuff and that bullet crushes whitetail-- something about the construction of the bullet (not overly tough), the speed (not overly fast), and SD/diameter (not to big or small) that just gets great performance every time.

I’m running a qd from silencerco for an omega.

I was shooting from sandbags on both ends of the gun on a steady table.

The barrel is past it’s break in period. It probably has 150 rounds down the tube by now.

The qd could play a role but I’m hearing that this particular Bergara model is just picky.

The Noslers were decent. The hornady precision were cold bore. I was most surprised by the Barnes ammo being so inconsistent. I might try direct thread and see if that makes a difference.


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