Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Bergara continues implementing cutting-edge technology as seen in their newest addition to the B-14 line of rifles, the B-14 Squared Crest. Built upon Beragra’s tried and true B-14 action, the Crest does well to continue their legacy of exceptional accuracy and craftsmanship.
Table of contents
Fit & Finish
The first thing I noticed about this rifle is its fit and finish. The stock, action, bolt, and barrel have been fitted together with intentionality and skill that I can not help but appreciate. Flowing lines and clean joints are the standards. Some rifles have an unquantifiable feeling of craftsmanship, and this one has it for me.
Barrel and Brake
Bergara is probably most well-known for its high-quality barrels. In this category, the Crest does not disappoint. My 6.5 Creedmoor features a 20” fluted 4140 chrome-molly barrel that is guaranteed to provide sub-MOA precision. The muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 and comes fitted with Bergara’s Omni Muzzle Brake.
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While the Omni Brake does a good job of mitigating recoil, I will likely remove it. I am generally not a fan of brakes but this one is particularly unpleasant. Its omnidirectional design causes issues when shooting prone on dry or loose ground. The break directs supersonic gasses directly into the ground kicking up material and engulfing the shooter in a cloud of dust and debris.
CF-RTM Stock
The stock is made using cutting-edge CF-RTM (Carbon Fiber – Resin Transfer Moulding). This process, most commonly seen in the aerospace industry, uses immense pressure to saturate carbon fibers with resin creating a dense and durable product. The stock is filled with form-fitting foam to dampen vibration and a solid carbon spine to add rigidity.
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In addition to being lightweight and rigid, this monocoque stock has a few other great features. The length of the pull can be adjusted by adding one or both of the included half-inch spacers between the butt pad and the stock. The stock comes with one sling stud in the rear and two in the front. In addition to the traditional sling studs, the stock also has embedded quick detach sling ports on the front and rear of each side.
Bolt, Trigger, and Magazines
The fluted two-lug bolt is as smooth as butter. The handle is large enough to make running the action while staying behind the scope very easy. Meanwhile not being so large that it interferes with the eyepiece of low-mounted scopes.
As expected, the trigger is phenomenal. It has zero take-up, zero creep, and a clean break right at two pounds with very little overtravel. In addition to the function, this trigger also has excellent form. Dual scallops on its back and a perfectly rounded front surface make it comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as well.
This rifle comes with a single five-round AICS pattern magazine. AICS mags are fairly common and can be had in a variety of capacities for around $35. The mag is dropped from the rifle by pushing forward on either side of the release paddle which is located just forward of the trigger guard.
The prevalent use of fluting and carbon fiber has made this rifle fairly lightweight especially when considering how sturdy it is. Weighing in at only 6.8 pounds, It should have no trouble finding a home among backcountry hunters.
Accuracy
You may have heard the Townsend Whelen quote that goes “Only accurate rifles are interesting”. If you haven’t, I can tell you didn’t watch the Outdoor Channel much in the mid-2000s because it was a staple of Larry Potterfield’s old Midway USA commercials. I didn’t fully appreciate where Larry/Townsend were coming from back then but over the years I developed a respect for the craftsmanship that accuracy and precision demand.
This rifle is a ton of fun to shoot and it has no problem stacking great groups. Hornady and Federal provided a variety of ammunition to test. All but one provided sub-MOA groups. The best of the four loads is Federal’s 140gr ELD Match with a .45-inch group. Hornady 143gr ELD-X and Federal 135gr Hybrid Hunter do well having groups around .8-inches. This rifle does not seem to like the lighter 120gr Hornady CX load. Its group opens up substantially to just under two inches.
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By no definition would I consider myself a long-range shooter but it is something I aspire to. I have never lived anywhere that was conducive to shots beyond four hundred yards but I was able to stretch this rifle’s legs a bit when I visited my buddy’s place a few weeks ago. He has a range setup to five hundred yards, and while I am fully aware that five hundred is not at all pushing the limits of this rifle, it was still very gratifying to slap an eight-inch steel plate time after time on my first string of fire.
Overall Impressions
If you can’t tell by now, I am a huge fan of this rifle. It has been an absolute pleasure to shoot and I have no problem recommending it. The MSRP is set at $1999 so it is definitely not an entry-level rifle but I believe the price is accurately reflected in the design, materials, and craftsmanship that are all present. If you are interested in learning more, follow this link (B-14 Squared Crest – Bergara USA) to see more on the Crest and find a dealer near you.
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