Sorry to hear your BMR is a bit disappointing. I bought my Bergara about 4-6 weeks ago and was very impressed right out of the box. I am not a competitive shooter, only a pinker, and my set-up leaves a lot to be desired. I shoot usually at a 50 yard indoor range that has what amounts to a plank about 3 feet wide by about 18” deep, leaving no way to support my right elbow. Still, shooting over a bag my BMR was allowing me to shoot about as well as I am able with all rounds touching at 50 yards when I did my part. My BMR is a 22WMR and I did nothing more than mount a scope and clean it up before taking it to the range. My bolt is also very smooth. Needless to say that I was very happy with my results. Hopefully you will find your solution easily, but if not I understand Bergara has a pretty good CS.

 

I am hoping that tweaking the action screw torques will straighten it out. I am mostly familiar with CZ's and they can be pretty sensitive to a difference of a inch pound or two on the action screws. The bolt was beginning to smooth out some at the end of the session so hopefully it will just get better with age. I certainly will not give up on the rifle until it has 500 to 1000 rounds down the pipe and had a long talk with Mr. Torque Screwdriver. So far the SK Long Range has performed best overall with around a .6 average for 5 groups. Four shots would go into one hole then a (censored) flyer a half inch out. TAC .22 had one amazing .25 group but the other 4 were over a inch. I was totally surprised when neither of the Lapua flavors would group under .75, I have never met a rimfire that hated Lapua

 

Take a look at the pictures I posted in this thread:

Easing BMR bolt

From day one, my new Bergara BMR action was very tight and crunchy. So, I oiled it and cycled the bolt/action a few hundred times. It got a little bit smoother, but it was mainly due to the Cerakote finish wearing off the bolt. I noticed that the bolt slides very smoothly when the bolt release...

www.rimfirecentral.com

In addition to the bolt release tab dragging against the bolt, I found burrs on the inside of the receiver where the drilled and tapped screw holes for the scope rail come through the top of the receiver.

If you remove the bolt, you can stick your little finger into the receiver and feel for the burrs.

The bolt was also really stiff cocking the action. I polished and smoothed the ramp and top corner of the bolt where the cocking takes place. This helped a lot.

 

I'm about where you're at with yours regarding round count and accuracy. I bought mine middle of last summer and haven't had time to give it it's due, so I owe it more time and effort. I plan to bed it and stiffen up the stock before Spring.

I haven't shot it since last fall as it's too cold here, but the last time I had mine out was after I did the trigger mod which lowered the pull to just under 1 lb which improved my results. But I can't say I would be ready to shoot it in a match - yet.

My rifle is a steel barrel. A friend bought a carbon barreled BMR the same week I bought mine. He put a Triggertech diamond in his and was shooting 2350 to 2400 with his using SK long range. He tested a lot of ammo to get there tough.

Reducing the spring pressure on the bolt release lever vastly reduces the gritty bolt.

 

Sounds like your BMR is like mine. Some rifles will improve a little over time but I've never had one go from bad to good. More like bad to a little less bad or really good to even better.

It has nothing to do with the bolt release dragging or the bolt cocking roughly. My rifle has neither of those issues. Even if it did, correcting that may make it operate better but it won't effect how it shoots.

I've been over mine several times, including slugging the barrel and putting a Jewel trigger in it. I can't figure out why it doesn't shoot better than it does. It's a really nice little rifle but should shoot better. I guess I'm spoiled by how well most of my other bolt-action rifles shoot.

 

thanks for the tips all.

looks like mine is leaning toward SK long Range also. I plan on doing the trigger mod this week. I am also thinking Iosso compound and a Dremel polishing wheel might hasten the wear in process on the bolt. I saw one video where the guy polished the firing pin on a B14, I am wondering of some of the flyers could be a ignition issue. Personal issues and crap weather will put the action screw tuning out a few days but I am kind of excited to see if I can turn this thing into a silk purse.

One of our regular ARA match shooters had never shot in regular match started last year with his BMR. His first few scores barely broke 1000 and now he shooting 1800 and 1900's consistently. I would bet he will break into the 2000's next match. I know his bolt and trigger is silky smooth. His rifle is the main reason I decided to try one. For those who have never tried a match, don't be afraid to try one. Everyone starts somewhere and you will get a lot of tips on equipment and technique if you ask, and sometimes even if you don't lol. Us rimfire guy tend to be a pretty friendly bunch

 

.... I am wondering of some of the flyers could be a ignition issue.

I thought ignition might be the issue with mine. I wasn't pleased with the overly wide strike so I pulled the firing pin and turned down the tip so the strike was similar to my T1x. I did some light polishing but I don't think it really needed it. There was no improvement with how it shoots. It still throws random crazy fliers

I was hoping to use the BMR as a back up rifle for ARA factory class. At this point I'd just get frustrated shooting it in a match. I know my 452 American is capable of shooting a 2500. I'll stick to using that as my back up

 

Sounds like you did everything you could, now it is my turn. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve

 

The odd thing about my BMR is that it actually shoots reasonably well. If it wasn't for the crazy fliers I'd be satisfied.

Let us know what you find. In the meantime, I'm not ready to give up on mine yet.

 

Mine had ~750 rounds, it never stopped spraying. Tried action torque from 25# thru 55#, nothing worked.

Mine was a lemon. Returned to mother ship after 3 months.

Trigger was top notch though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

There is a YouTube reviewer that had the same kind of issues. He was close to giving up on it but decided to send it back to Bergara. When it came back to him it was much improved.

 

That's got to be frustrating. My bmr is a 17hmr. I checked the torque upon receiving and initial cleaning. 55# front and back. Bolt was rough. Trigger was very nice. Still in ammo testing but looks like 20g over 17g. I just sprayed some Kroil on the bolt. Pretty wet. Let it sit for a half hour or so. I ran bolt for maybe half hour. Cleaned everything up it's very smooth now. Fortunately my rifle is shooting extremely well. Anschutz 1717D, Tikka, Bergara, Steyr z2 in that order. The Bergara and Steyr are still in what I consider ammo testing, break in period. All I can figure is production rifles, whatever brand can certainly generate a pos. Keep the faith until you can't.

 

JimSC I have a steel barreled BMR. I haven't measured the group lately. SK standard shoots very good for me.
I did do a trigger mod to reduce the weight. The biggest thing I found is that you CAN'T let the rifle free recoil.
I have to hold it tight to my shoulder or I will get a flier.

I'm using the BMR to shoot NRL22 and I've been competitive against CZ's and Ruger's.

JT

 

The biggest thing I found is that you CAN'T let the rifle free recoil.
I have to hold it tight to my shoulder or I will get a flier.

I'm using the BMR to shoot NRL22 and I've been competitive against CZ's and Ruger's.

JT

Thanks, that is some great advice. The free recoil could very well be my problem with the flyers. I normally shoot with nothing but my thumb on the trigger guard and forefinger on the trigger touching. I will try use tight hold next range session and see if that helps. I know that the BMRs are capable, we have a shooter who uses one and he is doing pretty darn good this year. edit -looking at my target all three SK flavors I tried gave me those 3 - 4 in a ragged hole the other 1 - 2 out in left field groups

 

I handled a few Bergara rimfires and bought one - a BXR only because I had a $180 reward card. I would never buy another of any of their models until they start using quality control. It seems they aren't using any now.

Tikka beats them hands down and all around in the same price range.

 

I would never buy another of any of their models until they start using quality control. It seems they aren't using any now.

Tikka beats them hands down and all around in the same price range.

I totally understand. If my experience had been better I would have been ordering a B-14 this week. I had a problem with one of my CZ's during the December match and did not have my backup with me and, friend loaned me his T1X backup for the last three targets. It shot good but not great with the SK pistol Match Special that I had but that could have been on me being unfamiliar with the rifle. When I clean out some of the culls in the rimfire safe a Tikka just might find a home there

 

Well I made some progress this morning. The roughness issue was due to cerakote on the top of the magazine stop and the hex screw that holds it in place rubbing against the bottom of the bolt. I polished up the follower and the 2 flats on the rifles bolt. I also add small bevels where the bolt and follower to allow the bolt to glide onto the follower. Bolt operation roughness is acceptable and about on par with any mid priced bolt gun such as a CZ or Tikka. Tomorrow I should be able to get some range time to work on those flyers

 

Got any pictures?

 

I will take some "after" pictures later of the bolt and the magazine stop tonight. If I had thought about it I would have done some "before" pics where you could see the marks on the cerakote where it was rubbing. I 'll probably do a bit of polishing on the cocking ramp of the bolt and the lug also

One thing I am not thrilled with is the trigger pull. Even after modding it is a bit stiff for me. Still I don't want to drop a 300 dollar trigger into a 450 dollar gun unless it is a hummer

 

ok here is a pic of the magazine stop and bottom of the bolt assembly after polishing. The dark area on the bottom third is where I burred the serial number.

While I had the bolt out of the action I went ahead and polished all the cerakote from the rest of the bolt and polished the bolt release and the locking lug. I won't say the bolt is as smooth as a 4K rifle but there is a night and day difference from what is was straight from the box. I used felt wheels on the Dremel along with Iosso paste but JB bore compound or Flitz would work. Not saying this would cure every ones issues and also unsure if this would void the warranty so if you decide to try this keep that in mind
edit - it is hard to tell from this picture but the bolt and the two contact areas on the magazine follower that the bolt slides on are now bare metal and mirror shiny

 

Last range session the rifle did really well for the first 3 groups all down in the .5 inch range. Then the right extractor disappeared to God only knows where, down the barrel maybe ? Anyway the accuracy went to heck at the same time and it started shooting 2 inch groups with SK long range at 50 yards. I have a RMA request in so it is hopefully it will be headed back to the mothership this week. Time to test Bergara's customer service. I'll bump this thread periodically as things progress

 

No kidding?! That's awful. I sure hope Bergara gets you squared away quickly.

 

supposedly they have great CS according to most forum posts on the subject, I guess we will see. This rifle has been a lemon from day one, others seem to have much better luck than I did. I have used at least 10 barrels from Criterion, one of the early ones just would not shoot for anything. Criterion made it right for me and I am still using their barrels to this day. If Bergara makes good on this rifle I won't hesitate on giving a B14 R a try

 

I hope you have better luck than me : When THEY yielded 0.684 inch @ 50 yd with THEIR “best” group, using THEIR premium ammo, and considered as “within spec”, i offered them to recheck or replace the barrel, they basically told me “don’t bother”.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Well if I could get it to shoot a 3/4 inch group I'd stick a $150 scope on it and give it to the son in law and just forget about it. I honestly did not expect much for 450 dollars but so far it has not delivered even minimum expectations

 

I really like my BMR Steel. However it is a difficult rifle to shoot because it is so light and seems to react during the initial firing stage. I can't really free recoil shoot it. It is a bit like shooting a spring powered air rifle in that there is a lot of activity with it from trigger pull to the point the round fires. I have to grip it just right. As such some days it does amazing and other days awful.

 

what are you using for a front rest?

 

I use a Sinclair F class bipod on all my sporter rifles, it's extremely stable. I shot a 2450 yesterday using it with my CZ, unfortunately it was not a official match, just wind reading practice. I know on the internet it is never the shooters fault, But this time it really is the rifle.

edit - just received the repair approval and UPS label, now we shall see how Begaras CS is

 

I have not found a Sinclair F Class bipod yet so I am using a bipod. Had a good practice last week but a poor match. Of course it was the winds fault. so I am using a CZ 457 Match and a sightron scope along with Midas + so yes, it must have been the wind😆😆

 

wind flags, make em from driveway poles and surveyors tape or buy them commercial like the Graham Wind Flags then use them. Then practice on windy days, not calm days. That way if the match has bad wind you know what to do, if the match occurs on a calm day you are golden. My best score was shot on a day where the wind was blowing the backers off the targets stands and rattling the steel roof over the shooting line. I zero on a condition then only shoot on that condition, I don't "shade" my aimpoint unless the time is running low

Sinclair Bipod $199

Tier 1 Bipod $425

Back to topic, BMR is boxed and wrapped, wil be in UPS 's hands after lunch. I ran a couple of dry patches down it then borescoped it before I packaged it. I did not see any obvious damage but the bolt face may have a scar. I wish I could air gage it but that is beyond most home hobbyists

 

Bon voyage! Please keep us posted on how it turns out, hope they will resolve the issue to your satisfaction , just like mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This is main reason my BMR is currently up for sale. It was a rare day when it actually shot < .50 @50ys with Center X or Midas. Gun is too light for serious accuracy but I knew that going in but still wanted to try.
WTH, I'm retired and it's what I like to spend my retirement on.