Cold steel & carbon copy

LAST year I reviewed the Bergara B-14R, a rimfire training model that simulates the company’s centrefire B-14 HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle), a rifle built on the Remington 700 footprint which was intended for both hunting and match applications. The B-14R had a quasi-tactical stock with integrated mini-chassis and a short No. 6 contour bull barrel. With an overall length from 970mm to 1010mm depending on the barrel length, and a weight of 3.7kg together with over-large dimensions, the B-14R didn’t hold a lot of appeal for Aussie small-game hunters. They preferred to await the arrival of the Bergara Micro Rimfire (BMR) series, which is lighter and handier in the traditional rimfire mould.

Like the B-14R, the BMR is available in two models, Steel and Carbon. Both have a 460mm No. 6 taper barrel, one made from 4140-steel and the other with carbon-fibre wrapped barrel. Both barrels are threaded ½”-28 and have a thread protector. Both models are also produced with a 510mm (20”) barrel option, which increases the rifle’s overall