Brand new Bergara B14 Ridge in 7mm-08

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LocoGringo

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I just took possession of my brand new Bergara B14 Ridge in 7mm-08 and want to maximize its potential. I know it's not a match rifle and a "1 MOA guarantee" is a great marketing ploy, but not really applicable. This rifle will be a hunting rifle for me and matches the caliber I made my son's custom bolt gun. The barrels are the same length (22") and threaded, but his barrel is a Krieger. I'm not trying to compete with him, but I'd like to get the most out of my rifle that I can.

In the owner's manual, there actually is a "break in" procedure. It is as follows:
For the first 5 shots, clean the rifle after each shot.
For the next 50 shots, clean the rifle after every 10 shots.
For subsequent shots, clean the rifle frequently

What I have done is clean the rifle thoroughly (there was a surprising amount of copper) and even used a little bit of JB Bore Bright (the mildest stuff they make). I will handload for this rifle, but should I start hand loading after the break in procedure, or begin ASAP? What is your experience with a rifle settling in after a brand new purchase?
 
IMHO - "break in" is snake oil for a factory rifle - regardless of what the manufacturer says.

I'd advise that you take the rifle, clean it (which you already did), and then just shoot and clean on your normal regiment. YMMV but that's my personal viewpoint.
 
Every rifle ever made will shoot a little more accurately after it has a few rounds through a new barrel. And will start to lose accuracy after too many rounds and no cleaning. How many rounds before it reaches its potential and when accuracy starts to drop off depends on the individual rifle. Better quality barrels start to shoot accurately sooner and maintain that accuracy longer. Other rifles may well be just as accurate long term, but it may take more rounds through it before you reach that point. And fewer rounds before accuracy suffers and it needs to be cleaned.

The barrel can't count. It doesn't know how many rounds were through it between cleanings. The only possible advantage to cleaning after every shot, or even every 10 shots initially is that a rough barrel might be easier to clean if it is done more frequently in the early stages.

I don't doubt that it is a good idea to clean a new barrel more often. But I don't buy the strict regimen listed above.
 
So for load testing, would you begin hand loading immediately, or would you shoot it a bit to let it "settle" and then begin load testing? The point being that the rifle needs to be shot and it may take a significant amount of rounds before "peak" accuracy potential occurs. Do you wait for that point or do you start loading from the beginning? Can one get precise hand loads before the barrel is seasoned?

I haven't decided if I'm going to do the break in procedure or not. I kind of think it's a load of malarky too, but does it hurt...probably not.
 
The bore will get smoother and slicker as you break it in and velocities will get somewhat faster. Yes clean it often in this process but I agree I don't know about that strict of a regime.
 
All of my Bergara rifles have been excellent from the get go, both pre-owned and new out of the box, with no break-in period. I honestly do not know why they are not more popular. I think you will really enjoy it. If not, let me know. I really like the 7-08 and Bergara rifles. Good shooting.
 
It wouldn't hurt to follow factory recommendations. Not many are going to though. In my experience clean rifles shoot better, especially when new. I tend to clean the rifle after I get home which means no cleaning between shots. But I clean pretty thoroughly. I think it's important not to let copper and carbon to build up. That's what match winners do.
 
LocoGringo said:
So for load testing, would you begin hand loading immediately, or would you shoot it a bit to let it "settle" and then begin load testing? The point being that the rifle needs to be shot and it may take a significant amount of rounds before "peak" accuracy potential occurs. Do you wait for that point or do you start loading from the beginning? Can one get precise hand loads before the barrel is seasoned?

I haven't decided if I'm going to do the break in procedure or not. I kind of think it's a load of malarky too, but does it hurt...probably not.
Click to expand...

Just me, my situations different from a lot of guys as my range is in my back yard, no special range trip to break in and I can "break in" a barrel over a period of time..

I don't get serious about finding "THE" load(s) until I've got about 50-60 rds down the barrel due to them often speeding up. I always follow the manufacture's break in recommendation, and since most of them say "watch what the barrel is telling you" as far as how much break in is required it's not a big deal. While I haven't really seen an accuracy difference with following a break-in procedure, I have seen a difference in how easy a barrel cleans afterwards.

By the time I've done break in, initial zero'd the scope, done some pressure test loads, played around with the rifle a bit I'm at about the 50 rd mark. During break in etc. I'm usually getting used to the rifle, so I'll come up with a middle of the road load, and just practice with it for a while.
 
LocoGringo said:
So for load testing, would you begin hand loading immediately, or would you shoot it a bit to let it "settle" and then begin load testing? The point being that the rifle needs to be shot and it may take a significant amount of rounds before "peak" accuracy potential occurs. Do you wait for that point or do you start loading from the beginning? Can one get precise hand loads before the barrel is seasoned?
Click to expand...

I think you'll have to handload as factory loads seem to be unobtainable, at least they are in my world. Finding brass may be a problem also. Best of luck.
 
bihj said:
I think you'll have to handload as factory loads seem to be unobtainable, at least they are in my world. Finding brass may be a problem also. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

It's not something I normally do as I loathe headstamps that don't match the cartridge, but in a pinch you can certainly also take .308 Winchester brass (which is much more available) and just neck it down in a 7mm-08 die and still load perfectly fine ammo.

Just put a marker mark or something on the case to indicate that its different and not really a .308 - particularly if you also have a rifle in that caliber. I did the same when I first got my .257 Roberts. I couldn't find any actual .257 brass so I just bought 7x57 Mauser and necked it down.
 
bihj said:
I think you'll have to handload as factory loads seem to be unobtainable, at least they are in my world. Finding brass may be a problem also. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
I have 80 rounds left from the stash I bought my son for his rifle. Now that I'm loading for his rifle, ammo is not a problem...nor is brass as I have 99 Remington brass cases and 90 Hornady brass cases.

mgmorden said:
It's not something I normally do as I loathe headstamps that don't match the cartridge, but in a pinch you can certainly also take .308 Winchester brass (which is much more available) and just neck it down in a 7mm-08 die and still load perfectly fine ammo.

Just put a marker mark or something on the case to indicate that its different and not really a .308 - particularly if you also have a rifle in that caliber. I did the same when I first got my .257 Roberts. I couldn't find any actual .257 brass so I just bought 7x57 Mauser and necked it down.
Click to expand...
This is partly why I chose this caliber for his rifle. I have a BOATLOAD of .308 brass and plan on necking it down for both of our rifles. I have heard multiple times about mixing up the cases because of their similarities which is why I planned on coloring the head in blue sharpie to indicate formed 7-08 brass. Thank you for the recommendation.

I think what I'll do is use about 40 rounds of the factory to test the rifle, be thorough in cleaning and slow in shooting, and follow the break recommendation. It will be a good day at the range when I do this as I view range time as "lethal meditation". That will also give me 20 more cases of Remington and 20 more cases of Hornady to process and add to the pile of reloadable cases. I look forward to breaking her in.

On a side note, the factory trigger is FANTASTIC! I'm very surprised at how crisp and relatively light it is. I didn't expect that. I was expecting to have to make some adjustments on the trigger, but I absolutely will NOT do that now.
 
A fellow can use the little metal stamp punches to alter the "8" in to a "7" ... may not be perfectly clear but you will know which brass is which ...slide the brass onto a rod that will just slip into the brass.... the ".308" size will give more support...

I used "X" out the 7 on 7 mm Remington mag brass to ... make it "different for my .264 Winchester Mag brass..
 
My last 4 rifles, new barrels, I did 1 shot, clean, 5Xs. Then 2 shots, clean 5Xs. 15 shots I was done. I used factory for all 4. Then nothing but reloads after. Actually, I was waiting for the dies to arrive when I did the break in. And I have the ability to shoot 40 yards from my reloading room.

Like was said, it may not improve accuracy. But those are the easiest cleaning guns I own. And 3 of the 4 are outstanding shooters, still working with the 4th.

Do they shoot good because I did the break in? Or would they shoot just as well if I didn’t? I don’t have the answer for that.
 
kalielkslayer said:
My last 4 rifles, new barrels, I did 1 shot, clean, 5Xs. Then 2 shots, clean 5Xs. 15 shots I was done. I used factory for all 4. Then nothing but reloads after. Actually, I was waiting for the dies to arrive when I did the break in. And I have the ability to shoot 40 yards from my reloading room.

Like was said, it may not improve accuracy. But those are the easiest cleaning guns I own. And 3 of the 4 are outstanding shooters, still working with the 4th.

Do they shoot good because I did the break in? Or would they shoot just as well if I didn’t? I don’t have the answer for that.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, there's no way to know if the break in improved accuracy or not, but it's good to know that it may help in making cleaning easier.
 
JimKirk said:
A fellow can use the little metal stamp punches to alter the "8" in to a "7" ... may not be perfectly clear but you will know which brass is which ...slide the brass onto a rod that will just slip into the brass.... the ".308" size will give more support...

I used "X" out the 7 on 7 mm Remington mag brass to ... make it "different for my .264 Winchester Mag brass..
Click to expand...
This gives me an idea...would one damage anything by simply taking a punch and putting a divot over the "3" in .308? I'm sure that my method of taking a blue sharpie and coloring the head would be no good after polishing since I wet polish.
 
I put a flat ended metal rod that will slide in the brass ...put in vise and drop brass onto rod ...this supports the head and does not damage it ... stamp the "X" over the 7 ... and hit the stamp punch lightly ... have learn how hard the hit ...
I use the markers for temporary marking ...but as you say it is gone after cleaning...
I would not get too close to the edge of the rim as bending is possible...
 
I have that exact rifle and love it. It takes very little effort to work up 1/2 MOA loads. I did follow the suggested break in, and used handloads during that period, but didn't start working on favorites until I got through the break in. Hope you enjoy it.
 
LocoGringo said:
Unfortunately, there's no way to know if the break in improved accuracy or not, but it's good to know that it may help in making cleaning easier.
Click to expand...

Exactly!

3 were Savages, 1 was a Douglas Supreme barrel. The custom barrel is still rough inside, and shoots better dirty which kinda makes sense.

But it’s now putting 3 touching bullets together at 200 yards, consistently.
 
JimKirk said:
I put a flat ended metal rod that will slide in the brass ...put in vise and drop brass onto rod ...this supports the head and does not damage it ... stamp the "X" over the 7 ... and hit the stamp punch lightly ... have learn how hard the hit ...
I use the markers for temporary marking ...but as you say it is gone after cleaning...
I would not get too close to the edge of the rim as bending is possible...
Click to expand...
I think if you put a 7mm-08 in a 308 by accident and fired it there would be no damage. I am wondering if the shoulders would be slightly different to prevent chambering
 
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