Bergara Ridge - One year review

[md7]

Got a bergara ridge SP in 308 Win a year ago. Here’s some feedback for anyone that’s in the market for a hunting rig.

The process began with barrel break in. Necessary or not, it’s just what I like to do. Bore was cleaned after each shot for the first 10 rounds. Bore was cleaned every 2 shots for rounds 11-20. Following the first 20, I ran another 15-20 just to get rounds through and maybe to help smoothen any imperfections.

Around 40 rounds in, I started shooting 3 shot groups with assorted ammo and varying grains. Groups below:

- Barnes VorTx 130 gr was 2+” at 100 yards.

- Winchester XP 150 gr. 3/4” to 7/8” groups at 100 yards. I was surprised it ran so well

- Norma Whitetail 150 gr. 1.75” to 2” at 100 yards

- Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gr. Slightly less than 3/4” and pretty consistent.

- Federal Fusion 165 gr. Approximately 1.75” at 100

It’s pretty clear the rifle works well with the XP 150 gr and the 168 gr Federal Gold Medal Match. It did not like the others listed. Maybe this is limited to my case, but if you get one be prepared to experiment with ammo to find a good load.

For now, I’m hunting with the 150 gr XP. I wish I had used cold bore 3 shot groups. All groups listed above were not cold bore. After season, I’ll be running other types of ammo and weights AND allowing the barrel to cool between shots. For no other reason than I think this rifle has potential, I’m interested to see if a cold bore tightens the groups, and I’m curious. Plus I like to shoot, so why not?

Don’t have a trigger gauge, and will subjectively say the trigger borders on excellent in my opinion and I like it.

The bolt is smooth, and no extraction issues as of yet. I like the stock. It’s the right amount of grip and texture without being gooey or abrasive. Goldy Locks….. just right. Barrel is threaded. So if you’re looking for a suppressed rig, this may be a good option to consider.

My personal thoughts. Very pleased with the rifle, would get another one, and look forward to deer season.

Hope this is helpful to someone.

 

[LoonWulf]

Thanks for the report!

I set up a friend's ridge in 7RM a couple years ago. I don't think I actually shot the gun.....tho I may have sighted it.
I was quite impressed with the fit and finish. The barrels an interesting profile, and does a decent job of keeping the gun from being front heavy.

 

[md7]

Thanks for the report!

I set up a friend's ridge in 7RM a couple years ago. I don't think I actually shot the gun.....tho I may have sighted it.
I was quite impressed with the fit and finish. The barrels an interesting profile, and does a decent job of keeping the gun from being front heavy.

I particularly like the Ridge in 18” or 20” as a suppressor host. Maybe the barrel profile aids in that. Seems like it.

I’ve found 2 loads that are MOA or measure just under it. The only knock so far is that it is a picky barrel. But maybe that’s par for the course?

 

[LoonWulf]

I particularly like the Ridge in 18” or 20” as a suppressor host. Maybe the barrel profile aids in that. Seems like it.

I’ve found 2 loads that are MOA or measure just under it. The only knock so far is that it is a picky barrel. But maybe that’s par for the course?

Ive had some experience with Bergara tubes but not a ton.
My Timber in 06 was never stupendous, but it was a solid 1-1.5moa rifle. My Dads 6.5cm Premier HMR is pretty stupendous.....buuut ive never owned a +MOA 6.5CM, so maybe cheating.

Reports ive read seem to indicate they can be kinda finicky, but when u find a load they like they tend to shoot very well.

 

[rayatphonix]

I have 4 Bergara rifles. The 308 version shoots well with about anything I load. The only factory ammo I’ve tried is Norma Whitetail, and mine shoots sub-MOA groups with it. Another is a #3 taper in 6.5 CM. It took a long time to find good loads for it, but now I have 3 or 4 sub-MOA loads for it. The 6mm CM rifle has been frustrating, much like the previous rifle, but it seems to get better with age. my experience with these barrels is they take a while to settle down, but once they do, they’re excellent.

 

[JmacD]

A buddy of mine has an hmr in 300 PRC. That barrel has proven to be quite picky! It appears that staball HD and a 212 eldx is all it wants to eat. I’m also disappointed that they appear to not be utilizing the “proper” faster twist that some of the new/PRC cartridges need to do what they are supposed to. That said, I am impressed with them, and I came much closer than I could afford to adding one in 270 to the herd the other day. Lol.

 

[marksman13]

I’ve zeroed a couple of Ridges for buddies. Both were 300 Win Mags and both shot 180 grain Hornady Superformance SSTs well. They are nice rifles for sure.

 

[Speedo66]

Photos?

 

[md7]

Photos?

I’ll see what I can do!

 

[JmacD]

Got a bergara ridge SP in 308 Win a year ago. Here’s some feedback for anyone that’s in the market for a hunting rig.

The process began with barrel break in. Necessary or not, it’s just what I like to do. Bore was cleaned after each shot for the first 10 rounds. Bore was cleaned every 2 shots for rounds 11-20. Following the first 20, I ran another 15-20 just to get rounds through and maybe to help smoothen any imperfections.

Around 40 rounds in, I started shooting 3 shot groups with assorted ammo and varying grains. Groups below:

- Barnes VorTx 130 gr was 2+” at 100 yards.

- Winchester XP 150 gr. 3/4” to 7/8” groups at 100 yards. I was surprised it ran so well

- Norma Whitetail 150 gr. 1.75” to 2” at 100 yards

- Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gr. Slightly less than 3/4” and pretty consistent.

- Federal Fusion 165 gr. Approximately 1.75” at 100

It’s pretty clear the rifle works well with the XP 150 gr and the 168 gr Federal Gold Medal Match. It did not like the others listed. Maybe this is limited to my case, but if you get one be prepared to experiment with ammo to find a good load.

For now, I’m hunting with the 150 gr XP. I wish I had used cold bore 3 shot groups. All groups listed above were not cold bore. After season, I’ll be running other types of ammo and weights AND allowing the barrel to cool between shots. For no other reason than I think this rifle has potential, I’m interested to see if a cold bore tightens the groups, and I’m curious. Plus I like to shoot, so why not?

Don’t have a trigger gauge, and will subjectively say the trigger borders on excellent in my opinion and I like it.

The bolt is smooth, and no extraction issues as of yet. I like the stock. It’s the right amount of grip and texture without being gooey or abrasive. Goldy Locks….. just right. Barrel is threaded. So if you’re looking for a suppressed rig, this may be a good option to consider.

My personal thoughts. Very pleased with the rifle, would get another one, and look forward to deer season.

Hope this is helpful to someone.

Isn’t the ridge the same as the wilderness without the standard brake?

 

[md7]

Isn’t the ridge the same as the wilderness without the standard brake?

Far as I can tell, the differences are the Ridge is black cerakote vs grey cerakote on the wilderness.

The Ridge has a black stock, whereas the Wilderness version is camo, and lastly the Ridge comes with thread protector whereas the Wilderness version comes with a brake.

Those are the differences I’m aware of, off the cuff.

 

[jmr40]

That is pretty much the same experience that I had with 2 of those rifles. The 1st one was the Ridge with a 24" barrel and I got similar groups with every load I tried. Not HORRIBLE and probably acceptable for hunting, but I didn't buy it as a hunting rifle. I really expected much better accuracy and sold it.

But I liked it well enough to try the Wilderness Ridge with a 20" barrel a couple of years later. It shot about the same. Just over 1" was the best I could get, and most loads were closer to 1.5" or more. These were the same loads that would consistently shoot under 1", often closer to 1/2", in my Winchester and Tikka 308's.

I REALLY wanted to like this one so I sent it back to Bergara hoping it would come back shooting better. They tweaked a few things and returned it with a .4" 3 shot group on a target. But with 168gr Federal Gold Match ammo. Which was selling for around $60 for a box of 20. If I could have found any at the time.

With my handloads it didn't shoot any better than before. As much as I wanted to like it, I let it go too.

 

[md7]

That is pretty much the same experience that I had with 2 of those rifles. The 1st one was the Ridge with a 24" barrel and I got similar groups with every load I tried. Not HORRIBLE and probably acceptable for hunting, but I didn't buy it as a hunting rifle. I really expected much better accuracy and sold it.

But I liked it well enough to try the Wilderness Ridge with a 20" barrel a couple of years later. It shot about the same. Just over 1" was the best I could get, and most loads were closer to 1.5" or more. These were the same loads that would consistently shoot under 1", often closer to 1/2", in my Winchester and Tikka 308's.

I REALLY wanted to like this one so I sent it back to Bergara hoping it would come back shooting better. They tweaked a few things and returned it with a .4" 3 shot group on a target. But with 168gr Federal Gold Match ammo. Which was selling for around $60 for a box of 20. If I could have found any at the time.

With my handloads it didn't shoot any better than before. As much as I wanted to like it, I let it go too.

Mine is a hunting rifle and I’m satisfied with the sub MOA groups from the two ammo types that run well. I can live just fine with 3/4” groups for what I’m doing.

However, this barrel is picky. Some ammo it likes, and some it just won’t run. Mine likes the 150 XP, and really likes the 168 Gold Medal Match

 

[md7]

Here’s a few pics of groups. Should’ve written something on the target to remember specifics better.

But off memory, here’s a pic of 168gr FGMM with a center to center group size of 3/4” I believe. Two shots left, one right.



This next one is 150 XP. Group size on this also at 100, and just a touch under 1”. I think it was 7/8” center to center but not 100% positive.

Note to self…. Use sharpies to write on targets in future!



These two loads have been fairly consistent.