Earlier this year, I showed the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest in .308 Winchester. You all asked for 7mm PRC — here it is!
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About the Bergara B-142 Crest
This rifle has a unique combination of ultra lightweight rifle features and is an Ultimate Reloader favorite. It has a Monocoque carbon fiber stock, B-14 action, 4140 chrome moly fluted barrel, muzzle brake, and a detachable box magazine. Now we have it in 7mm PRC, my first factory long action rifle.
From Bergara:
THE NEW B-14 SQUARED CONCEPT IS ANCHORED BY A MONOCOQUE STOCK. CREATED 100% IN CARBON FIBER, THIS STOCK HAS AN INTERNAL SPINE THAT PROVIDES GREATER RIGIDITY AND STRENGTH, MAKING IT NEARLY INDESTRUCTIBLE.
FEATURING THIS NEW STOCK, OUR B-14 ACTION AND OUR WELL-KNOWN BARRELS, WE’VE BLENDED ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF THE B-14 MODEL SERIES INTO SOMETHING UNIQUE, WHICH WE HAVE CALLED B-14 SQUARED.
Designed for the highest standard of mountain hunting adventures, the B-14 Squared Crest is an ultralight high-performance rifle inspired to meet the needs of the most demanding backcountry hunters. This 100% carbon fiber stock is designed with industry leading technologies to withstand anything you throw at it.
Barrel: 4140 CrMo Steel
Finish: Sniper Grey Cerakote®
Stock: 100% Carbon Fiber with Carbon Spine
Calibers: .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 300 Win Mag, 7mm PRC
This gun comes with a threaded muzzle, thin matched profile radial brake, and thread protector as well.
What’s in the Box
Here’s what you’ll find in the box:
- B-14 Squared Crest rifle (shown with optional 20 MOA rail) – bolt is shipped in box separate
- Length of pull spacers
- Thread protector
- Owner’s manual
Testing
I’ve done a lot of shooting with this rifle in a variety of scenarios. Though it adds a bit of weight to the gun and is large, I really like the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56 on this gun, though something smaller is also appropriate. For a magnum rifle with a lightweight carbon stock, I welcome some extra weight in a scope for reduced recoil.
I started off shooting with the included radial brake from the Ultradyne UD Launch Pad, using an ARCA rail from Salmon River Solutions.
This setup mitigated almost all recoil. I sighted the gun in at 100 yards and then set about testing reloads.
I previously had great success in my 7mm PRC Freedom Rifle and 7mm PRC full-custom Bergara with the 180 grain Hornady ELD-M bullet. I consulted Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center and settled on a mild 60 grains of H1000 with a 180 grain Hornady ELD-M. I also traded the brake for the BANISH 30 suppressor in the seven-inch configuration and added the MDT double-pull CKYE-POD.
With the CKYE-POD in front and Armageddon Gear Game Changer in back, I settled into prone to confirm zero with the BANISH 30.
Two separate three-shot groups settled into an approximately half inch each at 100 yards. This correlates with the 0.570” three-shot group I fired with the .308 B-14 Squared Crest. I had also tested our first Crest on the TriggerScan TS-11, which revealed a smooth 1.6 lb. trigger pull.
Next came three shots at 700 yards, hitting steel (smaller than elk vitals) each time. (I fired four shots total, one just below the steel. I accidentally spun my turret and corrected the issue for the next three.) I also did some positional shooting, offhand and a hunting position off a log.
Recoil Signatures
The 7mm PRC Crest is a pleasure to shoot. I decided to compare its recoil signature to the .308 Crest. Both are nearly identical.
Conclusion
The Bergara B-14 Squared Crest is an incredibly consistent, accurate, lightweight hunting rifle with great features and a quality trigger out of the box. I’m eager to hunt with this rifle as is, which is saying a lot!
Get the Gear
Bergara B-142 Crest – MSRP starting at $1,999
Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56 at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Hornady 7mm 180 grain ELD-M Bullets at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Hodgdon H1000 at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Salmon River Solutions ARCA Rail
Silencer Central has pioneered the Silence Made Simple program. Once you pick out a silencer from Silencer Central, they handle the paperwork, set up a trust, and send the suppressor to your door at no extra cost. The BANISH 30 has an MSRP of $999.
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
