Bergara B14R. Accuracy problems

David Lewis · Oct 28, 2022

I have a B14R that is giving me fits. I believe I have found the issue but wanted some reassurance. It boils down to this….

Will a pressure on the tenon of a barrel cause accuracy issues. I believe I have somehow gotten a piece of lead in between the tenon of my barrel and the front action screw. Not sure how it got there but I know it’s being pressed on by the front action screw. See pics. First pic is looking into the action screw hole from the bottom of the receiver. Notice the mystery item inside the threaded hole. Second pic is of the bottom of the front action screw and it has what appears to be a perfect impression of said mystery item.

I do not believe this to be a tenon thread peeled up. It seems very soft but is also proving very difficult to remove. If it is lead it is likely smashed into the threads of the tenon.

I have a mill at the house and am contemplating milling the mystery item out but if anyone has a good reason not to I would love to hear it. I am not a gunsmith. I am just trying to shoot 22’s accurately and I am having a very hard time doing so right now.

Thanks in advance!

mick243 · Oct 29, 2022

if it has marked the top of the action screw, it is harder than said screw, and therefore is not lead....

yes crap in action screw holes can have a detrimental effect on accuracy/precision.

I would be leaning strongly toward suspecting that it IS a bit of displaced tennon or action thread, and I would not attack it with a milling machine in situ - I would pull the barrel and inspect the threads, bearing in mind that if it is a bit of damaged thread, removing the barrel may well destroy it or the action. if you are an awesome machinist, the mill may be the answer, dont hit the thread in the receiver, just hit the tiny area of the tennon thread.

OTOH, how old is the gun, is sending it back for warranty work an option?

King_beardsly · Oct 30, 2022

Mine has the same material in the front action hole and I believe it’s part or the barrel thread, but I haven’t had any issues with accuracy due to it being there.

What sort of accuracy are you getting out of the rifle currently and have to messed around with different ammunition to see if it like one more then an other. Accuracy with a 22 is sorta like black magic, sometimes stuff can’t be explained but simply just works

vaguru · Oct 30, 2022

Maybe just shorten the action screw so it doesn't hit whatever is in there.

tomcatfan · Oct 30, 2022

vaguru said:
Maybe just shorten the action screw so it doesn't hit whatever is in there.

I had to do this when putting my b14r into a bravo. Took several washers in the bravo to do the trick.

Tsovern · Oct 30, 2022

Interesting.

David Lewis · Oct 31, 2022

So after many headaches. The obstruction is removed. I have a new factory steel barrel on the way. I went ahead and machined into the tenon thread because if it was a ruined thread then removing the barrel from the action would likely screw up the threads on the action. So when the new barrel arrived I will update post with pics of old barrel.

Accuracy was way hit and miss. Like I would shoot a one hole group at 50 yards. Go to 100 yards and it would shoot a 3.5” group. Multiple ammo types tried.

I’ll update in a few days.

Russ D · Mar 6, 2023

Did you ever get the new barrel and shoot it?

hafejd30 · Mar 6, 2023

I’m just going to guess your action screw was bottomed out against the barrel thread. Before the chassis was actually tightened

My AI chassis bottomed out on mine. The factory grey stock is fine as it comes

Assuming this isn’t a factory rifle but a barreled action in a different stock/chassis?

I know it’s old but would like to hear the outcome as well. The screw bottomed out could definitely lead to your issues though

obx22 · Mar 8, 2023

This should be a lesson to every person stocking an action.
Put the screws in the stock, measure the protrusion. Now measure the receiver thickness, and remember, the tenon threads could be up to half that thickness!

JollyJerp · Jul 22, 2023

tomcatfan said:
I had to do this when putting my b14r into a bravo. Took several washers in the bravo to do the trick.

Sorry for the throwback, can you explain that? I put my b14r in a bravo and wondering if it would help me to do the same

tomcatfan · Jul 22, 2023

JollyJerp said:
Sorry for the throwback, can you explain that? I put my b14r in a bravo and wondering if it would help me to do the same

The front action screw that came with my bravo was too long for my b14r. Due to the rimfire barrel, the front action screw can't go into the action as far before hitting the barrel when compared to say a normal centerfire rem 700.

Jayjay1 · Jan 20, 2024

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