What to do with Bergara B14

[DonE911]

I got a decent deal on a hardly fired B14 stoke in 223. I knew it was a 9 twist, and there was a slim hope it would shoot a 75gr bullet, which is what I truly wanted from it. Well it doesn't like 75gr anything, will shoot 69s okay, but it does shoot some of the 60 to 68gr pretty well. This not what I wanted, but I've dropped the little guy into a manners and I really like it.
I'm considering sending it out and rebarreling it to a TCU ( 6, 6.5, 7 ) or 25x45 sharps. I've got 3 lifetimes of 223/556 brass in the basement, so staying on that brass is an easy call. I could easily just put a faster twist on it so I can use the heavier bullets also. I already have a 204 ruger so no reason to go 20 cal.

Who has a TCU on a bolt action? Are you happy with it?

What would you do?

I've decided not to sell it and buy something else. I do want a sendero (ish) profile and 18 to 20" threaded barrel. Maybe carbon if the weight saving is enough.

There are no smith's in easy driving distance for me, so shipping is the only way no matter what I chose to do.

Any recommends on a smith? I don't want to mail it off and not see it for 6 months, so backlog ( turn around ) would be a consideration as well as finding a smith with the reamer.

 

[Radiohead71]

Like you, I'm in north GA. I just drove down to Whidden Gunworks in south GA for some recent work. Good guys there. You could try bugholes in TN that isn't too far. Not sure of their lead times for a barrel though?

 

[Rob01]

I’d keep it a .223 Wylde and ship it up to @bohem Josh at Patriot Valley Arms and have him put an Osprey barrel on there. I am sure it wouldn’t be 6 months but give him call, email or PM and see. They do great work and their barrels shoot. I have a 7 twist .223 he did for me and I love it! Shoots 75 ELDs great. Have had them out to 1150 yards. Below is 5 shots at 100.

 

[supercorndogs]

What are you doing with it? What was reason you need 75g over 69g bullets?

 

[DonE911]

I've got a 223 that I load down... kind of a 22hornet type performance..... I have other 223s as well that are set up for 69 smks... and then there are the ARs that sit in the safe just in case ..... just wanted something for heavier bullets.... I didn't need it to begin with, but now I just like it and I've got lots of brass...
I use the 223s mostly for target fun and crows.. although 22 cal center fire is legal for deer here I don't use them for that. There really isn't a specific purpose in mind, just a new project to enjoy.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have been brainwashed by the gun forums in that a 223 must shoot 75's or 77's otherwise it is useless.

 

[spife7980]

I have been brainwashed by the gun forums in that a 223 must shoot 75's or 77's otherwise it is useless.

It is if you want to shoot it further than 500 yards without riding the struggle bus.

 

[TicTacTex]

I’ll second a .223 Wylde 1:7 from Patriot Valley.
If you want to get a little more serious about launching heavies at distance, you might consider .223AI.