Now is the time to ready your go-to deer and elk rifle for fall.
by Mark Kayser
With bow seasons around the corner and rifle seasons not far behind, the final setup of my latest big game rifle nears completion. Like my bow, I set up one and done for the year. Once the seasons begin, switching broadheads, calibers, etc., does not factor into my busy schedule. My Prime RVX 32 is set to handle both deer and elk. My latest rifle, the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Carbon in 7mm PRC, also has a similar mission: elk and deer.
I do not believe in “too much rifle.” I’ll cover that in another article. My ultimate goal is to have a big animal, like a northern whitetail or mountain elk, drop relatively quickly due to a large caliber and beefy bullet. I have had one too many bulls teetering on the brink of extraction disaster by possibly falling off a cliff or rolling into a deadfall nightmare. I am getting off my pedestal now.
Back to the Squared Crest Carbon. For starters, it is light. The more miniature caliber rifles, such as the 6.5 PRC, weigh in at 6.2 pounds. The larger calibers at 6.5 pounds. That is not ultralight, but light enough to meet my definition of a mountain rifle. Minus a full magazine of ammunition, my rifle weighs 8.7 pounds with a Sig Sauer SIERRA6 BDX 3-18 x 44mm and a QD sling attached.
Depending on the terrain conditions affecting my hikes, I may add my Silencer Central Banish 338 suppressor and a Magpul MOE bipod to the rig, but those are later decisions. I appreciate the recoil reduction of a suppressor, but the Crest Carbon does include an Omni muzzle brake that also calms recoil if you do not mind the louder report.
Bergara’s carbon stock makes up a considerable proportion of the rifle’s lightweight character. Crafted from 100 percent carbon fiber, the stock rigidity and strength arrive via an internal carbon spine in the stock. Bergara touts CF-RTM manufacturing technology used in the aerospace and auto industries. In plain language, they use dry carbon fibers assembled by hand injected with resin.
The stock includes spacers to adjust the length of pull and a raised cheekpiece for precision sight picture alignment. An ergonomic-friendly pistol grip guarantees a firm grip when aiming. In addition to QD sling attachments fore and aft, the stock is also outfitted with sling swivel studs, one rear and two forward. The double stud system in the front of the squared stock allows you to attach both a bipod and sling.
Moving on to the next significant factor in the lightweight makeup of the Crest Carbon entails the barrel. The steel fluted barrel version of the B-14 Squared Crest weighs in at 7.2 pounds chambered in the 7mm PRC compared to 6.5 pounds with Bergara’s proprietary CURE carbon fiber barrel on the Crest Carbon. Through a Keebler’s Elf process of secrecy, Bergara was able to weave carbon and stainless-steel strands together. Bergara refers to this magic as Cold Bore Technology; regardless, element teamwork moves heat out of the barrel more efficiently to minimize barrel heat up and adds time between shots for barrel cooling. The barrel also maintains stiffness, straightness, and ruggedness for consistency and accuracy.
Another bonus is the shorter barrel lengths, from 20 to 22 inches. That helps reduce the overall length (and weight) and facilitates handling for fast target acquisition. It also maintains a manageable rifle length when a suppressor is added.
Bergara’s B-14 action assists overall accuracy. Many compare it to the classic Remington 700 action, but it stands apart. The B-14 action consists of a two-bolt system with a sliding extractor, tapered bolt, and breech stop. Round after round, it fed and extracted without a hiccup. The fluted bolt aids in reducing weight, plus it has additional toughness added with a Sniper Grey Cerakote finish. It looks cool and complements the overall hardiness of the rifle, barrel, stock, and action.
NASA launches with the touch of a button. You will still need to depress a trigger for bullet launch on the Crest Carbon. Bergara’s Performance trigger handles the work as a single-stage, 3-pound pull weight factory-set trigger adjustable from 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Easily personalize your pounds with an Allen Key; no gunsmith is required.
The lightweight rifle includes a 5-round AICS detachable magazine to stack up your army of cartridges. I prefer a removable magazine for safety and efficiency when reloading. For additional weight savings, a floorplate does win.
The rifle is available in six calibers: .22-250 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Winchester, 7mm PRC, and .300 Winchester Magnum. For suppressor fans, it comes threaded and ready in 5/8×24. Prices start at $2,099, with some reductions while perusing online deals.
Bergara guarantees their rifles to a sub-MOA of accuracy. During range time I fueled my Crest Carbon with both Hornady’s Outfitter Ammunition loaded with their 160-grain CX bullet and their Precision Hunter Ammunition with the 175-grain ELD-X bullet. The ELD-X won the competition. With groups between .75 and .9, not to mention the extra 15 grains of weight to aid energy transfer, it was my go-to.
With one elk tag in my pocket for 2024 that involves long hikes, steep ascents, and the likelihood of snow, a lighter rifle makes sense. Another open country hunt for whitetail also awaits, adding to the appeal of a lighter rifle with the caliber’s high ballistic coefficient to handle a possible longer-than-average shot.
If a new rifle glimmers in the future, I recommend reviewing the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Carbon. Lightweight, accurate, and not overly expensive (you get what you pay for), it is a top contender for consideration.
