The well-known firearm company Bergara has recently released an extension to their popular Custom Series; the Premier. The Premier line has more standardized features to make the rifle’s price point more attractive to people who would like to have Bergara crafstmanship without the Custom Series cost.
The threaded barrel end for a suppressor or brake.
A model of the Premier line sure to be a hit is the Highlander, sporting a quality Bergara barrel coming in 20, 22, or 24-inch iterations, married to a Trigger Tech trigger and sporting a two-position safety. A nice feature of this combination is that the bolt doesn’t lock in the closed position, allowing the shooter to clear the chamber with the safety on. The action and barrel are stainless steel and Cerakoted.
The Highlander also sets a new benchmark by being the first Bergara rifle with a fluted barrel, as well as being threaded for a suppressor or muzzle brake. The stock is injection molded fiberglass that is enhanced by Bergara’s proprietary camouflage. Adding to the package is the sub MOA guarantee with any factory match-grade ammunition while being offered in all standard calibers, including 6.5 PRC and .300 PRC.
The author shooting the Highlander in 6.5 PRC.
When shooting the Highlander, I found the trigger to be clean and crisp. The comb allowed a nice cheek weld with a good sight picture for easy target acquisition. I also found the recoil very manageable in the 6.5 PRC that I shot. The Highlander seems to be a well-thought out offering from Bergara and definitely deserves a hard look from the hunting rifle aficionado.
The fluted bolt and Trigger Tech trigger.
Specs:
- Weight: 7.2 lbs-7.7 lbs
- Overall Length: 38.5”-43”
- Barrel Length: 20”-24”
- Magazine: Hinged floor plate
- Mag Capacity: 4 in standard, 3 in magnum
- Cerakote: Sniper Grey
- Trigger: TriggerTech® Frictionless Release Technology™
- Barrel Taper: No. 5
- Muzzle: Threaded 5/8-24” with thread protector
- Stock: Fiberglass
- Scope Mount: Fits Remington 700 bases with 8 X 40 screws
Of course another addition to the “premier” line at an MSRP at 1,850.00 who cant afford that!? I think Bergara is pushing away those who were customers and interested when bergara was new.
Starting to just be overpriced remington 700s or better yet go with a ruger american predator action and drop it in a bell and carlson.
I see nothing to separate this from the crowd. So what is the MSRP?
Looks like a nice rifle. However, the bolt not locking on safe is not a good point for me. Spend a few full days on snow shoes with a pack on your back in rough country and you will soon learn non locking bolts can open. They get caught on your pack, your heavy clothing etc., leaving your chamber and mag open to snow and debris. I bought a cheap Ruger American to use as a camp gun in case one of our main rifles got damaged. It was light and fairly accurate but that action accidently came open on me at least a half dozen times. It was almost impossible to carry it any other way than cradled in your arms. I ended up replacing it with a CZ 550 which has a three position safety.
I had a friend who lost his bolt entirely while hiking in to hunt.
Snagged the bolt handle to open the action, then somehow hit the bolt release and it dropped out of the gun. He looked all day and never found it. Manufacturer wouldn’t sell him a new one so the whole gun was trash.