These days the selection of well-made bolt-action rifles sized for medium to large-frame hunters is about as diverse as it has ever been. Folks can stroll into most sporting goods stores and find a good fit right off of the rack. But finding quality guns configured specifically for small-framed shooting-sports enthusiasts can be more of a challenge.
In 2024, Bergara Rifles stepped into the compact hunting-rifle market with the release of the B-14 Stoke series of bolt actions. Based in Bergara, Spain, this company was originally launched in 1999 to manufacture high-quality barrels that were incorporated into CVA muzzle loaders. In the quarter-century since, Bergara has used its cutting-edge CNC machinery and modern manufacturing processes to become a supplier of barrels to a variety of major manufacturers and to launch its own factory-complete B-14 rifles based on the Remington 700 action. These guns have been so well received that some folks say that the Bergara platform is an improvement upon the original. This company also sponsors the Bergara Academy in Montana, a long-distance shooting and training facility with classes for new and seasoned rifle enthusiasts alike.
My attention was drawn to the B-14 Stoke because, unlike many of the rifles sized for smaller shooters, it hasn't been dumbed-down nor is it an entry-level configuration for younger hunters who outgrow their first rifles and set them aside. Instead, the Bergara offering is a full-feature hunting rifle intended to be a primary use rifle that just happens to be more compact. This makes it a much better fit for folks who enjoy the great outdoors but are unlikely to get any taller in the future.
The B-14 action, inspired by the Remington 700 Short Action design, has earned a reputation for being well made and providing smooth, reliable operations. The carbon-steel alloy receiver, along with the barrel, is treated with a matte Graphite Black Cerakote finish. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped to be fitted with standard short-action Remington 700 one-piece optics rails. These rails are not provided with the rifle, but Bergara does offer their own Premier/B14 SA rails for $99, one of which was included for this review.
This rifle's ejection port and bolt handle are on the right side of the receiver with a bolt assembly release lever located on the left side. The two-lug bolt assembly features a sliding plate extractor and the bolt nose and breech have been coned for smooth cartridge extraction and feeding. A bright red cocked firing pin indicator, which protrudes visibly from the rear of the bolt assembly, drops out of sight when the rifle is fired. The shortened bolt handle has a 90-degree throw and is capped off with a knurled aluminum knob. A rocker-style two-position safety lever is mounted in the receiver just behind the bolt handle. It is pressed forward towards a red-dot on the receiver to set it into the FIRE position, or pulled back towards a white dot to set it into the SAFE position. It's worth noting here that the safety will not lock back into the SAFE position unless the firing pin is cocked.
All Stoke barrels are made from 4140 chromoly steel with a No. 4.5 taper. The muzzles are threaded at 5/8×24 TPI with a knurled thread protector provided. Barrel lengths and the bottom metal's configuration are determined by the caliber of ammunition selected. The models chambered in .308 Win., 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win., .22-250 Rem. and 7mm-08 ship with 20-inch barrels and internal box magazines fitted with M5 hinged floor plates. Customers can also select 16.5-inch barrel models chambered in .223 Rem., .300 BLK or .350 Legend with detachable AICS magazines and ambidextrous magazine release levers mounted to the front of the rounded polymer trigger guard.
The single-stage steel bow trigger is deeply curved and adjustable for a trigger pull around 2 to 4 pounds. The rifle sent for this range test had the trigger set to 2 pounds 15 ounces and felt terrific to work with right at that setting. The trigger's arc of travel was just 0.125 inches with no take-up and a crisp, clean break. In short, its quality was right in line with the attention to detail and the level of craftsmanship exhibited by the rest of the rifle.
The Stoke's sporter-style synthetic shoulder stock contributes to this rifle's handy, lightweight feel. The gun I worked with weighed in at 6 pounds 5.2 ounces with the optics rail and empty magazine installed. This stock's length-of-pull (LOP) has been trimmed down to 12.25-inches out of the box. Three 0.25-inch thick polymer spacers are provided that can be fitted in between the stock and the soft rubber recoil pad to increase the LOP to 13 inches.
The Bergara team did not stop with simply cropping the stock. Instead, key external dimensions have been adjusted throughout. The comb has been engineered for small-stature individuals. It's shaped with negative angles, so that less recoil energy is transferred to the shooter's cheek, and to improve their eye alignment with the scope. The pistol grip is slim, trim and rests closer to the trigger. The forend is two-inches shorter than usual with a narrower profile better suited to smaller hands. The matte black stock's other features include textured grip surfaces, front and rear sling swivel studs and a light tan web finish that looks sharp while contributing to the stock's textured surface.
After considering the various options, I requested a Stoke chambered in .300 BLK with the 16.5-inch barrel and a removable polymer AICS magazine. In this case, it turned out that the provided magazine would hold up to seven rounds of .300 BLK ammunition. This was an ideal configuration to pair with a recently acquired Silencer Central Banish Backcountry .300-caliber sound suppressor. This particular suppressor can comfortably handle a variety of .30-caliber rounds, up to and including the potent .300 RUM. However, since this particular bolt action is chambered in one of the few calibers designed specifically for use with a suppressor, I wanted to give it a go.
As its name implies, the Backcountry is designed for hunting endeavors in which every ounce of gear counts. Made from titanium, this fixed-length model is 5.5-inches long and weighs just 7.8 ounces. Six user-serviceable baffles work to reduce decibel levels to 135 dB. This model utilizes an industry standard, interchangeable direct-thread hub that, in this case, is compatible with the rifle's muzzle threading. Finish options include Black (shown), Flat Dark Earth or OD Green with prices starting at $1,099 (not including the tax stamp).
The Stoke's in-house optics rail was topped off with a Meopta brand Meopro Optika5 2-10x42 mm riflescope using a set of Warne MSR flat-top quick release rings. This gun proved to be utterly reliable with all of the ammunition tested, including loads ranging from paper punchers to premium hunting hollow points. Off of the bench this rifle is about as handy and well balanced as they come. The buttery smooth action, light trigger, the clean feel of the controls and the just-right texturing of the stock make it a pleasure to handle. And because this gun is light weight and compact, attaching the 7.8-ounce Backcountry to the Stoke's 16.5-inch barrel gave the gun a heft and swing comparable to that of a 20-inch barrel. Not bad at all.
This rifle is listed with this the company's sub MOA guarantee. This does not mean that the gun will be able to shoot groups at or below 1.047-inches with absolutely every commercial or home-rolled load available, using all bullet weights and styles with anyone who happens by pulling the trigger. But the potential for tight groups will hopefully become evident in the course of a more formal evaluation like this one in which an essentially random selection of ammunition brands and bullet types are put to the test.
Bench-rested accuracy testing was conducted at 100-yards by firing three, three-shot groups into paper targets using two subsonic loads and one supersonic load without the suppressor installed. Then a fourth three-shot group was fired for each load through the Backcountry to see how it would affect the group sizes. A LabRadar LX chronograph was on hand to measure average bullet muzzle velocities for 10-shot strings.
Remington's UMC 220-grain subsonic open tip match load fired the heaviest and the slowest bullet of the test set with an average velocity of 1013-fps for 501 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy. It punched out a best group of 1.61-inches with a group average of 1.97-inches. With the suppressor installed, the three-shot group was 1.98-inches in size. The supersonic Sig Sauer’s HT hunting load launched its 120-grain all-copper hollow point at 2387-fps for 1518-ft.-lbs. of energy. Its best group measured 1.07-inches with an average of 1.17-inches. The suppressed grouping was 1.21-inches.
The load that made the sub MOA grade was Hornady's Subsonic 190-grain Sub-X polymer tip traveling at 1031-fps for 449 ft.-lbs. of energy. This round yielded a best group of 1.03 inches, an average of 1.13 inches, and a suppressed group of 1.22 inches. At this point I have no doubt that with a bit more experimentation with additional loads (and someone else mashing the trigger) that the Stoke can comfortably print even tighter groups than those shown here.
The Bergara B-14 Stoke is certainly a welcome addition to this company's top-notch line-up. There's nothing else quite like picking up a rifle that's a just-right fit for you. But there's more to this gun than fitting a particular body shape. This quality rifle's compact size, light weight and caliber options also make it an ideal bolt gun for use as a truck, ranch, hiking and camp rifle.
Perhaps this gun's most eye-catching feature is its price tag. Bergara's other complete rifle models, and many of their barreled actions as well, are available for suggested retail prices of around $1,000 to $3,000. The Stoke series is listed for $929 which makes them the lowest-priced options in this company's catalog. Not only is the Stoke more affordable for younger hunters who may well outgrow the stock’s dimensions in the future, it’s also a great option for folks who want Bergara quality at a lower price. The action, bottom metal and trigger group can easily be transferred into the stock or chassis system of your choice to make it a just-right fit for you. Like other Bergara models, the Stoke ships with a lifetime warranty. For more information, visit bergara.online.
Technical Specifications:
- Type: bolt-action centerfire rifle
- Caliber: .300 BLK
- Magazine: polymer AICS-pattern removable box; 6-round capacity
- Barrel: 16.5”; 4140 Chromoly Steel, No. 4.5 Taper; 6-grooves; 1:8 RH twist; 5/8×24 TPI threaded muzzle
- Trigger: single stage; pull weight 2-lbs. 15-ozs. (as tested)
- Sights: none; receiver drilled and tapped for optics mount
- Safety: 2-position
- Stocks: sporter-style synthetic; soft rubber recoil pad; LOP 12.25-inches
- Metal Finish: Graphite Black Cerakote
- Overall Length: 37.90”
- Weight: 6-lbs. 5.2-ozs. unloaded with magazine and optics rail
- Accessories: one magazine, lock, owner's manual
- MSRP: $929 (Model B14S9511); bergara.online
