Bergara BMR-X Steel Review! Precision 22LR Plinking

Estimated studying time: 10 minutes

The Bergara BMR-X Metal brings a big-rifle really feel and competition-ready precision to the rimfire world. Constructed across the trusted Bergara Micro Rimfire motion, the BMR-X Metal contains a heavy #6 contour barrel, a vertical grip composite inventory, and a match chamber with tight tolerances. Out there in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR, this rifle blends accuracy, ergonomics, and suppressor compatibility to create a flexible rimfire platform. Whether or not you’re chasing metal in NRL22 matches or searching varmints on the farm, the BMR-X will get the job finished. 

Bergara BMR-X Metal Specs:

Barrel: No. 6 Heavy 4140 CrMo Metal Thread Pitch: 1/2 x 28 Inventory: Bergara BMR-X Composite Inventory Calibers: .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR Set off: Bergara Efficiency Set off (Externally Adjustable) Rail: 30 MOA Included Journal: 5 and 10 Spherical BMR Magazines Weight: Beginning at 6.6 lbs MSRP: Beginning at $719

BMR-X Metal Out of the Field

The rifle got here securely full of each a 5-round and 10-round BMR journal, an proprietor’s handbook, three length-of-pull spacers, and the factory-installed 30 MOA rail. 

I then instantly topped it off with a Vortex Venom 3-15×44 scope and added a SilencerCo Warlock II suppressor. That mixture turned it right into a rimfire setup that’s each succesful and ridiculously enjoyable to shoot. The rifle balances nicely with a suppressor out entrance, and the weight of the barrel helps regular your photographs with out being cumbersome. 

Inventory and Ergonomics

Bergara’s BMR-X inventory attracts inspiration from their full-size BXR precision rifle chassis, however in a extra budget-friendly composite model. The inventory contains a vertical grip that promotes pure wrist alignment and management. That is particularly useful when taking pictures from baggage or improvised positions. The flat forend gives a large floor to relaxation on limitations or pure helps like tree limbs, and it’s perfect for constructing steady taking pictures positions.

The splatter camo end not solely seems to be good but additionally provides a bit of additional tactile texture. Molded-in grip panels on the forend and across the pistol grip give simply sufficient chew to supply a non-slip really feel. The inventory consists of ahead and rear sling swivel studs, in addition to 4 steel QD sling mounts. Two on either side for a versatile, low-profile sling setup.

Three length-of-pull spacers are included, and I saved all of them in throughout testing. The match felt dialed in for my body, and the adjustability ensures it may be tailor-made to youthful shooters or these with shorter attain.

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Motion

One of the nice surprises on the BMR-X was the bolt. For a rimfire rifle, it has impressively tight tolerances and a comparatively easy motion. The bolt deal with is well-shaped and textured with a knurled end. I discovered it simple to cycle rapidly. I additionally appreciated that the bolt can be operated whereas the rifle is on protected. That is helpful when clearing a spherical or unloading safely.

The BMR-X additionally features a 30 MOA high rail, which is superior, and particularly so for NRL competitors. Nevertheless, the spacing on the rail isn’t commonplace, making it not possible to run one-piece scope mounts. Whereas this isn’t a problem for two-piece scope mounts, it’s nonetheless irritating. It additionally meant that after I moved a scope with a two-piece mount from one rifle to this one, I additionally needed to slide one of many rings again to get the correct spacing. 

The final piece of recommendation is {that a} taller scope mount could also be required. I had clearance points with my long-bodied Razor 6-36. Using a low mount ended up inflicting the scope to hit the barrel and required a taller mount. No large deal, however simply one thing to concentrate on.

Journal System

The BMR journal system is practical, and I had no feeding points throughout testing, however I did run into one surprising flaw. The discharge button for the journal’s backside plate is overly giant and too simple to press by accident. In a single occasion, the magazine backside separated mid-use and spilled aside. That’s not one thing you need taking place throughout a match or whereas chasing varmints. On a extra optimistic be aware, the magazine locks in tight. Additionally, the discharge lever is straightforward to actuate with out needing to shift your taking pictures hand.

Set off on the BMR-X

The Bergara Efficiency Set off is likely one of the standout options of this rifle. Mine got here set between 1.5 and a pair of lbs from the manufacturing facility with no takeup and a clear, crisp break. Nevertheless, that is underneath the two.8-4.4lb adjustment vary it’s purported to have per the proprietor’s handbook. So it’s delicate, however I like a lightweight set off for precision taking pictures. It’s externally adjustable through a set screw, however I saved it the place it was. For a rifle at this worth level, this crisp set off efficiency is spectacular.

Barrel

The #6 heavy barrel performs a significant position on this rifle’s stability and efficiency. Constructed from 4140 chromoly metal and threaded 1/2 x 28, it gives loads of weight up entrance for constructing a gradual taking pictures place. It’s additionally prepared to just accept suppressors, brakes, or barrel tuners.

Although it’s heavier than many .22s, that’s form of the purpose. At 6.6 lbs (unscoped), this rifle isn’t a featherweight, nevertheless it provides you the variety of stability and recoil-dampening you need in a match gun the place first-shot hits matter. The tight match chamber additionally pays off within the accuracy division, and I didn’t expertise any ammo-related hiccups all through my testing.

Precision

All through this assessment, I was capable of put quite a lot of rounds by this rifle. A lot of the ammunition used was equipped by Ammuntiontogo.com. They’re the official ammo sponsor for this assessment and supply a wide array of competitively priced ammunition. They’ve fast delivery and an easy-to-use web site. Go verify them out! 

The BMR-X Metal was constructed with accuracy in thoughts. With my Vortex Venom dialed in and utilizing match-grade ammo, I had no drawback printing sub-MOA 5-round teams at 50 yards. Whereas some individuals simply shoot 3-round teams and name it a day, I really feel like 5-round teams give a greater illustration of how a rifle performs. Even with commonplace bulk ammo, the rifle cycled nicely, and I may hit metal at a distance. For rimfire competitors or small sport searching, this rifle is greater than able to making clear, moral hits.

One of the best performer was the Eley 40gr Match, which achieved a 0.67 MOA group. The Eley 40gr Tenex and CCI additionally carried out nicely with teams each underneath 1 MOA. See beneath for a desk and picture detailing my outcomes:

Efficiency

Throughout this assessment, I ran round 7 several types of ammunition. Whereas every sort grouped in a different way, all of them fed with out situation. Among the extra premium ammunition required extra drive downwards on the bolt to chamber the spherical. The cheaper field ammo, nonetheless, appeared to feed even smoother. The one situation I had with jamming was after I was attempting to run the rifle quick, and I didn’t pull the bolt to the rear to eject the spent casing. Every time I consciously ran the bolt appropriately, the casings all ejected as they need to, and all rounds fed nicely.

READ MORE HERE: Examined: The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-202 .22 Magnum

Last Ideas

The Bergara BMR-X Metal will get many issues very proper. It delivers full-size rifle ergonomics in a rimfire platform, blends enjoyable and performance, and comes suppressor-ready out of the field. The bolt is nice, the set off is great, and the accuracy is strictly what you’d hope for in a rifle made for precision plinking and NRL22-style competitors. My solely actual grievance is with the journal takedown button being too simply pressed. In any other case, this rifle carried out exceptionally nicely and was actually an excessive amount of enjoyable to shoot. There’s nothing fairly like a exact 22 that I can shoot at a distance or smoke tiny targets all day lengthy. 

With an MSRP beginning at $719 and road pricing usually decrease, the BMR-X Metal punches nicely above its weight class by way of efficiency. For shooters seeking to step into the rimfire precision world or simply have a blast with an correct suppressed .22, it’s a implausible possibility.

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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Staff, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors taking pictures. Lately, he spends as a lot time as potential chasing pigs and coyotes with night time imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.

When he’s not within the subject or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection business and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing elements, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.

Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection business.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Staff.– Evening Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Keen about night time time predator and hog searching.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to supply for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.