Bergara MgMicro Lite Bolt-Action Rifle Review
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Bergara MgMicro Lite: A Tiny Rifle with a BIG Impact
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.”
~ Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend (1864-1865)
Dickens understood the importance of weight nearly 160 years ago. Unfortunately, many firearm manufacturers have been a bit slow to get the memo for hunting rifles. Hunters, after all, prefer to carry less weight. So, just build a lighter rifle, right?
But that leaves out long-range hunters, people making shots well past 500 yards, and for whom gunmakers keep building heavy, bulky rifles.
A greater challenge is designing a hybrid capable of precision shooting that is also light on the shoulder. In a world full of seemingly single-purpose firearms, Bergara understood the assignment, resulting in the 2024 MgMicro Lite Bolt Action Rifle, a lightweight firearm capable of amazing accuracy.
Fit & Form
While it’s impressively compact, the MgMicro Lite Rifle packs enormous top-tier rifle punch. Bergara was after an ultra-light rig capable of producing match-rifle results, and they achieved their goal with solid style points.
Precision-machined from XLR's Atom magnesium, Bergara’s Micro Chassis has a rugged, tactical-style design similar to aluminum counterparts yet weighs just 27 ounces. This is due in part to Bergara’s decision to incorporate a folding carbon-fiber stock and pistol grip. The rest of the chassis is a single-piece design with a tungsten-color finish. While the forend features an M-Lok attachment system, its bottom is cut into an integral Arca Swiss mounting system.
The MgMicro Lite Rifle is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Winchester and features Bergara’s ultra-popular Premier action, complete with a spiral-fluted bolt and finished in Graphite Black. Additional features include a 5/8-24 threaded, 18-inch Bergara CURE carbon-fiber, match-grade barrel with 1:8 RH twist (1:10 twist for .308 Winchester) and No. 6 barrel contour; Omni Muzzle Brake; TriggerTech Primary trigger with Frictionless Release Technology; and an AICS 5-round magazine (three-round magazine for magnum ammunition like the 6.5 PRC).
Overall, the MgMicro Lite measures just 37 inches; however, folding the stock brings the rig's compact profile down to a footprint small enough to fit in a backpack for pack-in hunting trips. That said, it also performs well against full-size match rifles.
Function Testing
I was fortunate to get quality range time behind the Bergara MgMicro Lite Rifle, and the results were impressive. For hunting, I would happily carry the rifle as is, at 5.8 lbs., not including the optic. For precision shooting, the rifle is incredibly light and if left unchecked, shots would certainly cause the rig’s field of view to jump off target after recoil impulse. To mitigate shifting, I added weight in the form of a long-range, first-focal-plane Sightmark Latitude PRS 6.25-56 FFP Riflescope (33.1 oz.), Accu-Tac 34mm Scope Rings (6 oz.) and an Accu-Tac FC-4 G2 Bipod (28.2 oz.). Set up and loaded, the total weight grossed over 10 pounds. The added weight, along with ensuring I accounted for a natural point of aim and lined up properly to better absorb recoil energy, ensured I stayed on target through the recoil impulse.
Testing
For testing, I shot my test unit Bergara MgMicro Lite, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, at Three Curl Outfitter’s 600-yard range in Avalon, Texas, and employed Hornady 147-grain ELD Match Ammunition. The match-grade TriggerTech Primary Trigger was exceptionally crisp. Using a Wheeler trigger gauge, I measured trigger weight through 10 shots, and the rifle averaged a trigger pull of two pounds, eight ounces.
Using a Labradar chronograph, I recorded an average muzzle velocity of 2,530 feet per second (fps) from the MgMicro Lite’s 18-inch barrel. The standard deviation came in at 13.3 fps, and the extreme spread was 35 fps.
Groupings
Accuracy was exceptional. Using the bipod and a rear squeeze bag, I managed a 1/4-MOA (1/4-inch) three-shot group and pulled a fourth shot out to 3/4 inch, resulting in a sub 3/4-MOA overall group. Of course, the first three shots told me what I needed to know: the Bergara MgMicro Lite is capable of achieving that dreamy 1/4-MOA, and certainly lightens the rifle-weight burden for hunters and precision shooters alike.
Specifications: Bergara MgMicro Lite Bolt-Action Rifle
- ACTION: Bolt
- CHAMBERING: 6.5 CREEDMOOR
- RECEIVER: Bergara Premier, Graphite Black Finish
- STOCK: XLR's Atom magnesium Micro Chassis w/Carbon Fiber Folding Stock
- BARREL TYPE: Bergara CURE Carbon Fiber, 1:8 RH Twist, No. 6 Contour, Threaded
- BARREL LENGTH: 18" (As Tested)
- MAGAZINE: AICS Detachable, 5-Rd Capacity
- TRIGGER: TriggerTech Primary, 2 lbs., 8 oz. Pull
- SIGHTS: Any Remmington 700 base with #8 Screws
- WEIGHT: 5.8 lbs.
- LENGTH: 37"
- MSRP: $3,099.99