Bergara BMR-X Rimfire Rifle Review

For Sub-MOA Small Game Hunting, Bergara’s New Carbon Or Steel BMR-X Rifles Are Ready To Rock

I am truly impressed with just how far the once-lowly .22 Long Rifle (LR) rifle has come in just the last decade.

Today, a shooter or hunter can purchase a rimfire rifle equipped with a full-sized stock, match-grade chamber and barrel, a top-notch trigger, and overall ergonomics that rival those of their centerfire big brothers. Previously, you needed to order an expensive custom rimfire to obtain all these features, then wait for months or longer for it to arrive. That’s no longer the case.

Among the newest options for those in search of a high-quality rimfire rifle is the  BMR-X from Bergara, available in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR.

The steel-barreled version of the BMR-X has a suggested retail price of $699, while the carbon model costs an extra $100. Somehow, Bergara has crafted this rifle to rival rimfire rifles I’ve used that cost two to three times as much.

Oh, and the BMR-X is remarkably accurate.

Bergara BMR-X Design Details

Bergara sent Hook & Barrel a factory-fresh BMR-X chambered in .22 LR. The bolt-action rifle featured an 18-inch heavy steel Premium Bergara Barrel and weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Additionally, the rifle is available with an 18-inch carbon-fiber barrel, reducing the weight to 5 pounds, 7 ounces.  

Although the rifle initially appeared relatively compact to me, it shouldered like a full-sized rifle due to three lengths of pull (LOP) spacers built into the buttstock. The spacers can be removed to customize the stock and rifle for the individual shooter. I left them in since the LOP with the three spacers worked well for me.

For added stability, the rifle featured a generous vertical grip to anchor the palm and fingers of my shooting hand, plus a flat forend that rested nicely onto my shooting bags.

Trigger, Bolt & Safety

The stellar Bergara Performance Trigger broke at an impressively crisp average of 15.5 ounces. The trigger system includes an externally adjustable screw located at the bottom of the trigger. Shooters can modify the trigger to their desired pull weight without needing a gunsmith's assistance. Bergara constructs the BMR-X with a match-grade chamber built to exceptionally tight tolerances, which was evident in my shooting experience.

The Bergara Tactical stock and forend are constructed from synthetic material and showcase a gray and black flecked finish, featuring both sling swivel studs and quick-detach flush cup sockets. Each BMR-X comes with one five-round and one 10-round detachable magazine. 

The rifle’s bolt worked smoothly and flung empty brass out of the chamber a good foot away.

The manual safety at the right rear of the bolt snapped in and out of SAFE easily with my shooting hand thumb. The rear of the bolt also featured a cocking indicator that protruded and showed red when the firing pin was cocked into the firing position.

The BMR-X is also suppressor ready with a threaded barrel, and thread protector included.

Scope & Ammo For Testing

Before I took the BMR-X to my outdoor range, I outfitted it with a Trijicon Credo HX 1-8x28 riflescope. The first-focal-plane Credo HX featured .25-MOA elevation and windage adjustments, large tactical-style control knobs, and a red/green illuminated, MOA-segmented reticle. The 34mm tube was Trijicon rugged and crafted from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum.

To test out the function and accuracy of the rifle, I used: Browning BPR Performance Rimfire; Lapua Center-X, and SK Rifle Match ammunition.

The weather that Wisconsin morning included flurries and a temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit, though the wind made it feel like 7 degrees. None of that affected the rifle; however, I had to pause to warm my hands several times in my vehicle when a stiff trigger finger began pulling shots. Gloves? I can’t shoot accurately without truly feeling the trigger.

Bergara BMR-X Accuracy Results

I began my shooting at 50 yards with the Browning .22 LR. The initial shots landed very high and a few inches to the right. The Credo HX controls enabled me to hit the bullseye quickly, and I proceeded to accuracy testing. 

I used the Caldwell Shooting Supplies Orange 8-inch Sight-In Targets for my testing. Hits (and misses) really stood out on the target surface and were easily visible through my scope.

Once I had the rifle and scope zeroed, I shot the Browning ammunition for accuracy. Within a few five-shot strings, I made groups of 1.0 inches and better. The best groups with this ammunition were two at 0.65 inches and one at 0.74 inches.

The rifle loved the Lapua and SK match rounds. Center-X groups included one at 0.40 inches and two at 0.50 inches. The SK Rifle Match groups started off at a half inch and were consistently there until I shot my very last string at 0.30 inches.

Yes, there are highly professional shooters equipped with expensive rimfire rifles who can consistently drill what are essentially one-hole groups at this distance. Yet here’s a rifle under $700 that you can pick up at your FFL in the morning and then make sub-half-inch groups later that day. I consider that a remarkable achievement by Bergara.

Certainly, the BMR-X offers all the accuracy and functionality needed for small-game hunting and varmint eradication, while range time and plinking are guaranteed. Don’t be surprised to spot the BMR-X at various rimfire competitions, either.

Specifications: BERGARA BMR-X RIMFIRE (Steel)

• CALIBER: .22 LR (as tested)
• ACTION: Bolt
• BARREL: 18 inches
• OA LENGTH: 36 inches
• WEIGHT: 6 pounds, 8 ounces (empty)
• STOCK: Bergara Tactical with three LOP spacers
• SIGHTS: None; 0-MOA receiver rail
• FINISH: Matte blue
• CAPACITY: 10
• MSRP: $699 (as tested)