Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness 6.5 PRC 24 in
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.8 lbs (108.9 oz) — nearly 1.5 lbs lighter than a comparable steel-barreled rifle like the Bergara Premier HMR.
- Carbon-wrapped 24-inch barrel provides the stiffness of a #5 contour barrel with the weight of a pencil profile.
- Action is factory trued and lapped, resulting in smooth bolt lift requiring only 4.5 lbs of force.
- Gray Cerakote finish on all metal surfaces provides 500+ hours of salt spray corrosion resistance.
Trade-offs
- Fixed stock lacks adjustable cheek piece or length of pull — a quality aftermarket stock adds $300-$500.
- 6.5 PRC ammunition averages $2.80-$4.00 per round for hunting loads, significantly more than .308 Win.
- No included scope bases or rings — requires separate purchase of Remington 700 pattern bases (about $50-$150).
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness 6.5 PRC 24 in is a bolt-action precision hunting rifle built around a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel and an optimized action for long-range terminal ballistics. It's engineered for hunters who cover ground and need first-round cold-bore accuracy at extreme distances. Bergara's reputation for tight-tolerance manufacturing is the foundation here, but the carbon-wrapped barrel tech is what sets this specific model apart for backcountry use.
What is the Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness 6.5 PRR used for?
This rifle is designed for long-range hunting of medium to large game in rugged, mountainous terrain where weight and stiffness matter equally. The 6.5 PRC chambering provides a flat trajectory and high retained energy beyond 600 yards, making it ideal for open-country species like elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. The carbon-wrapped 24-inch barrel maintains rigidity for consistent groups while shaving nearly 1.5 pounds off the front end compared to a steel contour.
How does the Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Bergara is significantly more capable for dedicated long-range shooting and is not a direct competitor to the budget-friendly field rifle. Where the Stevens 334 Rifle serves as a reliable, no-frills tool for brush-country deer stands inside 300 yards, the Bergara is a purpose-built system for precision at distance. The Bergara's Bergara Performance trigger is adjustable down to 2.5 pounds from the factory, a full pound lighter than the fixed-trigger Stevens, and its action is trued and lapped to ensure smoother bolt lift and better primary extraction under pressure.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This rifle weighs 6.8 pounds (108.9 oz) without optics or mounts. Its overall length is 44.5 inches with the 24-inch barrel, and it has a 13.5-inch length of pull. The carbon-wrapped barrel’s profile results in a balance point just ahead of the front action screw, which makes it carry naturally in a sling for miles without muzzle-heaviness.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for beginner shooters, budget-conscious plinkers, or hunters who exclusively work dense timber. The 6.5 PRC ammunition is more expensive than common cartridges like .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor, costing roughly $3.50 per round for quality hunting loads. Additionally, the fixed stock, while durable, lacks the modular adjustability of chassis systems preferred by some competition shooters; this is a hunter’s rifle first.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, a factory-installed omni-directional muzzle brake, and a set of standard 8-40 scope base screws. The rifle ships from Bergara with the action and barrel coated in Gray Cerakote for corrosion resistance, but the stock is not bedded—it’s a standard pressure-point inletting system. There is no hard case included, which is typical for rifles at this price point.
Is the Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness worth it at $1,410.99?
Yes, if your hunting requires a lightweight, sub-MOA rifle capable of ethical shots at long range. You're paying for the carbon-wrapped barrel technology, which offers the stiffness of a heavier steel contour at a significant weight savings, and Bergara's proven action geometry that accepts most Remington 700 pattern accessories. Compared to custom-building a similar rifle, this represents a substantial cost and time savings for a turn-key system that will reliably print groups under 1 minute of angle with quality ammunition.
Key attributes
| upc | 043125016037 |
| manufacturer | Bergara |
| manufacturer part number | B14SM519CF |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 6.5 PRC |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 8.7 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Remington 700 triggers?
- Yes. The Bergara Ridge action uses the Remington 700 footprint for triggers, bottom metal, and scope bases. Most aftermarket triggers like the Timney Elite Hunter or TriggerTech Primary drop in without modification, but always verify fit with the specific manufacturer before purchase. Bergara's own Performance trigger is adjustable from 2.5 to 4 pounds and is an excellent unit out of the box.
- Does the muzzle brake thread off for a suppressor?
- Yes. The barrel is threaded 5/8-24 directly under the factory-installed omni-directional brake. You can remove the brake using a 3/4-inch crowfoot wrench and a torque wrench set to 35 ft-lbs to install a direct-thread or muzzle-brake-style suppressor adapter. Always check concentric alignment with an alignment rod before firing a suppressed rifle.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- For in-stock items, processing takes 1-2 business days, and ground shipping via FedEx or UPS typically adds 3-5 business days transit time to the continental U.S. Your chosen FFL must have their current license on file with us before we can release the shipment. You will receive tracking information via email once the shipment label is created.
- Can I return it if there's an accuracy issue?
- Yes, but accuracy claims must be validated. We require a documented test with a minimum of three different factory ammunition lots fired from a solid rest at 100 yards, with at least five 5-shot groups measured. If the rifle consistently fails to meet Bergara's published sub-MOA guarantee (using match-grade ammo), it can be returned for inspection within 30 days of receipt. Contact support for an RMA before shipping.