I was in a Scheels sporting goods last Friday and finally got to handle a Bergara BMR Micro Rimfire ($499). To say I was disappointed is an understatement, the rifles stock and balance seemed acceptable but the bolt operation was like running two pieces of coarse sandpaper against each other. I did handle two of the Bregara BMR and they were both rough operating, I was disappointed after reading all of the hype about them.
There was a $149 Savage 22 lr setting next too the Bergara and it operated smoother than the Bergara, there was also a Ruger RAR ($349) and it was smoother than either the Bergara or Savage and a Tikka T1X ($499) seemed like a high-dollar custom action in comparison to the others.
I was under the impression that the Bergara was a better rifle than the ones I handled, once again it shows that a person should handle something before spending money on it.
drover
I have never understood what functional difference a smooth bolt makes. I certainly would automatically equate smoother to better.
