Firearms Republic
The Bergara B-14 Timber 30-06 Springfield is Bergara’s answer to the traditional walnut deer rifle. It pairs a Monte Carlo walnut stock with a 24″ barrel, a 1:10 twist, a two-lug action and a 4-round detachable magazine, and it lists around $1,079–$1,099 at the manufacturer level. It is the wood-stocked sibling of the B-14 Ridge, and for many hunters it is the better-looking way to buy the same barrel and action.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 24″ |
| Barrel Twist | 1:10, six-groove, target crown |
| Weight | About 7.5 lbs (a tested .270 Timber weighed 7 lbs 9 oz) |
| Trigger | Adjustable single-stage; the tested .270 broke at 2 lbs 8 oz |
| Magazine | Detachable box, 4 rounds |
| Price | $1,079–$1,099 listed; street prices vary |
| Stock | American walnut, Monte Carlo, checkered grip and fore-end, aluminum pillars, free-floated barrel |
| Action | Two opposing front lugs, Remington 700 footprint, two-position safety |
| Recoil Pad | Crush Zone |
Quick Verdict – Is the B-14 Timber Worth It?
✓ Best for: Deer and elk hunters who want a walnut stock and a good trigger without paying premium prices
✓ Price: Around $1,079–$1,099 listed
✓ Key strength: A crisp adjustable trigger, a free-floated barrel and a pillar-bedded walnut stock at this price
✗ Not ideal for: Backcountry hunters who count ounces – 7.5 lbs before optics is not light
Real-World Performance – Accuracy and Ballistics
The Bergara B-14 Timber 30-06 Springfield runs a 24″ barrel, so expect roughly 2,800–2,850 fps with 165gr loads and 2,700–2,750 fps with 180gr bullets, around 2,900 ft-lbs at the muzzle with a 180gr bullet. Bergara barrels have a good reputation for consistency. American Rifleman tested a B-14 Timber in .270 Winchester and reported five consecutive five-shot groups, with the rifle favoring 140gr cup-and-core bullets and shooting monolithic bullets less consistently. That is a useful pattern for any hunting rifle: find the bullet the barrel likes before you decide it is inaccurate. Plan on 1–1.5 MOA with good factory ammunition and better with a tuned load, but treat that as a realistic expectation, not a promise. The same test measured a trigger break of 2 lbs 8 oz, which is cleaner than most rifles at this price.
Applications – Deer, Elk and General Hunting
Whitetail hunting: A 150–165gr load is a flat, forgiving choice for timber and field edges. The walnut stock is quiet against a tree or a stand rail.
Mule deer and open country: The 24″ barrel keeps velocity up for longer shots. Inside 400 yards, a 165–180gr bullet with a decent scope covers most western deer situations.
Elk: With a 180gr bonded bullet at 2,700 fps, elk inside 350 yards is a realistic .30-06 job. The Timber is heavier than a mountain rifle, so it suits vehicle-based and ranch hunts better than long climbs.
All-around use: A single walnut .30-06 is a classic one-rifle solution, and the Timber delivers that role at a reasonable cost.
Ergonomics and Handling – The Walnut Stock
The Bergara B-14 Timber 30-06 Springfield uses a Monte Carlo American walnut stock with a raised cheekpiece, a palm swell and checkering on the grip and fore-end. Aluminum pillars bed the action and the barrel is free-floated, which helps with consistency as temperature and humidity change. The Crush Zone recoil pad does a decent job on a .30-06, and the weight helps too. The two-position safety is easy to reach and the bolt runs smoothly. The detachable magazine is a plus for unloading safely without cycling rounds through the action, though the four-round capacity is the standard for this class and no more.
Aftermarket and Upgrades – Remington 700 Footprint
The B-14 action uses a Remington 700 footprint, so most Remington 700 scope bases and rings fit. Stocks and chassis are a different story because the magazine and bolt release are Bergara-specific, so check compatibility before you buy an aftermarket stock. The factory trigger is good enough that most owners leave it alone. The best upgrade money goes into a quality scope, rings and a sling. A suppressor is an option if you thread the muzzle with a gunsmith, although most Timber rifles ship without a threaded barrel.
Pros and Cons – What the B-14 Timber Gets Right
Strengths:
✓ Walnut stock with pillar bedding and a free-floated barrel at about $1,100
✓ Crisp adjustable trigger (2 lbs 8 oz on a tested example)
✓ 24″ barrel for full .30-06 velocity
✓ Remington 700 footprint scope bases
✓ Detachable 4-round magazine
✓ Smooth two-lug action
Limitations:
✗ About 7.5 lbs before optics – heavy for mountain hunting
✗ Stock and chassis options are limited by the Bergara magazine design
✗ Two-position safety does not lock the bolt
✗ Four-round capacity is the norm, not a strength
✗ Walnut can shift zero in wet weather more than a synthetic stock
Competitors – How the B-14 Timber Stacks Up
| Feature | Bergara B-14 Timber | Bergara B-14 Ridge | Winchester Model 70 Featherweight | Browning X-Bolt Hunter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079–$1,099 | $999–$1,099 | $899–$1,199 | Check current price |
| Weight | ~7.5 lbs | 7.9 lbs | 6.5 lbs | Check current spec |
| Trigger | ~2.5 lbs | ~3 lbs | 3–5 lbs | Adjustable |
| Stock | Walnut | Synthetic | Walnut | Walnut |
| Magazine | Detachable 4-rd | Detachable 4-rd | Internal 5-rd | Detachable |
The Bergara B-14 Ridge 30-06 Springfield shares the same barrel and action in a synthetic stock, which is the better pick if weather matters more than looks. The Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 30-06 Springfield is lighter and more traditional, with controlled feed and a three-position safety. The Browning X-Bolt Hunter 30-06 Springfield offers a similar walnut-stocked package with a short bolt lift and a different feel in the hand.
Who Should Buy the Bergara B-14 Timber
The Bergara B-14 Timber 30-06 Springfield suits a hunter who wants a handsome walnut rifle with a good trigger and decent accuracy for about $1,100, and who is not bothered by a 7.5 lb carry weight. If you hunt wet climates or climb steep country, the B-14 Ridge or a lighter rifle is the sensible alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions – B-14 Timber .30-06
How much does the Bergara B-14 Timber cost?
Bergara-level listings for the .30-06 Timber run about $1,079–$1,099. Street prices vary by dealer, so compare before you buy.
What is the barrel length and twist?
A 24-inch barrel with a 1:10 right-hand twist, suited to 150–180 grain bullets.
How many rounds does the magazine hold?
Four rounds in a detachable box magazine, plus one in the chamber.
Does the Timber fit Remington 700 scope bases?
Yes. The action uses a Remington 700 footprint, so Remington 700 bases and rings generally fit. Stocks and magazines are Bergara-specific.
How does the Timber differ from the B-14 Ridge?
The Timber has a walnut Monte Carlo stock, while the Ridge uses a synthetic stock. The barrel and action are shared, and the Ridge is generally the better choice for wet weather.
Is the B-14 Timber too heavy for hunting?
At about 7.5 lbs before optics it is acceptable for stand and vehicle hunting, but heavy for long mountain climbs.
Also worth a look: the Kimber 84 Hunter .30-06 Springfield for a lighter walnut-style option, and the Mauser M18 .30-06 Springfield for a budget rifle with a traditional feel.
Final Verdict – A Sensible Walnut .30-06
The Bergara B-14 Timber 30-06 Springfield does the unglamorous things well: a solid trigger, a free-floated barrel, a pillar-bedded walnut stock and a fair price. It is not the lightest or the cheapest, and it will not win a premium-rifle argument, but for a hunter who wants a good-looking, reliable .30-06 for about $1,100 it is a safe, sensible choice.
