Bruce Potts gets hands-on with the new Bergara B14 Cima CF, an affordable, lightweight carbon fibre stalking rifle
Shooting Times14 May 2026
Overview of the Bergara B14 Cima CF
As with most things in life, performance comes at a cost—and that’s particularly true when it comes to lightening the load on your stalking rifle. Skeletonisation, thinner materials, and now specialist options such as titanium and carbon fibre work wonders, but all come at a price.
However, Bergara of Spain have managed to embrace the carbon fibre ethos across many of their rifles at a cost that is far more palatable. Enter the new Bergara Cima rifle, based on their popular and affordable B14 action, incorporating a carbon-wrapped CURE barrel and carbon fibre stock—but without the “ultra-lightweight, everything must go” approach.
In other words, the Cima weighs in at 5.9lbs, which is impressively light yet still balances and handles like a traditional synthetic-stocked stalking rifle—a sensible compromise.
I also like the fact that the Cima is clearly built with hunters in mind. A great deal of thought has gone into the design, focusing on real-world needs without frivolous extras. It takes the form of a classic sporter profile, enhanced with modern carbon and Cerakote finishes on the metalwork for improved weather resistance.
The Cima is priced at £1,395 and distributed by Edgar Brothers.
In depth look at the Cima stock and barrel
I like to start with the stock, as this is your first point of contact and where you immediately assess quality and ergonomics. The surface displays the typical carbon fibre weave pattern, interspersed with a sponged-on light grey paint to break up the uniformity.
There is no chequering, so it is a touch smooth and potentially slippery, but this is largely mitigated by the well-designed, slender forend. Its generous flared profile along the entire length allows the supporting hand to grip the Cima securely. Similarly, the pistol grip is comfortably raked, and the length of pull is adjustable via three supplied spacers, ranging from 13.5 to 14.25 inches.
I particularly like the straighter comb, which provides good height for correct scope alignment, although the twin sling swivel studs at the front can interfere slightly with hand placement.
Internally, the stock is produced using resin transfer moulding (RTM), which reduces the amount of resin required to bond the structure. The result is a lighter stock—just over one pound—while still retaining excellent rigidity and strength thanks to the carbon fibre content. Overall, it’s an eye-pleasing design: weatherproof, lightweight, and very strong, with no flex that might otherwise compromise accuracy.
This naturally leads us to the barrel. It follows a classic carbon-wrapped design over a slim steel core, giving the appearance of a heavier varmint (No.6) profile but at a fraction of the weight.
Bergara use their proprietary CURE carbon fibre barrel, which includes a clever feature to address thermal dissipation—often a challenge when combining steel and carbon fibre. A stainless-steel mesh is integrated within the wrap matrix, helping to disperse heat more effectively and maintain consistent accuracy.
The Cima sensibly features a 20-inch barrel, ideal for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. It is finished with a steel-capped muzzle and fitted with a radial ported steel muzzle brake on a 5/8 UNEF thread. Edgar Brothers had also fitted a new Svemko sound moderator with a quick-detach attachment—an excellent addition.
Action and performance features
Like all B14 actions, this is based on the Remington 700 footprint, opening up a wide range of aftermarket options. Unlike the Remington, however, the Cima features an AICS-pattern detachable five-round magazine in 6.5 Creedmoor, along with an ambidextrous magazine release with extended wings—very practical in the field.
The action is finished in a durable Sniper Grey Cerakote.
The bolt follows the traditional Remington pattern, with a 90-degree lift and twin opposed locking lugs, but incorporates a larger, Savage-style extractor and plunger ejector, both of which performed flawlessly. The fluted bolt body adds a touch of visual appeal and shaves a little weight, while the bolt knob is a squared teardrop shape with a slight rearward sweep.
A sensible two-position safety does not lock the bolt, allowing cartridges to be removed while the rifle remains safe. The trigger is Bergara’s Performance Trigger—a single-stage unit adjustable between 2 and 4 lbs. On test, it broke cleanly at 2 lbs 8 oz. Those wanting to customise further may consider aftermarket Remington 700-compatible triggers.
Field testing the 6.5 Creedmoor on the range and stalking
Range testing began with five factory 6.5 Creedmoor loads at 100 yards from the bench. First up were the Hornady CX 120gr rounds, replacing the older GMX bullets. These achieved MOA accuracy, producing three-shot groups of 0.97 inches centre-to-centre, with a velocity of 2,838 fps and 2,146 ft/lbs of energy. Not bad for a lightweight rifle—and an ageing shooter!
An interesting option for both fox and deer was the RWS Evolution Green HIT ammunition with its lead-free 93gr bullet. This load produced consistent 0.82-inch groups at a lively 3,149 fps and 2,648 ft/lbs—my pick for roe.
Best accuracy came from the Hornady Precision Hunter load with the 143gr ELD-X bullet. This traditional lead-cored round produced impressive 0.51-inch groups. Velocity was a modest 2,565 fps with 2,090 ft/lbs, but the ELD profile retains energy exceptionally well downrange.
Given more time, it would have been interesting to develop handloads and fine-tune barrel harmonics to eliminate the occasional flyer.
With the roe season just beginning—and the rifle due back within days—I made a quick trip to Surrey, loaded with the RWS HIT ammunition to assess its real-world performance.
As first light crept over the horizon, I moved slowly along a narrow, thorny spine, the Cima slung effortlessly over my shoulder. Carbon fibre really does make a difference to ageing bones.
I soon spotted a buck and doe, still in velvet, near an old Luftwaffe bomb crater. Resting the Cima on the sticks, I observed but ultimately let them go—the buck was promising and worth leaving to develop.
A slow stalk through carpets of bluebells and ground elder was magical. Another roe buck appeared at 65 yards, spotted using Pulsar Symbion 4K multispectral binoculars. A heavy, thick-pedicle buck, half in and out of velvet, he was an impressive animal.
Just as I positioned the Cima for a shot, a jogger with a dog appeared—running between us along a small ride (despite no public footpath). The buck drifted away over a crest and out of sight.
Repositioning through hawthorn, I picked him up again at 136 yards, feeding steadily. With the rifle now on the bipod, I took a few photographs through the scope but once again let him slip away undisturbed. Early season restraint prevailed—Potts 0, Roe Buck 1. Fair play.
Final verdict on the Bergara Cima
I thoroughly enjoyed my brief time with the Cima. It proved to be a highly capable stalking rifle across the Surrey Hills and combes. The carbon-wrapped barrel and lightweight stock made for an effortless experience, allowing full focus on the hunt rather than the equipment. Well priced, accurate, and offering the features modern stalkers appreciate, the Cima is a very capable hunting tool.
Score: 84/100
Accuracy: 17/20 – Average accuracy with copper bullets.
Handling: 17/20 – Lightweight and pretty durable.
Trigger: 16/20 – Fine for price, but TriggerTech better.
Stock: 17/20 – Comfortable, light but a bit slippery to hold.
Value: 17/20 – All carbon for under £1400, good value.
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