Bergara Premier Elevate – Review

The Bergara Premier Elevate pairs a carbon barrel, carbon chassis system and practical ergonomics into a rifle aimed squarely at modern stalking and mountain-style shooting.

There’s been a noticeable shift in recent years towards lighter, more adaptable rifles, particularly for those covering ground on foot rather than shooting from fixed positions. The Bergara Premier Elevate sits firmly in that category. Built around Bergara’s Premier action, paired with a carbon-wrapped barrel and lightweight HNT26 carbon chassis from MDT, it’s clearly intended for shooters who want precision without the burden of a heavy rifle on their shoulder.

On paper it ticks a lot of boxes: carbon construction, ARCA rail, adjustable trigger and threaded for a moderator. But as always, the real question is how it feels in use, particularly when you’re carrying it across uneven ground or using it from improvised positions. eGunroom spent time with the Elevate chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor to see how it performs.

Bergara Premier Elevate Overview

• No. 6 Cure Carbon fibre barrel,
• Weight: 2.7kg (5.7lbs),
• MDT HNT26 chassis system,
• TriggerTech™ trigger,
• AICS magazine compatible,
• Picatinny rail as standard.

First impressions

Pick the Elevate up and the first thing you notice is the weight, or rather, the lack thereof. It’s a genuinely light rifle for what it offers (it weighs in at 2.6kg/5.7lbs). This is a rifle that has been built to be carried, not shot exclusively from a bench.

The overall feel is clean and functional. The carbon elements keep things light without feeling fragile, and the chassis layout gives you a natural, comfortable hand position. Controls are well thought out, and nothing feels out of place or overly complicated.

Build quality & ergonomics

The MDT HNT26 Chassis System

The Elevate is clearly designed with practical use in mind. The HNT26 chassis system is MDT’s first truly purpose built hunting chassis. It has a magnesium alloy base with a carbon fibre pistol grip, forend, and foam filled carbon fibre buttstock (which helps to dampen vibration and felt recoil). The chassis itself weighs just 700 grams (26oz) and offers a solid, repeatable shooting platform. The M-Lok shroud at the end of the forend is a positive addition that allows you to securely fit accessories. The inclusion of a full-length ARCA rail along the bottom forend is particularly useful. It was easy to position a bipod exactly where needed, or quickly adjust it depending on terrain and shooting angle, something that becomes more important when you’re shooting off uneven ground. During the test an MDT Mountain Bipod was used, and it complimented the rifle wonderfully. It provided a stable platform in a lightweight package, and the ability to splay the legs meant you could get as low or high behind the rifle as the shot required.

The main body of the rifle has the smooth finish you’d expect from carbon fibre, but the grip itself features a more aggressive texture that gives a noticeably more secure hold, especially in wet conditions. The thumb ramp on the chassis works well and encourages a consistent hand position behind the action. The carbon never felt cold to the touch, it always felt pleasant to hold in varying temperatures.

There are also a number of small but thoughtful details. QD sling points are well placed, making it easy to set the rifle up for carrying, and the magazine sits flush with the trigger guard. That might seem minor, but it reduces the chances of it catching on clothing or vegetation when moving through cover.

One area that could be improved slightly is the cheek piece. While it is adjustable, having a little more range in height adjustment might better accommodate different optic setups and shooting positions. One good touch included on the cheek piece is the foam wrap. It was comfortable, and did’t feel cold in cooler weather which is definitely a positive.

The length-of-pull can be easily adjusted from 12.5 inches to 13.5 inches with the use of included spacers.

Action, Bolt & Trigger

The action is exactly what you’d expect from a Premier-series Bergara: smooth, controlled and easy to run. The bolt cycles cleanly with very little effort, and the fine knurling on the end of the knob provides good grip without being overly aggressive.

Removing the bolt for cleaning is straightforward and, importantly, can be done without removing the cheek piece – a small but very practical touch that really does make the difference when using and maintaining the rifle.

The TriggerTech™ trigger is another strong point. It breaks cleanly with a well-defined wall, and there’s a good level of consistency shot to shot. Adjustment is simple, allowing you to fine-tune the pull weight to your preference without fuss. The ribbed trigger face also gives a bit of extra purchase, which is particularly noticeable in colder or damp conditions. The safety was quiet to operate, and can remain engaged when you unload the rifle. It was also easy and quiet to operate, ideal when stalking deer.

A firing pin indicator at the rear of the bolt adds a useful visual and tactile confirmation of the rifle’s status. At a quick glance or touch you can see or feel whether the rifle is cocked or not.

Barrel & Recoil

The carbon-wrapped barrel is one of the key features here, and it’s paired with a shroud that allows you to handle the rifle without worrying about resting your thumb on the barrel when taking shots. Being able to grab the forend area or barrel shroud without influencing accuracy is a practical advantage, particularly when repositioning quickly.

Recoil itself was surprisingly softer than expected for a lightweight rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor (to be honest, the first shot was taken with trepidation). It was the expectation that it would kick like a proverbial mule, but it was very sweet to shoot.

On the range – handling & practical use

In use, the Elevate feels exactly like what it is designed to be: a lightweight, mobile precision rifle.

The balance works well, making it easy to shoot from a variety of positions, whether off a bipod, pack or improvised rest. The ARCA rail comes into its own here, giving flexibility that you don’t always get with traditional stud-mounted bipods.

Magazine operation is another highlight. It can be inserted and removed almost silently, which is a genuine advantage in a stalking context. The flush-fit design also keeps everything tidy and snag-free, perfect when stalking deer through rugged terrain, whilst the five round capacity is more than enough for multiple shots.

The overall handling encourages confidence. The combination of low weight, good ergonomics and a smooth action means the rifle is easy to carry and use over a full day in the field.

Final verdict – Should I buy the Premier Elevate?

The Bergara Premier Elevate is a well thought-out rifle that delivers where it matters. It doesn’t try to be everything, instead, it focuses on being a lightweight, practical tool for shooters who spend their time in the field rather than on the bench.

For hill stalking, longer walks and situations where weight and handling matter, it makes a strong case for itself. Add in the smooth action, good trigger and useful features like the ARCA rail and quiet magazine system, and you end up with a rifle that is easy to carry, easy to shoot and easy to live with.

If your shooting involves covering ground on foot and taking shots from real-world positions when out hunting, the Elevate is very much worth a look.