I have a chance on a BAR in 30-06. I have no experience with this rifle and none of my shooting buddies have either. Anybody care to comment on this rifle? Asking price is $500 with crappy see through rings which will be chucked out.
Browning BAR
- Thread starter iceman2
- Start date
shortaction
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Good accurate, reliable rifles in my experience.
Price is resonable at $500.00 if it is in good functioning condition.
Price is resonable at $500.00 if it is in good functioning condition.
Yep to above but also to add, they are heavy with a awkward clip/mag system.
I second this... very heavy.... The price is quite good and if it is in good shape then you should have no issue getting your money back out of it should you decide to sell it....
If I recall properly the short actions had reliability issues..... but I could be wrong...
If it is a plain, blued receiver without a bolt release, then it is a grade I. If it has iron sights, then it was likely made prior to 1988. $500 would be about right if it has been taken care of. If the barrel is stamped "Made in Belgium" then technically, it is worth slightly more.
I have one like this in 308 that I haven't shot in years, but I don't plan on selling it.
Edit to add my niggles:
The mag system is just dumb - or maybe it's me; I always found myself fumbling around trying to orient the mag in the proper direction.
Also, you need to let the bolt slam shut or the lugs may not engage properly, leading to a click instead of a bang. Not the best thing when you are trying to be quiet in the early morning silence of the bush.
I have one like this in 308 that I haven't shot in years, but I don't plan on selling it.
Edit to add my niggles:
The mag system is just dumb - or maybe it's me; I always found myself fumbling around trying to orient the mag in the proper direction.
Also, you need to let the bolt slam shut or the lugs may not engage properly, leading to a click instead of a bang. Not the best thing when you are trying to be quiet in the early morning silence of the bush.
The older long action ones like you describe are about 8 pounds....
shortaction
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoulin Island, Ontario
I think you are confusing the Magnums (7mm rem, 300 Win, 338 Win) they went at 8.5lbs.
The 30-06, 270 win, 280 rem, 308win and 243win where 7.375 lbs, about the same as a comparable Model 700 bolt rifle. There was no shortaction receiver, the 308 and 243 just had a spacer in the DM.
Even though Remington listed their 740/742/7400's at 7.5lbs they are noticably heavier than the BAR and where quite forearm heavy.
There is no doubt the Drop hinge plate with a detachable mag is a pain in the arse, but still preferable to a regular drop hinge mag system for me. Wish all the BAR's where made with the same DM set-up as the old Winchester Model 100's.
Yes... went back and checked... you are correct about the weight... still heavy in comparison to more modern alternatives...
I have handled the older bars and once owned a remington 7400 also.... while I would tend to agree that they felt forearm heavy in comparison to the browning I always found the overall feel of the Browning to be more "clunky" if that makes any sense.... but that may all go back to personal feel.....
Iceman.. at any rate 500 bucks is a pretty good price for the rifle and if I were you I woudl pick it up and handle it.... if you like it then it would be a good buy...
shortaction
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoulin Island, Ontario
I had 2, 300win and 338win, 300win was belgium made and i had to sell it, reliability problems, couldn't get a 3 shots on a row i always end up with first, second, or third case stuck. So i sold it.
The 338 worked fine so far and the funny thing is this one is assembled in portugal not in belgium.
The 338 worked fine so far and the funny thing is this one is assembled in portugal not in belgium.
I asked the seller for more pics (only had 1) he said that is all he had and he was only available next Friday for me to see it if he doesn't sell it. Starting to get second thoughts on this seller, I may just pass. I would prefer a 308 anyway. (set up for loading 308, wouldn't have to get more dies etc)
Last edited:
If the guy will give you the first 5 digits of the serial number you can get a date of manufacture from the Browning web site.
http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=18
I own three BAR's (.338. 300 and .308) from the mid 80's which were made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal and have never had any reliability issues. They are all great shooters.
You will find the long action on the 30-06 will absorb a lot of recoil.
Used BAR's in good shape are going for about $750-$800. Hope it works out for you.
http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=18
I own three BAR's (.338. 300 and .308) from the mid 80's which were made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal and have never had any reliability issues. They are all great shooters.
You will find the long action on the 30-06 will absorb a lot of recoil.
Used BAR's in good shape are going for about $750-$800. Hope it works out for you.
