BAR comments

I have a Portuguese built BAR I bought heavily used off a CGN member. After stripping and having it reblued, I managed to get it out to a range and was thoroughly impressed. It is a touch on the heavy side for lugging around ALL day, but nothing too serious. It has yet to jam on me for any reason at all, cycles flawlessly with a variety of loads. I did manage to shoot a nice clover leaf group with factory ammo with it. Very nice rifle in my opinion, the only thing I'm not particularly a fan of is the blind magazine setup. I much prefer detachable box mags, but your taste may vary.
 
I have been looking for a new deer/moose/bear rifle for a while. While I would like a CZ557 range, I suspect the BAR ticks off almost all the same boxes as well, especially if it was in .308.

Obviously some members here have great accuracy reports. Anyone ever experience otherwise?
 
Most of the poor accuracy reports are going to be from people who own the Remington superjamamatic, not Bar's.

I have owned about 6 over the years. Currently have a 243, and 338. Shot in bench conditions, all were 1.5 moa or better. Some much better. Shot in field conditions that opens up, as any rifle does.
 
Mine were honest 1.5 to 2 moa shooters . One I had in 30/06 was a bit picky , but I eventually found a load it liked , a fairly warm load using 4831 and a 165 gr bullet IIRC . They're not F class rifles , but they shoot better than most people can hold them .
 
dan belisle said:
Used one in 338 in bear country years back. Great for that purpose, would buy another. Tried a couple at the range that had been modified to 416 Taylor and 458 Win Mag. Weight and gas system really tamed the recoil, but I never did get to check their accuracy. FWIW. - dan
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I remember reading about those conversions. Do you know who does them in Canada?
 
Any of you CGNrs know of the differences between say a 1988 BAR and a post 1993 BAR Mark II Safari? Is there any appreciable differences between their actions or quality?
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I will chime in on this one...

the "older" BAR design compared to the "new" has a few design difference's, of which I will go over:

1. The gas piston and sleeve used to be bare metal, now they are both chrome lined. It really helps with it not rusting up into a single shot rifle.

2. The old gas system used a much more simple design, it had a gas port in the barrel that would vent out a hole drilled in the gas cylinder plug (much like a M-14). The factory would install plugs with with bigger or smaller vent holes depending on caliber. The new design is identical for all calibres, but use's adjustable gas port that works the same as a Air / Fuel mixture screw in a carb. It is set from the factory according to caliber, you can tune it if you are adventurous.

3. Iron sights do not exist on new BAR's (Safari Models)

4. New BAR's have bolt hold open levers, that with hold the bolt open on last round and whenever required by manually engaging it. You can release the bolt by depressing the hold open lever, or cocking the action 1/8" rearward.

5. The trigger mech's on old BAR's slide out the back of the receiver on disassembly which required the removale of the stock, the new trigger mechs are much easier and drop out VIA two push pins.

6. The old bolts would slide rearward out of the receiver after trigger mech was removed. The new ones you have two twist sideways, break your finger, and punch a whole in the drywall to get it out.

7. The old BAR's were completely made and assembled in Belgium, after the 1970's it switched to made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal.


The BAR has evolved slightly for over four decades. Rifles before 1976 are usually called Type 1 rifles. Between 1976 and 1992 they are often called Type 2 rifles, but these rifles are very similar to the original models. 1993 marked the introduction of the Mark II versions, which are still in production today.


I personally have a Safari Mk II in 308Win, that was produced late 2017 and purchased early 2018. I ordered mine Mid 2017 and had to wait, it seems like browning is trying to phase out all the Safari models by drastically reducing the amount of calibers it currently offers in that model. I wouldn't be surprised if they cut the Safari model completely in 2019, in order to save money and logistics. They currently have a Safari which is all steel, and short and long "trak" which is aluminum, it would make since from a business point of view. The Safari makes a very limited portions of sales. Unfortunately the "short/long Trak" has very bad reports of accuracy, something didnt translate well in the aluminum receiver.

I am very impressed with my accuracy I found in my BAR, and the quality is top notch. I can honestly say it is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned, and have no complaints of its craftsmanship.

Below is a picture I took 3 days ago, verifying my zero before deer season starts in MB, 2 rounds fired. It impressed me so much I had to take a picture. This is a pumpkin I shot a 400m, with hand to scale.
** I told the wife, I was taking the pumpkins to the dump ;) **

JC2mG53l.jpg
 
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I had a mk II in 300wm but recently sold it...think I will buy a MK III in 308 win. as a xmas present to myself....never had any issues with the 300wm but just a bit on the heavy side. :)
 
Ilove12gshotguns said:
I will chime in on this one...

Below is a picture I took 3 days ago, verifying my zero before deer season starts in MB, 2 rounds fired. It impressed me so much I had to take a picture. This is a pumpkin I shot a 400m, with hand to scale.
JC2mG53l.jpg
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Appears outrageously accurate for a semi-auto at 400 meters....!?!?
What glass are you using?
Target match hand loads as well...??
 
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