BAR safari 338 cycle anything?

czscotia

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Hi all,
Still researching a rifle for hunting and range and was looking at
Browning BAR Safari 338 win. and on the interweb some were saying it would not cycle
hi power loads?? Anyone have one? does it cycle factory loads reliably?
I don't understand hi power loads they were talking about.
Thanks for any input.
 
Factory loads are loaded to the weakest action possibly in use. Most factory loads are within SAAMI specs.
I have seen some "Light Magnum" rounds marketed by Hornady that were designed for a bolt action rifle. I can only imagine what they would be like on a metered gas system such as the Browning BAR.
 
I have a BAR in 7REM Mag, love it however it is a finicky one, gunrunner is right, I have shot just about every factory load and was unimpressed with how the rifle performed. When I shot my first handloads however, now I love the rifle. I have found that especially with autoloaders, you need to build a bullet for the gun to get the most of them. My BAR is now sub MOA but it took a long time to get it there. I have not had a problem with fail to cycle yet with any ammo, but I could see how it is possible with a heavy missle like the 338, those I would bet wwould like the hotter ammo. Also know that these guns in the Safari grade are friggin heavy and you will not want to pack it for a full day. Mine is a treeline sitter/ range queen, I dont hump it around, and it is too pretty.
 
Thanks for the replies, So when you loaded your own, did you go for max
or did you have to go closer to min power in the reloading book to make the differance in the BAR?
 
I have 3 BAR's, 1980's manufacturing in .308, .300 and .338. The latter is my moose gun and I have never had a misfire, ejection or feeding problem with any factory ammunition. I use 225gr or 230 gr premium ammunition and prefer nickel plated cases as they don't get corrosion spots if you are out in the rain all day. Keep your action clean and remove the grit that tends to accumulate on the magazine walls underneath the floor plate and your BAR will cycle flawlessly all day long. You will love the results a .338 has on a moose.......
Good hunting.
 
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