Best semi-auto rifle.

I hunt with a Benelli R1 in 30-06. I went with the 06 because it hold one extra in the mag compared to the big magnums and with Light Mag bullets it is up there for power. I have used it in all sorts of weather and it always performs excellent.

It would be a great choice in any caliber.
 
The Benelli R1s are very good from what I have seen, as are the BARs.

I've had a few Semi-autos, 742s, 7400s, one HK770 and BARs. Out of probably 10 or so Remingtons one 742 in 243 worked flawlessly. The HK was great, but I got hard up for money, and had to sell it! Out of four or five BARs, all were problem free.
 
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I've been looking at an R1 in 30-06, but there are a lot of haters. Any idea why? WHat are the shortcomings about the R1.
 
drvrage said:
I've been looking at an R1 in 30-06, but there are a lot of haters. Any idea why? WHat are the shortcomings about the R1.
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None really!
I have a few buddies who have them from non-magnum to short mag calibers, and they all work perfect. No problems to speak of at all.

I am not really big on the R1s looks, but if I hadn't had such good luck with the BARs, I would have one.
 
I'm with Supercub.

I know that the original poster does not want to hear about "no-good semis", but if his buddy is shooting a 7600 he already has a heck of a fine hunting rifle and FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES it is every bit as fast as a semi for follow-up shots.

I have owned many dozens of both. I personally would not hunt with a semi, but most assuredly would hunt with a pump gun.

Free advice, worth what you paid for it. :p

Doug
 
Thanks alot all of you, I will pass on all the info. I tried to talk him into a bolt but he hunts with a guy with a R1 in 300wsm. I've had 2 semi's (Remington 7400's) and they have never jamed but I keep all my stuff very clean. I hunt with a bolt action, by the way.
Thanks again.
Chad.
 
There was a similiar thread a while ago. Somebody mentioned the Merkel. I thnk I saw one on the EE.
Merkel makes good stuff, I've heard?
 
Maybe I missed this first time, but if the lad is a Saskatchewan hunter, and if he is planning to take longer shots (which to be honest for MOST of us, is anything north of about 150 yards), then there is utterly no question in my mind that the fellow should be shooting a bolt gun. My main deer gun happens to be a lever (BLR) and I have hunted with most of the actions and a goodly number of the manufacturers. HUNDREDS of hunting guns, no BS.

If I was going to buy a new hunting rifle for the Prairies, in those areas where long shots are the norm, I would not consider myself an ethical hunter unless I was carrying the most accurate longer-range rifle I could find. And that, for most of us, is a bolt action rifle.

More free advice, but at least there is a long history of EXPERTS who would say that (IN GENERAL) bolt guns are the most accurate longer range rifles that are within the reach of the average hunter.

So 'DOUG SAYS" get thyself a decent bolt gun, and forget about reliability issues and short-range limitations. Sight your bolt gun in at your likely shooting range, and GOOD LUCK! :D
 
I have no experience with Benellis but have owned a couple Remington 742s.
But they aren't available in the calibres you mentioned. A buddy owned a Browning .30/06, bought new and with several brands of ammo the best he could do was a 3.5 inch group at 100 yards. This is not typical performance from a Browning but I guess it can happen with any make.
He traded it in on another gun.
 
Yep, northern Saskatchewan, in the bush! Doug I hunted most of my life with a lever 30-30 then a BLR 243, now a bolt 270 or 260. All big enough for moose, deer and what not. Most (like 90 some percent) of my shots are 200 and under. I'll suggest a nice bolt gun to him again, and thanks.
 
I hunt mostly in Saskatchewan. My hunting group does alot of bush pushing/deer drives so it is nice to have a semi because everything that you see is on the run. Years ago we all had bolt actions, but now all but one of us has a semi. Everyone used the old Browning BAR's in 7mm or 30-06, and one Remington model 4. I have the only Benelli.

When you are in and out of the truck all day to walk your share in the -30 weather after awhile the guns look like big popsicles. The only issue ever over the last 12 years for all the semi's was the browning floor place freeze shut and won't open to get at the mag. The guns all shoot..... all the time though.

There is nothing like Posting with a semi when a couple coyotes run out of the bush for you!

Take care. Gerich
 
I have owned two bars the first was made in Belguim and was accurate, I had no problems with either. I also own a Bennelli s/s shotgun if their new auto rifle is the same standard it will be a good rifle. You cant go wrong with either auto. IMO
 
I have a '88 BAR 338 Wm and have put hundreds of rounds through it flawlessly. Cold or hot it works great and I can get 1 MOA at 100yrds with handloads. My only complaint is after a 4-5 shots the barrel starts to heat up and then the POI starts to drop. Keep it cool when at the range and it's all good. Overall a good, but heavy, reliable, easy to shoot and clean rifle.
 
drvrage said:
I've been looking at an R1 in 30-06, but there are a lot of haters. Any idea why? WHat are the shortcomings about the R1.
Click to expand...


The simple fact is more often then not the haters haven't taken one into the field so they are talking out of their ass. :rolleyes:

I will say one neg thing about them...the price.
But in comparison to the other brands available this is well worth it IMHO.

Other then that I would buy one again in a heart beat (in .308 this time) if my money situation improved. :)
 
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