Browning BAR .308 or .30-06 (on assumption both calibres equal)

[lineofsight]

I have rifles in both .308 & .30-06 thus in terms of reloading not an issue. Am not worried about either calibre's ability to drop a deer as the rifle will be the same weight so should be able to hit the deer over the head with it just as hard.

For a Browning BAR, any difference in how well the action/rifle works with either calibre? S.A. v L.A. or best bullet weight (is there an advantage to the greater range of bullets for .30-06 or not really for this rifle).

 

[phinton81]

I have a Browning BAR in 30-06 and it is very reliable, I also have a Benelli R1 in 300 win mag and that gun has been flawless. I know that many will make the argument that a short action is always better in a semi auto, I have never seen anything in my own collection to indicate that. I think that maintenance and shooting regularly will tell you what ammo yours likes or dislikes. The Browning BAR is a great gun, but all semis can have preferences with various ammunition. Either way, get which one you prefer, a shorter action version is usually shorter in overall length, which may sway your decision. You will have more reloading options for the 30-06 and both should perform similarly with 150-180gr bullets. Cheers,

Patrick

 

[Swifty]

I have an older BAR in .308 and it works flawless.Maybe it's just me but i think shorter calibers work better in semi's (then again there's the older 50 cal.Browning machine guns ?)

 

[John Y Cannuck]

For deer, I'd go 308. Cheaper to shoot.
I doubt there's a lot of difference in how well the rifle functions.
The BAR is one of the more reliable semis.

 

[Boomer]

I have an older BAR in .308 and it works flawless.Maybe it's just me but i think shorter calibers work better in semi's (then again there's the older 50 cal.Browning machine guns ?)

There's also the original BAR that was a .30/06, not that the two designs have anything else in common. But it serves to illustrate that reliable operation is more a function of proper design and good ammunition than it is of cartridge length.

 

[Woodsman]

I'd go .308 just for the shorter and lighter action.