Browning BAR Safari Mk II - 308win - Range Review - Ammo Testing - Pics

Ilove12gshotguns

Ilove12gshotguns

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Well I finally put together my New hunting package. This rig consists of the following parts;

Browning BAR Safari Mk II in 308win $1502 taxes in from LGS
Leupold VX3i 3.5-10 x 40 CDS - Duplex $490 shipping incl from CGN'r
Leupold Alumina Covers $75 shipping in from CGN'r
Leupold standard one piece base $40 from LGS
Leupold Standard 1" low rings $45 from LGS
Browning cheek riser $65 from LGS

Total $2217

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This barrel is 22" with a 1-12 twist rate. I prefer to use 165g hunting projectiles any 30 cal, so that's where I started. Everything worked just fine with no FTF / FTE. Trigger comes in @3.9 pounds but does has more creep then im used too. I did get used to it pretty quickly tho. I am used to heavy military triggers breaking @ 8-12 pounds with no creep, with the browning being obviously light but with about 1/16" of creep. I don't think i will replace it.

I ended up choosing a baseline of components, and just varying the powder type and amount. Here is my starting list

Hornady Brass (new)
165g Sierra Game King
Federal 210M
OAL 2.800"

**all ranges shot @ 150m with 4 rounds groups***

Powder types / Amounts / group size

IMR 4895 @ 150m
42.5g = 2.4"
42g = 2.3"
41.5g = 1.75"
41g = 2.5"
All groups over 1 MOA

Winning 4895 group @ 1.2 MOA
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IMR 4064 @ 150m
44.5 = 1.25"
44 = 1.7"
43.5 = 1.7"
43 = 1.4"
two groups under 1 MOA

Winning 4064 group @ 0.87 MOA, really close to being a 0.3" group

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RL 15 @ 150m
44.5 = 1.7"
44 = 1.4"
43.5 = 1.3"
43 = 1.8"
two groups under 1 MOA

Winning 4064 group @ 0.9 MOA

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As a baseline I fired four groups of Federal Gold Medal match 168g BTHP @ 150m

1.5"
1.8" Turns out Federal GMM is accurate but not consistent
1.6"
1.1"

Next range trip I will be bringing my chrony and the following batch's and will be shoot at 300m.

RL-15
44.2g
44g
43.8g

IMR 4064
44.7g
44.5g
44.3g

I will just select the best group for accuracy as my new hunting load. If the there are groups tied for accuracy within 0.1" I will just choose the one with the highest velocity.

Results to follow.

Very happy with my new Sub-MOA semi auto FUDD gun. Is a Browning BAR SUB-MOA gun worth $2200....? You decide, I am happy.
 
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Went to the range again today.

Tired my luck @ 300m with a few variants of the loads that shot well yesterday. The winner today was a 2.4" @ 300m the load was as follows;

308 win
2.800 OAL
165g SGK
RL-15 @ 43.5g
Federal 210M

Now I was interest in getting chrony results, but my unit died today and I couldn't even get it to turn on. I can only guess at the velocity at this point so I wont.

Disappointing as I will need that velocity reading before I can send off for my custom CDS dial.

In the mean time... I will whip up 50 more rounds and map a drop chart from 100m - 600m with measurements every 50m.

I will deny the urge to play around with the load anymore, as this is a hunting rifle NOT a target rifle. My old man always told me " If you can't make a 1" group work for you deer hunting... a .75" group won't help much"
 
Good of you to share your experiences with the loads you made up for your 308 BAR. I've found the SGK bullets are usually quite accurate. They also put a good wallop on deer and moose.
 
I 've had a few BAR's Safari's,270 7mmRM,30-06 and all shot 1.5 or better groups with handloads.Always wanted one in 243 for coyotes,but caught the 6.5 bug.I would probably buy another one when they make them in a 6.5
 
Every Browning Bar Safari I have owned shot handloads in the .2 and .3's meaning all the tunning got it down to that. Also shot from a lead sled to keep on target. Might want to try different bullet weights.
Eyeing up a Browning Bar Mark III in 300 wm.
 
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