Browning BAR thoughts?

bunny said:
Many years ago there was an article in one of the gun mags, where they took a Belgium BAR in 338 and rebarrelled it to .458 WM, I would like to try this someday !
Click to expand...

That article was by Jack Lott in Guns & Ammo and the BAR was made for him. The accuracy was very good as his testing showed with nice cloverleaf groups at 50 yds using 510 gr "bluenose" factory loads. He noted that the recoil of the bugger was reduced a little bit compared to his bolt guns, but was still hefty & the pic showed it. It would be a neat one to play with fer sure.
;)
 
Hi Nato
Great advice - LOL - they are beautiful rifles indeed! I did find a 'near new' short trac model in the .270 WSM that's got me re-thinking the Safari 300 Win Mag ...
I currently re-load for my regular .270 - so my bullet inventory would be consistent if I went with the .270 WSM.
I normally hunt in the woods, and seldom from a stand - I am an 'on the ground' kind of guy - and YES I would hate myself for dragging that nice rifle through the woods ...
Man this is tough!
Either way - I am locked into a BAR - and now it will be which caliber and the better deal.
Thanks again.
I will come back to the thread and post my final verdict! Hopefully soon!
 
Hi Hawk-i

I hear you with the 'regrets' - I too have had my fair share of regrets from selling firearms ...
I agree with you about the Leupold scopes - I am sold on them. I currently have a VX1 3-9x40 on my .270 - and LOVE it. My next BAR will definitely have a Leupold. It's been awhile since I bought a scope, so I will need to catch up on all the latest Leupold offerings.

In regards to the rifle, I am leaning towards the .270 WSM ... but could still pick up the 300 Win Mag - I might just flip a coin.

Thanks for chiming in!
 
I tried to talk Ron Smith into making me a barrel for one,he pretty much refused.Said he had did a couple and were great shooters but they are a pain to do.
Anyone rebarrel one,if so how did they work.
 
For the last 20 years all i have are the bar’s ...from 2506...to 300wm.....believe it or not every one of them shoots 1” or less ....and where I hunt it’s 100 meters to 500 meters ....from coyotes with the 2506 to moose with the 300...as long as you do some practice at those ranges you will be very surprised...accurate and quick
Like browning says .....the best there is ....
And if you choose a 270 ....you have nothing to worry about ...look at ballistics....
A fine choice .....probably .....the best there is
Enjoy
 
Hi davide montini

Thanks so much! Great to hear from a 20 year season vet regarding functionality, reliability and accuracy of these rifles. I am looking forward to finally getting one - developing some loads and having at it! For that reason I am leaning towards the 270 WSM. They are not all that plentiful on the used market. Perhaps that speaks about the caliber - good or bad. Those that have them keep em, OR there weren't many out there to begin with. There seems to always be some available in the 300 Winnie ...

Whatever caliber I decide on ... at least I will get getting into the 'best there is'!

Thanks
 
OK everyone ... I've made the decision and just spoke for a brand new BAR Mark3 in .243 Winchester!

I know that it's not the caliber I was originally looking at ... but as I thought more and more about it, I began to salivate on the idea of choosing a caliber that I can use on coyotes and deer, and become sort of my 'main' rifle. I can always go to my Remmy .270 in a pinch for deer, plus I have the trusty ol' 94 in .32 special.

I can't tell you how excited I am to get this rifle! At some point I will scope it out, develop some loads and have at it! I think it's going to be a blast to shoot!

Thanks everyone for chiming in and sharing your thoughts about the BAR - I was pretty convinced that I was going to get one. I went back and forth thinking about perhaps picking up and used BLR etc ... but the look and desire to shoot this semi-automatic won my heart!

I was also back and forth with calibers ... but eventually I settled in on picking a caliber that I can use almost all year around.

Thanks again everyone. It's was a good thread for me!
 
Nice
Id trade the 7400 and find a way into a bar 270.. bar is a way way better semi

If it was a 7600 pump, then thats a keeper... esp in 35 whelen

have one in 3006 and its perfect
 
Hey dimeN!

Ha! I really like how you think! I can definitely see that happening ... in time! I believe that my collection will start to move into the Browning realm indeed.

Thanks!
 
Hey all
Real sorry for the months delay in posting some accuracy info ...
I’ve discovered that this rifle does NOT like the Hornady 103 ELDX bullets at all. Groups were atrocious. Seriously.
I built up loads using W760 and IMR 4831 ... and it shot 2 foot groups at 100 yards. I was seriously getting frustrated and thinking that there was something wrong with this rifle.
Bullets we’re not keyholing, but it was the worst groups I’ve ever seen. They weren’t groups at all.

I’ve now got it sighted in with Hornady 87 V-Max, using W760.
1.5 groups at 100 yards. Ahhhh .. that’s better!

I also got some 58 grainers to blast through too.

From some light surfing on the net, it seems that 70-90 grain might be the sweet spot for the BAR’s.

Anyhow, this rifle is a lot of fun to shoot. She spits out the cartridges beautifully.
I hope to whack some yotes this winter.
 
I was after a semi hunting rifle a few years ago... Remington didn't really appeal to me, BAR was high on the list but the complete tear down for cleaning made me pause. Found a Benelli R1 wood stocked with irons in 308, did some research and tear down was relatively easy so brought it home. Was a bit cheaper then the BAR at the now closed up Coastal Outdoors. Took about 75 rounds for it to settle in to MOA, so I can't complain about the accuracy. Function is great, little long to hold at the forestock is my only minor complaint.
I'll probably add a used BAR down the road at some point...like the lines better.
20160430-145112-zpsggkhlqol.jpg
 
I love the bar ....Christ almighty...nothing but serious reliable firearm ...and flipping accurate!!.....
Browning the best there is !!!
Like they said on one of there commercials
Happy shooting
 
Hi nowarningshot

I do believe that my groups will improve as I develop loads for this baby. It’s gonna shoot sub MOA before too long! I haven’t really tweaked much after getting decent groups with the 87 grainers. Time seems to always be a problem these days.

I believe in the BAR’s reputation and functionality. It’s a great rifle. I just need to find out what she really likes.

Thanks
 
Hi Hitzy

Nice looking wood on your R1. I did consider the Benelli at one point ... but moved steadily towards the BAR. I really like the look and feel of the Brownings. To each his own.

I would definitely recommend picking one up for yourself. I went brand new this time. There are some used ones online all the time. I couldn’t find a good used one in .243.
I bought mine at Easthill Outdoors. He had a special on. 10% off. I don’t regret it one bit!

Enjoy your Benelli!

Cheers!
 
Hi davide

I agree with you 200%! Christ is Almighty and Browning is the best there is! :)

I know that this rifle is capable of better groups. Have you ever had one in .243? If so, what seemed to be the winning load for accuracy?

Funny thing ... I shot those same 103 eldx’rs (same loads) through by BLR and they grouped fine. 2-3 inches at 100 yards with open sights. Figure that one out!?!

Weird.
 
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