Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Handloading for a BAR?

I've only been loading my own ammo for about a year. I've only loaded ammo for my bolt actions so far. I just bought a BAR 243 and was wondering if there is anything that I need to be aware of.

Thanks.

I've loaded for two, a .270 and .30-06. The .270 needed small-base dies, but was the only semi-auto rifles I've handloaded for that did, out of about 10-12, including several AR-15's. The .30-06 worked fine with the loads I've used in a bunch of bolt actions.

I owned one in .270 and used it for several years. I did use small base dies. Eventually I had ejection problems.

While trying to determine the cause I went through the paperwork that came with the gun and found two different recommendations concerning cleaning of the gas action. One said to clean at least every 600 rounds and the other I think suggested at 1000 rounds. By checking my shooting records I found I had fired around 1200 rounds without cleaning. After a good cleaning the Browning went back to shooting flawlessly and I never had any more problems. (After the initial cleaning I began cleaning it every year.)

Jim

Keep the powder burn rates around 4895 speeds. Not going to get "top performance" out of the .243Win with them, but it will work better. The gun is better designed for peek performance in more conservative bore/case capacity cartridges.

Full length size of course. Small base dies only if needed.

Heavier bullets work better. Barrel time is important. Don't max your loads out either. It's not a bolt gun!

Keep the gun clean, but do not over lubricate.

I have owed two over the years, a 300 win mag and a 30-06. I reloaded for both of them using RCBS dies, never had a problem.

Growing up in the 70's and 80's, I use to dream of the day I could get one. That classy humpback, deep rich bluing, beautiful wood stocks, scissor spring magazine spring.

I am started to remind myself of that kid from The Christmas Story and his affliction with the red rider BB gun.

Thanks guys!
I've always loved hunting with BARs here in Alabama. This is the first 243 that I've ever owned. It's a beautiful rifle and has never been fired!

25-06 Lilja.

I have a BAR in 7RM and plan to reload for it. It shoots great with every factory load I have tried. But I have to reload to justify all my reloading stuff to my wife! Any powders to avoid? What about the new Nosler LR bullets? Is the BAR twist fast enough for them? Does anyone know what twist the BAR has?

I too, love the look of my BAR. Great gun for stand hunting but I pick something else if I am walking very far.

I have loaded for numerous BARs, all Type I.. I never had to use small base dies, but a friend did. It happens. Keep the gas piston clean and no oil. Oil gums up the works. I never paid too much attention to using faster powders, but I did dent lots of brass with 4350 and 4831 ( ejected with gusto). I also replaced a couple of recoil buffers that were broken. May have had something to do with the slower powder. Most shot just over an inch, but I did have a Gd II .270 once upon a time that cut several three shot groups in the 1/2" +/- neighborhood.

As I got older, the weight bothers me, so they are all gone, except for a Gd III .30-06 from 1970. It shoots factory 150 Remington CL just over an inch. I may load for it yet. I have a new can of 4895 set aside for it. It is too beautiful to abuse. It is easily wearing grade 4 or 5 walnut, and has the early hand engraved rose and scroll.

Jack

I have a 338WM

When I used a slow powder it did not work well

use a med powder

Snake

+1 A friend that loaded for a 7 mag bar used medium powders with no problems and he didn't use small base dies either

I used 4831 in a couple of .338s. I do not recall problems with them. Jack

BINGO! slower powders tend to be rougher on the buffer, my 338 BAR works fine with H414, and WW760 but H4831 will over time beat the buffer up
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth..._Your_opinion_on_this_Browni#Post8231657

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

Well I found out the twist rate for a 7RM BAR. It is 1-10. But I have not found the required twist for the Nosler LR bullets. Have to do a little work now. So will search the net later.

BTW, the only two BAR's I've loaded for were as accurate as most bolt guns. One, a .270win was very accurate even for five shots.

My father's .270 BAR requires small base dies and has a short throat. Loading for it requires keeping OAL short as the action will not chamber bullets that "jam" the rifling. That particular rifle is Belgian from the mid 60s and shoots better groups than lots of off the rack bolt guns.