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In terms of accuracy/precision, the R1 in .30-06 was only mediocre for me. I tried various handloads with 150gr and 168gr TTSX, along with factory rolled Core-lokt 150gr and 180gr. None shot that well. And there were noticeable amounts of copper fouling just by peering down the bore from the muzzle end. I didn't have a borescope at that time, but the copper fouling seen was worse than any rifle I had previously owned.

I sold the R1 to a friend who was fully aware of the accuracy and fouling concerns. He liked the R1 design, especially the magazines but he said that the copper fouling was an issue for him as well. I've lost track of the round count.

The BAR on the other hand, shot lights out. I had worked up a load with the 140gr NAB that was under 1" for 5-shots. But that was after modifying the fore end which had hard contact on one side of the barrel. I don't know how large an effect it had on accuracy, but I removed the contact.

The real surprise with the BAR was when I sold it to a friend who does not reload. I suggested that he try 130gr and 150gr factory ammo. And he did, but what was surprising was the fact that the two bullet weights had similar impact at 100 yards. Basically one big hole. And they shot noticeably better than my handloads using the 140 NAB. Very humbling experience!

One last comment. The trigger on the BAR was horrible, but the geometry of the grip made it bearable. More closed, as opposed to an open grip, which makes it seem more tolerable to me. I thought the trigger on the R1 was a bit nicer but not necessarily a great trigger.

There doesn't seem to be many aftermarket solutions for either but there used to be a few gunsmiths that would work on the BAR. Timney has an trigger fix for the Remington pumps and autos that use the 870-style trigger mechanism.

I agree the BAR MkIII trigger suhcs. BAR MkII hammer and sear are surprisingly inexpensive from Browning. They don't yet have inventory, or even part numbers assigned in the US system, for hammer and sear for the MkIII. I recently spoke with a CS rep who said the MkII parts do NOT carry over, but that they expect to have stock sometime in the fall.

4th Point

Thanks for the correction on the rifling and chrome lined bore, for whatever reason I read or was told that was the case.

I have no complaints about my current (3 month old Mark 3) and the trigger I have is certainly a good serviceable trigger. I am pretty certain that Neil Jones can do magic on one if needed. He does a heck of a job on BLR's .

OEH,

Glad to hear that the MK3 is working well. I'm considering one to replace the R1 and MKII that I sold.

Jason

A friend of mine has a nice Belgian BAR, a Grade 2, I think, in .300 Win. Mag. for sale on consignment at a local gun shop. PM me if you might be interested in it.

I had Remington 742's and Belgium Browning BAR's, they both sucked. If I was going to buy a semi auto rifle it'd be a HK 770 in .308 or a AR-10 in .308. Preferably the HK, it's expensive but buy once and cry once.

Thanks for all the good info.

Have an old 1969 BAR Grade II in 338 WM, a hell of an accurate Cadillac with 71gr IMR-4350 under 250gr Partitions, a beautiful blonde stocked basher, most hate em, but i love em.

That for sure is a Elk Assault Hammer. My only complaint with the old ones is the weight , but that is needed with a 338.

I’ve had a couple of BAR’s. About the only thing I could complain about was their mushy triggers. However they weren’t that bad.

I own 3 Browning BARs in 243, 06, and 338, all 3 are MK II black stalker models wearing scopes and iron sights. All 3 are sub 1" guns....all with factory loads.

Two things helped gain this accuracy. First, the magic number on forearm torque in 65"/lbs. And second, send the trigger group to Accuracy Systems, for a trigger job. All 3 guns break at 2.75 lbs, with zero creep.

They did a great job on each one, with quick turn around and great communication. https://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/

Andy3

Thanks for that tip.

Not with the synthetic stock. My M1A Squad Scout with a 15.-4X Leupold Scout Scope with the heavy steel rings goes 8 lbs., 11 ozs. E

You bet OEH, but, truth be told, most of us could take a good crap and clean our boots and lose 15 pounds; ]

The first time i fired a BAR i was hooked, Marine Unc got back from 'nam in 1970, bought a new BAR in 300 Win Mag, let me shoot it, i could feel/hear the workings just like i could Dad's A5 shotgun, i appreciate that level of Craftsmanship, near 50 years later, it doesn't go away.

BAR are notoriously famous in the southern deer woods amongst hounds men. Equally notorious for being hard on their equipment, these men only trust the best. Many of them cannot or most accurately could not afford many of life’s necessities and surely didn’t afford themselves luxuries, but they shoot Browning BAR rifles with open sights at deer.

Having grown up around this group of men, I have several myself. My daughter shoots one in .270 Winchester and has since a very young age. It’s had the stock cut down to fit a young girl lop, but it is still heavy enough to absorb a lot of the recoil. I have a 3006 that I have a ghost ring on and I shoot deer in front of hounds with it. It’s accurate and reliable. Performs much better than the traditional buckshot. 180 grain or 165 grain core loks are generally fed to it.

Point of this post…… they are tough as nails, accurate, and reliable weapons of choice. I love Benelli shotguns, and I’m sure the R1 is a fine rifle, but my roots won’t let me put my old BAR’s aside to try one.

Chambered in .30-06...?

Only one.



8>)




GR

When I was a kid, the much maligned Remington 742 and all it’s off shoots was the most popular rifle around. Generally it was chambered in either 30-06 or .243 and skads of deer were killed with them. If they were still available, I wouldn’t buy one on purpose. But, I wouldn’t feel terrible if someone handed me one and told me to go forth and slay bambies either.

My dad hunted with a late60s 742 in 30-06 with a Redfield 3 x9. I watched him sight it in to go Elk hunting. He set up a target walked off 100 yards. Wrapped the sling around his arm fired 3 shots standing offhand. All 3 holes were in his 1" bullseye. I shot it a few times to check the scope when I was older. The rifle would really shoot. Irritating because it would shoot better groups than my 700. I think it was an unusually good 742. I have seen other people shoot them and were happy with 3" groups.

My Dad had a good one as well. He passed it on to me and I hunted with it for years until it started having mechanical issues.

It was a 742 Carbine, 30-06. It would hold groups of 1-1.5" @ 100 yards with factory ammo.