What do you know about Browning BAR?

[Snapping Twig]

I like 'em and been wanting one for a long time.

Recently I ran across a 1975 vintage 30-06 NIB (for real) for the princely sum of $775. Looking at the various sites, I see that the going rate for a used one in decent shape, but then there's shipping, etc. and I live in California, so there's other layers and hoops.

So, the deal is done and it is NIB, never even cycled a round.

I wasn't looking for an 06, more like a magnum, but this one is cherry and I have dies and brass for the 06, so I can dial it in and feed it for no extra loot. Now I have one, and that's the bottom line.

Do you have a BAR? If so, what caliber? How far do you break it down for cleaning?

The video on You Tube makes it look like bore cleaning often and full cleaning less frequently is a good play. So much to do to get to the bolt!

Anyway... what do you think of your BAR?

Pics are not mandatory, but they are encouraged.

 

[rburg]

Sorry, I don't do pix.

Yes, I've got one about the same vintage as yours, also in .30-06. I thought the caliber was an advantage. I've got other guns in that caliber.

I found mine at a gun show a while back, maybe a few years. It had nice enough wood, and included sight bases but no rings or scope. It didn't bother me a bit. I bought it as a "loaner" gun. Even the few people I sort of trust I wouldn't lend a front line gun to. Sorry, you can borrow my wife or dog, but not my favorite guns.

But then I corrupted the deal, as usual. I didn't have a junk scope to hang on the thing. So looking around at a guns show, one of our lurkers here, Blake, had a buddy with a cheap imported scope. It had some German sounding name like Zeiss, and as my bad luck would have it, required 30mm rings. Thats because even if its a low power variable "Diavari", its got a big opening. So I mounted it up, just for fun.

And we took it to the local range to sight it in. I'd already shoved the mandrel in the bore with the laser attached, so it was darn close on the first shot. A few clicks down and it was hitting the target about an inch high at 50'. So I left it there, its good to go.

I pretty much like my older Brownings. They made darn good guns. To the point where I can say I've never bought a Browning product that wasn't superior. And now with a scope on the BAR that cost more than the rifle, its off the loaner list for good. I maybe should have bought a Bushnell that was used and beat up. Now I'm back to looking for a ratty old Winchester with a junk scope so I've got one someone else can use if needed. I'm guessing that loaning out a gun is way over rated.

No, you can't borrow mine.

 

[model70hunter]

I've traded for a few BAR's right and did well when I traded them off. They hold value well. A friend bought a 7mag back in 86 or so. He sent it off and had it electroless nickeled, bought a new scope, and a few boxes of ammo. He dropped all off at my house asked me to mount the scope and zero it in. He uses it from a stand and the last time I saw him he was killing deer every year. I'd say it's held zero very well. I'm thinking my friend will wear out before the BAR does.

 

[COL Jagdog]

I have three BAR's .243, .270, 300 Win Mag -- all scoped with Leupold Gold ring scopes -- great rifles, very accurate, they definitely hold their value -- you made a good deal and won't lose money on your purchase.

 

[bshepherd]

I picked up a 1969 Grade 2 BAR in .30-06 last year. Got it for a decent price, but when you included the brand new Leupold scope ($400 Retail) it was a smokin deal.

 

[jimmyj]

WOW!
When I saw your post my mind was on the original "BAR" military model from WW1 to VN. As a 17 year old 5ft/8in 140 pound pimple faced military person I got to carry this 20 pound weapon along with the bandoleer belt. I really,really want to carry a M1 carbine but the "Big Guys" carried these.

 

[boykinlp]

I have a Browning Mark II Safari BOSS in .270 caliber with a Leupold variable scope. The Ballistic Optimizing Shooting System (BOSS) is available as an option on BAR Safari rifles. The BOSS allows the shooter to fine tune the rifle's accuracy to surpass that of any other autoloader.

I have only shot it a few times. It is very accurate but also very loud with the BOSS.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Thanks for the replies so far, but you guys haven't mentioned maintenance.

How far do you go with it? Do you clean the bore and leave the bolt in and untouched or do you clean out the ejection system regularly or do you take it completely down and clean & oil?

My friend had one many years back and never cleaned it, so the bolt would chug slowly back to battery. Kind of funny, but that was one dirty rifle.

 

[BADSBSNF811]

Have one in 333 Win Mag. Softest shooting rifle in 338 I have ever fired. I took mine apart after about 10 years of bore cleaning just to do it. Bore cleaning was all it needed.

 

[Kinman]

I got one in a trade, in 300 win mag. Very dirty rifle, hard usage, checkering worn down in places. I cleaned the bore, took it down to the range and although dirty it performed flawlessly through two magazines, 180 grain bullets...excellent accuracy, pleasant recoil. It may even replace my model 70 30-06 this fall.
Very easy rifle to take down, manual available on line, remember to take the bolt to the rear before trying to remove the fore-grip.

 

[feralmerril]

This one was first year production, belgiam browning. My uncle left it to dad, dad to me. Dad was hunting in super cold weather in wisconsin and it froze up on him. It had too much oil and/or grease and had to be cleaned. Otherwise it has been a great gun.

 

[ACP230]

I cleaned the barrel on my Grade II when I hunted with mine.
Had a gunsmith take it apart to clean the action.
Took my first deer and only coyote and bear with it.
Shot into an inch and an eighth at 100 yards consistently with Rem factory and my reloads. Both with Remington 150 grain Core-Lokt
bullets.

Last time I loaded .30-06 I used once-fired Remington brass and made
the load a little hotter. That load shot into an inch from the bench at
100 yards.

Still have the rifle and sometimes sight it in as an extra for deer season. It's also a .30-06. Wanted a .338 for years and even found
one at a fairly good price. Didn't quite have the cash.

The one drawback to me is weight. It's around eight pounds ready to go to the woods. My Ruger 77 lightweight in .250 Savage is six and a
half pound with scope and sling. The .250 has killed deer a bit
faster for me, too.

 

[Marksman]

I worked in Browning's St. Louis gunsmithing shop for many years, BAR's were one of the rifles I worked on the most. They are a great design and well made. When the gas system gets dirty it slows the action and if not cleaned can seize the gas piston. The piston & cylinder are chrome plated and require no lubrication. Cleaning is really a job for a gunsmith as a couple of special tools are required especially if the gas system is really dirty. The gas port(s) should be cleaned at the same time the cylinder and piston are. A trip to Browning's gunsmith shop is well worth it as the 'smiths perform several little smoothing operations on some of tha action parts as a routine part of the cleaning process. Your rifle will be returned to you working smoother than before, it will function better and will not require servicing as frequently.

 

[MORSNO]

I have a Bar in 7mm Mag. I just clean the bore and chamber areas and haven't had any problems. I don't shoot it a lot like a .22 or 5.56 so I haven't found a need to tear it down any further.

 

[BruceM]

The Browning BAR's are strong and accurate. They are also much more reliable than their Remington counterparts. The only drawback, if you want to call it that, is that they are a little heavy. That said, they are "soft" shooting rifles & if I wanted a non-military style semi-auto hunting rifle, the BAR would be at the top of my list.



Bruce

 

[Gary]

I have one in .308 with a 3-9 Leupold Vari XII mounted on it. It is a quality rifle. Browning still builds rifles with walnut stocks and high polished blued machined steel parts. I like that a lot. They are getting harder and harder to find. It is accurate too. I routinely get 1- 1 1/2" groups with Remington green box ammo. I really can't think of anything thing bad to say about it.

 

[Muley4x4]

I like 'em and been wanting one for a long time.

Recently I ran across a 1975 vintage 30-06 NIB (for real) for the princely sum of $775. Looking at the various sites, I see that the going rate for a used one in decent shape, but then there's shipping, etc. and I live in California, so there's other layers and hoops.

So, the deal is done and it is NIB, never even cycled a round.

I wasn't looking for an 06, more like a magnum, but this one is cherry and I have dies and brass for the 06, so I can dial it in and feed it for no extra loot. Now I have one, and that's the bottom line.

Do you have a BAR? If so, what caliber? How far do you break it down for cleaning?

The video on You Tube makes it look like bore cleaning often and full cleaning less frequently is a good play. So much to do to get to the bolt!

Anyway... what do you think of your BAR?

Pics are not mandatory, but they are encouraged.

Snapping Twig...I sold that BAR to you in Pacifica (Bull Elk). Glad it's worked out for you. Just picked up a Safari MarkII .243 BAR and just love it. Take care!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Nice to hear from you!

Still haven't taken it to the range, but I will.

Note to all, if you ever want to buy something from Muley4x4/Bull Elk, do so with confidence - he's the real deal.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Texas Star]

Autos do need really clean chambers and some say that if you reload, only certain powders should be used for proper operation without battering the action. Burning rate is the issue and how much residue is left.

I've also read that cases need to be full length resized, with a smaller sizer than usual to resize the base of the case.

But that's what I've read. I've never owned a centerfire autoloading rifle.

I have handled the BAR and those I looked at were very nicely made. I gather that they last much better than the Remington. After some point, the Rem.wears so badly that it can't be repaired. But most hunters don't shoot them that much.

 

[armenius]

Bought a 270 in early '70's.Great rifle and accurate.If the barrel heated the groups would open a bit.The only problem was weight.Old age has reduced me to a Model Seven.Before the coyotes we had many does and tags.I killed 3 deer in one "burst " on several occasions and it wasn't difficult due to soft recoil.No problems till last year the action froze up and the gunsmith replaced the disconnector.