Benelli R1 or Browning BAR in 300 Win Mag

[Huntolive]

What about these two semi auto 300 Win Mags?

If BAR, w/ or w/o compensator? What are the considerations there?

Other semi autos better in the price range?

This is for hunting large game, including distances over 500 yards.

Others better for less in bolt action that are more accurate/low recoil (for a 300 Win Mag) ?

Should i consider 338 Win Mag, especially in the Benelli R1? What does 338 do better than 300 Win Mag?

 

[jmorris]

I have a BAR in 300 wm (no comp), it has noticeably less recoil than my bol't action 300's.

I haven't played with any other semiauto 300 wm though.

 

[RainDodger]

I have a BAR in a smaller caliber (.243) and a friend has one in 7mm. He complains about the weight compared to other rifles. I'm not a hunter so don't carry mine around much and can't say... but it sounds like you should be aware of any weight differences.

Functionality-wise, you can't argue with the reliability of a Browning BAR. It works and it works well.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks,

how is the accuracy w/ the BAR 300? And what version do you have? Safari?

 

[Predator55]

I would opt for a nice bolt gun,especially if your going to be doing some long range shooting. If you ever plan on a safari I believe semis are not allowed. Both the R1 and BAR are good rifles but your not going to beat a good bolt for accuracy.

 

[Huntolive]

Are the BOSS and other compensators/brakes easily removable w/o a gun smith if i do want the option of on/off?

 

[Snyper]

Are the BOSS and other compensators/brakes easily removable w/o a gun smith if i do want the option of on/off?

Most simply screw on and off

 

[RainDodger]

I've found my .243 BAR to be adequately accurate for a hunting rifle but it's not a match rifle. It just depends on what you're looking for.

 

[RevJim]

I don't know anything about the benelli. I have owned several BARS through the years. I only have one now, an older Belgium made .270 Winchester that shoots .75 with handloads. Trigger is a crisp 3# too! I had a 338 winmag Japanese made I gave a friend of mine, it is fairly accurate. I had a 7mm Rem Mag that was fair, but was super picky about being clean, it jammed a lot. A friend of mine had one in 300 win mag ( Belgium made) and it was fair in accuracy, but he never killed a deer past 300yds with it. They all are just a toss up, really.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks,

I am leaning towards a bolt gun, but do like some things about the Benelli R1, but am concerned about accuracy.

So if the compensators such as BOSS on a bolt or semi just screw on/off, and i take it out, do i need a thread protector or something? I really don't get it:banghead:

 

[RevJim]

If you have a brake that can be removed easily they usually come with a thread protector. With the 340W I had, the one with the holes all around brake, I used ear plugs that supposedly would "shut out" the muzzle blast. They really didn't, ha. Lots of folks who like those kinds of brakes, or for any kind of shooting, use the electronic ear muffs. Its an option. Listen, I don't want to discourage you from a semi auto. I've seen the guys with BAR magnums used in the mountains here in Utah by lots of guys. (Remember this is Browning country, ha) I've even packed my 270 BAR several times and they are really not a problem. I saw one Benelli at the gunrange and the guy had a tiny little group at 100yds! Its just that they "probably won't have the accuracy and for sure, the dependability for the extended ranges you speak of. Get what you really like, shoot it, hunt with it. Just enjoy yourself, don't agonize over it, life is too short, and hunting is too important, ha.

 

[tdbmd]

On average, semi-auto guns will not be quite as accurate as bolt guns. There will be individual exceptions to that rule. I have a.270 BAR that is usually a MOA gun if I do my part, with one specific factory load that it likes. The semi-auto guns are going to have less recoil that a bolt gun of the same caliber because some of the energy of recoil is going to operate the action. IMO, a dedicated long range gun should be a bolt gun but you are usually going to have to have some work done to make a out of the box bolt gun into some kind of long range precision rifle. Not always, but usually. Or you are going to buy more of a top end rifle right off the bat. Plus you need good optics. In my mind, figure closer to $2000 for a dedicated long range rig. Now there are always the out of the box factory gun that shoots exceptionally well and if you are lucky to get one, then that is great. But most will take at least a little tweaking - trigger, bedding, load development.....