Browning BAR or Remington 7400 or ???

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ShootAndHunt

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Hi Guys,

Want to buy a semi-auto rifle in .30-06 caliber. It seems to me the main available choices are Browning BAR and Remington 7400. I went to the gun shop and test handled the two rifles. The Remington 7400 is nice, but the Browning BAR feels really good. However, it's price is almost twice as much as 7400. Could any guy with experience tell me how these two rifles perform in the range and field? (Accuracy, reliability, maintance, ...).

I also found one common problem with these two rifles, their bolt is not so easy to take out for clean. Does the bolt on these semi-auto rifles need very often regular cleanning works (such like after one day's range shooting)? How do you guys do it?

If you think there is any other great semi-auto rifles, give me some info please, I might not be so restricted to the .30-06. But the price cannot be over $1000, and I hope it really good quality.

Thanks,
 
Ive got a BAR with BOSS in a 270 win and it shoots 3/4 MOA with Winchester factory failsafes, its a kitten to shoot. I love it. stick with the BAR.
 
I'd say the BAR -- as a Remington 740 owner. There's nothing really wrong with the Remington, the BAR just seems more solid. Also more spendy.

You might want to check out the new Benelli R1 Rifle. I handled one yesterday. It's light, expensive and very nifty.

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/r1.tpl

Benelli is made in Italy. Remington is American. The Browning is probably made in Japan.

I usually use cleaning tools, Gun SCrubber and other chemicals to clean out the action rather than disassembly of the Rem 740. It's worked fine shooting ~20 shots per year as my brush gun for Whitetails.
 
I have a 7400/.30-06/Carbine and a BAR MkII/7mm/BOSS.
Both are good rifles.
The 7400 is a 'tool'.
The BAR is 'better' & 'nicer'.
Both are accurate.
The BAR is 'more accuate'.

If you're going for one, get the BAR.
The STALKER model might be less expensive.
Sights vs. BOSS? What do you need?
Scope choice? Same as above.

I'd go with the STALKER/BOSS and a 4 or 6X scope.
 
I also must say. How 'bout an M1 Garand?
Click to expand...

I must Concur. M1 Garand :D

It's also a MUST have for any history loving American. I wanted one form the time I was a WEE Little lad. Finally got one ~4 yrs ago.
 
With or Without boss for a BAR?

Thanks for you guys' reply. It sounds that BAR is nicer than a 7400, but do you go for a BAR with or without Boss? I will probably using the scope. I know in theory the function of Boss, but never really shoot one? Is it really a must? Is it difficult to adjust for the s"weet point" for each kind of ammo?

Still concerned about the cleanning, I might 200~500 rounds per year, how to clean the actions on BAR or 7400 is really a myth for me when you cannot take them out?
 
With the BOSS, you pick what you want to shoot and make the rifle shoot it accurately.

If you opt for regular sights, you'll have to buy some different ammo and find out what shoots 'pretty good' and then buy more of that for future use.

Check the Browning site for cleaning instructions.
 
The BAR* will almost always shoot better than the Remington 7400, but both are perfectly adequate for the type of short range deer hunting found in the East. Both are sporting rifles, not meant to be taken down in the field.

IMO, the M1 rifle is a great battle rifle, but is simply too heavy and bulky to make a good sporting rifle. In addition, it may have to use a 5 round clip or have the magazine blocked to use in some states.

*The FN sporting rifle, not the U.S. Army light machinegun.

Jim
 
Another option is the Heckler & Koch SL2000. This is a clone of the Browning BAR, but with some interesting features (including the ability to accept 10-round magazines). To compare them, here's the SL2000 (from H&K's German Web site - the new US site doesn't have the pictures up yet) and Browning's BAR.

H&K:


03_01_weapon_01.jpg




Browning:


031001m.jpg
 
I once owned the Remington 7400 in the 30.06 caliber. I hunted with it a year or two and took a few deer with it. I sold it and bought a Browning MK II Safari in 30.06. I still hunt with the Browning and have taken several deer with it. I put a Bell and Carson synthetic stock on it and a Nikon Monarch 3 X 9 X 40 scope on it before I statrted hunting with it. That gun just feels so good when I carry it. I feel more at ease carrying it than any other gun I own. Don't get me wrong the Remington is a great gun but the Browning beats it hands down when it comes to shooting. As far as cleaning the bolt I have never attempted to take it out. I don't even know if it comes out. I dont shoot it very much and have cleaned the gun the best I could. I have owned the gun since 1997 and it has not malfuntioned yet in any way. The Browning does cost more but for the money and the long haul I would put my money on the Browning anyday. Good luck on your decision.
 
BIGR,

What is the Safari model? How long is the longest barrel length on the BARs?

I'd love one that looks like Gewehr's.

Steve
 
Steve,

It is a model that has the nice glossy stock and has the engraving on the reciever. I think the longest barrel is 24 inches(Magnum Models). I think the Mark II Safari BAR was designed a little different than the original BAR.
 
Semis Around $1000 or less, BAR vs 7400

I am replying to a nearly 5 year old thread in case others looking for comparison information find this thread via a search engine.

I have owned two 7400s, and currently own several semi automatic military style rifles and a couple BARs. The original poster wanted info on:

1) semi-auto rifle preferably in .30-06 caliber
2) 7400 vs BAR (Accuracy, reliability, maintainability)
3) around $1000 maximum price (2003 dollars)

If the poster prefers 30-06, and weight of the rifle is not an issue, I agree a Garand might be the best choice. But, Garand prices have risen since 2003 and, IMHO, it is no longer easy to find one that is extremely accurate and also reasonably priced. In 2003 this would have been a fine choice.

Other semi auto military rifles available in .308 and/or 7.62 NATO and 30-06, other than the Saiga, are out of the price range. The Saiga, once again IMHO, is not as accurate as the other military rifles I own, but is very very reliable and it's accuracy can be improved with after market work. If cost is a major factor and you want a military style rifle you might want to consider a Saiga. It's a great rifle for the money.

If you are looking for a classic "hunting rifle" I strongly recommend spending the extra $$$ for a BAR over a 7400. I've shot several 7400s and owned two. I've sold them both and I rarely will sell a gun unless it's really problematic. I have two BARs and would not part with them. The BARs are also available in several excellent magnum calibers. I have one in .338 Win Mag and another in .300 Win Mag. I love both rifles and the .300 is among my favorite rifles. It's a tack driver at 500+ yards. I know guys BS about how their guns shoot, but I'm not doing that.

NOTE: I shoot competitively, practice all the time and do a lot of work on my hand loads, rifles and marksmanship, so I can get the most out of all my rifles.

I feel the BAR is far superior to the 7400. The 7400 is prone to FTE and FTLs. IOW, a 7400 is NOT reliable based on my experience. It's very particular to ammo sizing issues and also is not as accurate as the BAR even when everything goes right. I feel both rifles require similar effort to disassemble, but the fit of parts and quality of parts on the BAR is far superior. The BAR comes in various configurations and all are attractive in appearance, particularly the Safari model. The 7400 is plain looking by comparison, not that I personally care how pretty my rifles are, but some folks care about this and the BAR is beautiful. My wife does not like guns, but she even comments about how nice my BARs look. She says they are my best looking rifles.

In short, the BAR is a beautiful rifle. I would not sell my BARs unless forced, but if forced I'd be willing to sell a BAR to a friend or give it to a loved one. I would never sell a 7400 to anyone I liked or might run into again. I would discourage anyone I cared about from buying a 7400. If someone gave me a 7400, it would be for sale in my local FFLs place the next day.

If you want to spend several thousand on a semi there are many other fine choices such as a gas driven version of the AR10 or an M1A, but these weapons (and many other fine rifles) are out of the stated price range.

If you do choose a BAR, I'd consider the .300 Win Mag chambering. The BAR in this caliber is a fine weapon and hits hard at long range but is, IMHO, much easier to shoot than other comparable magnum calibers which might shoot flatter, but have far more felt recoil.

I hope this post helps someone avoid making the mistakes I made with a 7400. I was convinced (twice) that I could make a 7400 as reliable and as accurate as my other semis. I never achieved the accuracy but accuracy was acceptable. The main problem is reliability and quality. I expect a properly maintained rifle to work every time and with a 7400. Some reliability can be achieved with a lot of custom load work or finding factory load that it "likes" and it is just not worth it, especially if you demand the rifle work pretty much every time you pull the trigger (except for the unavoidable stove pipe on occasion).

Maybe you'll get lucky with your 7400 but I would not risk it if I were you. My BARs are not particular about ammo, super accurate, very reliable, easy to maintain and joy to shoot.

People I know who own BARs love them. People I know who own 7400s shoot rarely or sell them.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention 7400s have something called the soft rail / rail battering problem which basically ruins the rifle should the rail fail. I never ran into it, but I sold both of mine before I'd shot 1000s of rounds. Since I shoot all the time I need rifles that can last.

Here are a few links:

http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/Remington_7407427400.htm
http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=432059
http://originaldissent.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-1591.html

I wish everyone good shooting.
 
both of these rifles are fine weapons. the bar is superior in fit and finish. however, i would recomend the remington 750 woodmaster. i assume you are looking for a hunting rifle. as little as they get fired, a well maantained 750 would outlast you. take the money you save on the remington and buy a high quality optic.
 
Out of the box, I'd choose a Browning BAR over a 7400.

But if you intend to do any aftermarket modification at all, the 7400 is the better bet, and is also more suitable to modify into a home defense weapon (the pleasures of firing a 30-06 indoors, potentially without hearing protection notwithstanding :D). There's a version of every single Knoxx Industries shotgun stock that will fit a Remington 7400, and www.remington7400.com (Accuracy Systems Inc.) offers many parts and services to improve the accuracy of the weapon.
 
Great to hear how good the 7400 is, since I will be shooting mine (recently acquired) for the first time tomorrow!:uhoh:

I'll let you know the results.
 
I'm just amazed that a 5 year old thread would get resurected. Surely there has to be something more timely to make a post about.
 
Still concerned about the cleanning, I might 200~500 rounds per year, how to clean the actions on BAR or 7400 is really a myth for me when you cannot take them out?
Click to expand...

I'll interject some useful info into this ancient thread.

How to clean a BAR or remington 7400/7600

1. remove all soft parts, wood plastic ect excluding the plastic bolt cover on the remington

2 hose down all internals liberally with a can of brake parts cleaner and allow to dry

3 lightly reoil aforementioned internals with a aerosol can of Rem-Oil

4 reattached removed parts and shoot

I've detail stripped a rem 7400 and I don't recommend it except for one of those once or twice in the gun's lifetime type situations
 
Still hate my 7400

It works as a single shot, but I've had it looked at by two gun shops, who told me it was fine. $100 later, plus the ammo I've wasted and time, and it still doesn't work as a semi auto. The last shop said it was the magazine causing feeding problems, and they charged me for "fitting" the magazine. But they didn't ask if I wanted a new magazine. What is the deal?

Someone told me to try using a shotgun cleaning copper bristle brush to scrub the hell out of the chamber. I tried that but I guess it wasn't enough.




For 50c to 100c a round, this gun is the biggest waste ever, because it has not worked properly since I got it.

If anybody here just loves these things or has some magic trick up thier sleeve, email me [email protected]. I want to sell it.
 
I have had good results from the 7400, but some haven't. I really like the Bar, good guns, shoot great, and are real easy on the eyes. If you are looking for a hunting rifle either is fine. If there are other purposes in mind then I would go with the Garand, or perhaps a 30-06 saiga. They are AK tough and while they are less pleasing to the eye they are fine rifles, from all that I have heard. All should meet your budget.
 
ShootAndHunt,

The boys here have steered you right. The Browning Bar is the best semi-auto high powered rifle on the market. It also is the best shooting as well. I know, I used to own one. I wished I still had it, but I needed to move it to suit another want. I had a Bar Mark II Safarin 270(BOSS). You wanted to know if the BOSS worked, well I will tell you my rifle would shoot groups way under an inch. My buddy had the same rifle w/o the BOSS, and his shot very well, but not as good as mine with the BOSS. I never really shot it for groups that much, but when I first bought the rifle as new, I sighted it in at 50yds to be about deadnut. I then shot it at 100yds. The first 3 shots went into a .580ctc group. I shot some Win Fail Safe loads that came in a box as a bonus of 4 rounds. At 100yds, all 4 shots with the Fail Safes went into the .6 range. This gun would flat ass shoot. It shot as well as any bolt action I ever owned with maybe the exception of a Remington Sendero 25-06 and a Cooper 17HMR. The thing I found out about the BOSS is they do in fact work. I think they would work even better if they were a little heavier. But for hunting purposes they worked plenty good. Also the other thing I learned about the BOSS is that regardless of how many rounds you would shoot whether 5 shots are 10, the bullets kept hitting about the same exact spot unlike other barrels that seem to wonder the shots once the barrel heats up.
 
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