Input needed...Browning Semi-Auto 308 win DBM

[Ru4real]

Anyone have experience shooting or swinging one of these new BAR MK3 DBM with the 18" fluted barrel?

I'm considering buying one and then having it re-chambered to 358 Winchester. Seems like it would be another good timber elk/bear/moose/deer gun for me since I have a BLR in 358. 150 yards or so. About $1500 all in. Seven pounds and handy short. Ten shot and 5 shot mags. One small concern is the DBM may be at the balance point for one handed carry. I've read they are accurate, function well, are soft recoiling and have great triggers. Not available anywhere that I can find. Another concern is demand (legal in all 50 I think) may be inflating prices.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

View attachment 780568

 

[Nature Boy]

I think it’s a great idea.

 

[SwampWolf]

I like the idea too. Pennsylvania is one state I'm aware of where hunting deer with a semi-auto rifle is illegal.

Offhand, I can't think of any factory semi-auto rifle that was ever chambered in .358 Winchester. Anybody know of one?

 

[Nature Boy]

I like the idea too. Pennsylvania is one state I'm aware of where hunting deer with a semi-auto rifle is illegal.

Offhand, I can't think of any factory semi-auto rifle that was ever chambered in .358 Winchester. Anybody know of one?

At one time Springfield offered their M1A in calibers other than .308 and included a .358 win option

 

[Ru4real]

Thank you for the input so far. This idea seems better than using an AR platform.

Costs are working out to be the same. About $1500. I like the AR platform, but to be honest they are not as easy as a conventional hunting rifle to drag through the brush or sling over your shoulder and climb a mountain.

 

[stiab]

Sounds like a cool conversion, but not sure the original mag would function properly, especially in a semi. Although case size in the same, Winchester had to redesign mags for their 88's to get the .358 to feed properly.

 

[The Earl o Sammich]

Michigan, Wisconsin are another two that allow hunting with semi-autos. What states don't allow it???

 

[Ru4real]

Sounds like a cool conversion, but not sure the original mag would function properly, especially in a semi. Although case size in the same, Winchester had to redesign mags for their 88's to get the .358 to feed properly.

Good point. I had thought the mags would function just fine, since they seem swappable in BLR 308 to 358. Maybe that's not the case

 

[stiab]

Good point. I had thought the mags would function just fine, since they seem swappable in BLR 308 to 358. Maybe that's not the case

Hopefully they would work fine. In the 88, Winchester used the same basic .308 magazine box but altered it to function with the larger cartridge neck. There are instructions on line for how to modify .308 mags for use in an 88 .358 to prevent feeding problems. Having owned several semi-auto deer rifles, I know feeding problems can exist in them that are not found in pumps and levers of the same calibers. Good luck in your conversion, sounds like a good woods gun.

 

[SwampWolf]

Michigan, Wisconsin are another two that allow hunting with semi-autos. What states don't allow it???

As mentioned, Pennsylvania is one.

since they seem swappable in BLR 308 to 358. Maybe that's not the case

Good pun.

 

[someguy2800]

I've never heard of a state that didn't allow semi auto's for hunting.

 

[SwampWolf]

I've never heard of a state that didn't allow semi auto's for hunting.

You know now-and I'm not sure if Pennsylvania's the only state with that stupid restriction. I'm not sure at all now but I know that Pennsylvania at one time allowed only flintlock rifles to be used for hunting deer in the black powder season-no percussion rifles were (are?) legal to use.

 

[22250Rem]

That would be a real interesting conversion and it sounds as though the OP would be real familiar with it because of already owning something in 358 and would be accustomed to its ballistics. "150 yards or so" ? .... Should be no problem for a 358 IMHO. It could even be used for hunting in NY state; as long as it's in a rifle zone and the magazine capacity is 5 rounds or less per the hunting regulations. Don't think I've ever seen any semi-auto in 358 Win. and I'm sure it would be a real conversation starter among fellow hunters.

 

[cdb1]

I've read they are accurate, function well, are soft recoiling and have great triggers.

Ive ALWAYS heard the opposite about BAR triggers. I’d still like one though.

 

[jmorris]

I was pretty impressed the first time I pulled the trigger on my BAR. Not sure if it was stock when I got it but there are lots of other semiauto and even bolt action triggers that have worse pulls.