I recently inherited a Browning BBR .300 Win Mag made in 1979 with an old 3-9x40 Redfield scope on it. It was my Grandfather's rifle and I don't believe it has even had a box of ammunition shot through it.

I have not had a chance to shoot it yet. I ordered a 4-16x42 Nikon Monarch for it and plan on shooting it shortly. I have an elk hunt coming up this October and this is the rifle I will be taking. I plan on trying to reload a round for this gun and I am still undecided on what bullet/load I will be using. I am leaning toward the 200 gr Accubond pushed with H4831 to start out with.

My question: Has anyone had any experience with the BBR? I know it was Browning's bolt action rifle prior to the A-bolt. If you have shot/own one, how does it perform?

Thanks for your time,
Trent

I like the 168gr and the 175gr loaded to max.

bullet performance was real good.
I have not shot any 200gr bullets. only had a few factory loads and the recoil was a little more than I wanted.
I use H414 and winchester 760 keeps the pressures in the low 50k range

Dave

It should perform well for you, especially if you are handloading. If anything, the nostalgia warm & fuzzies you'll get from shooting grand dads gun will matter more then shooting a 1/4" group.

I see no problem with using a 200gr Accubond out of a 300 mag for elk, no problem at all! You could also be just fine with 165 or 180 Accubonds as well, if the 200's don't shoot well.

I have the next step down in size of scope from what you bought, the 3-12x42 Monarch. I've been very pleased with it, very bright, very clear. Excellent scopes for the money. I just wish I would have bought the Nikoplex and not the BDC reticle, really don't like the BDC, but it sounded like a good idea at the time

The BBR was a very well made, high quality rifle. I've never owned one but I remember looking at several at gunshops when they were in production. They always had very nice wood.

A friend bought one in 7mm Mag about 1980 and I got to handle and shoot it a bit. The BBR used a "fat bolt" (similar in concept to the Weatherby Mk V). They were a rather heavy rifle, maybe a bit too heavy for standard calibers but about right for a .300 Magnum.

I think there was a recall on some of them for a possible problem with the safety. I remember my friend was upset because his rifle might be away for the recall at hunting season. Since he said he never carries a rifle with a round chambered he was going to use it and then send it in after hunting season.

They were a fairly expensive rifle at the time and were considered to be one of the more "high end" sporters, competing with rifles like Sako.

They were discontinued in 1984 when the A-Bolt was introduced at a lower price point.

quote:

I have the next step down in size of scope from what you bought, the 3-12x42 Monarch. I've been very pleased with it, very bright, very clear. Excellent scopes for the money. I just wish I would have bought the Nikoplex and not the BDC reticle, really don't like the BDC, but it sounded like a good idea at the time

I went back and forth between the BDC and Nikoplex myself and I finally settled on the Nikoplex. I finally convinced myself that all the circles would get in the way. I don't know if that is the right way of thinking, but that is what helped me make my decision.

Thank you all for the responses, I really appreciate it. As said earlier, it is a heavier gun but seems to be put together really nice. I will let you guys know how I get it to shootin when I can get the chance. The dadgum weather here in Oklahoma is forcasted to be 108 deg for the rest of the week. After one shot my barrel would be hot enough to fry an egg on.

Thanks again,
Trent

I have 2 BBR's that I purchased new back in the late '70's.
They are both very accurate and reliable; and are the standard by which I judge all other factory rifles. It should treat you well elk hunting. If it doesn't, let me know and I will relieve you of the problem! LOL!

Belgium Browning .300 Win Mag / 180-grain Hornady SP / 75 grains RL-22 / WW brass / Fed 215 / OAL 3.260" / 3000 fps

[Got it in a swap from a lefty with no use for a righty gun. Nice and heavy, beautiful, non-salt stock, shoots well.]

Got this by 'Find' and Google search at 24hourcampfire
and "load development" stopped at the above. (Hornady book shows this as a midrange load, but other books were more conservative. Norma MRP actually cited in third edition, p.245. RL-22 is the exact same powder per A-Square's "Any Shot You Want", p.274 )

quote:

Originally posted by Broncho10:
I ordered a 4-16x42 Nikon Monarch for it and plan on shooting it shortly. I have an elk hunt coming up this October . . . I am leaning toward the 200 gr Accubond pushed with H4831 to start out with.

First, either cancel the order for the scope or return it unopened when it arrives. There is absolutely no need of a 16X scope for elk hunting, and its bulk will only be in the way. If the 3-9 Redfield which is on your rifle is one of the original Denver Redfields, then it is five times the scope that you can buy from a Japanese camera company -- and besides, it will serve your Grandfather's memory better to keep the rifle the way he had it. If the Redfield is one of the latter-day Asian models, then cover up you Grandfather's lapse in judgment an protect his reputation in death by dismounting the scope, tossing it in a very deep lake, and never acknowledging its existence. Then buy a Leupold 3-9 and go hunting.

A 200 grain Accubond is not a bad choice for elk, nor is H4831 a bad choice to propel a bullet from a .300 Winchester. However, the 200 won't do anything that the 180 won't do and the 180 will be a bit flatter shooting. But whichever gave the best accuracy would be the one which should get the nod. The Partition in either weight is also an excellent choice, but truth be known, just about any 180/.30 caliber bullet that shoots well in the gun will drop an elk just as quickly and dependably as any other. Just stay away from the monometal bullets which are famous for their sometimes accuracy and sometimes expansion.

I used to own a BBR in .338WM back in the late 80's and always regretted selling it. Very nice rifles. I have been consoling myself with Weatherby Mk V's