I'm thinking about purchasing a Browning BAR in 338 Win Mag, and I'd like to hear about any experiences people have had with the said combination. I plan to use the rifle mainly for moose hunting. Previously I've used mostly a bolt action 375H&H loaded with Barnes 235XLCs @2880fps, and it has worked well.

I'd like to try a selfloader for close and fast situations that often occur during driven hunts, and I'm thinking a 338cal 225gr Barnes X @ about 2850fps should come fairly close to the 375H&H, but I'm wondering how rough the BAR is on the bullets?

quote:

Originally posted by Otto H.:
...I'm wondering how rough the BAR is on the bullets?

In what respect "rough"?? In terms of damaging bullet tips, in terms of need to crimp bullets in seating operation or...??

Are you a reloader, or do you rely on factory loads?? If you are a reloader, don't expect to be able to find your brass after it has been ejected.

In general, the BAR is considered one of the (few) truly reliable semi-automatic rifles. It is a big gun, and it is heavy too, but I guess that is no big issue (or even an advantage?) on driven hunts. Because of the long action, the BAR is also pretty long for its barrel length, so it is less practical when you get in and out of hunting vehicles or in cramped high seats.

In many European countries, semi-automatics are subject to magazine capacity limitations, but other than that, the BAR is a very capable tool for driven hunts.

- mike

Hi Mike,

yes, I meant "rough" in the context of damaging bullet tips, and thus having negative effect on accuracy and terminal ballistics. I'm a reloader, and would like to hear what kind of loads you have used in your BAR.

Thanks!

In terms of accuracy, damage of bullet tips is by far the least worrying - as opposed to damage at base. There are even people who claim that exposed bullet tips actually "melt" away during flight - true or not, I don't know?

If you are a reloader, that will give you the option of choosing bullets which do not damage easily - e.g. plastic tipped or round nose bullets.

I see bullet tip damage in rifles such as a M70 (staggered magazine) when I use bullets with exposed, pointed lead tips such as Nosler Partitions. This damage happens in the magazine during recoil. When it becomes necessary to fire these bullets in the heat of the battle, I have never noticed any difference in POI. But then again, by the time I needed the second or the third shot, adrenaline was probably a more important factor than damaged bullet tips.

All, in all, if it was me, I would not worry about that particular issue for the BAR. And if I still did, I would choose my bullets to eliminate the problem - Nosler AccuBond, Barnes (T)TSX, or a good old round nose...

- mike

reloading for a BAR is ifficult... it requires small base dies, instead of full-length resizing.... i have a .243, a .270. 2-7 remmags, 2-300 winmags, and a .338... none like reloads, and i have small base dies...find something factory that your gun likes, then go for it!!!... my .338 will shoot about 1 1/2" at 100 if i do my part....

quote:

Originally posted by jimatcat:
reloading for a BAR is ifficult... it requires small base dies, instead of full-length resizing.... i have a .243, a .270. 2-7 remmags, 2-300 winmags, and a .338... none like reloads, and i have small base dies...find something factory that your gun likes, then go for it!!!... my .338 will shoot about 1 1/2" at 100 if i do my part....

I'm reloading for 3 BAR's and have found no need for small base dies for any of em. 270, 30-06, and 308. Not like an M1A.

Only quirk I've found is that you usually need a little quicker burning powder than traditional for better accuracy. 270 and 308 were both MOA right away, my 30-06 took me over 400 rounds to find MOA and under. But none of them have seen factory ammo.

Brass is not that hard to find after shooting it either. Not like its ejected all that far.

If you make the plunge please post your feleing on the 338WM BAR as i have thought of adding it to my colelction but never pulled the trigger so to speak.

quote:

I'm reloading for 3 BAR's and have found no need for small base dies for any of em. 270, 30-06, and 308.

"Small base" dies were invented to solve a problem that exists somewhere else in the process. I've also had no need for anything other than conventional dies for loading the BAR. As Mike says, it is one of the few truly dependable and reasonbly accurate big game autos available. It even has a decent trigger.

I have had a 338Win Bar for at least 10 years… I bought it the year before the “BOSS” was released (if that helps).

For years it shot like junk. I sent it back to Browning and they replaced the stock (at my expense)… said it was cracked.

Switched scopes (with the one from my 338WM bolt rifle) and still 2.5-3 inch groups at 100 yrds.

I almost sold it…. Till I ask about what to do here or the 24hr Campfire (I forget) and someone suggested switching powders.

So I did, to IMR 4350 from IMR 4831… What a diff.

My youngest is getting 1-1.5 inch groups with 200g Nosler bullets.

I say my youngest cause he took it after that range session.

He said “Dad you did not want it anyway”…

So that is my story.

Forster Dies and Fed Match Grade Mag Primers, Win Brass and the Middle load for the 200g Accubond with IMR 4350.

a funny aside... and no "joke"

A friend of mine, in 1995, bought one.. he felt the recoil was VERY much less than his bolt gun. We were on a hunt, on a reserve with a shooting range, and he brought both... and had us all shoot his bolt gun to see the recoil. It was considerable.

Then he pulled out his BAR, said watch this.. and stood in a karate horse stance (legs wide, knees bent) and stuck the bar out like a sword..

and pulled the trigger.

Without his shoulder to slow the gun, the free swing recoil overcame his loose stance, and drove the butt of the gun back rather sharply. He arms, of course, rotated back and UP...

and the sounds he made over impact into his GROIN ...

he spent an entire DAY in bed, with ice, nursing his bruised.. er... pride

Only "gotcha" mine exhibited is that it shot 250 gr Rem CoreLokt factory loads like a house of fire ... did not like 225 gr handloads at ALL. Did OK with 250 gr projectiles.

Has never been an MOA rifle unlike my pre64 M70 bolt rifle.

Gave the rifle to my middle son who needed something more than a 7mm Rem Mag. Don't miss it much.

Just be careful in bad/cold weather. I had a BAR firing pin freeze up in cold/icy weather. The firing spring seems to be much weaker than that of a bolt gun.

I did have a 338 and a 280 in a BAR. Sold both. They shot ok, but I'm happier with bolt guns.

Handloading wasn't a problem. I shot all Barnes bullets, and didn't need small base dies. Also, you need to let the action slam shut. If you try to ride it closed quietly, you could get into problems.

quote:

...

...

Also, you need to let the action slam shut. If you try to ride it closed quietly, you could get into problems.

Oh yea… That is so true…


But is true to all self loaders….

IMO

Hallo Guys.

I've had a Browning Bar in .338 WM. for years now.
-I've been totally happy with it!

Felt recoil is LOW, and my accuaracy has been very good!

But it's only fair to inform you, I've "tuned" the rifle..
I have lightened the trigger pull, and "fire-lapped" the barrel, glass-bedded the two-piece stock,- which I've changed into a synthetic stock.
-And I've applied upwards preassure on the barrel at the end of the forend-stock.

You need to keep it faily clean.

I stay away from cleaning FOAM in this rifle.
("Forrest" cleaning foam advise AGAINST using their foam in "Self loaders".)

For me the Browning BAR in .338 WM has been POSITIVE beyond beleif.
-I remember one time I made some light plinking loads for it, using the cheap (inexpensive-) Lee bullet-mould.
The BAR responded with a .16 MOA group..!

I've used standard RCBS dies for my BAR.
-Worked very well.

-Take care you all.
chr.

chr,

good to hear.

Just when I got mine working...


My son fell in love with it.

What's a father to do?

Snake

Otto H. Ihave a gorgous Browning Bar in .338 mag! It is so darn pretty to look at I never had the heart to take it hunting. The burl walnut stock is why I purchased that rifle in the first place. It is a real conversation piece.

I have shot it several times, using factory ammo in the 225 grain weight. It's a little heavy for me nowdays up in the mountains especially but it sure does shoot nice off bench using Federal factory ammo. It shoots 1.25 inch groups with that ammo. No hitches in jamming whatsoever. The recoil is no problem with this rifle, a pleasure to shoot too.

quote:

Originally posted by Blue Dog:
Otto H. Ihave a gorgous Browning Bar in .338 mag! It is so darn pretty to look at I never had the heart to take it hunting. The burl walnut stock is why I purchased that rifle in the first place. It is a real conversation piece.

I have shot it several times, using factory ammo in the 225 grain weight. It's a little heavy for me nowdays up in the mountains especially but it sure does shoot nice off bench using Federal factory ammo. It shoots 1.25 inch groups with that ammo. No hitches in jamming whatsoever. The recoil is no problem with this rifle, a pleasure to shoot too.

I can feel you, it was the real nice walnut that made me grab my forst BAR in 30-06. It was also that wood than kept me trying to find the right load for it...Glad I did.