[navarchgolf]

Good Morning,

I have a Browning BAR Grade 2 in 30-06 (referred to as a Type 1?, as it is a 1971 issued rifle, my fathers old rifle).

Originally, the rifle had a BALVAR scope with what I believe is an old redfield one piece base, with front dovetail ring, and rear dovetail windage adjustable ring.

I had the rifle re-blued, and purchased a Leupold VX-3 3.5x10 40 MM scope for it.

Purchased a STD leupold one piece base, and STD medium rings.

After mounting "properly", using alignment bars, and slight lapping of rings, I went to boresight, and used over 90 clicks of travel on elevation turret to get it to zero. I only have 4 clicks of travel left on the scope.

I returned the scope to zero, using the mirror method, tried again...no joy. Tried another boresighter, same issue.

Took it all apart, and tried the scope on my a-bolt, and it boresighted perfectly, with minimal internal elevation travel on scope.

I do not want to have to "shim" the base.

I took the base off, and cleaned the reciever once again. When I lay it flat on the receiver, over the mounting holes, it does not appear to sit flush with the receiver. There is a slight (very slight) amount of play from front to rear (not side to side from what I can tell), and this concerns me.

I put the original base back on the rifle, which appears to have a very slight bend in it, and was able to get the original BALVAR scope to boresite.

I ordered a DNZ Dednutz one piece system for the rifle, and I hope this cures my issue. It is definitely not the scope.

Could the receiver be warped?? If so, it is definitely not visible to my eyes. If it is warped, how do we fix that?

Also am looking at 20 MOA base for the rifle, any ideas on that?

This is driving me nuts!

Any help appreciated!

Chris

 

[kdub]

Not sure if the BAR receiver is buit this way, but sometimes there's a difference between the front height and rear height for mounts. If you get them switched there's a big problem with elevation adjustments. As CVC says, there shouldn't be any gap between the mounts and the receiver. Might possibly be the wrong mounts for the rifle - an error in packaging, perhaps.

 

[navarchgolf]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into whether or not I have the correct rings.

When the base is screwed down on receiver, obviously there is no noticeable play.

I would re-use the redfield base, and rings, however I have no idea how to get replacement screws for the rings, and bases. Common head screws are stripped. I tried using the torx head screws from the leupold rings, however they will not fit through the rings.

I did try this at lunch. I took the packaging paperwork that came with the rings, not as thick as cardboard, little thicker than paper. Broke off two small pieces, and mounted the base, with the two pieces of paper between the receiver and the rear of the base. Mounted scope, and went to boresite.

The scope came in fairly quickly, maybe 60 clicks of travel to get the elevation in. Leaves me plenty for the range.

So...IF the dednutz does not work, I have some shims on the way from Leupold. Really did not want to shim, as I think its treating a symptom instead of the root cause.

Appreciate any other thoughts.

Chris

 

[Tnhunter]

Interesting. I have two BAR GRIIs, one from '68 and the other a '69. I have a one piece Leupold base on one (fits like a glove) and a two piece Millet with engraved rings on the other (also fits great). I almost wonder if the base itself might be defective, rather than your rifle's receiver(??)

Did you try and lay the base on something you know to be perfectly flat to see how it looks there? The scope/base/ring set-up you've chosen should be a perfect combination on that fine old Browning, but I think the base you've gotten might be a bit off.

 

[navarchgolf]

@Tnhunter,

I did lay that base on something flat, as relatively flat as I could find, and...a bit of wobble. Really hard to believe Leupold has a defective anything. I am by no means a Leupold loyalist, but maybe I did get a defective base.

Due to the weather affecting 3/4's of the nation, will be a few days before I see the DNZ product. Really have high hopes on that setup.

IF not, my next step, will be to return the base and rings to Leupold, and go with a set of two piece Millets...the saga continues. I looked at the engraved millets, and they would compliment the grade 2 BAR nicely.


Thanks for the info!

By the way, are your BAR's 30-06's? Do you handload for them at all?

Chris

 

[Tnhunter]

@Tnhunter,

I did lay that base on something flat, as relatively flat as I could find, and...a bit of wobble. Really hard to believe Leupold has a defective anything. I am by no means a Leupold loyalist, but maybe I did get a defective base.

Due to the weather affecting 3/4's of the nation, will be a few days before I see the DNZ product. Really have high hopes on that setup.

IF not, my next step, will be to return the base and rings to Leupold, and go with a set of two piece Millets...the saga continues. I looked at the engraved millets, and they would compliment the grade 2 BAR nicely.


Thanks for the info!

By the way, are your BAR's 30-06's? Do you handload for them at all?

Chris

Both my GRIIs are '06's and I've taken bucks with both as well. I do not handload for either, sorry. They are very fine rifles, made at a time when quality was utmost on the builder's mind. The Millets do look nice on that nice, engraved rifle. Using one of them always keeps me smiling all day while on stand!

Best of Luck to you!

 

[navarchgolf]

@ TNhunter,

Yes, my father has taken quite a few with that rifle. He took up the bow, when I was 12, so...never really got into rifle hunting. However, last season I took a nice buck in Missouri with it. Missed at 50 yards, couldn't believe it, then remembered, "its a semi", and followed deer, and took a 2nd shot and dropped him.

I was using Federal Power Shoks in 150 gr, and that bullet only retained maybe 20% of original weight...So, switched for this year to Remington Premier Core Lokts in 165 gr, PSP's, I hear good things about that round.

Had the gun stock and forearm replaced and the rifle re-blued by midwest gun works, my Navy retirement present to myself. It is a sweet looking rifle for sure.

Any ideas on how to get the color back on the trigger guard and magazine door? They are aluminum, and have some wear on them.

Due to this massive snow storm, I am still waiting for the DNZ system, when I try that I will keep ya posted.

V/R
Chris

 

[Tnhunter]

I sure am happy to see someone else that enjoys those pretty old GRIIs as much as I do. I'm afraid not everyone I mention them to has as much enthusiasm for them as I do...lol. I have actually semi-retired one of mine. I bought it (1969 model) NIB about 8-9 years ago, scoped it and shot a nice Tn buck with it. It was so da*n pretty though, I felt bad about taking it into the woods any more and bought a very similar 1968 to use and that's the one I always use now. They sit alongside each other in the gun case and they make a very pretty pair! They are very nicely made rifles and capable of very good accuracy too.

I'm sorry, but I don't know how to restore the alum parts. I'll send my gunsmith Buddy an email and see what he has to say tho.

Before I forget, Thanks for your service to our great nation!

 

[navarchgolf]

Thanks TnHunter!

Yes, still waiting on the DNZ mount, due to weather, will arrive on Tuesday...will post the results.

Yup, agree, they are gorgeous rifles, and capable of very good accuracy for a semi auto, comparable to bolt action accuracy with factory ammo. 1.5" MOA is what I get at a minimum.

I have read that the forearm lug, should be torqued to a certain limit, or it will affect accuracy.

My plan is to keep it in the safe, may hunt with it on nice days...when it is not snowing or raining. My primary hunting gun is the A-bolt or my Model 94 in 30-30.

Chris

 

[navarchgolf]

FIXED!!

The DNZ Dednutz fits like a glove, less than 30 click of elevation travel to get it zero'd!

Very happy now, guess their are some defective bases from time to time.

Thanks All!

Chris

 

[Tnhunter]

Very glad to hear you Got 'er done! Good luck with putting some bullets down range with that pretty gun now!!