[woodman 704]

I was recently looking to purchase a used Browning Bar II in a 30/06. does anybody have any feedback on it ?

 

[Tnhunter]

I've owned several BARs over the years, around seven or eight I'd figure made from the late 60s to one new BAR Safari MKII. I find them to be excellent rifles and I cannot recall ever having one that I've owned malfunction on me. I own four at this time and use one older GRII in '06 or the new Safari in .270 to hunt with when I choose to use a BAR. The newest one in .270 is probably the best shooter I've had giving excellent groups with the loads I've tried in it. The only down side to the BAR in my opinion is that they do not make one in .35 Whelen. I had to buy a Remington to get a Whelen and I much prefer the BAR over the 750.

 

[hillestadj]

Its only the best autoloading rifle on the market, in my not so humble opinion. The only criticisms I've ever heard I would attribute to operator error such as trying to slide the bolt closed quietly instead of just using the release and letting it slam home, etc...My experiences have mirrored Tnhunters.

 

[dmsbandit]

Actually, in a head to head test preformed by GUN TEST, the Remington 750 beat the BAR. Unlike the BAR, the 750 is rated for ANY [including the high pressure ammo from Hornady, Winchester, and Federal] factory ammo and will digest large charges or slow burning powders without coming apart if you handload.

The gas system on the 750 is designed to stay clean, and NOT cause high port pressures that will damage the Operating rod and bolt recesses.

 

[hillestadj]

If you're looking to push the envelope pressure-wise an autoloader isn't the place to do it, I dont care what model it is so to me the point is moot. The 750 is a serviceable rifle if you dont mind high school shop class aesthetics and you feel you need to leave a rifle sit long enough between cleanings that the gas ports get so clogged that high pressure actually starts to become a risk. I've only shot 2 model 750s, one in 30-06 and one 35 Whelen carbine, both left me largely unipressed by their accuracy when compared to any of the BAR's I've owned, shot, or currently own. Also, while the 750 is said to have cured the Remington jam-o-matic curse that was the 740/7400 I still experience a single jam in the outing with the -06. Just one but thats one more than I've experience with a BAR. YMMV.

 

[dmsbandit]

If you're looking to push the envelope pressure-wise an autoloader isn't the place to do it, I dont care what model it is so to me the point is moot. The 750 is a serviceable rifle if you dont mind high school shop class aesthetics and you feel you need to leave a rifle sit long enough between cleanings that the gas ports get so clogged that high pressure actually starts to become a risk. I've only shot 2 model 750s, one in 30-06 and one 35 Whelen carbine, both left me largely unipressed by their accuracy when compared to any of the BAR's I've owned, shot, or currently own. Also, while the 750 is said to have cured the Remington jam-o-matic curse that was the 740/7400 I still experience a single jam in the outing with the -06. Just one but thats one more than I've experience with a BAR. YMMV.

The gasport pressures have nothing to do with the cleaning of the gun.

Slow burning powders like H4831, Rel-22, Rel-25, IMR4350 and H4350, H1000, etc., have a pressure curve that creates higher gas pressures further down the barrel. Semi-Autos operating mechanizms are designed to function in a certain pressure window so that the moving parts don't get beat to death. The 750 is designed to handle higher gas port pressures that are developed by slow burning powders. Look at a box of Hornady Light magnum ammo and read what it says on there. "Not recommended for semi-auto rifles". The 750 has told to me by remington is designed to shoot ANY factory ammo no matter what the fomulation of the powder charge. I have heard of more BAR rifles with broke operating rods and mangled recievers than browning will ever admit to. The sad part is, it often doesn't take more than a few hundred rounds of ammo to do it.

I have a 750 carbine in 308, and it will shoot groups as good as many bolt rifles and I have never had it jam if the ammo was sized correctly. It will consistantly shoot 1-1.25" groups with 150gr SST bullets even with the heavy, gritty trigger. I have over 700rds thru it in just about 1 year and it continues to shoot very well.

 

[GMFWoodchuck]

Well, the BAR is basically a FN FAL which is one of the best military rifles to have ever be developed. As good, if not better than the M-14, not to start a debate. The only difference between the two, meaning the FN FAL and the BAR, is the stock and sometimes the chambering, with the FN FAL usually being a 7.62X51. So I imagine the BAR is also a good rifle.

 

[Harry Snippe]

If you're looking to push the envelope pressure-wise an autoloader isn't the place to do it, I dont care what model it is so to me the point is moot. The 750 is a serviceable rifle if you dont mind high school shop class aesthetics and you feel you need to leave a rifle sit long enough between cleanings that the gas ports get so clogged that high pressure actually starts to become a risk. I've only shot 2 model 750s, one in 30-06 and one 35 Whelen carbine, both left me largely unipressed by their accuracy when compared to any of the BAR's I've owned, shot, or currently own. Also, while the 750 is said to have cured the Remington jam-o-matic curse that was the 740/7400 I still experience a single jam in the outing with the -06. Just one but thats one more than I've experience with a BAR. YMMV.

Up here North of your border the 750 by far has claimed the title of the Jamomatic .They commomly will not eject or chose to pick up a new case . Yes effords have been taken to solve these problems when they first came out "BUT"I don't see them on many dealer shelves .One wholesaler in Toronto has them on clearance to pedal them off .
I hear the 740/ 7400 worked well if kept clean anf remington Ammo was being used . There seems to be still a good market for these rifles .
The bar is seen as being a bit heavy , other than that they work well . Any Auto needs to be cleaned and any malfunction seems related to dirt .
Other negative for the Bar has been to price .
Not really a every Mans price range .

 

[Mojo]

Sounds like the OP is planning on the BAR, but I recently became very interested in the Benelli R1 since it is now available in .338 WM - any feedback?

 

[Sinbad12-2007]

I had a BAR in .300 Winchester Magnum. Darned accurate rifle too. Never failed me when I was spending my 30 days leave from the NAVY up in Canada. But I only used factory ammo too. I didn't want to chance a reloading mistake, not that far from civilization. My pilot would fly in every two weeks with supplys and that's a long time between fixes. My ONLY complaint with it was it's weight. My little .308 Winchester 100 carbine was nice in that respect. My pilot regularly carried a Remington 740 .30-06 Carbine and he never had any problems with it either. He carried it about like regular people carried a pocket knife. It was always with him. Both are a fine testamonial.

 

[Harry Snippe]

Think the Bar made by Browning has passed the test over it's time as did the Auto shot gun.
The bar might be a bit heavy, then they do tend to shoot .