Researching Browning BAR?

[Canuck Bob]

I've done a lot of forum reading and am researching a BAR for my next rifle.

I'll probably go with a used European steel receiver model.  The weight is not an issue, I'm a sagging old linebacker.  However being a lefty the Long/Short Trac lefties are interesting.  

How are the aluminum receiver BARs and BLRs holding up and are they accurate, 1.5 moa is a tack driver to me?

I'm having trouble finding info about the different model histories and upgrades, anyone a BAR historian or know a link?

Many users regard this rifle as excellent for reliablity and rivalling off the shelf bolts for accuracy, would you agree?  Anyone shoot thhe right hand BAR from the left?

[Slufoot]

Hello Bob, I bought my dad a BAR Lightweight in 30-06 a few years ago. It has the aluminum receiver, walnut stocks and a 20" barrel. This gun and my BAR Safari in 30-06 (steel receiver) will keep'em under 1.5" @ 100 yards consistently. The load I use is by no means a match type load, it consists of Military Surplus IMR-4895 powder, Remington 150 grain Core-Lokt bullets and the brass is Winchester once fired that I size in an RCBS small base die set. About the cheapest load I could come up with and it shoots great and works very well on deer.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks Slufoot,

This is encouraging.  I'm planning my next rifle and have been thinking about a left bolt.  The only dedicated left hand action I've owned was a 700 Rem in 7MM.  Must admit I hated that bolt.  I've always considered the BAR as one of the most attractive rifles built.

I prefer the Safari and light weight Safari style over the Longtracs.  Some left handers on other forums are noting no problems with the right eject BARs when used on the left.  The price is really attractive for earlier BARs in steel used.

[Daman]

I have a Belgium made BAR Safari II in 30-06 with rifle sights. It is high gloss blued and wears Grade IV wood. I received it for a birthday some years back from my grandfather. Out of the box it would do 1" at 50 yards with 180 grain Remingtons and the supplied iron sights. It now wears a Nikon, but will be getting a Kahles in the future.

Mine ain't for sale and never will be. I love it!!! I am going to get it and my A-Bolt, X-Bolt, BPS, and Sweet 16 a companion BLR in 358 Win! I have a BLR in 243 now, but it is still NIB and will remain that way. I have no use for the gun to hunt with and it was willed to me from a late uncle.

Buy a BAR and you will be a full blown Browning convert!!!

Daman

[Slufoot]

Hey Bob, just an update. I got my dad's BAR out Friday to check the scope before deer season. I fired three shots of the loads I mentioned in my earlier post and walked over to the 100 yard target. The scope setting was dead on and when I measured center to center of the two farthest holes it was 1.25". This gun has consistantly kept'em under 1.5" over the years.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[Country Boy]

My bar 30-06 will shoot cloverleafs at 100 yds reguardless of ammo, Mine has a 20" bbl with sights,wood stock and a Nikonscope. I've probably killed 100 deer with it along with bear. It has an aluminun reciever. It still looks new because I taped it with camo for hunting.
  I bought an.243  x bolt the other day and have a problem, it is too pretty to shoot or take in the woods. Now I don"t know what to do I'm old and even the Bar bothers me. Think I might get a 30-30 just for the brush.

[olghoat]

I've had mine almost 40 years.  It is pretty much retired now, but the first two shots almost touch at 100 yards and the third always hits a little higher making it around an inch or slightly over.   Most of my bolts will not do this good.  Just my 2 cents, the old ones are hard to beat 

[streak]

I got one in 1967 for Christmas in 30-06 configuration. It is Belgium made and still sports the original Redfield Widefield scope! My youngest son has now claimed it! But is still in very good condition and has shot and killed elk and many whitetail deer! Smooth action and never has had a malfunction! Great rifle.

[chefjeff]

I'm lefty and been shooting BARs for over 25 years. My current is a MKII 'o6 with solid BOSS. One of a two gun battery for whitetail; The other being a LH stainless stalker 'o6.

[BW56]

I'm a lefty and just got my first bar 3006 with solid boss. Going to keep it. PERIOD. Bob

[Wayne123]

I have a BAR steel receiver in 270 Win that was atrocious.  Uneven forend pressure yielded 4-5" groups with good handloads.  I floated the forened which instantly dropped the groups to 1.5" for 5 shots.