Browning BAR questions

[hurricane]

hello.

first visit here and darned impressed with all the Browning know-how.

my son just bought a BAR made back in 1987 in really nice shape.  it's chambered in 30-06.  it's the first semi that either of us has owned.  he plans to use it deer hunting here in Maine where most of the shots we get are 100yds or less.

would anyone care to offer any suggestions as to bullet weights or brands of ammunition that you'ld recommend for sighting in and this type of hunting?

i've heard of semi's jamming, has that been an issue with the BAR?  any suggestions as to how to avoid that happening?



thanks for any input.  - jay

 

[Syncerus]

If you are shooting at 100 yards or less any of the factory 150, 165 or 180 gr ammo should be more than adequate for any deer. If the rifle were mine, I'd shoot normal Remington 180 gr Core-lokt or Winchester 180 gr PowerPoint ammo. That is, I'd shoot any normal 180 gr load; I wouldn't use any of the super premium bullets for deer because there's no need for them.

I'd buy three or four brands of ammo and see what your gun likes as far as accuracty goes. The I'd put another two boxes of the winning
brand through the gun to make sure that it was reliable. Then I'd buy at least 5 boxes of the same lot of that same ammo for the future.

Then, I'd hunt with the rifle for the next 10 years.



Good luck

[pastorp]

I agree with Syncerous comments on the amo. As far as reliability just keep it clean. Byron 

[nasem]

My brother has a Browning BAR in 308 caliber.... 

They are good guns but I hate the fact that 70% of the factory ammo you feed it give you give you 2.5" to 3.5" groups... its a pain in the a$$ trying to test factory loads that give you better than 2" groups @100....

Here is some numbers for you to consider...
--winchester power points, cheap 12 dollar box, 150 grainers, 3.5 to 4" groups
--winchester power points, cheap 12 dollar box, 180 grainers, 2.5 to 3" groups
--federal cheapo 10 dollars box, 150 grainers, typical 4" groups
--federal cheapo 10 dollars box, 180 grainers, 3" groups when the barrel is cold... if the barrel gets hot, typically gets under 1" groups, this load is soooo wierd

[Val]

A hunting buddy of mine had a Browning BAR in 30-06. Hewas very unhappy with the accuracy was was getting but he only has one arm and had to use a semi-automatic. I had him try my 165 grain 30-06 load in his BAR. He immediately started getting groups right at one inch with my loads. He was a very happy camper and now loves his BAR. When I reload for him I make sure and full length size and he hasn't had any problems cycling my loads.

[tanoose]

Very dependable rifle i would see how the remington 180 gr. shoots and yes keep it clean and DONT over oil and use a synthetic gun oil as they wont gum up. I would bet you will get 1" to 1 1/2" groups with the remington ammo.