New to me BAR .300 WInnie.

[A Guy Out West]

As long as I can remember I’ve wanted a BAR in .300 WM. I stumbled across one in the used bin at our local shop, home it came. I shot one box of Remington 150 grain Core Lockets and it did manage a group slightly bigger than 1 “. Today I tried my first hand loads using the Remington brass, Winchester magnum primers, Nosler 180 gr. Accubonds with 69 & 70 gr. Of IMR 4350. The 69 gr. Load was shot first, 3” high to the left. Two were touching and the 3rd was about an inch to the right for about a 1 1/4” group. Up next was the 70 gr. Load, one hit the easy vis paper, one hit high left, last one hit far right for a 4” group! What a difference 1 grain makes. I cooled the barrel between groups with my home made barrel cooler. I borrowed the barrel cooler rig idea from Youtuber, Desert Dog. It’s inexpensive and it works great. Of note, the once fired factory Remington brass had very little resistance when I seated the primers, I felt almost too loosely goosey. It does not appear that there were any leaks, but I’m not going to load them again. Is it normal for a .300 WM to have loose primer seating after only one firing? Looks like I’ll try the 69 gr. again, might even drop a grain or half and see what happens. I know it will never be a tack driver, but trying to make it one will keep me out of the Taverns. Photos attached for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Reddish]

The Browning BAR sporters were popular rifles here in NZ,before they became prohibited back in 2019.....which is ridiculous as they only have either a 3 or 4 round internal mag and are specifically designed for hunting.Their main advantage is soft recoil and a quick 2nd shot.Hopefully we will get tham back soon....time will tell.I always fancied one in .338 but never actually brought one.

 

[A Guy Out West]

I tried H4350 this time, Fed mag primer with 68 and 69 gr. of powder, FC case, same Accubond bullet, not impressed. Had a misfire with one of the 68 gr loads, it went click but no bang. Upon examination, the primer had no indent on it, tried it again and it worked, but primer looks funny. Dirty firing pin? Perhaps I’m asking the wrong people, not sure if you folks can even have an auto loader. I’ve not loaded for an auto loader before, other than my ARs, I’m trying to match my powder to the gas system, perhaps that is my problem. I’ll be happy with a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2” group. Really surprised how sensitive the . 300 is to 1 grain powder change. Included is a picture of Mt. Hood, it’s part of our British heritage, it’s name any way. I had to take a long gander at it today as it 93 degrees!

 

[A Guy Out West]

Looks like it didn’t attach, here you go:

 

[scotch_egg]

I note your barrel cooler. A little upgrade I saw on a different website was an online dust filter. The guy noted the clouds of dust often kicked up at a range. You don’t want that ending up down your barrel.

I can’t offer any advice regarding loading for a win mag but will advise you to keep it clean. The slower powders in magnums cling to the chamber, especially where the case neck meets the lead. Might be worth a scrub on an older rifle. I suffered a carbon ring in my 7mm SAUM. It lead to pressure spikes and inconsistent groups. Just thought it might be worth a should. Especially as your primers are showing cratering. A sign of excess pressure along with the loose primer pockets. Which you wouldn’t expect with factory ammunition.

 

[A Guy Out West]

I gave the barrel a good cleaning, especially the chamber throat area. Tried H - 100 V Highbrid today. 68.5 gr., managed about a 1.5 “ group. I think I’m going to revisit the IMR 4350 and experiment with seating depth. I got a 1.34” group yesterday using 68 gr. of Winchester 760. The ejection pattern was all over the place so I’m thinking it’s too fast for the auto loader. I am constantly getting a flyer, so frustrating. Attached is the H 100 V group from today.

 

[alberta boy]

My late father used a Belgian ( FN ) manufactured BAR in the same chambering for a number of years with great success . I had a Ruger No 1 in 300WM at the same time and reloaded for both rifles . I had excellent results using IMR 4831 and 180 gr bullets in both rifles .
The BARs usually benefit from a good strip and clean . Pay close attention to the bolt head retention bar ( left side of bolt body ) and its corresponding slot in the left side of the receiver . If they get fouled it can lead to problems similiar to those you describe . I've also had problems with Remington brass in a number of rifles over the years , especially in the last ten years or so , enough to stop me from using it anymore .
I've owned a number of BARs over the last 40 , or so , years . They are capable of 1 MOA with careful handloading , but that's the best I've ever got , which is perfectly fine for most hunting situations . Nice rifle .


AB

 

[A Guy Out West]

My late father used a Belgian ( FN ) manufactured BAR in the same chambering for a number of years with great success . I had a Ruger No 1 in 300WM at the same time and reloaded for both rifles . I had excellent results using IMR 4831 and 180 gr bullets in both rifles .
The BARs usually benefit from a good strip and clean . Pay close attention to the bolt head retention bar ( left side of bolt body ) and its corresponding slot in the left side of the receiver . If they get fouled it can lead to problems similiar to those you describe . I've also had problems with Remington brass in a number of rifles over the years , especially in the last ten years or so , enough to stop me from using it anymore .
I've owned a number of BARs over the last 40 , or so , years . They are capable of 1 MOA with careful handloading , but that's the best I've ever got , which is perfectly fine for most hunting situations . Nice rifle .


AB

Oh awesome! I was wondering if I should rattle your cage. Thanks much for the info. Mine is made in Belgium but assembled in Portugal circa 1988. It appears to have been cleaned by someone that knew what they were doing prior to my acquiring it. The area you mentioned seems to be in good order. The flyer is frustrating, it’s like why? I was thinking IMR 4831 would be too slow for the gas system, from what you said, that does not appear to be the case. I might have some, I know I’ve got H 4831. I’ll give it a try.
Thanks!

 

[alberta boy]

H 4831 will work nicely , there isn't that much difference between the two , loads aren't interchangeable , but you know what I mean . Regarding the flyer , the BAR is a two piece stock design . They can be a bit sensitive in regards to bench technique . I found they shot with more consistency if I put my hand between the fore-end and the sand bags when shooting off a bench . Belgian BARs also have that funky little front sling swivel / fore end retaining nut assembly that needs to be snugged up , it can be a bit fiddly to set up properly . There are some good youtube videos that show the proper way to adjust them . All in all , the BAR is one of the best traditional semi auto sporting rifles out there . I've used them in conditions , like -35 C weather , that would render a lot of other rifles seized up . A good , and reliable , design in my experience .

AB

 

[Dougal McGuire]

Always thought one of these in 300 Win Mag or 7 Rem Mag would be cool. How much is the felt recoil reduction between these and a bolt action in the same caliber?

 

[alberta boy]

Always thought one of these in 300 Win Mag or 7 Rem Mag would be cool. How much is the felt recoil reduction between these and a bolt action in the same caliber?

It does reduce the felt recoil a bit . It actually feels like the recoil is spread out over a longer time more than anything , but it is noticeable .

AB

 

[A Guy Out West]

I wear my PAST recoil pad when shooting off the bench. It tames it down quite a bit. Without the recoil pad, it’s not exactly pleasant, but not as bad as bolt guns.

 

[NP435]

I knew a fellow with the same BAR in 300 win. His shot ok but showed pressure signs well below max data. He was using 165grn Barnes TTSX powder I think was RL22.

 

[NP435]

It does reduce the felt recoil a bit . It actually feels like the recoil is spread out over a longer time more than anything , but it is noticeable .

AB

I think that is very correct. Like a slow shove not a quick punch.

 

[John Gryphon]

Lot of blokes used them ( and woodmasters) over hounds for sambar hunting pre the ban. Terry Allen even had one customised for him to .458 Win Mag.

 

[Reddish]

I had Rem 742 Woodmaster in 30-06,back in the 90's....some reported a bad experience with this model of rifle but the one I had worked fine.

 

[John Gryphon]

I had Rem 742 Woodmaster in 30-06,back in the 90's....some reported a bad experience with this model of rifle but the one I had worked fine.

They were known also as "jammermatics" especially when they got damp.

 

[kenbro]

I would love to own a BAR in any calibre, but no chance now.
Kb.

 

[Reddish]

In countries that no longer allow generally allow auto-loading centerfires rifles, there should at least still be a category of rifles (such as the Bar and similar) able to be generally owned and used for hunting purposes....they only hold a few shots and in truth are no deadlier than so many manual loading rifles out there.

 

[alberta boy]

I had Rem 742 Woodmaster in 30-06,back in the 90's....some reported a bad experience with this model of rifle but the one I had worked fine.

As long as you kept the action clean , they were pretty reliable . They are a bit tedious to take apart , so a lot of people didn't clean them properly and that's where the problems started . A hunting buddy of mine has one in 280 Rem . He's had it for at least 25 years and never had a problem , probably because he cleans it properly and doesn't over lubricate it . Excessive , or improper lube is a jam waiting to happen in cold weather ................ which is most of the time here .

AB