.338 Win mag BAR.

[GuyWithGun]

I am looking into getting a new .338 Win mag. I am not happy with my Model 70, doesn't shoot like one would hope. Like the idea of a BAR for various reasons. Here in WV, 400 yards is a "long shot" and after my recent trip to Alaska, seems like even there that is a good "I should be able to get that close" goal. My buddy has a BAR Safari .270 win that shoots most ammo 1.5" or better at 100 yds, could I expect similar results with the .338 Win mag version?

 

[Bravo 4]

A buddy of mine has one in .300WSM that shoots factory 180gr Ballistic Tips into 1/2moa at 100yards pretty consistently.

 

[alaska]

Typically the Mag do not shoot as well as the standard cal in the BAR. If you have a Win 70 that want shoot something is wrong. First Check your action screws make sure their tight if you have three......the rear one and the front should be tight with the middle one snugged. Next is the free floated barrel.....maybe a glass bed is in order and a Pillar bed. Next is the trigger a good Timney Trigger works great.......then make sure have a good clean bore and crown.

Win 70 are very popular here in alaska...........in all my days afield I have only seen a few hunters carrying the BAR in alaska. I suggest stick with the Win 70.

 

[GuyWithGun]

Typically the Mag do not shoot as well as the standard cal in the BAR. If you have a Win 70 that want shoot something is wrong. First Check your action screws make sure their tight if you have three......the rear one and the front should be tight with the middle one snugged. Next is the free floated barrel.....maybe a glass bed is in order and a Pillar bed. Next is the trigger a good Timney Trigger works great.......then make sure have a good clean bore and crown.

Win 70 are very popular here in alaska...........in all my days afield I have only seen a few hunters carrying the BAR in alaska. I suggest stick with the Win 70.

Have done all that, still doesn't shoot better than 3" @ 100yds. I figure can beat that with a semi auto and have a much soft shoot rifle to boot.

 

[AZShooter]

I helped an older friend sight in his 338 BAR a few years ago. He brought along Fed 210 partition loads. That rifle stunned me, even with a 2-7 leupold on it the bullets touched at 100 yds.

Another friend bought a new 338 BAR three years ago. It responded to handloading quickly and shoots 3/4 MOA with 250 gr partitions.

I don't particularly like the way the rifle feels and handles but you cannot argue with its accuracy.

FYI the same older friend had a 308 BAR which shot tiny groups with factory match ammo.

 

[GCarlton53]

i have a 338 BAR and it shoots handloads under 1" at 100 with 180gr accubonds. I love that rifle.

 

[roninflag]

i would think it would be an elk killing machine.

 

[winmag]

My dad has a 338 win mag in a BAR Safari. With cheapo 225gr corelokts 3 bullets touch more often than not at 100.
How, I have no idea. The triggers are HORRIBLE. But he tweaks the BOSS on er and brings em in tight. My only other beef with them is strictly from a handloaders perspective. Typicaly autos are more finnicky, Short mag length, light camming power, some folks wont run balistic tips thru em either.
On the good side, they are "The Champaign Auto" vs the "BEER CAN" that Rem puts out. The BAR cycles smooth, recoil is very light, and the ones I have shot have impressed me enough in the accuracy dept., that if I were to buy a semi auto the BAR would be it.

In short, my opinion is stick with a bolt for most "L/R" work. But if your sold on an autoloader, the BAR seems to be a very good choice for an allround hunting rifle.
Best of luck with your choice.