Browning BAR Safari Vs. Benelli R1

isalamon · April 15, 2006, 04:42 PM

I am debating between the Browning BAR Safari Mark 2 and the Benelli R1, both in 30-06......maybe .308. Thoughts and/or experiences with wither would be appreciated

Dirty_Harry · April 23, 2006, 07:50 PM

In all honesty, I don't know much about either, and in my opinion I would go for the less expense Remington 7400 (or 750 now). I twould cost you alot less and you do not have to worry about it getting wet or taking the polish off. You can pick up a less expensive remington for around $370.00 vs at the cheapest $500 for a used browning. Also the Benelli is a new product and personally I haven't heard enough good things about it to justify that pricetag. But the Browning and the Benelli both have magnum capabilities that the remington does not. But if I were picking between the two I would pick the browning, it has been around longer and is a proven design. My dad has a browning in .308 and it is a nice shooter, but the main thing is to go with what you like better. Do not compromise you will regret it.

JD 500 · April 24, 2006, 02:55 PM

From what I've heard.....
The accuracy from the Remington 7400 may not be what you're looking for.
I have no experience with the Benelli.
I do own a BAR lightweight stalker (Synthetic) in .300 win mag.
Just started working up some reloads for it.
Last week at the range I got two different 1/2" groups (3 round) @ 200 yds.

superpelly · April 26, 2006, 08:02 PM

I have a BAR, Safari MKII 7mm BOSS. The accuraccy with this gun is super. The BOSS system lets you dial in the virbration of the barrel and when you dial in both (scope and barrel) you can shoot very tight groups. The only downside is the weight, heavy rifle!

BIGR · April 26, 2006, 08:20 PM

I have owned a 7400 in 30.06 before and took several deer with it. I traded it with some boot for a Browning MK II in 30.06 and never once regretted it. The Browning cost more but it is much of a gun. Shoots accurate and just feels good when carried in the woods. Often wondered about the Benelli rifle, but never had any dealings with one.

Fremmer · April 26, 2006, 09:58 PM

IIRC, the bolt can be removed from the Benelli, but not from the BAR. The ability to remove the bolt is a big plus for cleaning.

Then again, the BAR is so good looking, and the Benelli is so friggin' ugly....

Well, I suppose that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You probably can't go wrong either way.

Eghad · April 26, 2006, 11:56 PM

I saw a couple of Browning Safari BARs in the gunshop a couple of weeks ago one had the BOSS system both were in very good shape and under the $500.00 price mark.

Huntergirl · May 3, 2006, 10:51 AM

I owned both a Rem 7400 and a Browning BAR Safari. I couldn't get a decent group with the 7400 with any ammo. The BAR on the other hand was superb in accuracy and function, it loved the Federal Premiums and Winchester power points, though it was a tad on the heavy side. I regretted selling that one, but I was buying a house and needed the money. The Benelli sounds like a good one, especially if you can remove the bolt for cleaning easily.

maximuss · May 3, 2006, 11:38 PM

if you are going for benell,you should get r1 comforttech with 300 WSM or greater caliber.

robctwo · May 6, 2006, 09:47 AM

I bought the BAR Stalker in .308 without the BOSS. Very nice gun. Very accurate. Bought the 7400 synthetic in 30.06. Can't get it to group. Period. Bought the BAR Stalker in 300 WSM with BOSS. Tack driver. The Safari is pretty, but I don't want the added weight in the woods, hence the Stalker. I have no idea about the Benelli.

Fat White Boy · May 13, 2006, 12:42 AM

I had a 7400 in .30-06. I couldn't get it to group with a scope. The iron sights worked fine but I couldn't get a decent group with a Leupold...My eyes are old and I need the glass. I sold it and bought a Remmie VLS in .308...It shoots clover leafs with the same Leupold scope.

OGHITMAN187 · June 9, 2009, 07:38 AM

i have a browning bar safari with the b.o.s.s system and a leupold scope. I can personally tell you it's accuracy to the max.

go with the browning you wont regret it, i haven't

hardluk1 · June 9, 2009, 11:08 AM

I know your wanting to know which semi-auto but don't pass on a browning lever action if you happen to find one. Darn good gun and can be just as fast to shoot. My semi choice would be the browning but used even well used they still shoot good.

ZeroJunk · June 9, 2009, 11:57 AM

The BAR has a very good reputation for relibility and adequate accuracy as a hunting rifle. Benelli has a good reputation in general, but this rifle has not been used as a hunting rifle very long comparitively to establish a record. And it is ugly.

publius · June 9, 2009, 12:24 PM

The rem. auto rifles (by any number designation) are hit and miss as far as reliability and accuracy and they must be meticulously maintained. The BAR is a proven, great design. The benelli is new but I would not hesitate to buy it if I could get over the looks.

sc928porsche · June 9, 2009, 05:42 PM

Browning has been making high qulity rifles for many years. Their craftmanship is renouned. I have one in a 270 that I picked up a couple of years ago. It had been owned by a doctor that didnt hunt much and knew nothing about taking care of a firearm. It had been stored in the garage here in the south for a lot of years. A lot of rust and a lot of dust! After a complete teardown, thorough polishing and reblue(hot) and stock refinish, it is now presentable. It is suprisingly accurate although the bore is a bit pitted (it had never been cleaned). I am now thoroughly convinced through experience that browning makes a very fine product.

pilothunter · June 10, 2009, 09:50 AM

I own two BARs that are right at 40yrs old. Both function fine and the workmanship, wood and engraving on the old GRIIs are definitely something special, IMO. I also own a newer BAR MKII in .270 that shoots great and still has the fine level of workmanship of the older ones.

April 15, 2006, 04:42 PM	#1
isalamon Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Posts: 1	Browning BAR Safari Vs. Benelli R1 I am debating between the Browning BAR Safari Mark 2 and the Benelli R1, both in 30-06......maybe .308. Thoughts and/or experiences with wither would be appreciated

April 23, 2006, 07:50 PM	#2
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	In all honesty, I don't know much about either, and in my opinion I would go for the less expense Remington 7400 (or 750 now). I twould cost you alot less and you do not have to worry about it getting wet or taking the polish off. You can pick up a less expensive remington for around $370.00 vs at the cheapest $500 for a used browning. Also the Benelli is a new product and personally I haven't heard enough good things about it to justify that pricetag. But the Browning and the Benelli both have magnum capabilities that the remington does not. But if I were picking between the two I would pick the browning, it has been around longer and is a proven design. My dad has a browning in .308 and it is a nice shooter, but the main thing is to go with what you like better. Do not compromise you will regret it. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

April 24, 2006, 02:55 PM	#3
JD 500 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 110	Browning From what I've heard..... The accuracy from the Remington 7400 may not be what you're looking for. I have no experience with the Benelli. I do own a BAR lightweight stalker (Synthetic) in .300 win mag. Just started working up some reloads for it. Last week at the range I got two different 1/2" groups (3 round) @ 200 yds.

April 26, 2006, 11:56 PM	#7
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	I saw a couple of Browning Safari BARs in the gunshop a couple of weeks ago one had the BOSS system both were in very good shape and under the $500.00 price mark. __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

June 9, 2009, 07:38 AM	#12
OGHITMAN187 Member Join Date: June 2, 2009 Location: Lakewood, California Posts: 49	Browning all day i have a browning bar safari with the b.o.s.s system and a leupold scope. I can personally tell you it's accuracy to the max. go with the browning you wont regret it, i haven't

April 26, 2006, 08:02 PM	#4
superpelly Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 499	I have a BAR, Safari MKII 7mm BOSS. The accuraccy with this gun is super. The BOSS system lets you dial in the virbration of the barrel and when you dial in both (scope and barrel) you can shoot very tight groups. The only downside is the weight, heavy rifle!

April 26, 2006, 08:20 PM	#5
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	I have owned a 7400 in 30.06 before and took several deer with it. I traded it with some boot for a Browning MK II in 30.06 and never once regretted it. The Browning cost more but it is much of a gun. Shoots accurate and just feels good when carried in the woods. Often wondered about the Benelli rifle, but never had any dealings with one.

April 26, 2006, 09:58 PM	#6
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	IIRC, the bolt can be removed from the Benelli, but not from the BAR. The ability to remove the bolt is a big plus for cleaning. Then again, the BAR is so good looking, and the Benelli is so friggin' ugly.... Well, I suppose that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You probably can't go wrong either way.

May 3, 2006, 10:51 AM	#8
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	I owned both a Rem 7400 and a Browning BAR Safari. I couldn't get a decent group with the 7400 with any ammo. The BAR on the other hand was superb in accuracy and function, it loved the Federal Premiums and Winchester power points, though it was a tad on the heavy side. I regretted selling that one, but I was buying a house and needed the money. The Benelli sounds like a good one, especially if you can remove the bolt for cleaning easily.

May 3, 2006, 11:38 PM	#9
maximuss Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 246	if you are going for benell,you should get r1 comforttech with 300 WSM or greater caliber.

May 6, 2006, 09:47 AM	#10
robctwo Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 644	I bought the BAR Stalker in .308 without the BOSS. Very nice gun. Very accurate. Bought the 7400 synthetic in 30.06. Can't get it to group. Period. Bought the BAR Stalker in 300 WSM with BOSS. Tack driver. The Safari is pretty, but I don't want the added weight in the woods, hence the Stalker. I have no idea about the Benelli.

May 13, 2006, 12:42 AM	#11
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I had a 7400 in .30-06. I couldn't get it to group with a scope. The iron sights worked fine but I couldn't get a decent group with a Leupold...My eyes are old and I need the glass. I sold it and bought a Remmie VLS in .308...It shoots clover leafs with the same Leupold scope.

June 9, 2009, 11:08 AM	#13
hardluk1 Junior member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 600	I know your wanting to know which semi-auto but don't pass on a browning lever action if you happen to find one. Darn good gun and can be just as fast to shoot. My semi choice would be the browning but used even well used they still shoot good.

June 9, 2009, 11:57 AM	#14
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	The BAR has a very good reputation for relibility and adequate accuracy as a hunting rifle. Benelli has a good reputation in general, but this rifle has not been used as a hunting rifle very long comparitively to establish a record. And it is ugly.

June 9, 2009, 12:24 PM	#15
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	The rem. auto rifles (by any number designation) are hit and miss as far as reliability and accuracy and they must be meticulously maintained. The BAR is a proven, great design. The benelli is new but I would not hesitate to buy it if I could get over the looks. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

June 9, 2009, 05:42 PM	#16
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Browning has been making high qulity rifles for many years. Their craftmanship is renouned. I have one in a 270 that I picked up a couple of years ago. It had been owned by a doctor that didnt hunt much and knew nothing about taking care of a firearm. It had been stored in the garage here in the south for a lot of years. A lot of rust and a lot of dust! After a complete teardown, thorough polishing and reblue(hot) and stock refinish, it is now presentable. It is suprisingly accurate although the bore is a bit pitted (it had never been cleaned). I am now thoroughly convinced through experience that browning makes a very fine product. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

June 10, 2009, 09:50 AM	#17
pilothunter Junior member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Tn Posts: 400	I own two BARs that are right at 40yrs old. Both function fine and the workmanship, wood and engraving on the old GRIIs are definitely something special, IMO. I also own a newer BAR MKII in .270 that shoots great and still has the fine level of workmanship of the older ones.