Browning BAR Caliber Dilemma - Input Requested

SerenityNetworks · November 7, 2018, 09:38 PM

I've decided to purchase a BAR to round out my center-fire rifle holdings. I'm struggling to decide on the caliber. I suspect some here can provide me with some points for consideration that haven't even crossed my mind. Here's my foundation and thinking so far.

I've never needed more than one shot, so I've been perfectly happy with bolt actions. But now I'm hunting 'yotes and hogs in Texas, and finding a semi-auto would be quite handy.
I have a 30-06 and .204 Ruger (bolt action), so I'm looking for an in-between caliber.
With my bolt actions I can shoot MOA or a bit less, with factory ammo, from a bench with bags or prone with a bi-pod. I'm usually closer to 2 or 3 MOA using sticks, depending on my position. So I'm not a great shot, but I'm not bad either. I want a rifle that will out shoot me.
So I was wanting the Safari model with BOSS.
My first choice for caliber was the 25-06. But dang-it, you can't get it with BOSS.
My thought on getting the 25-06 was it would be great for 'yotes and hogs, plus the lighter recoil gives me a better opportunity for multiple kills. I know the BOSS reduces recoil, but I don't know that it gets a .270 down to the same level as a 25-06 and the .270 will still have a sharper recoil.
Also, the .270 gets me close to the capability of the 30-06, which I already have.
I'll likely be putting a digital scope on it. (Right now I have an ATN X-Sight 4k.) That impacts the accuracy issue a bit too.
So now I'm in a pickle. Do I get the 25-06 (the caliber I'd prefer) without BOSS or the .270 with BOSS (giving me more inherent accuracy)?

Thoughts? What have I failed to consider, or what would you do and why?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

Omaha-BeenGlockin · November 7, 2018, 10:36 PM

I'd get the .270---.25-06 ammo seems to be scarce around here.

Charlie98 · November 8, 2018, 09:37 AM

I'd just get the 25-06 and be done with it... the BAR is a fine rifle, I don't see why it wouldn't give acceptable accuracy without the BOSS.

Art Eatman · November 8, 2018, 10:12 AM

I'm not a hog hunter, but I've ruined the day for Wily Coyote a few times.

If mostly coyotes, I'd go with a .243; a 100-grain bullet would work on hogs. I'd use a 55-grain load on coyotes.

If mostly hogs, I think I'd go with a 7mm08 and use light-weight bullets on coyotes.

Brian Pfleuger · November 8, 2018, 11:23 AM

There’s nothing special about the “BOSS”... after all, the rifles you already have shoot fine without it, right?

Reduced recoil is nice.... but why get a bigger gun with a recoil reducer just to get it down the recoil of the gun you wanted in the first place?

If my targets were deer, hogs and coyotes, I’d rather have the .243 that .25-06 or .270.... but that’s me. Any of them would work just fine. .270 is pretty stout for coyotes though.

Ammo availability would not enter the equation for me... every caliber in discussion is readily available almost everywhere and circumstances requiring an “emergency” supply are so improbable, and the consequences so minimal, as to be of no concern at all.

A 7-08 BAR with the BOSS would be frickin’ awesome though.

Ed4032 · November 8, 2018, 11:42 AM

My Browning BAR is in the 308 caliber. Works great on hogs here in Texas.

T. O'Heir · November 8, 2018, 02:06 PM

"...multiple kills..." Won't happen. Ain't no flock of varmints that won't disappear completely with the sound of one shot.
"...gets me close to the capability..." So does a .25-06. Only difference is with like bullet weights, the .25-06 has more remaining energy at long range. With a 100 grain bullet, at 500 yards(way too far anyway) it has 689 ft-lbs of energy vs the 594 ft-lbs of a 100 grain .270. Bullet drop is within inches of each other.
"...reduces recoil..." A BAR is gas operated. There is no recoil. I wouldn't get fixated on the BOSS either. It's really just another muzzle brake with the same increase in muzzle blast that has to be fiddled with according to the ammo used.
"...is readily available almost everywhere..." Not the .25-06 it isn't.

dgludwig · November 8, 2018, 04:17 PM

For hunting big boars, the .338 Magnum cartridge would be my choice-though I'm sure the .25-06 or .270 or .30-06 would work just fine.

SerenityNetworks · November 8, 2018, 04:29 PM

Hmmm. Thanks for all the input. Now my head is whirling.

I do shoot more 'yotes than hogs, but that may change.
If I go after the big boars then I'll be taking my 30-06.
Good points about not worrying about the BOSS. If needed, I can always put on a rubber de-resonator or similar. (I fiddled with one on my 30-06 and gained at around a 1/4 MOA when I stick with the same ammo. It probably wasn't worth the effort it took, but it does work.)
Also, thanks for bringing up the muzzle break point. I'm generally not a fan. I'd rather the sound go down range.
I've pretty much ruled out the .270 and the remaining options don't have that much recoil.
Multiple shots: Doubles are not uncommon on 'yotes, even with a bolt action. But I could have had a few triples if I'd had a semi-auto. Not so much on hogs. They scatter in a blink and where I hunt it's not wide open where I have any chance for a second shot.
I don't know why I didn't consider the .243. I shot my dad's a bunch years ago and loved the caliber. It's versatile and there's a great variety of ammo.
I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08 at all. It seems it has a little more oomph and a better BC at the top end. But it also seems there is a great deal of overlap with the .243.

The more I think about it, the .243 seems an attractive option. I'm not likely to be shooting 'yotes or hogs beyond 300 yards. So .243 or 25-06 or tell me more about the 7mm-08? And now that I'm not considering needing a rifle with BOSS, which BAR model to choose? I kind of like the idea of the composites that provide shims for drop and cast (especially cast).

Thanks again. This all has me considering things I otherwise wouldn't have thought about, which is the point of the thread.

Andrew

Art Eatman · November 8, 2018, 06:45 PM

Basically, in the common 139-grain (or 140-grain) deer loading, I see the 7mm08 as a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight. Performance is pretty much the same. Mine is a 700 Ti; recoil at the bench is not onerous.

Many hog hunters post regularly of success with heavy bullets in the .223, which is why I figure that a 100-grain bullet from a 243 would work. I got lazy and only use the 85-grain Sierra HPBT for deer and coyotes in my .243, but have mostly done neck shots. It's a blow-up bullet, so no angling shots.

SerenityNetworks · November 8, 2018, 07:37 PM

Thanks Art. Yes, I too know a bunch of guys that use the .223/5.56 on hogs. I'm just not enamored with the round for use on game. I've tried it and the AR platform just isn't my style either. I'm an old fart and I simply prefer a traditional rifle stock. If I go with a composite BAR, it will be my first composite rifle outside of my trusty Marlin 795.

The 25-06 only comes in the Safari model. The .243 comes in several models, as does the 7mm-08. But right now I'm leaning towards either the .243 or the 25-06.

But I'm still very open to thoughts and suggestions.

Brian Pfleuger · November 9, 2018, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerenityNetworks

I'm not likely to be shooting 'yotes or hogs beyond 300 yards. So .243 or 25-06 or tell me more about the 7mm-08?

You know what I wish they'd make? A .25-08. Somebody did once but for whatever reason it never took off.... probably the stupid name (.25 Souper).

Any way, my love of the 7-08 is certainly no secret around these parts. I think it's the best North American big game cartridge in existence. I use light-weight, fast bullets (110 or 120gr TTSX). It has never failed to impress me immensely. I've killed numerous deer (15" Encore Pro Hunter) and one elk (Tikka T3x) with 7-08 at ranges from feet to 250 yards and can't imagine any reason I'd switch.

If you step up to low-end .308 bullet weights (around 160gr) the 7-08 actually has (slightly) better ballistics and (barely) better energy. Barely, but better. Most shooters don't do that though, and you won't often find factory ammo in those weights. In fact, in factory, you'll almost never find anything but 120 and 139/140gr... but that's all you need.

If you roll your own, varmint bullets are available down to 100gr and target bullets up to 175gr, although I'd guess a BAR won't stabilize those.

If you do some comparisons, you'll see that the 7-08 has roughly 15% less recoil than a .308. That doesn't seem like a lot and if you're not bothered by recoil, it won't be. Personally, I had all the recoil I needed when I grew up hunting deer with 12ga slugs. .308 is over my recoil fun factor... 7-08 is below it.

I'm also a big fan of the .243... my semi-dedicated deer gun (a customized Savage 11 with a McGowen barrel is .243AI, just to be different). I shoot light and fast there too, with 80gr TTSX @ 3,500fps. It's hell on deer. Regular .243 would be ~100fps slower. (Irrelevant difference).

.25-06 is a fine round... I don't like it because it seems antiquated.... I don't know what that matters, I still like Art.

I could argue long vs short action, efficiency, aesthetics, whatever. I don't know, it just never struck my fancy. If you like it, have at it, it'll work just fine.

Now, a .25-08? That I'd buy.

Casualshooting1 · November 9, 2018, 04:40 AM

I have 2 BARs, one in .30 06, the other in 7mm Mag. I love the design. For the use you described I would consider .308. The availability of ammo being a big consideration. Also, .243 is a great intermediary round.

SerenityNetworks · November 9, 2018, 07:58 AM

Thanks folks.

I'm hearing a lot about the 7mm-08 and .308. Those seem like overkill for coyotes and typical Texas hog (not the big boars). I'm not recoil sensitive, but the recoil from the larger loads won't make it any easier to take doubles or triples on coyotes, which is the main point of this rifle. Right now, I shoot more coyotes than hogs. Is there something I'm missing as to why these stronger loads are being suggested?

If not, right now I'm torn between the 25-06 and the .243. I'm leaning towards the .243, but having no experience with the 25-06 I don't want to make an uninformed decision.

Thanks again,
Andrew

Art Eatman · November 9, 2018, 10:46 AM

93 pages about hog hunting:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...-texas.449721/

Brian Pfleuger · November 9, 2018, 10:50 AM

I don’t see any reason to choose .25-06 over .243, except personal presence. The -06 has advantages on paper, but they don’t amount to much in real life.

The .243 is one of the most popular cartridges ever invented and can be reasonably used on everything from ground hogs to elk. Ammo will probably be 10-20% cheaper than the -06 too.

SerenityNetworks · November 9, 2018, 12:18 PM

Brian, thanks for the clarification.

Art, that's quite a thread. I'll have to spend some time looking through it.

Thanks.

SerenityNetworks · November 15, 2018, 01:18 PM

Thanks for all the input. I decided on a Stalker in .243. I believe it will work fine for where I want it to fit.

Brian Pfleuger · November 15, 2018, 04:33 PM

We’ll be expecting pics and a range report!

SerenityNetworks · November 15, 2018, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Pfleuger

We’ll be expecting pics and a range report!

Absolutely!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

SerenityNetworks · December 17, 2018, 02:02 PM

Well, I finally had the opportunity to mount the scope and get out to the range. The weather was perfect at 60 degrees, sunny, and no wind. I took a few shots at 50 yards to get a halfway decent zero, then moved to 100 yards. I had a brain cramp and accidentally doubled my final adjustments, so I shot low and a little right. I didn't have time for one more set to confirm I have it dialed in. Oh well; next time. I do like the fit and feel of the rifle. I thought I might use the shims provided to adjust the drop and cast, but it fits so well now that I may not bother. (Then again, I haven't shot offhand or from sticks just yet, so I may end up trying the shims.) The length of pull is perfect for me. It's an attractive rifle (for not having wood).

But I have to say that I'm slightly underwhelmed at the moment. All my groups (5 shots each) were just shy of 2 MOA. I'd really hoped for better, especially with Hornady ammo. None of my bolt action rifles dislike Hornady. Hopefully the rifle is more capable than I'm seeing now. Perhaps a different bullet will help. I'll have to see what I can find. Honestly, if I can't get fairly close to 1 MOA with some coyote focused ammo then I'll be a bit disappointed.

bbqncigars · December 19, 2018, 12:33 AM

Nice rifle. Did you shoot it from a rest or with both arms sitting at the bench? A couple of mine don't play well with a front sandbag, but do much better holding them.

SerenityNetworks · December 19, 2018, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Nice rifle. Did you shoot it from a rest or with both arms sitting at the bench? A couple of mine don't play well with a front sandbag, but do much better holding them.

Yeah, I know that one outing doesn't necessarily define final performance. Still...

I shot from a concrete bench with a simple Caldwell rest in front and a bag at the rear, while also holding the rifle somewhat close to normal. Next time out I'll try some other ammo selections. I'll also try some offhand, prone, and shooting stick shots.

But I'm still bummed. I've never had a rifle drop a full MOA with different ammo or hold. That's about what it's going to take. Sigh. Maybe I expected too much from the model.

603Country · December 19, 2018, 09:57 PM

Was just shooting the 270 BAR the other day and noticed once again how light the recoil is. As for accuracy, back when I hunted and target shot with it, it would shoot at 1 MOA or a bit less with handloads. It liked IMR 4064 and Nosler 130 gr BTs. You will want to use a powder that is suitable for the semiauto action and won’t beat it up.

I really liked the BAR, but it just wasn’t the gun for target shooting, so I moved to bolt guns. And, as i aged, the BAR seemed to get heavier. And...it took a lot of work to do a deep clean on the BAR, and you should acquire and keep a spare buffer on hand. You won’t need it till you need it, but eventually you will need it.

Art Eatman · December 20, 2018, 10:54 AM

(Bolt gun) My lazy man's do-all handload for my .243 is the Sierra 85-grain HPBT with 3031. I don't know if it's still produced, but Federal used to make that load and it was as tight-group as my handloads.

Great coyote load. It's a blow-up bullet so on Bambi I only take neck or cross-body heart/lung shots; no angling shots. So far, two-dozen tagged bucks with it.

November 7, 2018, 09:38 PM	#1
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Browning BAR Caliber Dilemma - Input Requested I've decided to purchase a BAR to round out my center-fire rifle holdings. I'm struggling to decide on the caliber. I suspect some here can provide me with some points for consideration that haven't even crossed my mind. Here's my foundation and thinking so far. I've never needed more than one shot, so I've been perfectly happy with bolt actions. But now I'm hunting 'yotes and hogs in Texas, and finding a semi-auto would be quite handy. I have a 30-06 and .204 Ruger (bolt action), so I'm looking for an in-between caliber. With my bolt actions I can shoot MOA or a bit less, with factory ammo, from a bench with bags or prone with a bi-pod. I'm usually closer to 2 or 3 MOA using sticks, depending on my position. So I'm not a great shot, but I'm not bad either. I want a rifle that will out shoot me. So I was wanting the Safari model with BOSS. My first choice for caliber was the 25-06. But dang-it, you can't get it with BOSS. My thought on getting the 25-06 was it would be great for 'yotes and hogs, plus the lighter recoil gives me a better opportunity for multiple kills. I know the BOSS reduces recoil, but I don't know that it gets a .270 down to the same level as a 25-06 and the .270 will still have a sharper recoil. Also, the .270 gets me close to the capability of the 30-06, which I already have. I'll likely be putting a digital scope on it. (Right now I have an ATN X-Sight 4k.) That impacts the accuracy issue a bit too. So now I'm in a pickle. Do I get the 25-06 (the caliber I'd prefer) without BOSS or the .270 with BOSS (giving me more inherent accuracy)? Thoughts? What have I failed to consider, or what would you do and why? Thanks in advance, Andrew __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 7, 2018, 10:36 PM	#2
Omaha-BeenGlockin Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,183	I'd get the .270---.25-06 ammo seems to be scarce around here. __________________ I take the leech that's bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me -------Metallica

November 8, 2018, 09:37 AM	#3
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I'd just get the 25-06 and be done with it... the BAR is a fine rifle, I don't see why it wouldn't give acceptable accuracy without the BOSS. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

November 8, 2018, 11:23 AM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	There’s nothing special about the “BOSS”... after all, the rifles you already have shoot fine without it, right? Reduced recoil is nice.... but why get a bigger gun with a recoil reducer just to get it down the recoil of the gun you wanted in the first place? If my targets were deer, hogs and coyotes, I’d rather have the .243 that .25-06 or .270.... but that’s me. Any of them would work just fine. .270 is pretty stout for coyotes though. Ammo availability would not enter the equation for me... every caliber in discussion is readily available almost everywhere and circumstances requiring an “emergency” supply are so improbable, and the consequences so minimal, as to be of no concern at all. A 7-08 BAR with the BOSS would be frickin’ awesome though. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

November 8, 2018, 11:42 AM	#6
Ed4032 Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 306	My Browning BAR is in the 308 caliber. Works great on hogs here in Texas. __________________ Gun control is like stopping drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to drive.

November 8, 2018, 10:12 AM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'm not a hog hunter, but I've ruined the day for Wily Coyote a few times. If mostly coyotes, I'd go with a .243; a 100-grain bullet would work on hogs. I'd use a 55-grain load on coyotes. If mostly hogs, I think I'd go with a 7mm08 and use light-weight bullets on coyotes.

November 8, 2018, 02:06 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...multiple kills..." Won't happen. Ain't no flock of varmints that won't disappear completely with the sound of one shot. "...gets me close to the capability..." So does a .25-06. Only difference is with like bullet weights, the .25-06 has more remaining energy at long range. With a 100 grain bullet, at 500 yards(way too far anyway) it has 689 ft-lbs of energy vs the 594 ft-lbs of a 100 grain .270. Bullet drop is within inches of each other. "...reduces recoil..." A BAR is gas operated. There is no recoil. I wouldn't get fixated on the BOSS either. It's really just another muzzle brake with the same increase in muzzle blast that has to be fiddled with according to the ammo used. "...is readily available almost everywhere..." Not the .25-06 it isn't. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 8, 2018, 04:17 PM	#8
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	For hunting big boars, the .338 Magnum cartridge would be my choice-though I'm sure the .25-06 or .270 or .30-06 would work just fine. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

November 8, 2018, 04:29 PM	#9
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Hmmm. Thanks for all the input. Now my head is whirling. I do shoot more 'yotes than hogs, but that may change. If I go after the big boars then I'll be taking my 30-06. Good points about not worrying about the BOSS. If needed, I can always put on a rubber de-resonator or similar. (I fiddled with one on my 30-06 and gained at around a 1/4 MOA when I stick with the same ammo. It probably wasn't worth the effort it took, but it does work.) Also, thanks for bringing up the muzzle break point. I'm generally not a fan. I'd rather the sound go down range. I've pretty much ruled out the .270 and the remaining options don't have that much recoil. Multiple shots: Doubles are not uncommon on 'yotes, even with a bolt action. But I could have had a few triples if I'd had a semi-auto. Not so much on hogs. They scatter in a blink and where I hunt it's not wide open where I have any chance for a second shot. I don't know why I didn't consider the .243. I shot my dad's a bunch years ago and loved the caliber. It's versatile and there's a great variety of ammo. I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08 at all. It seems it has a little more oomph and a better BC at the top end. But it also seems there is a great deal of overlap with the .243. The more I think about it, the .243 seems an attractive option. I'm not likely to be shooting 'yotes or hogs beyond 300 yards. So .243 or 25-06 or tell me more about the 7mm-08? And now that I'm not considering needing a rifle with BOSS, which BAR model to choose? I kind of like the idea of the composites that provide shims for drop and cast (especially cast). Thanks again. This all has me considering things I otherwise wouldn't have thought about, which is the point of the thread. Andrew __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 8, 2018, 06:45 PM	#10
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Basically, in the common 139-grain (or 140-grain) deer loading, I see the 7mm08 as a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight. Performance is pretty much the same. Mine is a 700 Ti; recoil at the bench is not onerous. Many hog hunters post regularly of success with heavy bullets in the .223, which is why I figure that a 100-grain bullet from a 243 would work. I got lazy and only use the 85-grain Sierra HPBT for deer and coyotes in my .243, but have mostly done neck shots. It's a blow-up bullet, so no angling shots.

November 8, 2018, 07:37 PM	#11
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Thanks Art. Yes, I too know a bunch of guys that use the .223/5.56 on hogs. I'm just not enamored with the round for use on game. I've tried it and the AR platform just isn't my style either. I'm an old fart and I simply prefer a traditional rifle stock. If I go with a composite BAR, it will be my first composite rifle outside of my trusty Marlin 795. The 25-06 only comes in the Safari model. The .243 comes in several models, as does the 7mm-08. But right now I'm leaning towards either the .243 or the 25-06. But I'm still very open to thoughts and suggestions. __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 9, 2018, 04:40 AM	#13
Casualshooting1 Junior Member Join Date: August 14, 2018 Posts: 10	I have 2 BARs, one in .30 06, the other in 7mm Mag. I love the design. For the use you described I would consider .308. The availability of ammo being a big consideration. Also, .243 is a great intermediary round.

November 9, 2018, 07:58 AM	#14
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Thanks folks. I'm hearing a lot about the 7mm-08 and .308. Those seem like overkill for coyotes and typical Texas hog (not the big boars). I'm not recoil sensitive, but the recoil from the larger loads won't make it any easier to take doubles or triples on coyotes, which is the main point of this rifle. Right now, I shoot more coyotes than hogs. Is there something I'm missing as to why these stronger loads are being suggested? If not, right now I'm torn between the 25-06 and the .243. I'm leaning towards the .243, but having no experience with the 25-06 I don't want to make an uninformed decision. Thanks again, Andrew __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 9, 2018, 10:46 AM	#15
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	93 pages about hog hunting: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...-texas.449721/

November 9, 2018, 10:50 AM	#16
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I don’t see any reason to choose .25-06 over .243, except personal presence. The -06 has advantages on paper, but they don’t amount to much in real life. The .243 is one of the most popular cartridges ever invented and can be reasonably used on everything from ground hogs to elk. Ammo will probably be 10-20% cheaper than the -06 too. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

November 9, 2018, 12:18 PM	#17
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Brian, thanks for the clarification. Art, that's quite a thread. I'll have to spend some time looking through it. Thanks. __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 15, 2018, 01:18 PM	#18
SerenityNetworks Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2012 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 416	Thanks for all the input. I decided on a Stalker in .243. I believe it will work fine for where I want it to fit. __________________ NRA Life Member There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

November 15, 2018, 04:33 PM	#19
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	We’ll be expecting pics and a range report! __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

December 19, 2018, 12:33 AM	#22
bbqncigars Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 525	Nice rifle. Did you shoot it from a rest or with both arms sitting at the bench? A couple of mine don't play well with a front sandbag, but do much better holding them. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

December 19, 2018, 09:57 PM	#24
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Was just shooting the 270 BAR the other day and noticed once again how light the recoil is. As for accuracy, back when I hunted and target shot with it, it would shoot at 1 MOA or a bit less with handloads. It liked IMR 4064 and Nosler 130 gr BTs. You will want to use a powder that is suitable for the semiauto action and won’t beat it up. I really liked the BAR, but it just wasn’t the gun for target shooting, so I moved to bolt guns. And, as i aged, the BAR seemed to get heavier. And...it took a lot of work to do a deep clean on the BAR, and you should acquire and keep a spare buffer on hand. You won’t need it till you need it, but eventually you will need it.

December 20, 2018, 10:54 AM	#25
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	(Bolt gun) My lazy man's do-all handload for my .243 is the Sierra 85-grain HPBT with 3031. I don't know if it's still produced, but Federal used to make that load and it was as tight-group as my handloads. Great coyote load. It's a blow-up bullet so on Bambi I only take neck or cross-body heart/lung shots; no angling shots. So far, two-dozen tagged bucks with it.