| EDELWEISS |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/11/20 12:45 AM |
Re-barreling a BAR
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I have an opportunity to pick up a BAR at a really good price. I want it but id like to change the caliber. Its currently 7mm mag. Id like to make it 338 mag or 300 mag. Browning made both so in theory it doesnt seem impossible. My gunsmith says it possible.
I know it sounds crazy but the gun is in 95+ condition for $450. A sane guy would just embrace 7mm mag but I just cant. I know theres nothing that 300 mag can do that 7mm mag cant do too. Maybe 338 mag has an advantage on heavier game but is it that much? Its just that I cant find the love for 7mm mag....and stock guns are boring.
The Browning line up is really limited from what it used to and BARs just arent the same, so this seems like a fun project.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 26/11/20 05:17 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Any short mag. I would expect, would likely work with the the 7mag magazines.
For me, the .338 is tops for that rifle & would likely work in the same magazine.
Is the Bar gas, delayed blow-back or recoil operated?
I personally see 7mm Rem. Mag. as being inferior to the standard .30/06 with 24" bl. I've had a couple of the 7mm's and didn't like them. One was a BAR back in 1972. I traded it back to the gun shop for something else and don't even remember what. lol
| EDELWEISS |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/11/20 07:53 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Im pretty sure its gas operated.
I had originally been drawn to 300WM but the more I think about barreling, the more I think about 338WM. Its hard for me to say 7mm Mag is a bad cartridge, (I dont think it is); its just that its never been high on my hit parade.
I surely dont need another rifle. This has been calling my name ever since it came into the shop. I would have bought it months ago if it was pretty much anything but 7mm Mag. We cant hunt with semis in PA (yet--thats supposed to change next year???). Im thinking it would make a great excuse for Bear or Boar or Elk or or or
| crshelton |
| (.333 member) |
| 26/11/20 09:14 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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.338 Win Mag is good in Africa too. Nothing larger needed for Eland. Plenty of power for a Texas Heart Shot on departing bull elk also. See entry wound on left hip. It was shoot it or lose it.
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 26/11/20 10:51 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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My choice would be .358 Norma Magnum.
If you're going to up-scale, why not UP-scale!
.416 Taylor...?
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 26/11/20 10:56 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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i agree - .416 Taylor sounds about right. 40 years ago, I'd have been all over that one.
| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 26/11/20 11:32 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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If you can get a date on the rifle, Midwest Gun parts carries barrels for guns made from 67-92.
They do have .338 barrels for that model.
Having someone make a barrel could turn into a can of worms just because it isn't a platform that a lot of folks work on but having a factory barrel would be (more) cost effective.
If you convert it to something like the .358 Norma mag, you can get a rebore on a 7mm and the chamber should clean up correctly.
.416 would be epic but quite a bit more barrel work.
The only other advice would be to have the barrel cryo'd after the work. I have had good luck with that helping accuracy
Neat project. Good luck.
Tom
| EDELWEISS |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/11/20 12:10 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Thanks for the heads up on Midwest. Ill confirm the date of the gun on Friday; although Im pretty positive its within the range. I think I may order the Bavarian style stock too.
338WM is sounding better and better. Its over powered for most of what I need; but isnt that the point. I remember that being suggested for a Plains Game cartridge and I strongly considered it. In the end I opted for a 357 H&H.
I suspect Itll get most use for Wild Boar and Black Bear. Im not a long range hunter so the extra power of 338 isnt a bad thing.
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 26/11/20 11:07 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Quote:
My choice would be .358 Norma Magnum.
If you're going to up-scale, why not UP-scale!
.416 Taylor...?
I like the way you think Marrakai!
Jack Lott even did one in .458WinMag......it functioned, but didn't stop the recoil much!
| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 27/11/20 04:00 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Jack Lott's gun just sold.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-f...un_id=101341251
There's also this classic
Semi 505 Gibbs
| szihn |
| (.400 member) |
| 27/11/20 04:39 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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I think Browning will do that for you, but I don't know what they would charge.
| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 27/11/20 06:25 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Last number I saw was $700 but I wonder if they support the older models because Midwest has the parts.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 27/11/20 01:56 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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I still don't understand the action and how it works, along with the Remington 742 - how? Gas tube? Recoil? Delayed recoil operated?
Depending on the system, you may or may not be able to just re-barrel it.
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 27/11/20 11:30 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Quote:
Jack Lott's gun just sold.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-f...un_id=101341251
Even being ported & at 8lbs, that .458WM would have belted your chops when she went off!
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 28/11/20 11:51 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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.338 Win Mag for me.
| EDELWEISS |
| (.375 member) |
| 28/11/20 04:34 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Yeah Im thinking 338WM too. Freinds are trying the talk me into sticking with 7mm Mag or maybe 300WM. They say 7mm Mag has the least recoil and 300WM shoots flatter than 338; but Im looking at it as a hard hitter inside 200meters (really inside 150m seems more likely).
I dont see me taking long shots on Moose or ever getting a chance at Alaskan Brown Bears. I know I dont need more than a 30-06 or for than matter more than 308; but I like more. My last new cartridge was 35Whelen and I really liked they way it dealt with Hogs, so Im thinking 338 will do better.
7mm Mag is a little bit cheaper and a little bit easier to find in "Hardware Stores" BUT even now 300WM and 338WM is available for reasonable prices on premium ammo.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 29/11/20 06:04 PM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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.338 Win Mag and 9.3x62 are the best all round choices for North America in my armchair opinion.
Over gunned for deer, but good choices for elk and moose and adequate in times of danger if it brown bear or grizzly territory. Good for running game/driven game as well.
.338 Win Mag is similar to the .338/06 which is a copy of the .318 Westley Richards, a great vintage choice in colonial Africa. Used by Bell and others for elephant and capable on cape buffalo. Great choice. Need I say I want one!
The .338 has wide choice of projectiles from 160 gr to 300 gr. An excellent range from 180 gr to 250 gr.
Certainly will perform at sensible hunting ranges.
I wonder if BLRs are available in .338 Win Mag? Would make a great choice for Alaska. My BLR .308 has a reasonable trigger shoots fast, is carbine length, lightish and is very accurate. Would actually make a fine mountain rifle.
| vykkagur |
| (.300 member) |
| 01/12/20 12:47 AM |
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Re: Re-barreling a BAR
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Quote:
I still don't understand the action and how it works, along with the Remington 742 - how? Gas tube? Recoil? Delayed recoil operated?
Depending on the system, you may or may not be able to just re-barrel it.
Both are gas-operated.