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Well guys, I ended up with a brand new R1 in a trade. It's chambered in 270 WSM.
It's very finicky as to what ammo it likes. I tried 150 grain Winchester factory loads first and it shoots "about full choke". (Really bad)
I was getting 5-6 inch groups at 100 yards over a rest.
So I tried hand loads.
I used 160 150 140 and 130 grain bullets. All my loads were just "so-so" except for 2 loads with the Nosler 160 grain and the Speer 150 grain Grand Slam bullets. In both loads I used near max loads of h1000 powder.
The Nosler 160 grains bullet hold 1.375" in ever case and a few went as small as 1.1 inches. All groups were 4 shots each which is what the rifle holds when fully loaded.

The Speer 150 grain Grand slams were even better but only a little bit. They stay inside 1.25" every time and they will come close to MOA now and then.

So the rifle can be accurate IF you feed it what it likes

In ever case that I tried AA3100, H4831, IMR 4350 and 7828 powders, and with every other bullet I tried regardless of brand and weight the rifle would do no better then 2.75" and some loads went over 3"

I have a friend in Reno who owns an R1 in 30-06 and he shoots only factory ammo. He told me that he tried 7 different loads before he found one that shot well, but with Hornady 165 grain loads he's getting about MOA

So I believe these rifles are well made and can be accurate, but they are not forgiving as to what they shoot well.

I'd love to get feedback from the readers if they have any experience with the Benelli R1 Rifles in any caliber.

I believe Benelli is missing the boat not offering this rifle in the standard 270 Winchester, and the also should consider importing the ones they make in 9.3X62 to the USA.
It would help their sales too if they would make the R1 in 7-08.

So men, tell me your thoughts and experiences with this rifle.

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