Browning - High Volume Shooting

[ktm450]

All,
I don’t hear a lot (good or bad) about Browning rifles used for classes, high volume shooting, or commercial/guided hunts. I have a number of different branded rifles and really like my Brownings.

I am curious to hear from some members who are avid rifle/class/guide shooters as to why we don’t hear more about Brownings?

 

[AntelopeEater]

I absolutely love my Browning BAR Mark 3 DBM.

It is the semi-auto in .308 with a detachable 10 round box magazine.

I have put at least a thousand cheap bulk Wyoming Cartridge Co., 147 grains FMJ's though it at the range and I have never had a jam ever. I just got it this year.

I sometimes "mag dump" and the fluted barrel gets superhot but it still functions fine, and its thin barrel cools off reasonably fast.

I have not hunted with it yet, but I am planning to and love the idea of being able to make super fast follow up shots.

I'd also be quite comfortable skipping a sidearm in Grizzly Country when carrying this semi-auto .308, with its 18" barrel it is very maneuverable.

 

[Taudisio]

All,
I don’t hear a lot (good or bad) about Browning rifles used for classes, high volume shooting, or commercial/guided hunts. I have a number of different branded rifles and really like my Brownings. I am curious to hear from some members who are avid rifle/class/guide shooters as to why we don’t hear nor about Brownings?

Talk to your gunsmith about doing some custom work (barrel change, replacement parts). Mine will give you a few choice words if you mention browning. Not that it can’t be done, but I guess they give him a headache.

 

[AntelopeEater]

My two favorite rifles in this pic: The Browning BAR in .308; and the Ruger M77 in .375 Ruger.

I'm planning to use the Bronwing for antelope and deer later this year, and the Ruger for bear.

 

[John123@]

I’ve been a hunter for about 5 years now, and the Browning I picked up from Jack’s Gun Shop has never let me down. Since that first purchase, I really haven’t been disappointed, it’s been reliable, accurate, and worth every penny.

 

[ktm450]

Mine have also been great. But I never hear/see them recommended for shooting classes or other events where people are putting thousands of rounds through them a year/month.

 

[reynolds243]

They make great rifles and a lot of quality in them.

Main issue is they don’t seem to market them a lot like they do their shotguns (awesome shotguns) and they are really difficult to customize. Most of their stuff is proprietary so everything is harder to come buy or more expensive.

That limits it down to guys that just like really good hunting rifles and shoot it a little each year for fun.

Their old medallion Abolt line was beautiful guns and even the xbolts are great but I almost put them in the same line as leupold in that they have just lived off their name (for rifles) more then anything (not knocking them for it)

Seems they have at least tried to keep up with Public desire more recently with SPR and updated xbolt design. Man they ain’t cheap though other then the AB3 line (which is meh at best) vs for less money you can get tikka or bergara like rifles and customize them for less money.

 

[lil' bear]

Brownings are great but they have a few shortcomings. One being that factory barrels are pretty thin and heat up quickly. Not good for high volume shooting. Also their barrels have a thin thread pitch, and they use loktite to install them. This is why gunsmiths don't like to rebarrel them. Last would be the design for the mag well. It doesn't leave much meat around the trigger and stocks have a tendancy to break, so there are no aftermarket stocks.
But if you can find a good stock, and a good good gunsmith brownings are excellent.

The BLR is my favorite rifle by far.
And my gold fusion 20 gauge I bought when I was 12 will be my shotgun for life.

 

[grfox92]

Fantastic rifles with zero aftermarket support. That's why you dont hear more about them.

McMillan is the only stock option, there is one company from Europe who makes a bottom metal to take AICS mags. Its $650. That's more than my rifle.

I love my X Bolt and am hoping someone starts supporting them soon.

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[Scottf270]

I look at it like this. If you build them right at the factory, you don't need a bunch of aftermarket spare parts and shade tree gunsmiths.

 

[grfox92]

I look at it like this. If you build them right at the factory, you don't need a bunch of aftermarket spare parts and shade tree gunsmiths.

This correct and the only reason I still have mine. The factory stock is better than Tikka. Trigger is solid. Magazine length sucks though.

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