Winchester SXR2

[Stonia]

I'm starting to see these pop up, and in the best cartridge ever, 9.3x62. Looks like a less expensive BAR, and until now only available internationally, maybe? Tempting, but I've never even heard of this. Anyone know anything?

https://www.winchester.eu/products/rifles/semi-auto/A-WSXR2COMPO/A-WSXR2COMPO.html

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[wind gypsy]

Are you saying they are available in the states or asking if people know if they will be? Unsure since you linked the Winchester EU site.

 

[Stonia]

Are you saying they are available in the states or asking if people know if they will be? Unsure since you linked the Winchester EU site.

Sorry, there's dozens of that model on GB and my local shop can get ahold of them. Wondering if anyone has any experience with them.

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[Begle1]

You ever find anything out about the SXR2?

I saw a few while looking at BAR's a while ago and thought... Huh... A semiauto 9.3x62 for under $1000 sure sounds interesting.

 

[Stonia]

No, they're still available to order, but never seen one in person. I don't want to be the test case, but I'm definitely still interested. There's a few more chamberings, 308, 30-06, 300win mag, as well as wood stock models.

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[Begle1]

Their manual sure has some interesting nuggets.

Your rifle has a detachable or fixed magazine mounted on a hinged floorplate depending on the legislation in force in each country. The magazine capacity also depends on the legislation in force in each country.

Their website lists 2 round and 3 round "drop box" magazines, but all the online lists I see specify 2 round mags. 3 round mags seem a lot more compelling.

I don't know what the ideal number of 9.3x62 rounds would be to have in a 7lb 2oz semiauto rifle, but I can't help but feel the answer is "more than 3".

 

[Begle1]

This website has some interesting magazines for European 9.3x62 rifles that I've never heard of.

Does the Browning Maral use the same magazine as the Winchester SXR2? Perhaps, since this magazine is listed as fitting both of them.

I love how Europe has their own market of weird-looking rifles that are hard to find information on. I don't love how there is apparently a semi-auto and a pump "SXR2".

Cool Steyr rotary magazine.
Cool extended Steyr magazine.

 

[Begle1]

A 30-06 magazine would probably work with 9.3x62, right? Same dimensions apart from the bullet?

Why do the Europeans have 10 rounder magazines for the BAR that I've never seen before? Are these unobtanium in the US for some reason, or am I just ignorant?

 

[Begle1]

I'm still a little intrigued by these rifles.

It appears that Lipsey's imported a glut of them from Europe. North American Winchester isn't happy about it because they don't have any parts or knowledge of them.

So the guns are orphaned to some degree, although I understand they also share some parts commonality with a BAR, so maybe it's not so bad.

As it comes to magazines, a picture of an imported SXR2 magazine is attached. Winchester USA told me that the SXR2's would take their BAR magazines, but the pictured magazine would not be compatible with an American BAR, correct?

It seems to me like these imported SXR2's would take the "drop box" European magazines that a brave shooter could order from around the world for $150+ each. It also seems to me like a 10 rounder 30-06 magazine would also be useable as a 10 rounder 9.3x62 magazine. But I don't know how to verify either of those things without talking to a European, or maybe an Aussie.

 

[Begle1]

I traded some messages with the RifleMags.co.uk people.

1) They tell me that semi-auto and pump-action SXR2's take the same magazines. (So the 10-round 30-06 magazine would be this one.)

2) They are happy to ship magazines to the USA. (For these prices I would be too.) They estimated a 10-14 day delivery time.

3) They don't think that the 30-06 magazines are the same thing as 9.3x62 magazines, because apparently there used to be a 10rd 9.3x62 magazine, but it was discontinued. (But they did say that maybe the base pad and spring from the extended 30-06 magazine could be mated to the 9.3x62 upper section, if somebody really wanted 10 rounds of 9.3x62.)


I am tempted to try one of these in 30-06. It does fill a niche that otherwise isn't available; lighter weight than an M1A or other battle-rifle derivative, more accurate (I'd presume, generally speaking?) than a Benelli R1, and more traditionally shaped than an AR10, as it eschews the protruding mag well and pistol grip. And available with 10 round droppable magazines, unlike the North American BAR. So until somebody makes a new and better Winchester 100 or Remington Woodsmaster, the SXR2 seems to check the boxes I was looking for.

If I could trust this gun to be as reliable and indestructible in jungle mud and water as my Mini30, then I'd be buying one. Still trying to decide.

 

[Stonia]

I traded some messages with the RifleMags.co.uk people.

1) They tell me that semi-auto and pump-action SXR2's take the same magazines. (So the 10-round 30-06 magazine would be this one.)

2) They are happy to ship magazines to the USA. (For these prices I would be too.) They estimated a 10-14 day delivery time.

3) They don't think that the 30-06 magazines are the same thing as 9.3x62 magazines, because apparently there used to be a 10rd 9.3x62 magazine, but it was discontinued. (But they did say that maybe the base pad and spring from the extended 30-06 magazine could be mated to the 9.3x62 upper section, if somebody really wanted 10 rounds of 9.3x62.)


I am tempted to try one of these in 30-06. It does fill a niche that otherwise isn't available; lighter weight than an M1A or other battle-rifle derivative, more accurate (I'd presume, generally speaking?) than a Benelli R1, and more traditionally shaped than an AR10, as it eschews the protruding mag well and pistol grip. And available with 10 round droppable magazines, unlike the North American BAR. So until somebody makes a new and better Winchester 100 or Remington Woodsmaster, the SXR2 seems to check the boxes I was looking for.

If I could trust this gun to be as reliable and indestructible in jungle mud and water as my Mini30, then I'd be buying one. Still trying to decide.

Lots of good information you've managed to dig up. The magazines are a solid find as well. 10 RDS of 3006 would be pretty great, not as great as 9.3, but still. You going to get one? I'd definitely be interested in a report.

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[Begle1]

I am tempted. I would be using the gun in rainy if not muddy conditions and don't know if I trust it to survive.

Seeking testimonials regarding Browning BAR (/ Winchester SXR2 semi) reliability in adverse conditions

I live in Hawaii. Axis deer, goat, and hog hunting often borders on "eradication", and conditions can vary between high altitude, dry and long-distance, to crawling around with pigs in rain, mud and steam. But never any freezing weather at least. I've been using a stainless/ composite bolt...

rokslide.com

If I could be reassured that the finish on the guns is solid, it doesn't have any impossible-to-clean cavities, and it won't rust into oblivion then... Maybe. I do suffer from terminal contrarianism and this would be a very unique gun, and it does fit the specifications that I have set for myself. (It is longer than I'd want; I wonder if the gas system would work if I cut the barrel down...)

But I've also watched videos on the takedown of the BAR and it sorta scares me to take it into the jungle. I'm not sure how different these are.


I'd love to screw around with the magazines, I struggle to imagine 9.3x62 not working in 30-06 magazines. But at $150 each I'm certainly not going to buy the mags just for a science project.

Never did I figure that, as an American in this century, I'd ever feel jealous of guns from the EUROPEAN market.

 

[Matt Magolan]

Hey guys,

Just ordered one of the Winchester SXR2 in 9.3X62 and I'm on the hunt for magazines. I reached out to Lipsey's and they indicated that they did not bring in any spare magazines. They said they'd look into getting some, we'll see if that happens.

Been doing some additional research and found some things:

1. The model number of the Lipsey's 9.3X62 rifles is listed as #531062184, which is listed on the Winchester.eu site as the 3+1, not the 2+1 model which is listed as model #531060184. I'll let you guys know if the mag holds 2 or 3 when I get the rifle in my hands. I can't imagine they would have changed the model number, so I think it'll be the 3+1.

2. There is a German dude who makes a 10 + 1 magazine for the 9.3X62, they are handmade, custom and beautiful, but they are 450 Euro's EACH, plus shipping from Germany and import duties, etc. Maybe they could come down with a group buy. I have already contacted the guy and he confirmed that the mags will fit the SXR2. Here is a video on Youtube of the dude rocking a 10 round mag.

3. Whoever posted the photo of an actual SXR2 magazine above, is that for a 30-06 model or a 9.3X62 model. If it is a 30-06 model, it appears that the rails that hold the brass body of the casing is not notched and perhaps the rails on the 9.3X62 are notched out and have a more wavy look.

4. Can not determine yet if the 30-06 magazines will work with the 9.3X62 model and ammunition. Some photos of 9.3X62 magazines from around the world, show the 30-06 magazine as the photo for the 9.3X62 part, but I don't knwo if that is just for illustrative purposes. It appears that, as mentioned above, the side rails on the 9.2 mag are cut away somewhat and the 30-06 rails are not.





This is what I've found so far. I'm also looking for a pistol grip stock for the gun, If anyone knows someone who wants to sell an FN FNAR pistol grip stock assembly (OR trade for a Stalker Browning stock or SXR2 standard stock) Let me know, I know some guys took the pistol grip stock off the FNAR and replaced it with a more traditional stock. I'd also be interested in buying a Doublestar ACE FNAR pistol grip assembly if someone bought one and either didn't use it or wants to sell it.

https://doublestarusa.com/fnarrb-fnar-receiver-block-a630.html

Anyway, I'll update any information I can confirm.

 

[Matt Magolan]

Also, there is a precedent for the same magazine working for both 30-06 and 9.3X62. The Haenel/HK SLB-2000 had one magazine for 30-06, 8X57 and 9.3X62. Not sure if it translates to the Browning/Winchester platform, but it is something.

 

[Matt Magolan]

Image from gunbroker of 9.3X62 magazine.

 

[Begle1]

I'm pretty sure that the picture I posted was of a 30-06 model's magazine.

I asked the The Rifle Mags UK guy whether the 30-06 magazine would work for 9.3x62, and he responded:

Probably not. They did use to do one but it was discontinued. However, there is a good chance you could cannibalize the base pad and spring from the 10 round .30-06, to go with a 9.3x62 upper section, as the bases were the same.
https://riflemags.co.uk/browning-maral-3-round-9-3x62-magazine/ I assume it's the same mag on the SXR2
https://riflemags.co.uk/browning-maral-winchester-sxr2-10-round-30-06-magazine/

Weird culture shock that Europeans have magazines that cost over a hundred bucks. I was meanwhile wondering if I could figure out a way to butcher up the stock magazine and JB weld a M1918 BAR magazine to it...

 

[Begle1]

So Matt, any updates on your new Eurochester? Shoot it yet? Clean it yet?

 

[scasolari]

I’m not the one who was asked but I did buy one of these last year when they started importing. Can confirm Winchester USA was annoyed when I asked questions as they insisted they had no way to get information about them.

Browing BAR bases work. And to make the magazine situation easier, I plan on ordering a Mk3 bottom metal to try to convert it to more easily available BAR mags.