A first look at the Browning caused me to feel a bit… underdressed. William Evans of London tweed didn’t seem required, but perhaps something nice from Cabelas… maybe a button down flannel and Khaki pants? In the end, well worn sweats won out, but the Browning never once attempted to judge me.
I’m not sure what, exactly, gives the current BAR its regal appeal. It isn’t a lofty price tag. The Browning is priced about the same as competitor’s peer firearms. It doesn’t come from the use of solely traditional materials. The LongTrac does have an oil finish Grade II walnut stock, deeply blued steel and satin nickel finish receiver, but it also incorporates an aircraft grade aluminum alloy receiver and composites to achieve lightweight, strength and balance. In any event, Browning came up with an appealing aesthetic design.
Val, not John… or maybe Bruce… Marcel Olinger?
The current Browning Automatic Rifle is not related to John Browning’s 1900 design of a semi automatic rifle, AKA the Remington Model 8 and 81 and Fabrique Nationale’s Caliber 35 Automatic Rifle. A recoil actuated design with a moving barrel, recoil and buffer springs placed inside of an external barrel jacket. The Remington versions went out of production in 1950, the F.N. counterpart in 19361.
The current gas piston – actuating rod design went into production in 1967. Browning attributes this version’s existence to a collaboration between John Browning’s grandson Bruce Browning and F.N. Belgium’s automatic firearms expert Marcel Olinger and Olinger’s team. “The Standard Catalog of Browning Firearms” – Cornell attributes the design to Val Browning, John M. Browning’s son. I don’t know which is correct as none of the above kept me in the loop.
The BAR has gone through numerous revisions since that time, including the 1997 introduction of aircraft aluminum alloy receivers, a feature that is currently in place on all models with the exception of the steel receiver White Gold Medallion and Safari models. The aluminum receiver BAR is offered in two action lengths; ShortTrac for 308 Winchester length cartridges, including WSM chambers and LongTrac for 30-06 Springfield length cartridges, including belted magnums of that length. Chamber availability varies with models, but just about everything from the 243 Winchester to the 338 Winchester Magnum, including all WSM rounds, is available somewhere within the product line.
A quick overview of model differences…
Specifications and configurations change, however, at this time the selection is as indicated below. The BAR lineup is extensive, suitable for any North America medium and big game hunting.
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Browning Automatic Rifles |
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Features |
BAR ShortTrac |
BAR LongTrac |
BAR Light Weight |
BAR Safari |
BAR White Gold Medallion |
| Receiver Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Steel | Steel |
| Metallic Sights | No | No | Yes* | No | No |
| Shim Adjustable Stock | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cross Bolt Safety | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOSS System (Option) | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| BOSS-CR (Option) | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Detachable Box Magazine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 243 Winchester | X | – | X | X | X |
| 25-06 Remington | – | – | – | X | X |
| 7mm-08 Remington | X | – | – | – | – |
| 308 Winchester | X | – | X* | X | X |
| 270 WSM | X | – | X | X | – |
| 7mm WSM | X | – | X | X | – |
| 300 WSM | X | – | X* | X | – |
| 325 WSM | X | – | – | – | – |
| 270 Winchester | – | X | – | X | X |
| 30-06 Springfield | – | X | – | X | X |
| 7mm Remington Magnum | – | X | X | X | X |
| 300 Winchester Magnum | – | X | – | X | X |
| 338 Winchester Magnum | – | – | X | X | X |
| *Stalker Only | |||||
One size fits all? Close to it…
I like sport bikes, but I have short legs and a long body… Yes, I do relate to the Neanderthal TV commercials and thank you for asking. So whenever I get a new bike, the first thing I do is buy a Corbin saddle so I don’t fall over at a stop sign at the top of a steep hill. Rifle fit is different because I have longish arms which I favor rifles with a long pull length. If an otherwise favorite rifle’s pull is too short, I suck it up and learn to live with it as I am way too frugal to pay for custom fit stocks. Browning offers pull length options with both the ShortTrac and LongTrac versions of the BAR.
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Recoil pads are available in 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ thicknesses to vary length of pull. A 3/4″ pad is supplied with the rifle, the others thicknesses are available as Browning accessories. The rifle’s degree of cast and drop is adjusted with the use of six shims that are included with each rifle. The effect of these numbered shims is defined within the table, however, the idea behind the shims is that they can help the individual shooter get to a natural position where their eye is in line with the gun’s sights and their cheek is against the gun’s stock. Adjustable stock geometry is useful. |
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Genius isn’t always complicated…
Beneath the forearm of a Browning BAR is a gas cylinder and gas piston that pushes an inertial piece down an action spring guide. The inertial piece drives the action bars that cycle the bolt, eject an empty casing and feed a fresh round from the gun’s magazine into its chamber.
There are other small bits and pieces in there but, in general, what you have is basically a pump action rifle where a bit of gas bleed replaces the manual labor and associated break in concentration. What makes the design genius is that there is enough latitude in the metering system to reliably handle everything from a 243 Winchester to a 338 Winchester Magnum, and all associated bullet weights, without shooter’s intervention. Neato.
A significant contribution to the BAR’s accuracy comes from the seven lug rotating bolt head that locks into the rifle’s barrel extension. This arrangement assures that the bolt head is in centered and aligned with the gun’s bore and it’s breech face is perpendicular. For folks who work with rifles built on the AR platform, the accuracy potential of this arrangement is well known.
The BAR’s bolt face is recessed. A cartridge case head in a closed BAR breech has triple support from the receiver, the barrel and the bolt face. Three rings of steel or in some cases, one ring of aircraft aluminum and two rings of steel.
Easy loading… spares in pocket
The magazine catch forward of the trigger guard releases the hinged floorplate and attached box magazine. The box magazine can be loaded while still joined to the floorplate, or it can be popped out and loaded acapella. Extra magazines, offered as a Browning accessory, can be preloaded and carried in a hunting jacket pocket.
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world2)… Why this BAR?
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There is a BAR to fit just about every hunting circumstance where stock type, weight and barrel length vary to suit each application. As an example, the 243 Winchester chambered Light Weight weighs 6 lbs 9 oz and has a 22″ barrel. The steel receiver Safari 338 Winchester version has a 24″ barrel and weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. The subject rifle represents a personal preference on several fronts.
The 300 Winchester Magnum is a heck of a cartridge. In Hornady Superformance factory ammo form, the 150 grain 300 Winchester Magnum generates 3,400 fps of muzzle velocity compared to the 150 grain 30-06 Springfield at 3,080. The Winchester Magnum also produces over 700 ft/lbs greater muzzle energy and holds a major performance edge even beyond 500 yards.
At 24″, the LongTrac BAR’s hammer forged barrel is a good length for the 300 Winchester Magnum’s case volume and the rifle’s inherit accuracy make this an excellent short and long range combination. Finally, between the oil finish stock and satin nickel receiver, this is a terrific looking firearm.
Which all got me here…
Seems there is little else to do, but shoot this BAR and see if it performs as good as it looks. I’m curious to see how it does across a spectrum of bullet weights and I am interested to see how it handles a single bullet weight over a minimum to maximum velocity range. Also interested in seeing how quickly second and third follow up accurate shots can be made. Lots to do for Part 2.
For further Browning BAR information and dealer locations – www.Browning.Com .
1) “The History of Browning Firearms” – Miller
2) Apologies to Mr. Bogart
Browning’s BAR LongTrac Part 1
Browning’s BAR LongTrac Part 2
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