Browning BAR MK 3 Stalker Part 1

No snow for over a week. The driveway and streets have returned to blacktop and snowfields and roof drifts have melted, contributing to the transition into mud season. Another month or so and the trees will green, fill in and we’ll once again be living in the middle of the woods. Then the work begins; structure repairs from a rough winter, equipment to maintain and fix before storing, prep of lawns and gardens, and the work goes on and on.

Range days will become easier. It is tough shooting from a bench when the temps are hovering around 0°F, a stiff wind in blowing and target posting and checks require jogging back and forth through deep, wet snow. It will become easier to set up data logging equipment, set up for video, and to squeeze in some handloading, so there is a good deal of positive anticipation…

Browning BAR Background

The modern gas piston – actuating rod design went into production in 1967. The Browning company 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. 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 Mark II Safari models.

The 2017 line up represents a bit of a name or model consolidation. The ShortTrac, LongTrac designation have been dropped, long and short action cartridges may be selected within one model designation.

The cartridge line up has been revised. The 7mm WSM and 325 WSM chambers are no longer offered. The 25-05 Remington is available only in the steel receiver, non-BOSS Mark II Safari. The steel receiver BOSS Mark II Safari is available only in long action chambers: 270 Win, 30-06 Spfld, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag.

The Browning BAR MK3 Stalker

The Stalker, within the current BAR line up, is a purpose built hunting rifle. The finish is non-reflective, the synthetic stocks can take a good deal of field abuse and they are dimensionally stable regardless temperature or humidity. Like most modern hunting rifles, there are no metallic sights, however, the receiver top is drilled and tapped to accept optical or electro optical systems.

The barrel is one piece hammer forged, the chamber is chromed. The large seven lug bolt has a recessed face that encloses a cartridge case head, then fits into the barrel extension and locks up. A cartridge is enclosed in three rings of supporting material; bolt head, barrel extension, receiver. Barrel length is appropriate for cartridges assigned; standard cartridges 22″ short magnums 23″, belted magnums 24″.

Controls are in easy reach and positive in actuation, but not placed as to be accidentally actuated. The stock geometry as received is comfortable and steadying regardless shooting position. The gripping surfaces have just enough give to make for a firm hold and they are not slippery, even is wet cold weather. Scope mount systems of all popular types are available. Here, a Warne Rail and Warned rings are put to use and provide a little more latitude in locating rings than two piece bases.

The Browning BAR Stealth is supplied with two quick disconnect sling swivels. Sockets for the swivels are located lower buttstock and front of forearm. A front swivel stud makes a great place to secure a bipod. Stock shims are place between the BAR’s receiver and buttstock, only one at a time, to alter stock drop and cast off. A neutral shim, a #2, is installed at the factory. A #1 raises the comb 1/16″ and the heel 1/8″, #3 lowers the comb 1/16″ and the heel 1/8″. There are three corresponding shims, 1R1L, 2R2L, 3R3L that duplicate the drop progression and add 1/8″ cast off. The cast can be left or right, controlled by the orientation when installed.

The Stalker’s magazine is attached to the hinged floorplate. It can be loaded by locking the back bolt, checking the chamber for empty, closing the bolt, then filling the magazine and closing the floorplate. Chambering a round is accomplished by pulling full back on the operating handle and releasing it so it can strip and chamber a round from the magazine.

Alternately, the box magazine can be popped out of the floorplate and loaded and spare loaded magazines can be carried in a jacket pocket.

The combination of quality recoil pad, synthetic stock and gas operating system dampens recoil well, even though the Browning BAR Stalker weighs less than 7 lbs.

A quick overview of BAR model differences…

Specifications and configurations change, however, at this time the selection is as indicated below. The BAR lineup is extensive, with choices suitable for any North America medium and big game hunting.

Recoil for the 308 Winchester is modest, barrel rise on discharge is minor, allowing follow up shots to be take quickly. Velocity performance is comparable to bolt action rifles as the gas system bleed off is minimal. Remington 150 grain Express Core-Lokt is rated at 2820 fps with a 24″ barrel and still delivered 2800 fps with the Stalkers 22″ barrel. Accuracy samples from multiple groups, cold and warm barrels ranged from 1/2″ to 3/4″ without a lot of fuss and effort. Handloads are in process and should be knocked out, shot and recorded over the next few days. The results will appear in Part 2.