Ditto Browning BAR
They make one with a synthetic stock and stainless action but I think the barrel is not stainless, not sure.
I have a friend who has a BAR in 7mag and he takes an elk with it every year and it never jams.
They are a little heavy, but with a .338 that may be a good thing, plus the action takes out a lot of the recoil as well.
Just wondering why you want or need a .338 in semi auto? That' s usually not a cartridge chambered in a semi auto rifle. This is just my opinion but I think a bolt action would serve you much better than an auto in a caliber like a 338.
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I totally agree with bigbulls...If one is careful and picks the first shot well, there' s little need for a follow up shot....and with a .338 you will definitely be re aiming...it' s a very powerful cartridge. However by the same token you can take the same first shot with a BAR as well as a Bolt.
When I was much younger all the rifles was lever action and a few pumps. Those with bolt actions was looked at as the ones that couldn' t afford a real rifle.
I think today the king of actions is the bolt action because of it' s reliability and accuracy.
This reminds me of a story my father told me.....you have two barrels on that gun not so that you can shoot twice at a pheasant.....but so that you can shoot two pheasants if they should get up.
The Browning BAR is known to be a very accurate rifle...have at it.
I myself, if I was buying a rifle chambered for the .338, would go with the nicest bolt action/scope combo you could. I think that to really realize the potential of that round you should go with a bolt. Nothing against the BAR' s, but there really is nothing on this continent that a .338 won' t take with a well placed shot. If money is not too much of a consideration, take a look at them .338/378 Weatherby' s. That thing is as hot as they come. Otherwise, I would take a look at Remingtons, Winchesters, and Rugers, and find a scope that will take that kind of abuse, as well as let you reach out and see the potential that the round has. Keep us up to date!
I' d go with a Ruger #1, stainless/laminated stock. One shot, one kill...... unless you can reload really fast!!!
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Danny
Life Member, North American Hunting Club
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member, Buckmasters
Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor
The Browning looks like a really nice rifle. I especially like the idea of the muzzle break. My only question is: is it possible to have one custom made with a stainless barrel by Browning or do I have to take it somewhere and have the barrell made.
btw....does anyone know where I can get one of those ' sleeves' made to cover the rifle. I am going to put a descent sized scope on this baby and havent seen anything that looks like it would fit.
My last duty assignment in the U.S. Army, prior to retirement, was with the Noncommissioned Officer' s Academy at Fort Richardson, Alaska. I was assigned as the Operations Sergeant and the Academy Commandant was a Command Sergeant Major. The CSM purchased a Browning BAR chambered for .338 Winchester Magnum specifically for a Brown Bear hunt to Kodiak Island. He took a nice Brown Bear using 225 grain Remington Corelokts, (if my memory is correct). One shot to the shoulder/lungs, and a quick finisher through the skull. I distinctly remember looking at the skull later with a silver dollar sized hole through it! He also used that rifle, with a Harris bipod attached, down at King Salmon to take several nice Caribou. It was a nicely accurate rifle...with a very " soft" recoil for the caliber...(Browning' s gas operating system). He never had any problems or malfunctions with that rifle, but he was fairly meticulous about caring for it. I remember talking with him at that time (about 1993) about the possibility of having it refinished with a " brushed electroless nickel" finish. Similar to matte stainless but a little more dark gray in appearance. I retired in May, 1994, and do not know if he ever had it refinished or not.
I am not sure if Browning offers the BAR .338 Win Mag in a finish other than blue steel and wood. But I know there are any number of " after market" options for a more durable finish. (Electroless nickel, teflon, etc.) They are all good looking in their own right...and very durable. Also I believe there are several manufacturers that offer after market synthetic replacement stocks for the BAR, (maybe even some in camo).
The number of scopes suitable for such a combination is almost endless! More to do with your preference than for " any lack of availability" !
Good luck with your search!
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