I own 2 BARs in 338WM and really like the rifles. One has the BOSS system (don't care for it much) and the other is an older (made in Belgium) and is just plain fun to shoot. I've never shot a Benelli R-1 although I own and shoot a Benelli Nova pump shotgun and like it a lot. Somebody suggested putting both rifles up to your shoulder in a gun store (good advice). If you have friends who own each rifle, see if you can fire a few rounds from each. My personal vote is for the BAR but I don't think you'll go wrong either way.