Thoughts on Browning BAR MK3 DBM as an all-purpose long gun?

Rap

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Been looking to get into .308 for quite some time. Looking for a semiauto rifle that accepts 10 round box magazines, is sturdy, accurate and portable. Synthetic and stainless are ideal characteristics. Would appreciate input from folks familiar with this Browning. Anything else I should consider <$2K?
Thank you
 
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1075tech

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You can build/buy a LR-308/AR-10 for less than that.

But the Browning BARs are nice. I don't know what the mag sizes are.

I've never looked at any semi auto 308 other than the AR platform
 
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The BAR takes a 10 round box mag. I found one for reasonable cost and made the purchase. Should have it shipped into my FFL shortly. Now I need to get some decent glass for it...The main other thing I'm interested in looking into is the potential to have iron sights added.
Thank you for the input!
 
Jmac00

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1075tech said:
You can build/buy a LR-308/AR-10 for less than that.

But the Browning BARs are nice. I don't know what the mag sizes are.

I've never looked at any semi auto 308 other than the AR platform
Click to expand...
my buddy has a AR-10 in 308, the thing is dead nuts at 300 yards, its a little on the heavy side, probably in 9-10 pound range. but its very nice gun
 
tirwin1

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Rap said:
The BAR takes a 10 round box mag. I found one for reasonable cost and made the purchase. Should have it shipped into my FFL shortly. Now I need to get some decent glass for it...The main other thing I'm interested in looking into is the potential to have iron sights added.
Thank you for the input!
Click to expand...
Post a pic when you get it.
 
Rondo223

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They are nice and should shoot MOA out of the box or at least the older FN version was supposed to. I don't know if the Browning variant has a chrome lined barrel either.
They are a little more of a pain to strip and mags are more expensive/harder to find than an AR.
 
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GTN

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Just got a ar10 in 308 a couple weeks ago I really like this rifle.
18” barrel, 1-6 scope, red dot on 45° mount for up close and personal contact.
Only thing I don’t like is every time I pull the trigger it’s $1 $1 $1 $1
 

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Rap

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GTN said:
Just got a ar10 in 308 a couple weeks ago I really like this rifle.
18” barrel, 1-6 scope, red dot on 45° mount for up close and personal contact.
Only thing I don’t like is every time I pull the trigger it’s $1 $1 $1 $1
Click to expand...
Nice rig. Good idea about the angled red dot. I may go the same route.
 
MuttCat

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I purchased a BAR MK3 a few years ago. Japanese made, Turkish walnut I believe, excellent bluing, very light, expensive mags that do not hold ten rounds. Super nice, and there are bits made of plastic or synthetic...whatever it is. Certainly not "tactical", but that's not my thing. Choices for a traditional semi in 308 are limited.

I wonder if the door to the mag well was removed, if the ten round mag would fit?. And a scope with an objective of 50 or more looks stupid.

So, for the same money, yes, you can go for the black version, but I think you give up some nice aesthetics.
 
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FP1201

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Rap said:
Been looking to get into .308 for quite some time. Looking for a semiauto rifle that accepts 10 round box magazines, is sturdy, accurate and portable. Synthetic and stainless are ideal characteristics. Would appreciate input from folks familiar with this Browning. Anything else I should consider <$2K?
Thank you
Click to expand...
New Browning with proper care probably won't give you any problems for many years to come.
Every year we get several into the Shop for Service & repair: many have the buffer missing/busted and it shears either a screw or pin (I can't remember which off the top of my head) Look at items number 10 and 11 from the Brownells schematic.
BAR | Top Rated Supplier of Firearm Reloading Equipment, Supplies, and Tools - Colt
They aren't horrible to tear down and clean, and if you get one (ostensibly used) that cases stick in, we use special Ball Hones & oil to polish the chamber (especially Remington's) and they go back to working as they should...all in all I like the BAR over the 742
 
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Rap

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FP1201 said:
New Browning with proper care probably won't give you any problems for many years to come.
Every year we get several into the Shop for Service & repair: many have the buffer missing/busted and it shears either a screw or pin (I can't remember which off the top of my head) Look at items number 10 and 11 from the Brownells schematic.
BAR | Top Rated Supplier of Firearm Reloading Equipment, Supplies, and Tools - Colt
They aren't horrible to tear down and clean, and if you get one (ostensibly used) that cases stick in, we use special Ball Hones & oil to polish the chamber (especially Remington's) and they go back to working as they should...all in all I like the BAR over the 742
Click to expand...
This was bought new, and while I've heard (BARs) are a little tricky to tear down relative to competition, I'm prepared to work it out if/when need arises.

I hope to get some shots off by end of this weekend and start getting a feel for how it runs.

The package deliverers are busy lately at my place, with a lot of the activity related to this rifle...
 
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caseb123

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Rap said:
This was bought new, and while I've heard (BARs) are a little tricky to tear down relative to competition, I'm prepared to work it out if/when need arises.

I hope to get some shots off by end of this weekend and start getting a feel for how it runs.

The package deliverers are busy lately at my place, with a lot of the activity related to this rifle...
Click to expand...
I've been looking at the BAR dbm. I really want iron sites and scope as well. Did you end up getting it done? Curious how you accomplished it if so.

Ive always wanted one since back in the 90's my cousin had one with a 20rd mag and combo iron sites and scope.
 
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caseb123 said:
I've been looking at the BAR dbm. I really want iron sites and scope as well. Did you end up getting it done? Curious how you accomplished it if so.

Ive always wanted one since back in the 90's my cousin had one with a 20rd mag and combo iron sites and scope.
Click to expand...
I got distracted from the project, so no iron sights yet. I appreciate the inquiry; going to resume my quest and will update this thread with developments.
 
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Maybe?

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Rifleman 1" Detachable See-Thru High Gloss

Leupold’s aluminum Rifleman® mounts are an economical alternative to steel mounts, yet these rings and bases still provide the strength and accuracy you expect from Leupold®. This model is designed to fit any riflescope with a 1" maintube, while giving the shooter a clear view under the optic.
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