Anyone shoot a Browning BAR .300 WSM ?

Shrugs · August 7th, 2008, 02:28 PM

My dad just got a brand new one this past week, and he and a few others went to the range to zero in the scope and all.

Had a few problems.

Just about every other shot, the casing would get jammed and fail to eject. And, again, just about every shot, if the casing did eject like it was suppose to, the bullet would not feed correctly and it would not fire. We would have to manually 'cock' the rifle.

We shot a box of 20 of Federal Premium® .300 WSM Rifle Ammunition.

What could have caused it ? It's brand new. Does it need to be cleaned ? Is it the ammo ?

David in FL · August 7th, 2008, 03:41 PM

I'm surprised. That's a great semi-auto rifle, generally known for reliability and a short action cartridge to boot. My normal response would be to try some other ammo, but you really don't have a ton of choices in the WSM's.....

I shoot a Browning A-bolt in .270 WSM and am ecstatic with the rifle and the cartridge. I'd definitely call Browning on this one.....

Sorry, I'm no help beyond that.

atctimmy · August 7th, 2008, 05:00 PM

A good cleaning. If that doesn't do it take it back.

dogrunner · August 7th, 2008, 05:09 PM

I'm surprised too! I own three BARs, two in '06 and one .338, all of them are flawless performers. I'd suggest strongly that your dad pull the forearm and check the gas pistol for proper function.....his owners manual'll tell how..........He ought to disconnect the action bars, retract the bolt and see if the piston moves freely when the guide rod is moved slightly back and forth, it should drop down to its fully extended position with the gun held muzzle up.

Just thinking about it tho, I had a friend some years back that had a .300 that he'd had a problem with and it was determined that the piston lock nut installed at the factory was the wrong one. Browning paid for the repair tho...but still! Anyway, that was an older model and had the relief valve hole in the nut and an '06 nut had been installed........that is the ONLY malfunction with a BAR I've ever been aware of.

Won't hurt a bit to pull it down and look tho........frankly the BAR series has been probably the MOST reliable of the civilian autoloaders........head and shoulders above any of Remington's jammatics.

Shrugs · August 7th, 2008, 07:29 PM

I'll take a look at the manual and see how to that.

How complicated will that be ? I'd hate to take it apart and not be able to put it back together lol

Freakdaddy · August 8th, 2008, 06:56 PM

Give it a very good cleaning. Use some Hoppe's and a good aerosol gun scrubber ( I always use a synthetic safe one) and spray in the receiver as well. Use Breakfree CLP or FP-10 (if availabale locally) and lube it up real well. Also, take off the forearm as mentioned and clean/lube in there as well. More than likely, this will solve your problem. I've never had a problem with my .270 BAR either but you need to get the cosmoline out of the nooks and crannies. If this doesn't solve you're problem, then your dad will need to send it back.

August 7th, 2008, 02:28 PM	#1
Shrugs Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 71	Anyone shoot a Browning BAR .300 WSM ? My dad just got a brand new one this past week, and he and a few others went to the range to zero in the scope and all. Had a few problems. Just about every other shot, the casing would get jammed and fail to eject. And, again, just about every shot, if the casing did eject like it was suppose to, the bullet would not feed correctly and it would not fire. We would have to manually 'cock' the rifle. We shot a box of 20 of Federal Premium® .300 WSM Rifle Ammunition. What could have caused it ? It's brand new. Does it need to be cleaned ? Is it the ammo ?

August 7th, 2008, 03:41 PM	#2
David in FL Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,719	I'm surprised. That's a great semi-auto rifle, generally known for reliability and a short action cartridge to boot. My normal response would be to try some other ammo, but you really don't have a ton of choices in the WSM's..... I shoot a Browning A-bolt in .270 WSM and am ecstatic with the rifle and the cartridge. I'd definitely call Browning on this one..... Sorry, I'm no help beyond that. __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

August 7th, 2008, 05:00 PM	#3
atctimmy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In the man cave Posts: 1,158	A good cleaning. If that doesn't do it take it back. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! - I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry

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August 7th, 2008, 05:09 PM	#4
dogrunner Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: E/Cntl Fla. Posts: 109	I'm surprised too! I own three BARs, two in '06 and one .338, all of them are flawless performers. I'd suggest strongly that your dad pull the forearm and check the gas pistol for proper function.....his owners manual'll tell how..........He ought to disconnect the action bars, retract the bolt and see if the piston moves freely when the guide rod is moved slightly back and forth, it should drop down to its fully extended position with the gun held muzzle up. Just thinking about it tho, I had a friend some years back that had a .300 that he'd had a problem with and it was determined that the piston lock nut installed at the factory was the wrong one. Browning paid for the repair tho...but still! Anyway, that was an older model and had the relief valve hole in the nut and an '06 nut had been installed........that is the ONLY malfunction with a BAR I've ever been aware of. Won't hurt a bit to pull it down and look tho........frankly the BAR series has been probably the MOST reliable of the civilian autoloaders........head and shoulders above any of Remington's jammatics.

August 7th, 2008, 07:29 PM	#5
Shrugs Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 71	I'll take a look at the manual and see how to that. How complicated will that be ? I'd hate to take it apart and not be able to put it back together lol

August 8th, 2008, 06:56 PM	#6
Freakdaddy Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sedalia, MO Posts: 37	Give it a very good cleaning. Use some Hoppe's and a good aerosol gun scrubber ( I always use a synthetic safe one) and spray in the receiver as well. Use Breakfree CLP or FP-10 (if availabale locally) and lube it up real well. Also, take off the forearm as mentioned and clean/lube in there as well. More than likely, this will solve your problem. I've never had a problem with my .270 BAR either but you need to get the cosmoline out of the nooks and crannies. If this doesn't solve you're problem, then your dad will need to send it back.