Hunting isn’t just about aiming your gun correctly. It would be best if you also had the right gun. Choosing the perfect gun between Benelli R1 and Browning BAR is always tricky.
The main difference you see between the two guns is the caliber type. Benelli R1 has .30-06 Springfield caliber, and the Browning Bar has .243 Winchester caliber.
You also see differences between the two choices when diving a little deep. I am here with an in-depth article comparing the two rifles. Going through the whole thing should help you decide which is most suitable for your needs.
Let’s not waste any moment and jump right into the details.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specifications | Benelli R1 | Browning BAR |
| Caliber | 0.30-06 | 0.243 |
| Weight | 113.6oz | 104oz |
| Length | 44” | 41.5” |
| Damage | 2922 K.E | 1953 K. E |
| Price | More expensive | A bit affordable |
Key Differences Between Benelli R1 And Browning BAR
- Caliber
Hunting guns are all about choosing the right caliber. Particular calibers are suitable for hunting specific animals.
The rifles I have here have two different types of calibers so that you can select the gun based on their caliber.
Benelli R1, in its base variant, uses a 0.30-60 Springfield caliber.
This caliber can go further and has more power packed in them. With this caliber, you can easily see a deer around 250 yards away.
Browning BAR, on the other hand, has a 0.243 Winchester caliber. It’s not as powerful as the other one. But the accuracy and speed of the caliber are much better since it’s smaller in size.
You can hunt a deer that’s around 200 yards away without any trouble at all.
Now, if you want a gun that can shoot bullets further away, go with the Benelli R1. With it’s.30-06 caliber, you can easily get a longer distance.
But if you want more accuracy and speed without worrying about the range, go with Browning BAR with its 0.243 calibers.
Also Read: Differences Between Superior And Liberty Safe.
- Weight
The weight of the gun also has an impact on the buying decision. You will have a much more difficult time handling a heavy rifle. So, you will want to go with a lighter option, but you don’t want it too light, making it difficult to control.
In the Benelli R1 base version, the gun weighs around 113.6oz. In comparison, the Browning BAR weighs 104oz.
Therefore, the Browning BAR is a more lightweight option than the Benelli. Although the difference isn’t that significant, it can affect the buying decision.
Because Browning BAR is lighter, you can hold it and aim for much longer than Benelli R1. But with the Benelli R1, you can have better recoil control if you are good at it. So, it just comes down to what you prefer to have in your hunting gun.
- Length
Typically, many articles discuss barrel length but not the actual gun length. Since the two guns here have the same barrel length, there is not much to discuss. But the gun length is different for both.
Starting with the Benelli R1, you get a length of 44 inches. And the Browning BAR has a length of 41.5 inches. So it means that Benelli R1 is slightly larger than the Browning BAR. Now, the question is, does that make a difference in using the gun?
Well, yes, there is a difference you will notice in the usability of the two guns. Since Benelli R1 is a larger gun, you will, of course, have some issues in storage.
But that’s not it, and a larger gun is also challenging to maneuver. However, it might help aim with more accuracy.
As for the Browning BAR, you will have an easier time storing it because of the less space requirement. Also, you get good maneuverability.
- Damage
More damage means you can hunt heavier or larger animals without any issues.
So, if you want to hunt down larger and heavier animals, you will go with a gun with more damage.
But if you plan to hunt smaller or weaker animals, choose the gun with lower damage.
Between the two choices, Benelli R1 comes with 2922 K.E damage. In contrast, you have the Browning BAR that has lower damage than 1953 K.E.
As you can tell, there is a pretty significant difference in the damage count for each gun.
If you plan to hunt heavier animals, go with Benelli R1. The more significant damage will suit that needs without any trouble at all.
But if you like to hunt weaker or smaller animals in comparison, then pick Browning BAR because you don’t want to use Benelli R1 in that case and damage the critical organs.
- Price
Once again, I am discussing the base variants of each gun; the price may vary based on the different models. But here, you will see a slight difference in pricing with each weapon.
In terms of price, Benelli R1 is a bit more expensive than the Browning BAR. The amount is significant.
You can get some other hunting accessories with that amount of money. So, if you want to save money, Browning BAR is the way to go.
But I don’t think pricing can play a significant role in deciding the gun for your hunting purposes. It’s only helpful if you are a beginner or don’t have a particular target for hunting a specific animal type. In that case, you can start your journey with a more affordable option.
Which One Is A Better Pick For Your Hunting Purposes?
If you are an experienced hunter, I don’t need to tell you which one will be the best for you. Instead, you can decide on the option based on the caliber type because you will know what animals you will be hunting and which suits your requirements the best.
The only general factor that helps decide on a choice is the pricing of the two guns. You can go with the affordable pick when you are unsure about the gun and what your hunting needs. In this case, Browning BAR is the perfect pick for you.
Here is also why!
Other than that, you will need to consider all these various factors that make the gun suitable for a particular type of hunting. I hope the in-depth comparison helps you get that.
Also Read: Differences Beteen Benelli Nova And Winchester SXP Shotgun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the Browning BAR is pretty accurate, and it’s undoubtedly on par with other guns of the exact pricing. It doesn’t disappoint.
Yes, Browning BAR helps quite a lot in reducing the gun’s recoil, primarily when you use the extra soft pad on it.
The accuracy of Browning BAR MK3 is 2.037inches.
Benelli R1 with .30-06 caliber can provide you with 3 to 4 rounds.
Conclusion
In summary, Benelli R1 vs. Browning BAR isn’t that difficult once you figure out your priorities. It all depends on what kind of hunting you plan to do and what animals you want to hunt.
This factor will help you match up the factors like caliber and damage, which are crucial.
But if you have no idea about that, you can go towards the simple route and choose the affordable option. It’s a good idea to go with the cheap option while learning.
