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Benelli R1 .300 Win Mag

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a.c.ellis View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/30/2007 at 09:33

Hello everyone,

I am brand new to the forum.  This is my first post ever on any forum so I hope I do not sound like an idiot.  I've been "lurking" (as my wife calls it) for awhile on the forum for tips and suggestions.  As the subject states, I have recently purchased a Benelli R1 .300 Win Mag.  I still have a tear in my eye when I think of my M1 Garand that I traded in on the R1.  Yes I know that was a mistake.  This is the first "hunting rifle" I have ever owned.  I am not new to weapons but I am new to non-military type firearms.  I have been in the U.S. Army Reserves for 14 years now and plan on putting in my 30.  The reason I am on the forum is because I have always used open sights and those pronghorn antolope at 400yds are getting harder to hit using the old iron sights (although it is fun).  I want to put a scope on the R1 and am considering the Super Sniper 10 X 42 with Badger Ord. 1" .8 rings.  Does anyone out there think this is a good set up or am I way off base?  I am just looking for some friendly advice on what scope and rings to put on a semi auto .300 Win Mag. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/30/2007 at 10:14

Unless I am severely mistaken, the SuperSniper is a 30mm tube, so don't buy 1" rings.

 

Next, will you be taking any closer shots than those pronghorns at 400?  if not, that scope is a great deal and you will love it.  If you will be taking some closer shots, I would recommend something with a variable power.

 

The SS is a great scope and you simply cannot do better for the money.  If you care to add another $200 or so to the equation, that moves you into some decent variable hunting scopes with comperable glass.  Or, take the plunge (and a seond mortgage on your house) and buy an S&B or top-end Zeiss: on the range or on the hunt, you'll never regret it: on the credit card bill, it'll hurt for awhile - but you're shooting a 300WM, you're accostumed to a little kick.

 

Good luck, and welcome to the OT.

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a.c.ellis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote a.c.ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/30/2007 at 10:42
Thanks for the feed back, yes there will be some closer shot and some will be as close as 100 yds.  I will also be shooting white tails with it.  My bad with with the 1"/30mm tube comment, you are 100% correct.  I want to stay away from variable power scopes and learn to us the fixed power, is this a bad idea?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/30/2007 at 12:15

Years ago, variable were just that, variable - in terms of repeatability, reliability, and durability - and thus the military shunned them and many hunters did too.  (Also, variables were characterized as optically inferior due to more optics groups and simple movement within the tube.)

 

Today, none of this holds true.  Even the less expensive variables of today are almost as solid as fixed scopes of 20 years ago - with some exceptions.

 

When I got out of the military (almost 12 years ago) I preferred fixed-power too; however, in that 12 years (and even before), scopes were taking huge leaps forward in all respects.  (I’ll interject this here, whether it belongs or not:  Leopold made some of the best non-German scopes running 15 years ago; however, as others brought better products to market, Leupold has kinda sat back and congratulated itself - and raised their prices ever higher.  Today, Leupold is much more - in my opinion - for name recognition.  I would take many (MANY) scopes over any Leupold offering.  Don’t misunderstand, Leupold is good.  I have many friends who shoot leupold and many who swear by them.  I just think someone else does it a little better for the same or less money)

 

Sorry back to the question:

 

Variable of today are optically on par with the best fixed-powers, and the repeatability, durability, and precision are just as good.  As support, most federal law enforcement agencies and all (to my limited knowledge) military groups have moved their sniper scopes to variables.  In my day, fixed 10X was it, no exceptions.  Today, the Marines are moving to S&Bs - and if my boys in the monkey suits over the in big sand pit will trust an S&B - as I hear from the front lines they do - I do too.  Likewise with the 1911 but that's another post for another forum.

 

So, in short, variables are good; in fact, just as good as anything in a fixed - when the $$ is right.

 

At a 100 yard shot, 10X is too much for anything but a very intentional and slow shot.  At 400, it’s perfect. So if your short shots aren’t rushed – like jumping a bedded buck, the 10X is a great investment and will serve you well.

 

For the money, you'd be hard pressed to beat a 3-9 Zeiss Conquest - every bit as sharp as the SS, better for short shops, still great for long shots, and you can use those 1" rings you've been want'in.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/30/2007 at 16:02

Well said, Rancid.

 

Welcome to the OT, AC!!

Thank you for your service, my friend.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/30/2007 at 20:56

I would have hated to give up the Garand also unless replacing it with an M1a. Any way that is a done deal and I will say that 300 WM is a wonderful cartridge and when George gets my new 300WM built I will post a photo. Mine is a bolt gun with a 10x Leupold Mark 4 M3 but I can certainly agree that a variable would often be nice. For me that is a toss up between a U.S. Optics SN3 which I have a hard time paying for all at once and a Nightforce that I could put on lay away and pay a little at a time or possibly something IOR or S&B(ouch) if I traded the Leupold to SWFA. I would say for a hunting scope (of the tactical nature) I would like a fixed power 6x42 IOR Tactical with MP8 reticle as it would be a brighter scope with 7mm exit eye pupil. For a variable (I still like to dial in correction) I would lean toward the IOR 2.5-10x42 or something similar if I could spend that. Having said that I have one 300 WM with a 3.5-10 Leupold VXIII and a 300 WSM with a 10X42M Super Sniper so you are not by any means barking up the wrong tree. I say carry a pistol if it's under 100 yds shoot it with that. The SS will serve you quite nicely eaven if it is a challenge up close.

The idea of placing a red dot above the high magnification optic is also a possible.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote www.technika.nu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 00:56

Sorry to tell you, but the R1 guns I have testfired had very poor accuracy and shots out to 200 yards wasent really a possiblity, 400 is completely out of the question.

Your gun might shoot well, but i doublt it, so before you spend to much money on the perfect optics/mounts for this gun take a seriousely testfire if for accuracy.

.300 WM is also an interesting humbug in that rifle, as you have a short barrel that prevents that the cartridge reach it's full potential. In reality you do have a .308 winchester with a serious muzzleflash, much noice and high cost.

 

The only semiautomatic rifle i have tried that have the accuracy you have requested is the newer Browning BAR.

 

I am really sorry to tell you as you obviusly look so much forward to the long hunts, but you would probably found it out somehow anyway.

 

Regards Technika

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote a.c.ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 09:40
Thanks for all of the insight.  I have heard/read that with the .300 WM if the bullet is too light (<150) the groupings are/were wild and all over.  I have also alread that the 178-190 weight bulluets are much better for this rifle and you do need to play with the brands and grains.  I do understand that I won't be hitting fifty cent pieces at 200 yds or beyond but the 24 inch barrel should allow the bullet to reach is full potential or at least close to full potential.  I hope this rifle is not as worthless as Technika states it is, Benelli does have a good reputation in the shotgunning world and I find it hard to believe they would produce a rifle that can't accurately hit anything at 200 yds, I could be wrong.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 10:19
I have my suspicions when it comes to anything semi auto at distance the only gun I know that will long term hold sniper quality groups is a GAPrecision built AR-10. The M1a has issues as far as making one accurate mine is a 2 MOA gun George at GAP tells me he can get them down to about a 1/2 MOA gun with much work and cost. My other experiences with semi - autos with exception of the AR family has not been positive.  Army and Marine snipers are still using bolt action rifles - there is a reason. I know they also use Barret 50 cal but it takes 3 camels and an ox cart to carry one.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote www.technika.nu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 10:30

Interesting that it has 24" barrels in USA, in Europe its sold with 21"..........

 

I think it's very unfortunate that the R1 have accuracy problems as it's probably the most well made semi auto civilian rifle so far.

 

Regards Technika

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 10:54
...but Benelli sure makes nice semi auto shotguns!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote a.c.ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 10:55

Again thanks for your opinions and comments.  I guess I'll have to play with it and see what it likes and live with the accuracy it gives me.  Anyone else know anything about the accuracy of the Benelli R1 .300 WM?  Maybe I'll post on the "Rifle Scpoes" section of the forum.  Thanks.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2007 at 12:30

Here is some info from previous posts.

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6492&KW=r1

There is more info on the search function here,

also.

http://www.opticstalk.com/search.asp?KW=r1&SM=1&SI=P T&FM=0&OB=1

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote a.c.ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2007 at 09:31

Tahqua, thanks for the search, i should have done that myself (I'm still learning this forum stuff).

 

Thanks to all who have contributed to this topic.  Yesterday (1 May 07) I sent a check to SWFA for a SS10X42 30mm scope, Badger Ord. MAX-50 30mm 0.823 rings and flip up eye and objective lense caps.  I'm so excited to go get out and start experimneting with my first scoped rifle.  I think I am going to try Black Hills brand 178-190 weights first.  Wish me luck, and thanks again.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2007 at 10:29

Good luck.  The scope is a great one, well worth the money.  I too have badger mounts and have never had an issue - best stuff on the market.  And, in my opinion, if you ain't handloading, Black Hills is about as good as you can get.  I shoot the 190-grain BTHP molys in my 300WM.  In fact, that's what took out Miss Piggie at just over 200 yards -

 

http://www.opticstalk.com/uploads/RancidCoolaid/2007-05-01_1 20438_IMG_1426smaller.jpg

(Don't want to keep posting the pic and sucking up Chris' limited webspace)

 

Took out her spine, she dropped like a sack o' dirt.

 

Also, a note from experience: try lots of ammo.  All my rifles tend to really like one particular load, doOK with several others, and hate some.  There is a non-zero probability that your rifle will hate Black Hills ammo and love Federal or Hornady or something else.  I would advise you spend the first few range sessions trying out different stuff (and be sure you break the barrel in correctly.)

 

Good luck, enjoy, and come back to tell technica it shoots great.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote a.c.ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2007 at 10:39
Rancid, any suggestions on the breaking in of the barrel?  Should I post a new topic on this subject?  Love the pig, mmmm pork.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/03/2007 at 07:51

Look it up online, most good barrel makers recommend certain break'ins.

 

 

I usually do 1 round, then clean x 10, 3 rounds then clean x 10.  And by "clean", I mean "CLEAN!"  No barrel polish or abrasives, though.

 

Do a google search and go to the people you've heard of.  Everyone's is usually a little different, but that's mine.  And I haven't had a gun broken in this way that didn't perform in the "good" to "great" range.

 

It sucks and it takes forever, but the payoff is worth the effort, as piggie can attest.

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