Benelli R1 Endurance

[SFRanger7GP]

I have been wanting a Benelli R1 for quite some time. Why? I have no good reason, but neither have most of my gun purchases. I wanted one with the nice wood, but they seemed hard to come by. I came across one on Gunbroker that was the newest Endurance model, and it was in my favorite cartridge, the 30-06. I didn't like the black matte finish and synthetic stock, but it was listed as used/like new and starting bid was half the price of a new one. That is what I bid and won it. It arrived at my FFL after I had departed Texas, but they called and told me it is like new if not new. Appeared to be nothing more than test fired. I am excited to try it and it will be my new "sounder hammer" for pigs.

Anyone have any experience with the Benelli R1?

Safe shooting

 

[Saul]

I cannot remember the last time I saw or even heard someone mention the R1, and I have no idea why as it seems like a fine gun. Please let us know your thoughts once you get it.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I cannot remember the last time I saw or even heard someone mention the R1, and I have no idea why as it seems like a fine gun. Please let us know your thoughts once you get it.

Will do. It's at my FFL waiting for me to return to the US. I hunt vicariously on YouTube and really enjoy watching the Monteria's and other driven hunts. That kind of got me hooked on this rifle. I have shot a lot of Benelli auto shotguns of which the R1 is the same design, and they were super reliable.

I will let update you when I get my hands on it.

Safe shooting

 

[radname]

I cannot remember the last time I saw or even heard someone mention the R1, and I have no idea why as it seems like a fine gun. Please let us know your thoughts once you get it.

X2

 

[shootist~]

Cool looking rifle. 21st century rendition of my first centerfire - bought at age 18 (1967). Model 742, also a 30-06.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Hi,

I purchased a Benelli R1 Synthetic new some years ago in .308 Win. I really like the feel of the rifle and it shoots very accurately, I think that you are going to like shooting it. My taste was for the synthetic version based on dragging it around the woods and up trees for deer hunting.

I think you will find it a good decision for use on pigs. the action is smooth and in .308 recoil was minimal making fast follow up shots possible.

The only issue I've had with the rifle was user error, I took it out one opening morning for deer season here in Michigan, I climbed up to my high hunting platform and pulled the rifle up on a rope, I loaded the gun "by hand" closing the action to avoid noise. Not long after first light I had a group of 6 or 7 deer come in from behind me right under my platform, among them was a nice buck. I clicked the safety off and went for the shot, CLICK no BANG! I managed to cycle the action and remove the magazine several times, deer got tired of looking at me and ran off after several more clicks !!! You cannot "hand" close the action, at least with my new gun you cannot. You need to just press the slide release and deal with the noise of the action firmly closing , that way the bolt fully locks and the gun fires every time.

Along came a Blaser R8 as a travel rifle and the Benelli has not seen much action in the last couple of years, your post is reminding me to get it out and give it some use. I have an old Winchester model 100 in .308 in the back of the safe, it gave me the original inspiration in finding a modern update. As I looked around the market and having had great experience with Benelli semi auto shotguns it did not take much to convince me to buy an R1. If you need any help with those pigs let me know I would love to exercise my Benelli R1 with a bit of pig shooting.

 

[meigsbucks]

Hopefully you’ll be able to wrap your hands around that R1 soon.

 

[Hififile324]

I bought my first R1 with high grade wood in 2002. It was beautiful. It fed ammo flawlessly. The best I could do with groups at 100 yards was 2-2.5". Taking is apart for cleaning was easy but it lost zero after reassembly even though the scope was not attached to the barrel. The triggers are not so great either, and there is not much you can do to improve them. I traded it.

I wanted another one in 2012. I bought one, but it was all synthetic. This one had feeding and ejection problems, but was a bit more accurate. I sold that one too.

The oil bottles Benelli supplies with the rifle are fantastic!

Keep in mind, if you hunt in RSA the semi-auto won't be allowed into the country. I hope you get a good one! The rifle does handle very well for fast off hand shots.

I am not done with Benelli, I'm ordering a Benelli Lupo, Wood, .30-06. (Oil bottle included!)

 

[bobdahunter84]

I bought a synthetic R1 probably 7 years ago or so. My main reason was that I wanted a semi auto in as big of a cartridge I could find. I don't believe I could find anyone else making a 338 Win Mag semi auto, so that was my pick.

I really like it. The semi auto action dampens the recoil down to a 30-06 level IMO. Plenty accurate. I remember buying an extra mag wasn't cheap, but that was about the only negative. I've always been surprised that I NEVER see R1s out at the gun shows, relative to the hundreds of 742s, 7400s, and BARs. I feel like people think of Benelli for their shotguns, and that's it.

I do have a Benelli Black Eagle 2 with a pistol grip for my turkey gun. Also a sweet rig. That 3 1/2" turkey load hits my shoulder worse than my 458 Lott though.

I've got nothing but good things to say about my experience with Benelli guns.

 

[mark-hunter]

Anyone have any experience with the Benelli R1?

I have Benelli Argo, in 9.3x62, which is a model for eruopean market. R1 is exported to USA, basically the same (except American R1 doesn't have iron sights)
I use it for driven hunts on boars, and night hunt for boars with night vision. Basically this is my go to rifle for winter, when wild boar and red deer season is open in forested areas.
Accurate, eats all ammo, easy for maintenance, never had an issue. Recoil for caliber 9.3 is manageable.

What I understand, endurance is new model, improved recoil reducing system, and redesigned gas operation system. Should be very nice rifle.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Good afternoon. I had to come back stateside for a couple weeks, so I picked up my Benelli R1 Endurance 30-06. It has the title of being the ugliest gun I own. I mounted a Trijicon Accupoint 3x9, took it to the range this morning and fired 4 different brands of ammo. It fed everything flawlessly and appears to be a 2 MOA rifle with the Barnes TTSX shooting slightly better. The last time I had a trigger like this on a firearm I was carrying an M60 MG. Like the M60 MG, recoil is mild but it has a good bounce. There is definitely a bit of retraining required on the trigger and follow through. I took the time to do quite a bit of dry firing these past few days. I will try to play with it some more before I head back south to escape this hellish heat.

Safe shooting

 

[mdwest]

This is a curious gun for you!

If it’s not stocked with fine timber, deep blued, and made in either the UK or Germany, I thought it would give you hives and you wouldn’t be able to be in the same room with it????

 

[SFRanger7GP]

This is a curious gun for you!

If it’s not stocked with fine timber, deep blued, and made in either the UK or Germany, I thought it would give you hives and you wouldn’t be able to be in the same room with it????

I am slumming. Getting back in touch with my East Texas redneck roots. I may have to spotlight a pig and shoot it out the truck window.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Blooded the Benelli last night. Amazing how smart these pigs are. He came in through the only blind spot for the pig motion light. As luck would have it, the clouds conveniently covered up the almost full moon, but I could hear him crunching corn under the feeder. The Trijicon Accupoint pulled in enough light for me to clearly see his silhouette and put a Barnes 180 TTSX behind his ear. Great shot if I say so myself, and I do!

Kit used: Academy folding chair sitting in the mesquite brush, BogPod tripod, Rolex watch, Courteney boots, High Camp Flask filled with ice cold beer and a Colombian vueltiao sombrero. Beautiful Texoma evening.

Safe hunting

 

[Daggaboy375]

That's the life.

DB

 

[BOSSGobbler]

I have been wanting a Benelli R1 for quite some time. Why? I have no good reason, but neither have most of my gun purchases. I wanted one with the nice wood, but they seemed hard to come by. I came across one on Gunbroker that was the newest Endurance model, and it was in my favorite cartridge, the 30-06. I didn't like the black matte finish and synthetic stock, but it was listed as used/like new and starting bid was half the price of a new one. That is what I bid and won it. It arrived at my FFL after I had departed Texas, but they called and told me it is like new if not new. Appeared to be nothing more than test fired. I am excited to try it and it will be my new "sounder hammer" for pigs.

Anyone have any experience with the Benelli R1?

Safe shooting

I just bought a used R1 in .270 WSM with wood stock from gunbroker tonight. I saw someone at the local gun range with a walnut stock semi-auto and thought that is cool. So I went over to talk to him and he had just bought it from basspro, I believe he said. Anyway, it was a beautiful gun and was shooting well for him in his first ever session at the range. So I got home and started reading up on them and watching youtube videos. Now not more than 2 weeks later, I am the owner of one!

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Good morning @BOSSGobbler. How does yours shoot? Mine is a solid 2 MOA rifle with everything I have tried. The forend nut shoots loose and accuracy will go crazy. I talked to a guy on another forum with similar issues. He has the same rifle that I have. He said he put blue loctite on it and hand tightened the nut. He said the shooting loose issue stopped and he gets 1-1.5 MOA often enough to make it interesting. I am going to try that.

Safe shooting

 

[BOSSGobbler]

Good morning @BOSSGobbler. How does yours shoot? Mine is a solid 2 MOA rifle with everything I have tried. The forend nut shoots loose and accuracy will go crazy. I talked to a guy on another forum with similar issues. He has the same rifle that I have. He said he put blue loctite on it and hand tightened the nut. He said the shooting loose issue stopped and he gets 1-1.5 MOA often enough to make it interesting. I am going to try that.

Safe shooting

@SFRanger7GP I have unfortunately not had the time to put a scope on the rifle and take it to the range. Last summer I was prepping for our Mozambique safari, and then other hunting seasons came and went. I have been reloading for a Blaser .257 WBY this early spring as well as my wifes 7 RemMAG. My R1 is on the list for this summer as well as a few others. So much to do and not enough weekends! I will post my results.