For Sale: 458 Win Mag Browning BAR Made by Atkinson

TTundra

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This one I did not want to let go, but as I mentioned here before, a Blaser R8 and some goodies is heading my way.

An Atkinson Gun Company Browning BAR built to 458 Winchester Magnum. As I can find it, less than a dozen were made. Rifle is an absolute pleasure to shoot, and I know that may sound ludicrous. Touching off 4 (3+1) 458 win mag cartridges in less than 2 seconds is simply indescribable.

Now on to the rifle. It has some handling marks and scuffs. I tried to get light right over it for photos so you can see some marks on the stock and forend. One small scrape on the barrel near the muzzle as well. It is certainly not in mint of perfect shape, but very-very good shape. I added a warne rail on top (sacrilegious, I know) only so I could use a red dot when firing it. I think its discreet enough and useful enough for optics though since no irons are present but can just be removed as well. I purchased this rifle about 2 years ago from a member here. he stated at the time the magazine was worked on by Bear Creek. They for a short period of time were making Browning BAR's in 416 Rem, but has since stopped taking orders last I checked.
No magazine issues in my firing sessions, but to be clear, you cannot just load in any 458 Win and go to town. Round nose bullets I found worked best and at modest velocities as well as brass over nickel coated cases. Newer spire or flat meplat bullets may cycle all 3, maybe just 2. Round nose and a few fps less, were the ticket for me. That said, I only ever shot this piece maybe a half dozen times. I purchased it more so for the rarity of it and to admire what Atkinson was going after with its design. I will miss not taking a hog of 2 though...

24" Barrel
~14" LOP
~9lbs
3+1 Capacity of 458 Win...

Please feel free to ask questions or inquire on more photos. I'd love this piece to stay with a member here on AH before tossing it up on the auction sites.

Price is $3,750 delivered to your FLL and insured.

BAR Full side.jpg


BAR Barrel Marking.jpg


BAR Buttstock.jpg


BAR left receiver.jpg


BAR Muzzle.jpg


BAR Receiver Right.jpg


BAR Right forend.jpg
 
I didn't know a Browning BAR could be of this caliber. I wonder what kind of resource he has.
 
Firepower! But not legal in most (any?) African countries. Would be a great bear stopper, though.
 
Nice one ;)
It is built on a Bar generation 1 plateform.

The Browning Bar cannot handle the .416 Remington magnum. Its magazine is pretty short and cannot accomodate any longer cartridges than the classic length we find in its various chamberings : 3.34" while the .416 Remington magnum is a 3.60" cartridge. The other caliber was the .416 Taylor.
I have seen a lot of Bar in my country, but most of the time in .300 Winchester magnum. I saw a couple of them in .338 Winchester magnum but I don't know any gunsmiths who converted one in a bigger caliber here.

Speaking about big calibers in semi-automatic rifles, I remember Vigilance rifle offered 20 years ago a rifle that was very close to the Benelli R1 in its design, and with the same gas operated system, but much bigger in size because he was chambered in .408 Cheytac and .505 Gibbs.
 
I have no words! A BLR in .458 WM?

Outstanding!!!
 
Bringing this one up once more. Let's go $3500 shipped to your FFL.

Trades considered: M1 carbine (correct and nice condition), WWII era 1911 (correct and nice condition), Wildey 475, 16ga. SxS, S&W model 29-2 (4" and 6.5")
 
Nice one ;)
It is built on a Bar generation 1 plateform.

The Browning Bar cannot handle the .416 Remington magnum. Its magazine is pretty short and cannot accomodate any longer cartridges than the classic length we find in its various chamberings : 3.34" while the .416 Remington magnum is a 3.60" cartridge. The other caliber was the .416 Taylor.
I have seen a lot of Bar in my country, but most of the time in .300 Winchester magnum. I saw a couple of them in .338 Winchester magnum but I don't know any gunsmiths who converted one in a bigger caliber here.

Speaking about big calibers in semi-automatic rifles, I remember Vigilance rifle offered 20 years ago a rifle that was very close to the Benelli R1 in its design, and with the same gas operated system, but much bigger in size because he was chambered in .408 Cheytac and .505 Gibbs.
I’ve read where these are built on the Gen 1 BARs as you’ve stated. Is it because steel vs aluminum receivers? Just curious?
 
Nice one ;)
It is built on a Bar generation 1 plateform.

The Browning Bar cannot handle the .416 Remington magnum. Its magazine is pretty short and cannot accomodate any longer cartridges than the classic length we find in its various chamberings : 3.34" while the .416 Remington magnum is a 3.60" cartridge. The other caliber was the .416 Taylor.
I have seen a lot of Bar in my country, but most of the time in .300 Winchester magnum. I saw a couple of them in .338 Winchester magnum but I don't know any gunsmiths who converted one in a bigger caliber here.

Speaking about big calibers in semi-automatic rifles, I remember Vigilance rifle offered 20 years ago a rifle that was very close to the Benelli R1 in its design, and with the same gas operated system, but much bigger in size because he was chambered in .408 Cheytac and .505 Gibbs.
They still do, just costs like $20k.
 
I’ve read where these are built on the Gen 1 BARs as you’ve stated. Is it because steel vs aluminum receivers? Just curious?
I don't know them, so I can't reply in detail for them but for sure, making a .458 Winchester magnum on a Browning Bar gen 2 with a steel receiver was as possible as the gen 1.
I remember when Browning introduced the Bar 2 light with the aluminium receiver. It was indeed much lighter with a better balance, but less reliable at the beginning. The .338 Winchester magnum that was the most powerfull caliber offered from the factory before was not offered in this version. Did they judge it was too powerfull ? I don't know ! But for the .458 or a the .416, the steel receiver is a far better choice.
 

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