Browning BAR Mark III

Browning Arms Company · Rifle · In Production · 2016

Also known as: Browning BAR MK 3, BAR Mark 3, BAR MK3

Overview

The Browning BAR Mark III is a gas-operated, semi-automatic hunting rifle introduced in 2016 as the third major generation of the civilian Browning Automatic Rifle sporting line that originated in 1967. Manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium, the Mark III pairs a polished blued hammer-forged barrel with a lightweight matte-nickel aluminum-alloy receiver and a Grade II oil-finished Turkish walnut stock. Chambered here in .300 Winchester Magnum, it feeds from a detachable box magazine and is prized as one of the smoothest, most accurate semi-automatic big-game rifles for medium to large game at extended range.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3461 g (122.1 oz)
Overall Length1153 mm (45.39")
Barrel Length610 mm (24.02")
Action TypeGas Operated
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity3 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity900 m/s (2953 fps)
Muzzle Energy4722 J (3483 ft·lbf)
Effective Range300 m (328 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist254 mm (10.00")
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishMatte Nickel

Calibers

Features

Variants

Base model

Browning-Bar

Production

Production years: 2016-present

Current-production generation of the Browning BAR sporting rifle, manufactured at FN Herstal in Belgium.

Origin

Country of origin: Belgium

Designer: Bruce Browning

Notes

The Mark III generation refined the receiver geometry and stock ergonomics over the earlier BAR Mark II. Magnum calibers such as .300 Win Mag use the long-action receiver with a 24-inch barrel and a 3-round magazine; standard calibers use a 4-round magazine.

Background

The civilian Browning BAR was conceived by Bruce Browning, grandson of John Moses Browning, and shares only its name and inspiration with the military Browning Automatic Rifle of World War I; the sporting BAR is a refined gas-operated hunting rifle rather than a squad automatic weapon.