Benelli R1?

[Quackin_Archer]

Hmmm. I guess I will know a little more after I can actually shoulder it. So, what are considered an average grouping at 100 yards? And what .300 win mag or WSM are "above" average and or considered average? Thanks radsav. The more I think about it, the barrel length makes sense.

[bobcat]

Most people strive for a 1 inch group at 100 yards. But just your average rifle and  average load I guess would be about 2 inches at 100 yards. I don't like to hunt with anything that won't group 1 1/2 inches or better.

[RadSav]

Don't forget these are normally groups off the bench.  Expect under hunting conditions and stress you'll shoot a good bit worse.  If your gun shoots 2" off the bench and you shoot it 3" in the field that's 9" at 300!  If you shoot 1.5" in the field that's 4.5" at 300.  Myself, I like those odds much better!

[RadSav]

I just looked at Benelli's website. Damn...that is one ugly rifle.

If I had to own a semi-auto,I'd be looking at a Browning.

A buddy of mine has a 20 guage Benelli that looks a lot like the R1.  My dogs would not hunt with him unless I was right there.  I suppose it could be the dogs, but my guess is they were scared of that ugly gun.

[carpsniperg2]

I used to kringe every time a client would show up with a 26" barreled gun and say they can shoot a bear at 400 yards off hand.  It just doesn't happen!  For the vast majority of shooters 24" barrels are about as long as can be shot off hand well.  Again, unless you have one heck of a gun.

I've been looking at the R1 in .338 myself as a backup gun on an upcoming Grizzly hunt.  The 24" barrel was one of the things that I liked most.  But, damn!!!  That's one ugly gun.  Starting to re-think and go with a 20" Ruger 338RCM or 21" 375 Sako Kodiak.

If a client said that to me I would slap them and tell them if there is no time to get a rest there is no time for a shot

GET THE KODIAK!!!!!! One of the best shooting magnums I have ever had the chance to shoot. Almost all my long range rifles are built and use the sako action. I had a chance to shoot one in 338wm and loved it!!!

[RadSav]

If I had slapped every one that told me 400 yards was a high percentage shot for them I'd of had no return clients!  Amazing how good they are when they do not know you.  I got most of my clients inside 50 yards on bear and I still think we missed as many as we hit.  Something about bear makes a grown man shake like a woman in a bridel shop.  Had two guys in three years that actually puked on my boots they got so excited.  Sometimes 200 yards away has it's advantages.

Since the gun will be a "back-up" gun I wasn't sure I wanted the weight of the Kodiak on my back along with my bow.  Especially if we have to snowshoe into Baribeau.  That would be 16 pounds of weapons added to an already 35-40 pound pack I carry in the spring.  Though at that point the extra 3 pounds probably isn't going to make or break the hunt.

I nearly died up there hunting goat when I had a lung infection and decided to lighten my pack.  Luckily my guide broke his pack the day before and was carrying my back-up with a full survival duffel in it.  It was a rough night at 7,000' and minus 18C, but a good guide, heavy drugs, PowerGel and the extra bivy and blankets got us through none the worse for wear. RAD tip of the day - don't climb 3,000 vertical feet in below freezing weather if you have a lung infection.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah not a good idea the r1 is pretty light for a semi so it could be a good pic for you then. I agree with you a couple of pounds won't break you. Most of mine are in the 11 pound range. Sure I could be about 3 pounds lighter but with a 40lb pack already on 3 extra pounds will not hurt. Part of what made the sako shoot so well was the weight. Great gun to have in your hands when crap hits the fan.

[Curly]

I just looked at Benelli's website. Damn...that is one ugly rifle.

If I had to own a semi-auto,I'd be looking at a Browning.

A buddy of mine has a 20 guage Benelli that looks a lot like the R1.  My dogs would not hunt with him unless I was right there.  I suppose it could be the dogs, but my guess is they were scared of that ugly gun.

[Quackin_Archer]

lol too funny. I guess thats where its personal preference. I hunt with a benelli nova 12 gauge and am a very solid shot out to about 50 yards on ducks. Thats where I think the r1 attracts me. I really enjoy my nova as it shoots very well and feels very good on my shoulder. The sako, is that made by Tikka? I have looked into them and read reviews aswell. About the same mixed percentage as the R1. Although I havent seen a rifle yet that has all great reviews. That is what is making this descision kind of frustrating     

[Bob33]

Tikka and Sako are both imported by Beretta. 

FWIW I have yet to read a very critical review of the T3.

[Curly]

You should take a look at the Browning Semi Auto rifles if you are set on getting a semi auto.  Browning has been making them for 45 years and the BAR's have a great reputation for being tough, dependable, and accurate.

Also, why are you thinking semi-auto? 

[Quackin_Archer]

Because I have never really owned one lol. Not really set on it, I was just cruisin through the benelli website and came across the R1. Im not really a browning fan. Not sure why, just never really have been. When I go look at a few, Im definately going to shoulder a couple Tikkas and maybe some savages. I have read some reviews of the R1 that some guys took a few animals with it and were able to actually watch the impact through their scope as there wasnt any muzzle jump and they were pretty impressed. Not sure what I'm going to get  Im really not against 1.5 inch groups. put in 190 grains and even at an inch or two, that animal isnt going anywhere  But Im still unsure. I know I can make a steady shot in the field off of sticks or with a natural rest if I do happen to get the jitters or am out of breath. I have just been away from rifle hunting for the last almost 10 years as I have been strictly archery and now want to change it up a bit. I do have to admit that the recoil reduction and the fast followups also a very attractive aspect of the R1, but it wont keep me from buying a bolt action if I find one that fits well. Beretta is another favorite company of mine aswell. Hmmm. just dunno. I want a gun that is great at short and long ranges with a heavy load. I joke that Im going to get a long range rifle and go still end up with a 20 yard shot just out of habit 

[Bob33]

Im really not against 1.5 inch groups. put in 190 grains and even at an inch or two, that animal isnt going anywhere 
I do have to admit that the recoil reduction and the fast followups also a very attractive aspect of the R1,

If you do the first part right, you don't need a follow up shot...

[Quackin_Archer]

Totally agree Bob! Its kind of like how I explained archery to a buddy, I wont pull the trigger unless I am 100% confident Im going to hit and drop my target. But sometimes things happen and I have had to also shoot a buddies animal due to poor shot. Just good to know its there if needed.

[bobcat]

You'd be amazed at how quick you can get off a follow up shot with a bolt action. I believe it's been more than once where I took two shots at an animal and my hunting partner who was nearby heard the shots but thought it was someone else, because he knew I had a bolt action and there's no way I could get two shots off that quick.

And by the way, most of the times I can think of when I have taken a second shot, the second shot was not needed because the first shot was a good hit. I just didn't know it at the time.