GlennRoss

AA, Look to the middle photo on this page displaying the torque locking system: http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/r1.tpl If yours look like this, then you're good. I bought mine in June 2005 and got the older Index locking system. There is no giant spring, but it has a locking cap with a spring loaded ball bearing that lines up with corresponding detents in the gas port housing. I doubt that the retaining nut that holds the forearm affects accuracy more so than the locking cap. Really though, anything that comes loose and vibrates may affect accuracy to a degree. So, I suggest you get the small rubber washer Tucker suggets and eliminate that possibility. It was 27 cents at Home Depot. Those are my thoughts on whatever the heck day it is 2005. -Glenn

Tucker -- There you go, going off all half ****ed again. Oh before I forget, I meant to ask you what's the name of that thingy you hit with a badminton racquet? It's a shuttle something right? Thanks for the info! I'll take mine to the shop if I get a wild hair, um you know. -Glenn

Way off topic man but... I bought my Fiancee' this t-shirt last year down in NC that reads: "All my friends and family say I have Attention Deficit Disorder, but I don't know what they are talking about - Hey look! A chicken!" She's about as distractable as you can get. She read it, giggled, put it on and started telling me all about how great her mama's chicken is. -Glenn

Update - Field test, So, two good trips to the range with the new muzzle brake and I have to say it does work reasonably well. It imparts a definate reduction in recoil without a huge increase in noise. There is still muzzle climb though. Here's what I did and what happened -- I wanted to make a good comparison so I did the same thing both trips. Before sighting in as a pure test of recoil and noise: 1) First, I shot 4 rounds in quick succession with the thread cap on and no muzzle brake. Yeah, if you do not plant the 300 Win Mag squarely in your shoulder it's going to kick good enough to cause some discomfort. Other than that, a pure joy to shoot. 2) On the second trial I fired off another 4 shot volley with the muzzle Brake. Before I even pulled the trigger I made double sure I had my hearing protection fitted correctly and checked the buttstock for firmness on my shoulder. To my surprise the noise was not that much louder. Subjectively the recoil was about one-third to half. Much like a .270 with a good recoil pad. It is interesting to note that muzzle climb was somehat reduced, but still very present with this particular muzzle brake. I then repeated the above test at the end of my session after sighting in and trying various rounds for accuracy. This one was to see how quickly I could get back on target with and without the muzzlebrake. 1) 4 rounds in quick succession threaded cap on, muzzle brake off. It takes a few moments in-between rounds to recover from a 300 Win Mag shot to get back on target accurately. (By "accurately" I mean within 2"-3" at 100 yards shooting as fast as you can. Realistically, my shots would likely be much closer considering I "still hunt" in very dense woods where 25-50 yard shots are typical. Therefore, I'm willing to accept 2"-3" at 100 yards as accurate for 2nd, 3rd, and forth shots.) 2) Muzzle brake on same 4 round volley. Much better. Faster on-target time and better accuracy; however, muzzle climb is still there and is now the limiting factor. You must pull the barrel back down on target and that takes precious moments. Enought time to miss the opportunity for the 2nd shot and that's significant. The reason I wanted a muzzle brake in the first place was primarily for quicker follow up shots. Second a reduction in recoil. This particular muzzle brake (a Vais Arms model) has relief ports 360 degrees that allow for reduced recoil. This dissapates the muzzle blast in a full circle plane perpendicular to the end of the barrel. Many muzzle brakes feature a discharge pattern that helps with muzlle climb. They do not discharge straight down, only to the sides and top. Obviously, true reduced recoil via a muzle brake in and of itself helps with follow up shots but the pattern of discharge plays a significant role with a 300 Win Mag. Maybe I'll thread and plug the bottom ports on the brake to see if I can sacrafice a bit of recoil reduction in favor or less muzzle climb. Ok, so before I do that I'll write Ron at Vais arms and see if that idea gives him a heart attack. His muzzle brake really is a work of art. I now wonder if the comfortech system that reduces Felt Recoil vs a reduction in True Recoil speeds up follow up shots any better than a muzzle brake. I wish someone here would go buy one and gives us all the answers to the test! To be Continued... Glenn

DreamHuntz The cap pictured is the right cap in Garren's post. I have the older, "indexed barrel locking cap". I also have the same "loosening up/breaking in" issue. If you look at the 2004 vs 2005 catalog and/or previous website photo's vs current they differ only in the cap. It is a running design change for 2005. When I purchased my rifle in June of this year at Cabela's I fully specified that I wanted the updated locking cap. (Even though Benelli didn't draw attention to the difference I knew there had to be a "good reason" for the change.) Unfortunately, they did not have a 20" barrel 300 Win Mag with the update. The "gun expert" at Cabela's told me it was an update only for the .308's & .30-06's since they had the updated cap and all arrived at the store at the same time. So, not knowing, I bought the older version. It was after that I found this website. After reading a few posts on the "loosening issue" I contacted Benelli customer service via email. Here are the emails to and from Benelli: To Benelli: "...Will this affect the performance of the gun? Why was the change made from the indexed system to the torque lock?" From Benelli: "The original was the indexed nut, it is a running change to now to become the torque locking system. Reason being that it is easier to interchange barrels (especially different calibers) with torque locking system. The original version will not affect the performance of the gun. Best Regards, Customer Service" Long story short, I do not have the new cap and yes it does seem to affect performance. You bet I'll be making a phone call to customer service to get the updated cap. Thanks Garren for the info! -Glenn

Most excellent shooting Tucker! Seems about right for my R1 also. I have a 20" barrel 300 Win Mag that seems to like 150 grain Sierra GameKing or 150 grain Hornady Interbond SST's the best. Factory loaded in PMC and Hornandy respectivley. Personally, I do not find the trigger pull to be an issue. If anything, for me, the lack of a well defined breaking point adds to accuracy in that I apply even pressure all thru the pull, eliminating a pressure spike that may cause the rifle to climb a bit. Also, unlike when a camera button is pressed just before the blinding flash, my body doesn't instictively flinch "on Cue" because there really isn't one. I do, however, have my eyes closed in every flash photo taken of me. Out of curiousity, was the third shot the one up and bit right? Oh, and to those who dislike the trigger pull, I'll say, "Apply even pressure". Glenn

UPDATE: I got a reply from Benelli customer service from the email I sent 3 weeks ago. AND... The comfort tech replacement parts are NOT available! They said check back in December. It did seem a little off that Cabela's said they were available and not the gun as of yet. It's likley the gun is not available on-line but if you went into the store they'd be able to quote a price. Still, the grips are a no-go for this season. Anyway, I have a very rare weekend off and I am heading out to the range to break in my Rifle and find out which round shoots best. I can hardly wait. I'll let you all know. Glenn

Tuck, First of all -- Good shooting! And I think most of us get the part where you where grouping on the #4. Point being: 'The bullseye is whatever you are shooting at.' I have no idea why anyone would think to only ever shoot at the middle of a target sheet. You go thru a lot of paper targets that way for no reason. If you only ever shoot at the designated bullseye you also only ever use a butter knife to slice butter. That or the good Dr just likes to pull your chain for fun and in that case -- well, let us leave the misery to the miserable. I do agree you should have stopped at 3 rounds and perhaps given your gun a chance to cool off. Not that I'm any expert at all, but after 2 rounds the barrel starts to distort from heat and changes the ballistics of the gun. In the Army (which I am in) we call that simply enough a "hot barrel" and recommend a cool off period. Seems like it may be 3 rounds in your case before the 2 the army recommends before you start to compensate for changing ballistic characteristics. Fluted barrel I'm guessing? There are charts and stuff, but it really comes down to knowing your gun's unique behavior. BTW, as you know Benelli cryo treats the R1's barrel to resist hot barrel warping and maintain consistency -- Smart guys and gals there at Benelli. Do you find a similar result with your R1? If so, after how many rounds? I have yet to get to the range for any quality shooting to find out for myself. You go Tucker, Glenn

Found one! An R1 Comfortech listed for $1049.00 plus shipping. That's not a huge jump in price. I paid $959.00 at Cabela's for my Std R1. I really like the features this new version has to offer, but I much prefer the look of the Walnut stock. It's one seriously nice looking gun. Well anyway, take a look at this link while it lasts. http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976624538.htm

Got a reply from Cabela's about the availability of the comfortech stock and fore grip. Seems like they are up for grabs. Also asked about sights and the comfortech R1. below is what they said: "In speaking with the manufacturer, the Benelli sights are available. The cost of this item is $129.99, the stock cost is $209.99, and the forend cost is $154.99 plus $13.95 shipping and handling. However, we are unable to do a special order for an F.F.L. gun." So, it seems that they can not get the R1 comfortech but can get the grips. Hmmmm. Maybe they got mixed up. I'm not sure. I have yet to get a response back to the email I sent Benelli cust support about the comfortech stock. Maybe I'll just call. Nelli girl, you got any input on this? Do you know when the R1 is going to be in stores or if the comfortech stocks are available?

Just an FYI about Cabela's -- as a policy they do not price match. I've tried a couple of times and never got'em to budge. Good luck! Glenn

Well OK, so here's what we all have in our R1 manuals that I'm sure will add no real clarification: "Choice of ammunition All cartridges having a calibre that equals the calibre given on the carbine barrel may be used for your ARGO, provided they conform to CIP regulations. Non-compliance to this rule would have serious consequences both for the shooter and for the carbine. NOTE: use of not correctly refilled cartridges may cause damages to both the barrel and the lock, with possible consequences for the shooter as well. All the ARGO carbines are subjected to a burst test at the Italian National Proof House in Gardone Valtrompia (Brescia), conform to CIP regulations." CIP regulations, Hmmmmm. I do not know about that, but I'd sure as heck like to get a job at the Italian National Proof House in Gardone Valtrompia (Brescia) performing burst tests on brand new hot rod R1's all day!!! I tried a web search using google and really didn't get much on CIP regualtions. Any takers? -Glenn

Photo of my Rifle sportin' its new look, eh? OK, hold on. Scrambling for camera... Not found. Um, here's a link to the Vais site that has a few photos of the brake. Hope this holds until I get my digital thinga ma-giggy located. http://www.muzzlebrakes.com/ BTW I didn't get to shoot today. Rain delay. So, I did the next best thing and went to Cabela's instead. No sign of any new R1 Comfortech's. The two guys behind the gun counter I spoke with had no idea when they might get it. Hmmmmm. Aw shucks...

It's Done! I got my beloved R1 barrel back today from Ron at Vais muzzle brakes. Took a little over 3 weeks including all the shipping time. It looks great! Very clean install. Removes and installs easy -- in fact, the gun kinda looks naked without it now. I can't wait to shoot it this sunday. Total cost with to and from shipping $260. Butch is right, the holes in this thing point in every direction including down. Which means prone shots low to the ground are gonna be a little tricky. Up here in Michigan it usually snows so maybe it wont be an issue. Thing is for me, I do most of my hunting either in a blind (sitting) or walking around. As far as the noise increase is concerned: I always wear hearing protection when hunting -- I keep my ear plugs just slightly outta my ears (they are like walkman headphones) and if I rock my head side to side they slide right in just before I shoot. Slick eh? Now of course Benelli had to come out with the comfort tech version which makes this whole muzzle brake exercise kind of a mute point. Then again, I wonder if the comfort tech system would provide as much reduction in recoil as a brake? Gears turning... Hmmm, I'm going to find out if the stock and hand grip/fore end are available for retro fit. I'm thinking a field comparison is in order here. Well, time to send out a few emails today and see what turns up. To be con't. Glenn

List price is $1330 -- that's $300 more than the previuos version. I'm sure it's worth it though. I wonder if they'll offer conversion parts? Looks like just a stock and fore-end (hand grip) upgrade. Now, all I got to do is pry open my piggy bank once again...LOL Glenn

Follow up... According to the folks at Vias Muzzle Brakes machining the end of a cryogenically treated barrel would be fine. Not a problem. OK, so now I'll call Benelli tech support and see what they say about warranties and such... To be cont'... -Glenn P.S. Thanks for the info Butch-M.

Hey folks, I thought some of you might be interested a bit of info I got from a special order inquiry from Cabela's on R1 barrels. This is the un-edited reply to my email: "Good Afternoon: Thank you for visiting Cabela’s website and your recent inquiry. In speaking with the manufacturer, the Barrel is available. The cost of this item is $519.99 for the 22 inch, plus $13.95 shipping and handling. The 20 inch barrel is also available at $519.99 plus $13.95 shipping and handling. If you are interested in ordering, please call 1-800-237-8888 ext 121. We are open from 6 A.M.– 6 P.M. MT, Monday-Friday and 7 A.M. – 3 P.M. on Saturdays. We suggest not sending your credit card information through email since email is not a secure transmission. Please allow 30-60 days for the 22" .30-06 and 3 weeks for the 20" WinMag for delivery once the order has been placed. We appreciate your interest in Cabela’s Special Products and look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Coleen Cabela’s Special Products Department" There you have it. They are availible special order at more than half the cost of the rifle. Considering really it is half of the gun -- it isn't really half-bad. I'm sure the special order status vs in-stock drives the price up. Now, does anyone know if there is a seller who keeps these on-hand? (I am so dreaming...) -Glenn

I know it's been a while since you posted this, but I have some info for you. I got this in an e-mail to Mag-na-port in regards to cryo barrel and their porting process. "First, the Magnaport does not effect the metal properties. We have had them tested by specialists examining the metal properties before and after porting. We utilize a very low amperage when porting using EDM and the metal is kept cool by using a cooling oil over the area being ported. So, it does not effect the cryogenically treated barrels. As a mater of fact when we receive custom barrels in that are not stress relieved, we do not Magnaport them until the are cryogenically treated. The cost for Magnaport is $135.00 plus return shipping." Hope this helps. Glenn

I know it's been a while since you posted this, but I have some info for you. I got this in an e-mail to Mag-na-port in regards to cryo barrel and their porting process. "First, the Magnaport does not effect the metal properties. We have had them tested by specialists examining the metal properties before and after porting. We utilize a very low amperage when porting using EDM and the metal is kept cool by using a cooling oil over the area being ported. So, it does not effect the cryogenically treated barrels. As a mater of fact when we receive custom barrels in that are not stress relieved, we do not Magnaport them until the are cryogenically treated. The cost for Magnaport is $135.00 plus return shipping." Hope this helps. Glenn

Has anyone had a muzzle brake installed on their R1? I have a 300 Win Mag R1 and want to get a muzzle brake on it not so much for recoil but to help with keeping on target on follow up shots. Since the R1 has a cryo treated barrel I was not sure that installing a muzzle brake would be an option due to the machining needed. I spoke with the folks at Mag-na-port and they use a low voltage EDM to port the actual barrel that will not affect its metalurgy. So, that's an option; however, I really wanted a Vias muzzle brake. Anyone with any experience here? Thanks, Glenn