R1 Pro Accuracy

[Fred]

Any owners of R1 Pro can share their experiences on accuracy with 30-06? There are quite a few posts all over internet about accuracy issues with the R1 that I am worried about getting one. Not sure if R1 Pro is built any different than the regular R1. Currently have a Browning BAR, but it just does not feel right and I can only get 2" groups out of it.

[Planetcat]

I have a 15 year old R1 in .30-06 with wood stock, blued barrel. It has the 20” barrel and is extremely accurate. I also have it in .300 win mag and .338. The .30’s are old and have the crio treated barrels which never change poi even when extremely hot. The .338 is newer with the black barrel and not as accurate. Something changed since the original barrels were made. My point is that the R1 pro looks a lot like the original and I would buy it if I were looking for another .30-06. Given how much Italians like the .30-06, I would bet the entire platform was Originally based on that cartridge. I also have a BAR shortrac in .308 which is very accurate. Both the R1 and the Browning are finicky about ammo, but can be extremely accurate once the right load is had. They both favor heavy bullets for me, seem to dislike the copper stuff. Unfortunately, my socialist State requires me to hunt with copper. Didn’t directly answer your question, but those are my observations shooting the R1’s a lot in the last 15 years.

[flyaloha]

Looking at purchasing an R1, but am also concerned with the posts about accuracy. What loads have you found to work well, and would you recommend it as a purchase?

 

[Planetcat]

2 hours ago, flyaloha said:

Looking at purchasing an R1, but am also concerned with the posts about accuracy. What loads have you found to work well, and would you recommend it as a purchase?

I would start out with 180 grain rounds.  My .30-06 has a 1:11 twist like the R1 Pro and those seem to be most accurate.  Before I had to go to all copper ammo, I had great success with Hornady InterBond, but I think those are discontinued.  Those were also great in 165 grain.  The Interlocks work well, and believe it or not, the cheap Federal blue box soft points in 180 grain are most accurate.  On the copper front, Barnes 180 grain TTSX are accurate enough for hunting.

 

[BenelliR1Dave]

I have an R 1 in .300 won mag and I use 165 gr. Nosier Accubond.

I get a group at a 100 yards using RL 19 @ 71 grains of powder. Can cover a 5 round package with a quarter 

[Nothingbutthetruth]

On 9/30/2020 at 5:44 PM, flyaloha said:

Looking at purchasing an R1, but am also concerned with the posts about accuracy. What loads have you found to work well, and would you recommend it as a purchase?

 

Cant imagine Benelli couldn't build a decent barrel. If they couldn't get under a two inch 5 shot group they wouldn't last long. My Remington Semi 308 first shot 2 in groups, over a short period of time, with a 1.5X6.  I could get 1.5-1.75 all day long, once I could pin point dead center with a 4-12x my groups tightened.There's a lot of factors, I watch guys off a bench and it makes me cringe. They sit at a different level each time they shoot, they hold the fore end one minute, and not the next, I can see the barrel moving all over the place....Good Grief, if you hold the gun improperly all the time consistently you would be better off. A lot need to learn to shoot, I mean when sighting in. 

You've heard the phrase- "Its not the Gun its the Shooter"... that's still holds true!  A buddy of mine recently sent me a picture of a brutal group with his 6.5 Creedmore, I asked what he was smoking, he said he was at the open range that day...34F and very windy. It was a bad day to be driving in never mind shoot!

Learn to shoot consistently, exactly the same hold, shooting position etc. Once you figure that out move to different Brands, weight etc. Then you can have a true understanding of wear to lay blame. 

I think you will find, it's not the gun. I recently bought a Benelli R1 308 after my 44 year old Rem 7400 simply wore out and started to act up.. At this point in my life, my Benelli doesn't have to last 44 years like my Remington did, but if it gives me the same pleasure I'm a lucky guy.

P.S. the Rem Semi 308-

I'm spending the whole 17.00 on the Main Spring, Firing Pin Spring, then if It fires two boxes in a row without an issue, I'll simply sell it at a reasonable price.

[Nothingbutthetruth]

Gotta say I’m scared. I just picked up my new Argo in 308 last week .

Haven’t found time to focus on shooting it yet, sure hope it shoots even within a 6 in group with open sights. 
I’m used to scopes and enjoy shooting at Center of Center , seeing  Center with a 4-12x 6-18x etc. With higher powered scopes you can see Center of the Center of the target, this means a lot of your trying to shoot under 1 1/2in groups or better.