Benelli R1 Comfortec?

[tykempster]

I kinda like the look and am in need of a rifle, all I own now is my 20 gauge and some 22s. My dad would be helping me buy it along with some money pitched in by grandma and grandpa. I was wondering if the comfortec stuff really worked like they say it does. The 300 mag. is supposed to be a great all around caliber so I figured this might be an ideal gun. Has anyone ever handled and shot one of these?

[Yooper]

I'm with you, they look like a great gun. I've shot SBE II's with the comfortech system and can tell you it is a vast improvment over previous SBE's without it. I thought it was a bit gimmick-y at first but I was wrong.

Your caliber choice is a good one for larger game. What do you intend to do with your gun though?

The gun you're looking at is a winner. Now tell us about what you're planning on hunting...

[tykempster]

I plan on hunting deer with light loads and everything on up. This would probably be the main gun I'm gonna use for a long time for most of my hunting. With the .300 you can take about anything in North America and since I'm only 13 I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon. It seems like the Cabelas gun people really like the Comfortech stuff while Basspro people told me "Don't shoot it sonny it don't work, blow your shoulder off". My grandpas friend just bought a SBE 2 with Comfortech, maybe I'll try it out and see what I think.

[Yooper]

Shooting a SBEII is a great idea. I think you'll see what a difference the system makes. Try a 3-1/2" turkey load and you'll feel it regardless, but...

Another option for you too is getting two guns. You can recreate much of the recoil reducing effects of the Benelli with a little help from Limbsavers. They make some great recoil pads for just about every gun. I'm guessing you're going to want to do a lot of shooting to "get good." You could get a .300 mag and maybe a .270 just for deer?

Another option too would be to grab a Winchester Model 70 Black Shadow, for less than $500 and then have a chunck of change left over for the most important thing you'll buy, a good scope. You may want to consider the .300 short mag (WSM) too! Same basic power of the .300 mag, with a bit less of the "thump" factor. If you're not a Winchester fan, there are plenty -o- options. Bolt actions have less moving parts so if you're looking for a gun for the long haul, might be the way to go. You could get a rifle, a Limbsavers recoil pad, and a good scope like a Leupold and have something you can hand down to your grandkids years down the road.

Let us know what you end up with and have a good one!

[tykempster]

I love the Super Shadow in 300 WSM, it's small and WSMs don't kick as much. I can get it witha mounted Burris scope for $400. I like the deal but the r1 is cool to. I've shot plenty of 3 1/2s I don't shoot them any more than I have to. I might go to my grandpas ths weekend I'l see if I can shoot some clays with the SBE or something. Thanks for the replies. Lots of people around here don't like 270 I cant tell you how many people said it took several shots to take one down.

[Yooper]

If people are saying they can't knock down a deer with a .270, tell 'em to learn how to aim. They must be missing with the first shots.

If you can get a Win M70 SS in .300 WSM with a Burris for $400... Can you get me one too? That's a really good price for a darn good outfit.

Keep it real, buddy and let us all know what you end up with. Sounds like you're on the right track to a nice rifle.

[tykempster]

If you were serious about the M70 SS I'd say go to Walm-Mart and pick one up. They don't carry any real fancy guns, but the ones they have are much cheaper than other places. I wish Winchester made semi-automatic centerfires, they would have some pretty sweet guns. The R1 I've been told can shot 1-1"1/2 groups, really nice for a semi-auto.

[grayling]

I understand this gun (as I have shot it) is very nice. Smooth, accurate, comfortable. But as any semi-auto has, moving parts, it will fail. This of course all depends on how much you shoot or where you carry it(type of country/type of weather). Parts always wear out, you can depend on it.

For the price, get yourself a bolt action. Supremely more accurate due to straight-line action and less moving parts. May not have the appeal that a semi-auto does but over the course of the gun it will out perform.

Alaska guides shutter when their clients get off the plane and they see that 30-06 or .300 win mag in the BAR or Remington models. Ask the guides what they shoot? Its either a bolt or double. What do the PH's in Africa shoot? It's a bolt or a double. These are guys whose job it is to protect the person that they are hunting with. They are not going to put their clients or themselves in harms way with a semi-auto that will fail. Their motto is "not if, but when".

If this is truly going to be an all-around-gun, get the .300 win mag, not the wsm. Use limbsaver recoil pads, they are well worth the price as I have one on my .375 H&H.

You have a tough decision as I was in your shoes once too. I am sure whatever you decide will be the right choice for you.

Good luck,

Grayling

[tykempster]

I've heard it makes 1-1 1/2 inch 3 shot groups at a 100 yards, probably better accuracy than I could shoot anyways. I understand that semi-auto certainly isn't as reliable as bolt or break or pump, but I'm probably not gonna take it through anything too harsh.

[Jay Gorski]

Don't know about the comfortec, but the original R1s are NOT very accurate. A friends buddy had one in 300WM that at best would shoot 3" at 100yds. That was with 178 AMAXs loaded by myself, that same load shoots under an inch in my buddies Sako. R1 has since been sold.

Maybe they improved the accuracy since then(03), but I'd stick to a bolt action, myself. Jay

[Dclewis]

Might want to look at the new 325. WSM in a bolt of course. My new Browning is now hitting the same hole at 100 yards. Compare the charts and I swear that the recoil is not an issue and you may be swayed. Its based on an 8mm shell necked down to 32. cal.
Stick with bolt action if accuracy is what your looking for.
The 200 and 220 grain bullets shoot extremly flat and has the punch to take care of any critter in North America you may consider hunting, and most African game.
Just a thought, Dave

[tykempster]

I went with a Savage, I liked the price and accuracy they have, and they are made well. With the money I'm saving I'll just be able to buy a better scope and alot more ammo to practice. I went with 7mm Mag too, not much advantage over a 300 WM at longer ranges.

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Good choice on gun and cartridge. Nice trigger. I'm always for spending less on a gun and more on optics and ammo for practice. This should handle anything in the lower 48.

[Mark]

Personally, I'm guarded about the new stocks with any kind of "recoil absorbing gel". The reason I'm saying this is because the Urethane materials have a reputation of drying out and shrinking over time. An example of this is Urethane door moldings in automobiles. When they are new they insulate, keep water out, and fit very well. After 8 or 10 years there is a difference in the performance of this material. I wonder what the recoil pads and stock combs will look like in 10 years?
I'm not disrespecting any single manufacturer with this comment. Limbsavers that can be fixed to archery tackle, then replaced after time, are not the same as something that has to be fit like a recoil pad. How these pads and combs are fixed is another thought. Are they molded into the stock, or held mechanically with screws?
That these products work when new is not the question. They are a great idea. How much engineering has gone into materials in this application? I certainly hope they last longer than the moldings on a car.
Mark

[Bushwacker]

Howdy Folks! I just wanted to wade in here and add my $.01 worth. I've been a 'bolt-head' since birth myself, but I'm in the market for rifle, to do a little huntin' up in Alaska. The more I talk with some good ol' boys(who've done some serious hunting up north) about what to get, the more I hear recommendations for a Magnum, in semi-auto...Specifically, the BAR in .338 Win Mag. Even on the 'Manly Man' Chuck Hawks web site, he says that's what he hunts with up there. And even last night on OLN, Tred Barta was hunting grizzles with a long bow(?!). After Tred shot one, the camera panned around, and guess what his "back up" and guide had shouldered? Yup, a Benelli R1!

Then I take it to the 'next level' of danger, and ask myself, what would I rather have in my hand when storming the beaches of Normandy, a jungle in Vietnam, or a terrorists 'safe house' in Iraq, a bolt-action, or a semi-auto? You get my point. If semi(or full)-auto's were so inaccurate, and unreliable, the Pentagon would NEVER put our American Soldiers(not to mention the free world) at risk, by issuing something so inferior...

Now thats off my fury chest, I can go back to readin' and shoppin' fer a new rifle...Sure is fun!

Cheers!

[tykempster]

Well since this topic is on the first page again I guess I'll report how my gun has done so far. I'm almost 15 now and I'm acquiring reloading stuff for the 7mm and the Marlin 45-70 I'm looking at. (Yes, some people consider it an "elephant gun".) The Savage has treated me well, it shoots right about an inch at 100 yards with cheapo Core-Lokts and I bought some Federal Premiums that were on clearance for $9 to try. I replaced the facotry scope with an old school Redfield that is an awesome scope, but instead of click adjustments, it just has knobs that turn and you don't know how much you are moving it. It's really bright though, and the adjustments don't interact at all, right to left doesn't move up and down at all like some cheaply made scopes. I hunted with it last year but didn't get anything, hoping to change my luck this year.

[Dave J]

Just a note to those of you who seem confused about the Benelli R1.

I own the new Benelli R1 in 300 WSM with the Confort Tech. options.
As a card carrying Hi Power Expert rated marksman and experienced reloader, here are a few items to note.

1) The Benelli R1 is a factory hunting rifle. It’s not designed to be a highly accurate target rifle, don’t except it to be.

2) Factory ammo is not designed to be match target ammo, don’t except it to be

3) You can get great accuracy out of (most) new rifles, if you hand load and know what your doing. (below are a few examples to support these comments.

4) Rifles are like women, every one is different. Even same make, model and caliber. That’s why you need to work up a number of test loads before you can zero in on the best load for that particular rifle.

The barrel rifling twist rate on the new R1 (300 WSM) is stated by Benelli to be 1 turn in 11 inches. I have measured my factory barrel to find it closer to 1 in 11.75. If you are using long and heavy for diameter factory bullets in this rifle, you won’t get optimum accuracy. Most Remington/Winchester/Ruger in 300 WSM’s come with a 1 in 10 twist rate (a bit faster and better with heavier/longer bullets)

Therefore, it’s not going to shoot the heavier bullets as well as the 150’s and 165’s. It also appears to be sensitive to powder selection. Most of the 300 WSM reloading books recommend 150-180 grain bullets in order to eliminate the heavier and longer bullets from intruding too far into the powder space and compressing the load. But if you understand these limits, you can still product highly accurate for this rifle.

Example
It’s first range visit (100 yards, bench rest) resulted in the following. (each 5 shot groups)

Factory load.. 180 Gr Federal Vital Shock (Nosler) 2.5” groups (unacceptable)
Handload 1 – 165 Gr Sierra 1.0 inch (acceptable)
Handload 2 – 180 Gr. Sierra 2.5 inch (unacceptable)
Handload 3 – 165 Gr. Hornady SST 0.37 inch (Excellent)
Handload 4 – 150 Gr. Speer Flat Base 0.42 inch (Excellent)

Any factory hunting rifle that can produce under one half inch accuracy in a short action magnum 30 caliber load is an excellent hunting companion for ANY north American game just short of only the largest of bears.

Looking for a fast handling, quick follow up shooting, self loading 30 caliber magnum. The Benelli R1 is a solid choice.

[Dr1ftr]

What other news is there about the R1? The last post ( Sept 2006!!!) got my hopes up again after reading the previous ones. I've been looking at different reviews and pages about the R1 and kind of get mixed feeling. For the most part its stated that the R1 is a very nice buy and is pretty accurate so I'm looking at the Benelli and am really liking the looks and the descriptions of the features it offers BUT know no one who currently owns one and do not have the oppertunity to handle this rifle. Reading over Dave J's post which last paragraph states the following,

"Example
It’s first range visit (100 yards, bench rest) resulted in the following. (each 5 shot groups)

Factory load.. 180 Gr Federal Vital Shock (Nosler) 2.5” groups (unacceptable)
Handload 1 – 165 Gr Sierra 1.0 inch (acceptable)
Handload 2 – 180 Gr. Sierra 2.5 inch (unacceptable)
Handload 3 – 165 Gr. Hornady SST 0.37 inch (Excellent)
Handload 4 – 150 Gr. Speer Flat Base 0.42 inch (Excellent)

Any factory hunting rifle that can produce under one half inch accuracy in a short action magnum 30 caliber load is an excellent hunting companion for ANY north American game just short of only the largest of bears.

Looking for a fast handling, quick follow up shooting, self loading 30 caliber magnum. The Benelli R1 is a solid choice."


I have to ask, since I do not reload because of 1)time 2)knowledge and 3)space, what is the best factory ammo to use with this rifle and how much would you charge me for a 1000 rounds of the 165 Gr. Hornady SST? Ha. have you ever shot the Winchester Supreme Elite 300 Win Mag XP3 through the R1 and do you still own it?