No question, I'd go with the Browning BAR. It's been the gold standard American semi auto hunting rifle for decades. It was the first one able to handle belted magnums.

I'm a HUGE HK fanatic, but there's no question which one I'd pick over the group. The Benelli looks pretty decent, but I doubt it could match the accuracy of the average BAR.

IMO, the SLB looks like warmed over ass. I'd MUCH rather hold out for one of the old school roller locked HK hunting rifles. The SLB never did anything for me.

 

I would not by the Benelli. I own their shotguns.. and like them a lot. I've not heard positive things about the rifles. Accuracy doesn't seem to be exceptionable... and I've heard people complaining about loss of zero after disassembling for cleaning.

While we're at it... stay away from the semi-auto Winchester's too....finicky buggers.

I used to own a Remington semi... the vintage that ate their own receivers... won't trust them again.

I like my HK's... but i like my other semi-auto hunting rifle better... an AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel. I don't feel bad about beating up an AR...where I get mighty protective of the 770

 

Right now its down to the SLB2000. Benelli was too finicky for me and the BAR has a reputation for being either really accurate or not accurate.

I am looking for that NIB SLB2000 for $600....

 

That is a great price! Nice find. I would buy another in a heartbeat at that price.

 

Go with a BAR. My family has all used BARs for four generations and always had luck with them. Getting your BAR after all that hunting with old bolt action rifles is kind of our acknowledgement as an adult by the rest of the family. Pass into manhood when trusted with an auto...

Now if only I could get a real BAR!

 

I wouldn't kick a Belgian BAR out of bed .

Uncle's killed a ton of deer with a 270 he's had forever

 

I'd go with the Browning over the SLB2000. Personally for hunting I've always preferred a CZ bolt action.

 

Either go with the SLB or an older BAR. Nothing wrong with the old BAR's, but they needed to make changes to cut back on costs at the price of workmanship. Whoever said you needed a device on the muzzle to aid accuracy. Do match rifles have them?? Not on your life. And please stay away from those new star wars super magnum calibers. Has game gotten harder to kill? If you don't believe me, please take the advice of someone who's hunted a few times. Talk to others and do your own research, don't depend on the forum commandos.

 

I ended up with the SLB2000....

 

Have you recieved the rifle yet?

I am also interested in the SLB2000. How does it feel and shoot? I am wondering if it has a good feel to it. I would like to get an SLB2000+ in .270 but it doesn't look like H&K will be importing that so I would have to settle on the SLB2000. Just wondering if it is really worth the extra dollars compared to the Remington. Going to a 308 or 30-06 isn't my preferred route, I would like to have a bolt and semi in .270 if it were feasible.

Let me know what you think. I did see were someone was getting rid of an SLB2000 due to the teardown and reassembly work involved. I wonder if the new SLB2000+ is easier when cleaning is involved.

 

I bought a R1 and a SLB back when they first came out.The Benelli was the most overated pos I've had the displeasure of owning. I still have the HK. Most accurate semiauto hunting rifle I've owned. Neither BARs I own can hold a candle to the HK in reliability, ergonomics or accuracy. They might look like ass but they perform in the field. Only drawback is mag availability. But they do show up from time to time. I'm set with mine.5-5rds and 3-10s.

 

Firemancjack

What ammo are you finding works best with SLB2000?

I found your observations based on using both the R1 and SLB200 interesting given they reinforced my decision to go with the HK SLB2000 over the R1 and BAR.

I have found WidwayUSA selling the 5 and 10 round magazine. the 10 round mag is on back order but they have the 5 rounders in stock. I am luck to have been able to obtain 3 - 5 round mags with my SLB. :300000000:

 

firemancjack,
You have the SLB2000 in the 20" barrel and you do not find that too short for accuracy? Is your model in 30-06? I would not have hesitation on buying one if I knew I could replace the barrel with the 22" instead but it looks like the 22" barrel maybe unavailable.
Just trying to justify buying a semi-auto H&K over a bolt action.

 

dougk, My SLB likes 150gr more then heavier bullets with Federal and Hornady ballistic tips shooting 1" or less groups at 100yds (if I do my part) 200 yd groups open up to 1 3/4-2". 165gr Federals are never over 3"@100 and 4"@200. My eyes are getting worse with age too. My Bars have never shot those tight of groups and are pretty finicky with the lighter gr bullets. I don't sight in over 200yds because I don't hunt anywhere there would be a longer shot. I have 3-9 Leupolds on all three rifles. cbrXXrider, Yes mine is a 20" barrel and a 30-06. Not sure if a 22" is available. Pretty sure they didn't import any other calibers. I'm very happy with the accuracy with the 20". It is more than adequate for deer and the occasional coyote.(only use the 30-06 on those when I'm in a bad mood ) I'm sure the velocity would be faster with the longer barrel. There is always a trade off for a carbine type rifle. They are a very handy compact rifle. I would get the SLB if one comes along for a good price. You can pick up a bolt action anytime.

 

Firemancjack
thanks on the ammo tip.

I got a very good deal on that new in box SLB2000. Also I was very lucky.

Interestingly the local Cabellas wants $1,200 for a used one no box, no namual, and one 2 round mag. Theyhave had that gun for many years. looks like they will be holding on to that gun for some time.

 

I was at the new Gander Mountain in Madison, WI, and they have an HK 270 and HK300 on the shelf in their fine firearms area. They want $999 for each of them. Guns had wear etc.... I didn't ask to see them, so I also don't know what they come with for mags.

 

Here is the SLB2000 set up with the EAW removable mounts and a Zeiss Conquest scope.

 

Save you money and get an HK940!!

Save your money and get an HK940 instead of that plastic receiver piece of S**T!

 

Save your money and get an HK940 instead of that plastic receiver piece of S**T!

Harry where is the plastic receiver on the SLB2000? I am looking at it now and dont see any.

 

firemancjack is you think the SLB2000 will beat an HK940 you've inhaled some smoke!

Firemancjack if you actually believe that budget built SLB2000 will beat the high quality better built HK940 I hate to say it good buddy but you must have gotten smoke inhalation on a fire run!

I don't own an SLB2000 or an HK940 anyway but I'd bet on the 940 over an SLB any day. Again, please take better care of yourself on those fire runs and stop all that smoke inhalation-it's clouding your thinking.

The .30-06 rifles I own are high grade vintage bolt guns:
1. German Mauser 66S
2. Austrian Steyr Model M

These guns will shoot rings around any semi-auto!!

 

I don't own an SLB2000 or an HK940 anyway

Harry,
what HK long guns do you own?
thanks
Doug

 

I own an HK 300 & 270 rimfires and Sold an SR9T...

I own right now an HK300 & HK270 rimfires. I owned and shot an HKSR9T for 10 years and briefly owned and shot an HK770 but I like my FN-FAL Paratrooper .308 better than the Hk's in .308.

The HK940 is the most robust .30-06 semiauto. But I believe the Bolt guns are still the best hunting and long range tools.

 

I own an HK 300 & 270 rimfires and Sold an SR9T...

I own right now an HK300 & HK270 rimfires. I owned and shot an HKSR9T for 10 years and briefly owned and shot an HK770 but I like my FN-FAL Paratrooper .308 better than the Hk's in .308.

The HK940 is the most robust .30-06 semiauto. But I believe the Bolt guns are still the best hunting and long range tools.

Hi Harry
Been posting a request for an old HK Armorer for what appears to be like NIB 770. Inside bolt assembly looks new after 44 years.
Local gunsmith got fustrated and was told dont disassembly bolt assembly. But he thought better!Keep jamming on initial pull to unlock from battery. Can see why there is reistance on initial pull of cocking lever. Dont want to damage because it is mint just minor handling marks on metal and tigger wood. Any help Harry!

 

Do you want to sell your HK300? :901:

I have used Steyr in the past and own several Steyr pistols, Steyr makes nice firearms.

My wife really likes her Tikka .270 White Tail Hunter, my preference is the Valmet 412 system depending on he application the .30-06/.30-06, 12/9.3x74R, 12/.222 and 12/.243, all are very accurate for hunting. But there are hunting applications where a semi automatic is needed. IMHO the SLB2000 blows away any of the modern semi-automatic rifles.

 

DougK that may very well be true.....

DougK the HK SLB2000 may very well blow away any modern semi-auto NOW MADE. The Remington 7400 is the worst friggin Semi-auto I've ever shot!! Although the Browning BAR sporting semiauto might very well give the SLB2000 a run for it's money.

And no the HK300 is definitely a keeper. It's the most Accurate .22 Mag semi-auto made!

A Valmet 412 Over/Under rifle??? That's damn interesting! You and i need to keep in touch Doug. My regular email is gilbert159@hotmail.com. Shoot me an email sometime Doug.

 

SLB2000 or 940

Having owned SL6/630 7/730 and a SLB2000, I have to say that HC simply doesn't know what he is talking about. Sure, they are built differently with the SLB being a much more modern gun in materials and machining techniques. If HK didn't do that to help keep costs down we would be spending $3K on them like the Blaser rifles. But to call it a POS?? I have to say that when you open up an SLB2000 all the critical parts are extremely well crafted and should last a lifetime. The piston is robust and well engineered. HK has done some wonderful engineering on the bolt assembly as well. As far as the alloy and polymer, that does help reduce the weight quite a bit and the wood on them is excellent. Anyone who is going to buy this rifle is probably going to hunt with it. Weight is an important aspect of a hunting rifle especially if you are humping it up and down the mountains of Colorado or Pennsylvania. The classic SL7 or 770 is a fine rifle but the recoil on them in .308 is more than the SLB with good hunting loads in 30-06. And there is more complexity to the bolt assembly with the roller delayed action.
The SLB2000 is a fine rifle and HK did the right thing to make it affordable to more people. Excellent HK quality throughout the gun.

 

eesmith1 I stand corrected on the POS comment but....

Well eesmith1 I admit the parts are well put together and perhaps that statement about it being a POS was too strong.....I stand corrected but the HK770 & 940 are definitely more robust and built on the military-proven rollerlocked action are more durable!

Yes the SLB is lighter with the alloy receiver but the sheer quality of the 770 and 940 beat the SLB2000 to me! Also I firmly believe the HK940 will outshoot the SLB and would have to see proof that it won't in a range test before I'd believe it.

I don't like polymer or aluminum in big game sporting rifles (Military rifles are a different story) and won't buy them if made of such. Just an old school fella I guess but that HK770 is a damn nice rifle! I ownerd one briefly but like my FN-FAL Paratrooper better. Now that's a friggin shooter!

 

SLB vs 940

Well, I don't see what the difference in having a forged steel receiver or an alloy or even polymer receiver has to do with it. The bolt with the rotating bolt head and locking lugs locks into the barrel extension. All high grade steel. Browning has sold tons of belted magnum BAR and BLR rifles with alloy receivers and you don't hear anyone complaining about the receiver failing. And the roller locking bolt is a good system but complex and expensive to build. If they were the end all, why do 99% of all military guns have gas piston operated systems or direct gas systems? There are advantages to both obviously, but a piston operated rifle is also tried and true. Ask anyone who owns or has used an M1 Garand or an M-14. And as for accuracy of the semi-auto rifles versus a bolt action I think you are overstating the ability of a bolt gun to outshoot a well built and well handled semi-auto. Old wives tales. The Army certainly seems to think a lot of the new semi-auto sniper rifles they are using. Some of their reasoning was for greater fire power but I doubt they would accept a serious loss of accuracy to gain the added fire power in this type of rifle.

If you have never owned an SLB2000 I would not be so quick to bad mouth someone elses. HK cut no corners on the barrels, bolts, chamber cutting or the pistons. It isn't a roller locking gun but it is a more modern and easily manufactured rifle. Less costly, more modern manufacturing techniques and materials do not equal a cheap, poor quality rifle. I can tell you from personally shooting the SL7 and SLB side by side that the SLB will shoot with or even outshoot the SL7. Less felt recoil generally makes for better and more accurate shooting.

 

eesmith1 I agree about the recoil of the rollerlocked HK guns....

eesmith1 I definitely agree about the recoil of the rollerlocked HK guns. They do recoil more.

However that says nothing about the intrinsic accuracy of the rifles. The HK940 is better built and more robust than the SLB2000. I have nothing against gas piston guns-I shoot one of the best in the FN-FAL Paratrooper.

However you're wrong about bolt action VS. semiauto rifles. The Army's number 1 Sniper rifle is the M40A1 and this is the number one Marine Corp sniper rifle although the M14 is indeed used. However, the primary US Marine Scout/Sniper issue weapon is also the Remington made bolt action M40A1 weighing about 19 lbs.!!

A jilt-edged accurate Mauser 66 or Steyr Model M with doubleset triggers will outshoot both the SLB2000 and the HK940. And yes the Bolt guns will have more recoil. Most bolt guns and indeed most centerfire big game rifles today are too light for caliber and that's also the reason for excessive recoil.

 

HarryCalahan1, WTF are you talking about???

The Army's number 1 Sniper rifle is the M40A1 and this is the number one Marine Corp sniper rifle although the M14 is indeed used. However, the primary US Marine Scout/Sniper issue weapon is also the Remington made bolt action M40A1 weighing about 19 lbs.!!

First off, the Marine's buy the Remington 700 action from Remington and build the whole rifle for EACH Scout sniper (Utilizing parts of Badger Ordnance, Hart or Kreiger Barrels, etc... That's why they weigh so much!

The Army has NEVER used the M40A1 as that is a gun specific to the Marine Corp. The current M40 revision used is mainly the M40A3/M40A4 or M40A5. My buddy who is a scout sniper in the marines complains that the A4 and A5 McMillan stocks are too heavy and strictly uses his A3 revision with a fixed Unertyl 10x scope, or a Schmidt and Bender 10x PMII scope..

I just couldn't let this go without saying something...


Another thing, Why are you referencing "Bolt guns" when the topic of this thread was semi-auto hk rifles and how can you "infer" an understanding of any said rifles without actually owning them and shooting them at the same time under the same conditions?