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I was very surprised when a reader email me about this new rifle from Winchester. The poor Browning BAR hunting rifle has been through yet another evolution and rebranding.
In early 2008 FN announced a tactical sniper rifle, the FNAR, based on the Browning BAR (FN owns both Browning and Winchester Arms). It added a detachable magazine, pistol grip and top, bottom and side picatinny rails.
The new SX-AR is a heavy barreled FNAR in a Mossy Oak camo finish but without the side rails and full length top rail (interestingly the bottom rail remains). It comes full circle, taking the tactical FNAR improvements back to the hunting market.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 308 Win. |
| Finish | Mossy Oak Brush |
| Receiver | Aluminum |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 (compatible with 20 round FNAR magazines) |
| Barrel | Match grade hammer forged chrome plated heavy contour with recessed target crown |
| Barrel Length | 20″ |
| Rate of Twist | 1:12″ |
| Overall Length | 41 1/2″ |
| Length of Pull | 14 1/8″ |
| Weight | 9 lbs. 14 oz. |
| MSRP (Price) | $1,379.00 |
This rifle will have been developed to fight the new AR-10 based hunting rifles that have been coming into the market, for example, the Remington R-25. I suspect the reason it is being rebranded and marketed under Winchester, and not Browning, is so that the risk of the BAR being named in any Assault Weapon Ban (federal or state) is reduced. The Browning BAR can continue to be a “traditional” styled hunting rifle.
For comparison, there are photos of the SX-AR ancestors …
A big thank you to Reese for emailing me about this new rifle.
