Browning Lever Rifle
- Thread starter gunbug
- Start date
I have a BLR "Takedown" model in .308 Winchester topped by a Leupold 2-7x33mm scope.
I tried several brands of factory ammo & handloads & couldn't get satisfactory "hunting" groups (2 MOA or less).
Any of the loads I tested with 180 grain bullets were literally all over the target paper.
I was getting 2 1/2" - 3 1/2" groups @ 100 yards with the loads pushing 165 grain bullets.
I finally tested "cheapy" factory Remington 150 grain (psp) CORE-LOKT ammo (less than $20 for a box of 20) and was getting consistent 5 shot groups of from 1" - 1.25" @ 100 yards.
Pretty good for a lever......any lever.......I've owned bolt actions that couldn't do that well.
There were no problems with functionality........the action cycled smoothly without jamming or hang-ups & the magazine popped in & out without effort or wiggling & jiggling.
I haven't owned the rifle long enough to make an assessment as to long term reliability & dependability.
Every rifle, even ones of the same make, model, caliber & from the same manufacturing lot has its own unique "character" & the experience you have with one that you might acquire could very well be quite different.
I own two, both in 308, straight stocks, non take down models. My main moose gun is the older ( 1990 ) with an all steel reciever. Gets good accuracy for a lever 1.5" groups at 100yds with factory Federal 180's. The other is more of a looker in all stainless, but still shoots descent.
I had two non TD Belgian 308's and will regret having got rid of them until I die. A few tips: keep them clean but do NOT over lube them. Spray carb cleaner works great, then a film of CLP. NEVER use WD-40! My forearm was way too tight. I sanded the barrel channel a bit and it shot about an inch and a half at 100 yards.
one-mad-dog
Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
I've owned a BLR in .308 for over 30 years and it's my favorite for hunting big game in the bush where shots are limited to less than 100 yds. The only problem I've ever had with this rifle is once long ago when hunting moose from a tent camp during normal cold wet October conditions it froze up and would not fire. This was apparently caused by being wet and then being out in below zero weather before being completely dried out (hard to do in a tent). Now when hunting I leave it outside in the cold all the time and have not had this problem again.
With my BLR shooting < 1.5" groups @ 100 yds. I'd stretch that to 200 yds. + change for deer & moose.
The .308 Winchester is a fairly "competent" cartridge.
I'd limit a rifle in .44 Rem. Mag. or .30-30 Win. or a shotgun with slugs to < 100 yds. but normally not a .308 Winchester firearm unless it was a real incorrigible "lemon" of a bad shooter & if that was the case it would be going on the auction block not into the bush.
It is essential to use the proper oil (light machine oil) to lubricate a firearm & DO NOT USE TOO MUCH OF IT. I've seen my Marlin 336C in .35 Rem. lock up on a cold day in late November on a Manitoulin Island deer hunt after I loaned it to someone who used liberal amounts of grease to lubricate the action.
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I have a steel receiver one in 358 win and one in 284 win. Both will group 1" to 1.5" @ 100 . They both shoot about the size of a softball @ 300. Not too shabby for levers ! In the 358 I shoot 225 Noslers @ 2470fps and in the 284 I shoot plain old 160 Speers @ 2660 fps.
I have a Japanese BLR Straight Stock in .308 going into second year. 4x Weaver up top.
Bought it used and the Magazine didn't always feed properly but I fixed it and bought another Magazine. I also occasionaly short stroke the Lever as my left hand on the Forearm likes to be in close interfereing with function. Not the rifles fault.
150 gr Corelokt are my choice. When I was researching I remember reading that the 150s shoot the Best out of the BLRs. 2 shoot and drops on deer last year upto about 250 yards (used a fence post for support).
Easy to carry and handle.
Bought it used and the Magazine didn't always feed properly but I fixed it and bought another Magazine. I also occasionaly short stroke the Lever as my left hand on the Forearm likes to be in close interfereing with function. Not the rifles fault.
150 gr Corelokt are my choice. When I was researching I remember reading that the 150s shoot the Best out of the BLRs. 2 shoot and drops on deer last year upto about 250 yards (used a fence post for support).
Easy to carry and handle.
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I can definitely vouch for the accuracy of those 150 grain CORE-LOKTs from "Big Green" in the Japanese BLRs.
Fired 10 of them into clean sand at from 3 feet with my Japanese BLR and the bullets held together pretty good retaining their cores in all cases.
I don't think the Wild Boar I will be hunting this fall will care that it had been shot with a cheapie bullet cause it will be DEAD......DEAD.....DEAD.
holy ####e-ster, man
Where the hell ya'all at to find that kinda bacon on the roam, just what I'm looken for! supposed to be a big bunch around here, but ya never ever see 'em!
I can definitely vouch for the accuracy of those 150 grain CORE-LOKTs from "Big Green" in the Japanese BLRs.
Fired 10 of them into clean sand at from 3 feet with my Japanese BLR and the bullets held together pretty good retaining their cores in all cases.
I don't think the Wild Boar I will be hunting this fall will care that it had been shot with a cheapie bullet cause it will be DEAD......DEAD.....DEAD.
Where the hell ya'all at to find that kinda bacon on the roam, just what I'm looken for! supposed to be a big bunch around here, but ya never ever see 'em!
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
My Dad has had a .308 BLR for over 30 years. I got a 7mm08 BLR a couple years ago.
That .308 has shot a lot of moose, deer, wolves, coyotes. We took it out to the range recently and after not being shot for a few years it proved itself and will likely be packed around by my dad this fall.
I wont get rid of my 7mm08. Lightweight, quick handling, large selection of cartridges even WSMS if that blows your skirts up. Awesome bush gun.
I have no experience with one in the magnums so I cannot comment about them. That .358 does make me want to buy another BLR though!
I dont like the pistol grip stocks, and prefer the straight stocked M81
That .308 has shot a lot of moose, deer, wolves, coyotes. We took it out to the range recently and after not being shot for a few years it proved itself and will likely be packed around by my dad this fall.
I wont get rid of my 7mm08. Lightweight, quick handling, large selection of cartridges even WSMS if that blows your skirts up. Awesome bush gun.
I have no experience with one in the magnums so I cannot comment about them. That .358 does make me want to buy another BLR though!
I dont like the pistol grip stocks, and prefer the straight stocked M81
NEVER underestimate the power of a SEVEN OH EIGHT
Deer carcasses killed by a 7mm-08 that were scientifically tested were found to be 4.67 times DEADER than deer shot with a .308 Win.
Apparently God has replaced the swords originally carried by His Archangels with carbines in 7mm-08.
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
NEVER underestimate the power of a SEVEN OH EIGHT
Deer carcasses killed by a 7mm-08 that were scientifically tested were found to be 4.67 times DEADER than deer shot with a .308 Win.
Apparently God has replaced the swords originally carried by His Archangels with carbines in 7mm-08.
You crack me up
