Browning BLR..... What's the take on it?

gristle111

gristle111

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I just came from my local shop and have been looking up the blr takedown lately. So I handled a Takedown 81 stainless laminate straight grip. Wow. All I can say. Smooth action and cheek weld was perfect for the very very nice open sights. Fiber optic front. Don't think I would even scope it. Has a clip bonus. Option for scout mount for scope. So for sure no return to zero problems after takedown since scope on on barrel portion. Easy of cleaning and transportation. With quick release rings allows open sight back up. Sweet. Is there anything it does not do? Can't think of it. Oh and the big big plus for me and got me thinking about it in the first place. Apparently available in 358 win along with many other calibers.
I likey. And I am a die hard savage 99. Guy. But I can't find one in 358. What's the deal with the 99 hoarding anyway.
 
I've kind of had a hankerin' for one in .358 and ofcourse, it would have to be a takedown. Personally, I would prefer the pistol grip.
 
My father had one in 300 WM bought in 1997 I believe. He used it for quite some time. It shot 1.5" with Partitions and IMR 4831 or 7828. It was a nice rifle.
I had a 22-250 in the BLR, and liked it. It was a 1" gun and killed a few 'yotes.
I would like a new takedown in 450 Marlin.
 
I'm getting a BLR in 358 on trade in the next couple weeks. c/w RCBS dies. Good condition. PM me if interested, but I can't do pics till it gets here.


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Good discovery, ha-ha! Welcome to the BLR Club! I love all the BLR's in short action! You'll certainly enjoy your's. Happy shoot'en and enjoy! :)
 
gristle111 said:
I just came from my local shop and have been looking up the blr takedown lately. So I handled a Takedown 81 stainless laminate straight grip. Wow. All I can say. Smooth action and cheek weld was perfect for the very very nice open sights. Fiber optic front. Don't think I would even scope it. Has a clip bonus. Option for scout mount for scope. So for sure no return to zero problems after takedown since scope on on barrel portion. Easy of cleaning and transportation. With quick release rings allows open sight back up. Sweet. Is there anything it does not do? Can't think of it. Oh and the big big plus for me and got me thinking about it in the first place. Apparently available in 358 win along with many other calibers.
I likey. And I am a die hard savage 99. Guy. But I can't find one in 358. What's the deal with the 99 hoarding anyway.
Click to expand...
The Savage 99 in 358 Win. is extremely collectable, as are the Winchester 88's and the Sako Finnwolf's in .358 Win. If you ever come across one of
these three rifles originally chambered in .358 Win you should consider buying it if it is at a decent price (which it probably won't be). The rarest
of the bunch is the .358 Finnwolf, followed by the Winchester 88, then the Savage 99, but they are all very hard to come by, unfortunately, as I would
dearly love to get my hands on a Sako, or a Winchester.
 
I want one in .223 with a pistol grip non take-down (I heard the take-down versions aren't as accurate), too bad I can't find one in Canada. :(
 
My take on BLR's....

I've had a couple BLR's.... two with the stickout magazine & one with the flush fit magazine... all in .308 Win. Generally very nice, handy rifles. Off the bench typical 100 yard group would usually get 2 shots touching and the 3rd shot a bit of a flyer for a 3 shot group. These days I have a pre-mil serial number Savage 99F in .308 Win so I have the lever rifle angle covered with that at this point. I'd buy another BLR, though, I like 'em.

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NAA.
 
358 BLR said:
The Savage 99 in 358 Win. is extremely collectable, as are the Winchester 88's and the Sako Finnwolf's in .358 Win. If you ever come across one of
these three rifles originally chambered in .358 Win you should consider buying it if it is at a decent price (which it probably won't be). The rarest
of the bunch is the .358 Finnwolf, followed by the Winchester 88, then the Savage 99, but they are all very hard to come by, unfortunately, as I would
dearly love to get my hands on a Sako, or a Winchester.
Click to expand...

Are you certain that the Finnwolf came in 358? I have a book that says it was available in 243 and 308 only. Not saying it's gospel, though!
 
two-dogs said:
Are you certain that the Finnwolf came in 358? I have a book that says it was available in 243 and 308 only. Not saying it's gospel, though!
Click to expand...
Well, as far as all my research would indicate: yes. Although I've never had the luxury of seeing one, much less touching one, up close and personal.:(
But ya, they did make the the Finnwolf in .358 Win. and I think it's official designation is the VL63 Finnwolf. I don't think they made very many of them,
so they are like the "Holy Grail" for .358 Win. fans, or maybe it's just one of those urban myths that I've been chasing after all these years.:D
Here's a little proof that might convert you into a believer.;)
http://sakocollectors.lefora.com/2010/02/25/comprehensive-list-of-all-sako-actions-by-year/
 
358 BLR said:
The Savage 99 in 358 Win. is extremely collectable, as are the Winchester 88's and the Sako Finnwolf's in .358 Win. If you ever come across one of
these three rifles originally chambered in .358 Win you should consider buying it if it is at a decent price (which it probably won't be). The rarest
of the bunch is the .358 Finnwolf, followed by the Winchester 88, then the Savage 99, but they are all very hard to come by, unfortunately, as I would
dearly love to get my hands on a Sako, or a Winchester.
Click to expand...



358BLR,..... I remember many years ago seeing a B&W photo in a hunting magazine article on Eastern Whitetail hunting showing an older, spectacled gentleman, sitting in a softwood chopping, with lots of snow on the ground around his makeshift blind. The article read something like this;....."This hunter uses a Savage Model99F chambered for 358 Winchester,..... A deadly combination!"
It left an impression on me about nice combinations for our hunting here in the east.
I have always wanted a 358W, but stuck with the 308W in a BLR, mainly for bullet choices in factory ammo, especially since I haven't had my press set up for years now.
The next BLR will be in 358 for me. :cheers:
 
RememberTheSomme said:
358BLR,..... I remember many years ago seeing a B&W photo in a hunting magazine article on Eastern Whitetail hunting showing an older, spectacled gentleman, sitting in a softwood chopping, with lots of snow on the ground around his makeshift blind. The article read something like this;....."This hunter uses a Savage Model99F chambered for 358 Winchester,..... A deadly combination!"
It left an impression on me about nice combinations for our hunting here in the east.
I have always wanted a 358W, but stuck with the 308W in a BLR, mainly for bullet choices in factory ammo, especially since I haven't had my press set up for years now.
The next BLR will be in 358 for me. :cheers:
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Ya, a lot of good cartridges never really gained much of a following once magnumb mania took root. The .358 Win, the .284 Win, etc. But it would
seem that the magnum craze is starting to fizzle somewhat (thank God) and the more efficient cartridges are starting to gain ground. Let's hope it continues.
And the BLR is definitely in a class of it's own, just look at the line up of cartridges it's chambered in, no other lever action offers such an excellent selection
of hunting cartridges for their products. If you examine the bolt on Brownings BAR, you will note the similarity with the BLR bolt. It is one tough action and so
not surprising that Browning chambers magnum cartridges for their BLR's. I'm just surprised they haven't offered the BLR in .338 Win Mag yet.
 
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I was mistaken in that you can use the irons with a scout scope rail mounted since you have to remove the rear iron to install it. Is there anything available for a rear ghost ring that would match with the original front sight with a front rail installed? That would be a sweet backup. Any thoughts? I know you could use both with a rear mount scope but just liking the scout idea.
 
gristle111 said:
I was mistaken in that you can use the irons with a scout scope rail mounted since you have to remove the rear iron to install it. Is there anything available for a rear ghost ring that would match with the original front sight with a front rail installed? That would be a sweet backup. Any thoughts? I know you could use both with a rear mount scope but just liking the scout idea.
Click to expand...

NECG makes a peep sight that attaches to a weaver base, although it may be a little high for the front post. There is another solution available, but I'm still
looking for the old post where I first saw it. I'll let you know when I find it.
 
Found it! Numrich sells a "Folding peep sight w/screws, Redfield JR Scope mount base" that might be just the thing you are looking for (and I am looking for
as well).

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Now if this were attached to the rear of the scout rail, it should look right down the rails channel. Looking at pictures of the BLR Scout rail set up, it may be
necessary to shorten it a bit (the rail) so this sight will fit between the back of the rail and the front of the receiver. And, of course, the rail will have to be drilled and tapped as well.
 
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