Browning BLR vs Remington 7600

M

Max-4

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Southern Ontario
Hey guys, I am looking for a good rifle for hunting moose and deer in Ontario. I know I wan't a wood and blued steel rifle with a magazine feed in either .308 or 30-06. I currently own a 12g Remington 870 Wingmaster so the 7600 may provide some familiarity for me, but I think I could get used to a lever action with no problems either. The BLR looks to be a bit lighter and I guess the receiver is made from alloy.

1. What is the lever and pump throw distance going to be with the .308 vs 30-06 on each rifle and will I notice it?
2. How hard is it to install a sling on a 7600 and how is it attached on the front foregrip?

I have had a bit of experience with a friends BLR at the range and I wasnt really impressed with the trigger pull and the accuracy, best I could do was about 2-3" at 100 yards and the trigger seemed horrible. How is the 7600 for accuracy and how is the trigger? If you had to buy one rifle for my purposes above which one would it be and why? Thanks
 
I'd go with the 7600, but I am biased as I am not a fan of lever action rifles.... The accuracy on these is good and you can get an end cap for the tube mag that will hold a sling swivel as pictured below.

images
 
The Remington isn't as 'bulky'. The trigger can be worked lighter and crisper. The Remington is noted for very good accuracy.
 
I have a number of both. I like them both for different reasons. The 7600's tend to be very, very accurate and very fast on the reload. Probably one of the best all around guns out there. The BLR's carry nicer for me though, probably because of the short length. I have found BLR's accuracy to be decent enough too, but they won't shoot alongside the Remingtons on average.
 
The BLR may have better build and fit and finish over the Remington. On the Remington it is basically a long action so it does not make sense to go to a short action calibre(.243 .308) unless that is the calibre you want. The BLR in long action (30-06 is a pig and ugly to boot) extra mags are cheaper for the Remington and uncle mikes makes two or three different sling attachment options. If you use an 870 get the 760 7600 you will not be disappointed. Oh ya be aware of trapping a gloved thumb between the hammer and a scope with the BLR when uncocking the rifle. I was near one that had a boom moment when the shooter thought the gun was half cocked and was only held by the gloved thumb. Pulled his hand away and bang. If you look hard enough you can find the pumps with a low comb for open sights or a higher comb for scope use and synthetic is an option. Even a carbine is offered. Geez now I am thinking about buying another one...

Darryl
 
I would choose the BLR in a short action cartridge, like your suggestion in 308. Don't get the long action (30-06) as they seem like monsters compared to the short action. Doug describes the long action BLR's as big and clunky! I must admit that I am a big lever fan and I have not fallen in love with any pump action rifles, as of yet. I have lots of BLR's and love them all.
^ A hammer extension would eliminate the glove problem.
 
Hi Max-4, When I was young, I had a lever .32 Spcl, and a pump 12 gauge. When I finished school, and got my career started, in 1989, I decided I wanted a scoped, high powered rifle, in .308, .270 or 30-06. I narrowed the choice down to a BLR or a 7600. I ended up finding a 7600, in .270, that was on sale, plus that store had scopes on sale, so I topped it with a 2-7x33 Redfield Golden Five Star, with see thru mounts. I have target shot, and hunted with a buddy's .308 BLR.....nice, but the 7600 wins, hands down. The balance, pointability, accuracy, and finish (mine is the high gloss model) are excellent. Uncle Mike's offer a nice swivel set for the 7600, where the front stud is on a band that clamps on the barrel. If my camera wasn't "not working", I'd send you a photo of mine. If you are used to the 870 (I also on one), you will not mind carrying the 7600. Take your time drilling the wooden stock, use a drill press, and be sure to put a piece of painters masking tape over the spot first, to help avoid splintering. You'll be set up in no time. All the best:)
 
Either is a good all around gun... In the 7600 I would look at a .30/06 and I would go with .308 in the BLR... I am a fan of lever guns, but only have one BLR in .308, as the BLR is my "least" favorite lever...

Here ya' go;

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1008128-30-06-Remington-model-7600-pump?p=9470493#post9470493
 
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I think there is a general consensus here. The Remington 7600 was, is, and always will be my favourite rifle. I got my first moose, deer, and elk with them in three different calibers. You can't go wrong. I've never touched a BLR so I have no positive or negative feedback on them either way. I just love the 7600.
 
I have owned and shot both. There is no advantage to the .308 over the .30/06 in the pump as the bolt travel is the same distance. The long action BLR I find big and bulky. The short action BLR I find muzzle light in the offhand position and terrible triggers therefore hard to do good shooting with one in the offhand position for me. The Remington has a better trigger and in my experience the older 760 has a lighter trigger pull out of the box than the 7600 but that may be a result of litagation in the U.S. by idiots who have accidentally shot themselves through their own stupidity. Also the 760/7600 hangs nice offhand which is how at least 75% of our shots at game are taken at least in my area. For me the 760 wins hands down especially as you are already familiar with the mechanics and balance of a pump. When adrenaline is flowing there is no substitute for familiarity with a rifle. My 2 cents.
 
Have owned a 7600 for 20 years - you won't find a faster (non semi) follow up shot deer rifle -- just last season I purchased an BLR and then sold it - don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a BLR but i found it heavy and didn't like the hammer in the cold weather using gloves - I have also heard you need an degree to work on them - my 2 cents...
 
Neither pump nor lever action are my faourite.

I had a Remington 7600 and sold it, unfired. I didn't like the pump action and found the rifle overall ungainly even compared to other pump action guns I've had (Remington 870, Mossberg 535, an old Stevens pump shotgun. And I'm not small, nor are my arms disproportionately short.) Compare that to all the positive comments above and I think you have the only issue you have to address, does it feel right to you? If it does, you'll probably like it as much as they did, if it doesn't, try a BLR.

I had a BLR, briefly. It was accurate and the handling was very good, but I don't get enough chances to hunt to keep a lot of different guns and there was no particular reason to keep a lever action. It was a .308 and I think if I were going to keep one, it would be in .308 because I like that cartridge as a general purpose big game round and I think a BLR is better in a short action than long and I would save up for the take-down version.

The 7600 I had was matte black metal with black synthetic stocks. I like that sort of utilitarian finish. Starting out new, a Browning will typically have nicer bluing and wood than Remingtons I've seen, but Remington's blue and wood isn't lacking. Both are nicer than I like to carry afield.
 
Looks like theres 2 options for installing the front sling swivel stud on a 7600. From what I can tell theres a barrel band and then a stud that sqrews onto the front stock, im assuming is threads into the front already drilled hole? Im not to sure how much I like the idea of the barrel band and it possibly coming loose and slipping then scratching the blueing all up. But with the other option wouldnt it always be pulling the front stock forwards when its on your shoulder and then the sling would bounce around when the pump is racked??? Anybody ever used either option for a LONG time and how has it held up for you?
 
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