BLR in .358 Winchester - I think I need one!

J

Jeff/1911

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Hi Folks,

I've been contemplating the purchase of a BLR 81 lightweight for some time now. I'll use it primarily for Alberta farmland whitetail deer hunting, w/ some Moose and a possible Elk thrown into the mix.

My first thought was to get one in .308 because my A-Bolt is a .308...this way, I figured - I could take them both out hunting and use the ammunition interchangably (at least to some extent; considering the fact that most rifles have a favorite load and they might not be the same).

My next thought was to get one in 7mm-08; as it seems soooooooo cool, and versatile! I love the .308, and perhaps the 7-08 is just a ".308 Improved".

Now, I'm thinking the very best thing I can do is to choose one in .358 Winchester. :)

Whatya' think?

Thanks guys...Jeff.
 
I have one, very versatile, you can load it down for vermin and up to just about anything in North America

My only problem is that my kid has kind of claimed it and I dont get to shoot it much anymore. He dropped a big Sask whitetail at 10 yards last fall. Bang- down.

With 180 grain barnes X, you are good to around 300 yds. More common loads with 200's or 225's, the range is a fair bit less than that. So a long range prairie rifle it isnt.
 
blr's are way cool. they need to be scoped low with a smallish or compact scope. the 358 is good past 200 yrds and brass is just necked up 308. on my 308 i have a compact 2x8 and a 4x on my 358. i find the 200 grn hornadys to be good in mine but the 225 sierras are almost the same.
 
There's something different about the sound of a 358 hitting a 200 yard steel gong. It really smacks it compared to my 45-70 and my 270win. I think it's just the right combination of frontal diameter and mass and velocity. It is by no means limited to being a short range bush gun. A very practical hunting cartridge. Short action BLR's with a low power scope look cool but the long actions are ugly.
 
I like them so much in 358 that I own 2!:eek:

Lots of power in an easy to carry package. I went with a Leupold 1.5-5X Vari X III on the one that I use for hunting. (The other one is NIB).
 
Billy The Kid said:
I like them so much in 358 that I own 2!:eek:

Lots of power in an easy to carry package. I went with a Leupold 1.5-5X Vari X III on the one that I use for hunting. (The other one is NIB).
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You would have had 3 if I did not take one off you.And I love it, had one before & traded it off.DAN>>>:eek: ;)
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I currently own both a Leupold 2-7x compact and a 3-9x compact...either one of those would be a great fit I figure.

Jeff.
 
Jeff/1911 said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I currently own both a Leupold 2-7x compact and a 3-9x compact...either one of those would be a great fit I figure.

Jeff.
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I couldn't agree more Jeff. They would be perfect on a BLR in 358!:cool:
 
todbartell said:
would be a good choice, lots of downrange thump

325wsm would be another good option
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Until just now, I didn't realize the BLR was available in 325 WSM!!! Coooooool. :)

Thanks, Tod.
 
BLR in 358 W would be a good choice. I have one in stainless/laminate and it's a beautiful gun. I got it for heavy bush deer hunting for its ease of handling and heavy bullet. Most of my shots are 50 yds or less so I don't have to worry about long range.

I also have one in a Remington 600 Mohawk with a 20" barrel. In addition to that, I just bought a Remington 700 BDL in 35 Whelen and I believe that might end up by being the gun for my application. The reason for this is the safety of the BLR (cocking the hammer) tends to make noise, no matter how careful you are where the 700 BDL and the Mohawk have very quiet safeties.

In hunting deer at short range, any kind of noise will spook them and the manipulating of the safety could definitely be something to thing about.

In concluding, I would not overlook the 35 Whelen as these are making a comeback with Remington offering the caliber in their 700 CDL and you can still find a few Remington 7600 pump action in 35 Whelen. I would not recommend the pump for this kind of hunting as they're just too noisy. I had one in 35 Whelen and sold it for that reason.

In case you are not familiar with the 35 Whelen, it is basically a necked up 30-06 where the 358 is a necked up 308. The 35 Whelen will usually outperform both the 30-06 and the 358 W. And of course, the 358 W will outperform the 308.

Good luck and let us know your final choice.

Duke1
 
duke1 said:
BLR in 358 W would be a good choice. I have one in stainless/laminate and it's a beautiful gun.

I also have one in a Remington 600 Mohawk with a 20" barrel.
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Is that a custom rig? If not, I never heard tell of a Remington 600 in 358 Winchester..........
 
bisonhd said:
There's something different about the sound of a 358 hitting a 200 yard steel gong. It really smacks it compared to my 45-70 and my 270win.
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you're not kidding...I whacked the 200 and 300 meter gongs with a 225 Partition at 2700 out of my Whelen on Sunday....more than one guy had to look up from his bench to see what the he!! that was:D ;)

a BLR in 358 is one I've always thought would be a nice setup.....with a 1-4X Leo on top......;)
 
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