Browning BLR realistic range capabilities.

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eltigra306

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I would like as much into as possible on the capabilities of the Browning BLR in 270 and 270 WSM. A local hss gun counter tech told me that it was a bush gun no goood for more than about 200 yards. Which seems very odd to me. I was thinking that with the rack and pintion type of action that it has and the capability of loading the magnum rounds that it would be a good option for ethical 5-600 yard shots. Am I out to lunch? Based on the new LeverEvelution loads from Hornaday in a new Mosberg 464 lever action claiming ethical shots out to 300 yard shots, I would think that the BLR is capable of at least twice that much if not more.
Fill me in I have always like the lever guns but I have never bought one because of there limitations, but with the new technoligy I would like to persue the possibility. If it does not seem like a very good option Than I will go with a t3 or a Savage with the acutriger which I have on a 22 and can't say enough about.
Any way thats what i want to know and I know that this is the best place to have the ? answered. Thans guy's looking forward to the discusions to start...:sniper:
 
It is a good question.

The standard barrel size is 20"
The BLR offers the 270 wsm and 300 wsm in a 22" barrel. They also offer the 7mm mag and 300 mag (both standard mags) in a 24" barrel.

Just by this information alone, I would think that it should be at least a 250 yard gun.

however, levers are usually thought of as short range/bush guns. I guess one would have to shoot one at different ranges out to 300 yds to find out where they hit. Handloads vs factory loads will really throw a twist into where your bullet is going to hit as well.
 
All half decent quality rifles limitations are only limited by the hands they are in. :runaway:

You can only find out at the rifle range, as to how well "you" can shoot it.

A 2" group at 100 yds means you're good to ? yards on ? sized game animals.

A 2" group at 100 yds is ideally a 4'' group at 200 yards.NOT SO.:slap:

Very often it's a 6"+ group. How big is the vital zone on the game you want to hunt?:eek:

Unless you're a sniper, I'd stick to modest ranges, if you are a sniper or a wannabe, the BLR is prolly not a good place to start.
 
I agree with the above posters, ballistics charts are poor representation of what you and your gun are capable of. I have takedown BLR in 308. Even though the 308 in a scoped bolt action is easily a 300 yard cartridge, with the factory open sights I was limiting my shots to about 150yards simply because that was as far as I could shoot with open sights. So basically my gun was a more powerful 30-30... I now have 2.5X scout scope set up on it and having put a few boxes thru the gun I think i would be comfortable hunting with it to about 225-250 yards. But for the type of bush hunting I do it is unlikely i would have to shoot even that far, still it is nice to know i have the capability of taking a longer shot should it arise. Which is why I bought the rifle, a bit more versatility then a open sighted 3030.

Anyways, the best thing you can do is buy a few boxes of ammo and shoot the gun then you an honestly assess what range you are comfortable with. Either cartridge will be capable further out then most of us can shoot.

Luke
 
I've had a couple BLR's, always in .308 Win. Both shot 'okay' nothing exceptional. I always thought about them as ~ 200-250 yard max rifles.
 
i've had four blrs. 243, two in 308 and 358. none shot well enough to be more than a 200 or so yard rifle. there cool lever guns but i would go a bolt gun if i wanted long range shooter. i prefer shots under 200 yrds so i don't find blr's accuracy to be a limiting factor when hunting.
 
I have a newer style Model 81 Lightweight BLR in 308 and the gun is picky, but with 180 Silvertips it is a one inch gun consistently. I don't reload for it, so I need it to perform with factory rounds and although it was expensive figuring out what it liked, it was well worth it. I love the way it carries and shoulders and with a VX-II 2x7 on it, I wouldn't be uncomfortable taking 300yd shots. The barrel band and not so crisp trigger, do take away from accuracy potential, but my experience has been excellent. Cheers,

Patrick
 
well I guess if a blr is only capable of 250 yard than I am definatly going to be getting a new 30-30 from Mossberg with the LeverEvolution loads as aposed to a BLR to fullfill my lever gun fantasies. So I will be getting a bolt action in 270wsm for longer ranges. But I will look forward to the coninued discusion of the levergun ranges.:sniper:
 
You would think the BLR magnums (WSM's and standard mags) would be a little tighter/better farther out. 250-300yds. 30-06 for that matter I guess, if my logic is correct?

How would the BLR .22-250 be?

Just going to have to buy a blr in each calibre to find out:D
 
I have taken deer at 300 yds (bang flop) with my 308 blr (scoped) and prior to the scope a moose at just over 200. The caliber is fine for long shots, it does have a short barrel but it is all up to the operator. I have passed at closer shots when I was uncomfortable with the view / target, but I can put them in a 4" group all day long at 200 yds and that works for me! You aren't going to win any shooting competitions, but mine has been repeatable and dependable. It has been my main hunting rifle for over 20 years.
 
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