Browning BLR reliability

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buckchaser

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Ottawa
Last August I purchased a laminate/stainless BLR in 7mm08 for whitetail hunting. I thought it would be a tremendous "big woods" gun - light, quick follow up shots, etc.

However, while shooting in October I managed to jam the action to the point a gunsmith had to work on it to release it. This occurred during normal operation. I went to close the lever after cleaning the gun and the bolt jammed fast.

Also, the satin nickel finish of the receiver has developed black tarnishes where my hands touch the gun - despite being wiped down daily with G96 during the season. The gun is currently en route to Browning Canada to sort this out.

I hunt in areas where a firearm malfunction could serious ruin or inconvenience my hunt.

My hunting partner has a BLR that has functioned flawlessly for over a decade.

Should I return to my bolt action roots? Would like to hear other stories of BLR reliability.

I have owned A-Bolt, X-Bolt, BPS, etc. without any issues.
 
I have a BLR in .308 and it's been amazing. Shoots like a bolt rifle. The only problem I had with it was needign to buy a set of small base dies to reload for it. Reloads loaded with standard dies WILL chamber, but the last 1/4 inch is TIGHT.
 
I've put say 200+ rounds thru my 2013 production stainless takedown BLR. It has a really right chamber, so I also have moved to small base dies for reloading it. I had the trigger reworked from 8.8 to 4.5 lbs by an Ontario gunsmth. I've been very happy with it's function and accuracy when it was fed properly dimensioned reloads (and a small amount of factory ammunition too).

I haven't subjected it my real inclement weather, so I can't say how it does with that.
 
Mine is the most reliable gun I've ever owned - it has hundreds of bush-miles on it, and hundreds of rounds through it and it continues to look great and function flawlessly. There has to have been some major manufacturing issue with your particular gun.
 
I currently have 4 Model 81's, 3 in the original 308 based cartridges and a 257 Roberts. All work very well and I have had no issues, I do have to watch and make sure I use the right magazines in the 257, the shoulder creases in the magazine for the 257 are formed in a different spot than the 308 bases cartridges. I also have one magazine for the the 308 based cartridges that does not work well in the 358, the other 5 work without fail and all 6 magazines work in the my 243 and 308.
David
 
It seems when things get all fancy schmancy, weird items occur.
Walnut and blue seems to work just fine around here.
Stay with the BLR.
Maybe they will replace your rifle and taint the curse.
No regrets on buying this 358win.
 
There was a batch of them a few years back that would jump a notch in the gear system and tie them up...pretty sure Browning took those back and fix them all. Other than those select few the BLR is as slick and reliable as they come.
 
I had a .308 BLR that shot like a bolt gun and was always reliable. I sold it in a moment of temporary insanity and I have wished that I could have it back ever since. I still have my .243 BLR and it is even more accuate and carries like a dream. Never a problem with these guns.
 
saskcop said:
I had a .308 BLR that shot like a bolt gun and was always reliable. I sold it in a moment of temporary insanity and I have wished that I could have it back ever since. I still have my .243 BLR and it is even more accuate and carries like a dream. Never a problem with these guns.
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I hear ya! Me too, but the other way around. I still have my 308, but foolishly I sold my 243 and wish I had it back!
 
I never owned one but my hunting partner bought one in 358 Win. that gave him jamming troubles from the get go.
He no longer owns it but he had a 308 prior to the 358 that was utterly reliable.
BB
 
two-dogs said:
I hear ya! Me too, but the other way around. I still have my 308, but foolishly I sold my 243 and wish I had it back!
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I think we both learned a lesson over our BLR's. My father had a .30-06 a few years ago that I wanted, but he sold it off before I had a chance to get it too.
 
Buckchaser nice rifle and caliber combo for general purpose Whitetail. I sold my BLR81 to my hunting partner after 25 seasons, and around 700 rounds. It was flawless, and nothing deadlier in timber than a 4X WA scoped BLR in .308, ..nothing!

What you described is usually what you hear from time to time from people who have had their rack and pinion worn to a point the pinion gear sort of jumps half a tooth and jams the rack. Obviously your gun is new and Browning will have to sort this out for sure. Not sure what is going on with your stainless finish, hope it is cleaned up for you or a replacement carbine!
 
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