Browning BLR

Mr. Cam

Mr. Cam

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Hi, I'd like advice,
I handled a new BLR in .308, straight stock, not a take down model. It seemed real nice, had a box magazine for spitzers, and I am seriously considerring buying it. How are these rifles? It just seems like the ideal lever rifle, really light and handy.

Any comments?
 
A fine lever rifle!! An artillary-style breech lock and a lever action! What could be better!:rockOn:

And don't give a second thought to those Savage 99 guys!!!:runaway:
 
I own a BLR in 308. Light, quick handling rifle. First round is very accurate. Follow up shots tend to stitch high right. Likely a side effect of the barrel band????
 
Love the BLR

For unknown reasons, I find that I can shoot very well with a BLR. I am not a very good shot, but with a 308 BLR I was able to hit a one meter diameter gong, at 200 meters, free hand, using iron sites.

Similarly, I am able to shoot very well with a Smith 586 revolver. I normally am a lousy shot with a handgun. But with a 586, I can hit the paper six out of six shots, at twenty-five meters, no problem. I do not know why I can do that with a Smith, but cannot do it with most Colt 1911 type pistols.

I think there is something about the fit and handling of a BLR that makes it eminently practical for field shooting. I am sure the BLR could not compete with an A-Bolt from the bench if both rifles were sandbagged. But I am also sure I could hit a deer more easily with the BLR than with any bolt gun. It just works that way in the field.

You would have to try it out to see if it works for you. Step away from the bench and take a few shots, freehand or from the prone position. I think a lot of people find this to be the case with the BLR.


Big
 
Mr. Cam said:
Hi, I'd like advice,
I handled a new BLR in .308, straight stock, not a take down model. It seemed real nice, had a box magazine for spitzers, and I am seriously considerring buying it. How are these rifles? It just seems like the ideal lever rifle, really light and handy.

Any comments?
Click to expand...
I bought a .308 BLR for the wife and turned it into a .358 Winchester before ever firing a shot out of it (anyone want to buy a new, unfired .308 Win barrel for a BLR?).

She loves it. I'm a diehard bolt guy, but I have to admit it is a rifle I have taken a shine to as well. With the number of rounds she fires through it at gophers, tin cans, etc (when not out hunting elk, moose, etc), if it weren't for bulk .358 pistol bullets I would either be insane from casting bullets by now, or dead from working all the overtime to buy bullets...

I live in big game country and prefer .358 to .308, but as far as the rifle goes, I have found them to be a very nice piece of kit.
 
I have a .308 BLR purchased new in 1979. I think the "old" model had a steel reicever and the new ones are machined aluminum. Mine has always been very reliable and shoots about a minute of angle (3 shot groups). These "old" models also had a steel ring gear....I think for a while, they were made with a neoprene (plastic) gear.... and would stay away from that model as my buddy had one that broke in cold weather. Check to see what the ring gear is made of for the new models,
jim
 
The BLR is a great rifle. The only one I own at this point is a 227 SN series in 257 Roberts. I have seen the same series and would like to own a 284 Win. They are rare and I have not seen that caliber listed in the old Browning catalogues that I have but I have seen them at gun shows. A 7-08 would also be a nice round in a BLR as would any of the 308 family.

If there are any Browning reps out there, 338 Federal, if you build it, they will sell.
This would be a good place to post the calibers that you have in your BLR.

Rick, what series did you do the bbl swap on? I am wondering what a 260 Rem. would be like?

Mr. Cam if you like the new model, pick it up and enjoy.
257 Roberts
 
Mount it with a "see through scope"

Mr. Cam said:
Hi, I'd like advice, I handled a new BLR in .308, straight stock, not a take down model. It seemed real nice, had a box magazine for spitzers, and I am seriously considerring buying it. How are these rifles? It just seems like the ideal lever rifle, really light and handy. Any comments?
Click to expand...

I have hunted with one for at least ten years and it has become my rifle of preference when in the bush. I mounted mine with a "see through scope" so that it could be used short and long. Shoots great....

I love my lever 308:D
Robert
 
257Roberts said:
Rick, what series did you do the bbl swap on? I am wondering what a 260 Rem. would be like?
Click to expand...
I dunno... serial number is 07332NY227. (If anyone out there is feeling an uncontrollable urge to post warning me how terribly dangerous it is to actually put a s/n on a public form, please spare me the silliness).

I can't say how a 260 Remington would work, as it isn't a caliber I have much use for personally. I tend mostly have calibers that start with a "3" of some sort or other - if I was mostly a light game hunter I might think quite differently about that.
 
257Roberts said:
Hi Rick,
If you like the .300+ calibers, you would like the 338 Federal
257 Roberts
Click to expand...
No, I don't think I would.

I don't think it will do anything a .358 Winchester with 200 or 225 grain bullets won't do, and I'm pretty sure it won't measure up with 250 grain bullets. And maybe even moreso, I know it won't accept a source of inexpensive bullets like you can find in the bulk handgun section for .358's. Shot capsules ain't a possiblity either...

I bet a lot of guys will like it, but it's not for me.
 
Rick, You do have some interesting points. I never really looked at the 358 as being that versatile. Handgun bullets, rifle bullets and shot capsules. It's allways good to read someone elses opinion.
Thanks
257 Roberts
 
rlg said:
I have hunted with one for at least ten years and it has become my rifle of preference when in the bush. I mounted mine with a "see through scope" so that it could be used short and long. Shoots great....

I love my lever 308:D
Robert
Click to expand...
If you don't have a 'see through scope' Take the lense caps off :D

See through mounts are kinda handy though. :wave:
 
I recently got a BLR stainless with the pistol grip in 270WSM, with a new barrel (not broken in yet) and iron sights and factory ammo it shoots a 2" group. I'm eager to see what it will be after I put a scope on it and work up a load for it.
I picked this rifle up becouse I wanted something that was a little faster for when your in the truck, my 300 wby. is a great moose gun for when your out hiking around or sitting on a stump it's a little slow to load and get on target compared to the blr
 
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