Browning BLR

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abbaswede

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Any one use a Browning BLR lever gun? Thoughts on it? I've never even picked one up, so I know little to nil here.
 
I've had a couple... early model with the protruding magazine and the later model with the flush magazine. Both were in .308 Win. Very slick rifles. I found both to be accurate with reasonably tight three shot groups. Beyond three shots both BLR's would consistently print the 4th shot as a "flyer". But they're not meant to be "target" rifles. Quick & handy for the brush. I'd get one again given the chance. I preferred the flush magazine model over the earlier one, though... ;)
 
abbaswede said:
Any one use a Browning BLR lever gun? Thoughts on it? I've never even picked one up, so I know little to nil here.
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Yup. Two; both .358's. Great guns. There's numerous past threads here discussing these rifles.
 
dizzy dan 1 said:
Yes I have owned a few but sold them off.:(
But I have acquired 2 more 358 & 7-08.:)
DAN>>>:p
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Nice Dan!

I currently own 3 - a 222, a 284, & a 358. They are great hunting rifles and everyone should own at least one!
 
They work!

I shot this 4x4 , 300 pound mulie on November 28th with my pre-81 BLR in .308

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NAA said:
I preferred the flush magazine model over the earlier one, though... ;)
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And I prefer the older pre-81s with the steel receiver and drop-down mag. I find they have better balance than the newer models. It is just a Chevy vs Ford thing though .........
 
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I have owned the early mod 308 from the late 70s. Found it to be dependable and accurate. I have taken goat, elk, moose, deer and bear with it over the years. It is an excellent sadle gun as well. With hand loads I was able to get very good performance with the 20" barrel.Good luck
 
Browning

I looked on the Browning site, and it seemed what they make now is all aluminium receivers. I don't know about the ninties. On http://gunbroker.com in the states, I see ones with silver coulored receivers and stainless steel barrels. I'm guessing those receivers are aluminium too. They also have grey laminated stocks. I think they're pretty slick. I didn't see them on the Browning site:(
 
From the Midwest Gun Supplies site .........
I personally don't know if it is accurate or not as I had always assumed the Lightning had the alloy receivers.
All Browning BLR rifles produced prior to 1981 are correctly referred to as The Browning BLR Rifle or the Pre 81. This model was only available in short action. All Browning BLR Rifles produced between 1981 and 1994 are correctly referred to as The Browning BLR Rifle Model 81 and could be purchased in either long or short action. All BLR Rifles produced from 1995 through the present are correctly referred to as The Browning BLR Light (Alloy receiver) or Lightning Model (Steel receiver).
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I have owned sevral BLRs in different calibers over the years. The first was a 358 Win, that I bought the first year they came out. I have always ended up selling them because the stock comb is too low (for me) for quick shooting with a scope.

It is perfect for iron sights, but no matter how often I try, I am always looking under the scope when I mount the rifle quickly.

Ted
 
Ted. If you remove the rear site on the BLR you can fit a scope with up to 40mm objective using low Weaver rings and Weaver bases. I find I get a perfect cheek weld this way. Mind you my cheeks may be bigger tha yours! LoL ;)
 
I've got an '81 in .243 and a pre-'81 in .358Win. Great guns. I love the balance, the weight, the look. I might want to sell the .358 to help fund the purchase of one of the new limited edition stainless/laminated - if there are any left!
 
338wm said:
Monty, too late I got the last one. Sorry!

Duane
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Elwood Epps still shows a few left on their website - one in .308 and two in 7mm-08. I'll give them a call in the AM to see if they still have one available - or is this where you bought yours? If so (in best Chuck Heston voice) - DAMN YOU!!! :D
 
hermie said:
I have one maufactured in the mid-nineties, I always assumed it was the steel receiver, was I wrong?
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I think the change to alloy receivers was when they decided to "ugly them up" with the Lightening models that had the big pistol grip on them. That was about four or five years ago, I think. I remember it because the Canadian Tire on south MacLeod Trail in Calgary was blowing out all the "substandard" earlier versions they had for $475, NIB. I promptly bought one in .308 and stopped at Bill Leeper's on the way home and had him put a Ron Smith barrel on it in .358, throated specifically for cast bullets. I'd been looking for a .358 for my wife for three or four years and had despaired of ever finding one in good enough condition for the price being asked.

Of course, the next year they brought the .358 back... but with the alloy receiver, so I still felt happy.

Anyways, stick a magnet on it and you'll know soon enough...

Anybody want to buy a BLR barrel in .308 Winchester, never fired?
 
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