Browning BLR

J_MIL_20

J_MIL_20

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Steinbach, MB
Looking at this rifle in .358win, and really like the looks and sounds of the quality and practicality of it as a hunting rifle. I'd like to know your opinions on both the gun, and the cartridge. Is the .358 going to stick around, or is it in the last of its days?
 
I have the 308 takedown in pistol grip. It's a very reliable rifle but do not try to do a full strip down as you will more than likely not get the bolt assembly put back properly. Browning mean it when they tell you not to remove the bolt. That is why I went takedown as it makes cleaning simple and no need to re-zero once the barrel is back in place. You can also mount the scope on the action or the barrel, it's tapped out for both locations. Make sure of your eye relief before purchasing a scope for the barrel though.
 
My wife has used a BLR in 308 for 20 years and it has performed well with good accuracy. I've never owned a .358 but the cartridge has a great reputation as a medium range hard hitting round.
 
Strangest thing...I was just two minutes ago on a US site reading all about the BLR in .358. The guys over there seem to love it, from the lower states to Alaska. The .358 seems a very good round to me, and a reloader can easily make brass from .308 win just by running the brass through your .358 dies well lubricated. I'd buy one if someone came along and insisted on flogging to me for a great price...
 
I owned an early steel receiver straight grip years ago. Zero complaints except it was 243. I lived in Sask. then and it suited the prairies.

I really liked th external hammer and bolt action strength from the rotating bolt. The barrel was a little light and groups would open up on the bench after 3 shots. However as a hunting rifle I found no fault.

One issue that pops up is field cleaning. Many knowledgeable folks advise not to pull the bolt for cleaning as it can be a bear to retime. I used a set of directions and cleaned without the bolt once a year. There was a learning curve though. About all I can think of. Know nothing about the newer aluminum models.

Never owned a 358 but no question it is a dandy cartridge. I doubt that they will go obsolete due to thier numbers in the field.
 
I have owned 3 BLR's all in .308, two were the older straight grip steel receiver model 81's. I now own a BLR Lightweight Pistol Grip in .308, I like this version of the rifle the best as it has a bit higher rear comb for seeing thru a scope, comes with sling swivel studs from the factory and has pretty much a free floated barrel, no barrel band to worry about.

The newer alloy receiver rifles do feel a bit lighter than the older steel ones. No worries here about strength as the bolt actually locks into the barrel extension so it doesn't matter what the receiver is made from, and the lighter weight is nice once you mount a scope. I love my BLR, it has been a great hunting rifle and I think they look awesome. Sorry no experience with the .358 Win. Good luck!
 
The BLR will be around for a long while yet. I purchased one new in .308 towards the end of their steel receiver days, but sold it a few yew years later to help finance something else. I liked it, but it was so "Browning" shiny and new, that I was always being careful not to mark it up whenever I took it out, and it kind of detracted from my enjoyment of being outdoors. I do have a 99 Savage that was rebored from .308 to .358. It's an excellent cartridge that never really gained a great deal of popularity. I think it hit the market when the Magnumitus virus was infecting most North American hunters, and it simply didn't have enough speed, or a flat enough trajectory to win a lot of hearts at the time. Now that most hunters realize they are not often going to be harvesting game at 400 yards and beyond, the .358 is gaining some new found favour. I'm not sure what commercial loads are available for the .358, but I think the choices are fairly limited. I reload for mine, and like some of the other less than wildly popular cartridges, I believe that is the best way to get the most from what the .358W has to offer.
 
I love my BLR 358 (steel), it loves 225gr Nosler Partitions @ 2470fps. Hammered the Whitetail in my avatar last year. It shoots 1 1/4" 3 shot groups every time. It will reach 300+ yards too, not the short range cartridge they say. :)
 
Any 358Win owner/shooter needs to be a handloader. Factory ammo is hard to find and quite expensive while loading is very easy. Neck up .308 cases to 35cal and you're good to go for brass.

It's a very good and flexible cartridge and well worth owning. 200s for deer hunting and heavier for moose.

.
 
I have 4 BLR's model 81's. In 243, 257Roberts, 308 and a 358. All are very good rifles and are enjoyed. Looking for a 7mm-08 pre 1992, 227 (model designation) in the serial#, as I have found out, in 92 was when they started making the steel receiver version with the toggle type safety hammer. I saw one in 284 Winchester last weekend, with a price tag of $750.00 but it was a 1993 vintage.
As far as the 358 is concerned, It is a great cartridge with a limited but faithful following.
I reload for all the cartridges above and the 257 and 358 are hard to find ammo for.
257 Roberts
 
Last edited:
The BLR is a good product and will be around in some form for years to come. The .358 has a small but loyal following that will stick around too. Regarding ammo availability, it is scarce in some areas but as has been said, you can make brass from .308 cases. Personally I prefer the older BLR's to the new.
 
Can't say enough about the .358 BLR. Nice package, handles well. Pay a very small price in recoil for a fair bit of horsepower. I put a Nikon Monarch 2-7x32 on mine. Good eye relief helps in a lightweight package, especially if your cheek tends to creep forward on quick shots like I do.
Maintenance is a bit of a pain, but tinkering is part of the fun of owning rifles isn't it?
 
I was told that factory ammo is only made every other year or so, in .358, true or not, who knows! I stock up when it's on the shelf, no problems so far. I don't shoot it enough to reload for it. You should absolutely love the BLR in 358 or any short action cal. 243, 257Bob, 7mm-08, 308, they're all so sweet!
 
I have a steel reciever .308, and it is probably the most accurate lever gun i've ever seen. The rotating/locking bolt puts it in the same league as most similarly priced bolt rifles i've seen. Box mag is nice, no racking the action to unload.
 
It's a great gun and a great cartridge. Some people say it kicks, but I keep telling them not to hold the butt stock in their groin when the fire it.:D Seriously,
I found that it didn't kick much more then a .308 and that probably has a lot to do with the design of the rifle. I think the takedown model is well worth the
extra $80 to $100: it will simplify the cleaning and maintenance and it breaks down to two equal length pieces about 21.5 inches long (didn't have a tape
measure). If you made a nice padded soft carry case that you could roll up, it would make a great truck gun, or boat gun, or plane gun...... see where I'm
going with this:). If you want to use the iron sights, then be sure you get a fibre optic front post (standard on the stainless models, not on the blued), they
really make the iron sights work.
Many say the 225 grain bullet was designed for the 35 Whelen, but I think it is the ideal all round bullet for the .358 win and I'm sure many others will
tell you the same. If I could talk Browning into some new chamberings for the BLR, they would be the 260 Rem, or the 6.5x55 and the 9.3x62. I think
they would sell like hotcakes.

Additional Note: The 21.5 inch length estimate was base on short action length model with a 20" barrel.
 
Last edited:
358 BLR said:
It's a great gun and a great cartridge. Some people say it kicks, but I keep telling them not to hold the butt stock in their groin when the fire it.:D Seriously,
I didn't find that it kicked much more then a .308 and that probably has a lot to do with the design of the rifle. I think the takedown model is well worth the
extra $80 to $100: it will simplify the cleaning and maintenance and it breaks down to two equal length pieces about 21.5 inches long (didn't have a tape
measure). If you made a nice padded soft carry case that you could roll up, it would make a great truck gun, or boat gun, or plane gun...... see where I'm
going with this:). If you want to use the iron sights, then be sure you get a fibre optic front post (standard on the stainless models, not on the blued), they
really make the iron sights work.
Many say the 225 grain bullet was designed for the 35 Whelen, but I think it is the ideal all round bullet for the .358 win and I'm sure many others will
tell you the same. If I could talk Browning into some new chamberings for the BLR, they would be the 260 Rem, or the 6.5x55 and the 9.3x62. I think
they would sell like hotcakes.
Click to expand...

Hey, great handle you got there! cool! :cheers:
 
Totally agree with '358 BLR' on ideal bullet weight - 225 grains seems perfect for this rifle. I usually stick with flat base bullets in the BLR chambering.
 
I had a chance to handle one today. Nice unit.
There is a beauty sitting on a rack in Vernon.
One of our sponsors has it.
A BLR in the 358.
Almost....................brought it home.
 
my wife and I both use the BLR in 308 mine a pre 81 and hers a post both rifles are very reliable and accurate however listen to MRWIRED dont strip it down yourself they are a bstrd to get back together properly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom