How far out can I use a Browning BLR?

[cbabes]

I love target shooting regardless if it's pistol, shotgun, rifle. I regularly shoot IDPA and have shot 3-gun. As far as hunting goes, I have my hunting license but I am a complete "Armchair Hunter". I am dying to go hunting! Should be an expert from all the Wild TV I have watched. Never shot an animal in my life. Want the satisfaction of the chase, kill and the goodies for my freezer. I am seriously considering buying a Browning BLR in .308 that is for sale in the EE. I am really hoping to make it to a moose or deer hunt this year. How far out can I expect to use this lever action? Should I not bother and just get a 30-06 bolt action first?

TIA

 

[dan belisle]

In the field a 308 will do everything a 30-06 will do, and at the same distances. A BLR is a very handy hunting rifle, and a good choice for a first hunting rifle. - dan

 

[cbabes]

In the field a 308 will do everything a 30-06 will do, and at the same distances. A BLR is a very handy hunting rifle, and a good choice for a first hunting rifle. - dan

Thanks. I figured that much about a .308 but what I wasn't sure of was if it made a difference using a lever action compared to a bolt action for hunting distances. I have heard and read that the Marlin in 45/70 is not good for hunting past certain distances but wasn't sure if that was just because of the cartridge or the lever action?

 

[stang]

Thanks. I figured that much about a .308 but what I wasn't sure of was if it made a difference using a lever action compared to a bolt action for hunting distances. I have heard and read that the Marlin in 45/70 is not good for hunting past certain distances but wasn't sure if that was just because of the cartridge or the lever action?

I have both and highly recommend the BLR over Marlin as it has less recoil and shoots flatter.

 

[mikeyb]

.45-70 is limited by ballistics. Hits like a freight train up close, but loses speed quickly. The .308 won't have that problem, smaller bullets with higher ballistic coefficient will retain their velocity better. The BLR will be plenty accurate, as long as you practice lots.

 

[zelly]

I can put down anything at 1000 yards with either one........

 

[stickhunter]

Thanks. I figured that much about a .308 but what I wasn't sure of was if it made a difference using a lever action compared to a bolt action for hunting distances. I have heard and read that the Marlin in 45/70 is not good for hunting past certain distances but wasn't sure if that was just because of the cartridge or the lever action?

The BLR (and for that matter every Marlin that I've owned) aren't any less accurate than your average bolt action hunting rifle, especially for the first couple of shots before the barrel starts heating up. What really determines the effective distance for hunting is your familiarity/experience with rifle shooting, the sighting system you're using, the cartridge, and the game you're hunting.

Since the BLR is an accurate rifle that can be scoped, you're pretty much limited by your experience and cartridge. The reference to 45/70 Marlins being limited in range is usually attributed to the trajectory for the 45/70, which is not a particularly flat-shooting cartridge --- this means that if you're trying to extend the range, you have to be good at range estimation and really know the ballistics of your load.

For a first hunting rifle, I'd stick to a 308-class rifle and the BLR isn't a bad choice.

 

[woolly]

I love target shooting regardless if it's pistol, shotgun, rifle. I regularly shoot IDPA and have shot 3-gun. As far as hunting goes, I have my hunting license but I am a complete "Armchair Hunter". I am dying to go hunting! Should be an expert from all the Wild TV I have watched. Never shot an animal in my life. Want the satisfaction of the chase, kill and the goodies for my freezer. I am seriously considering buying a Browning BLR in .308 that is for sale in the EE. I am really hoping to make it to a moose or deer hunt this year. How far out can I expect to use this lever action? Should I not bother and just get a 30-06 bolt action first?

TIA

It is not the rifle that is the limiting factor rather it is the hunter. What is YOUR limit? How far can you accurately shoot? Take off 50-100 yards and that is your limit (a little bit of adrenaline can really foul up an otherwise great shot).

As for the BLR, personally I have never been a fan of any Brownings except the Belgian made Auto 5s. That being said in the hands of a good shot any single shot 30-06, 308, 270, etc will be perfectly acceptable for moose and/or deer. Knowing that many "hunters" feel the need for rapid second (third, forth, etc) shots, a bolt action would be my preference. Accurate, dependable and usually reasonably priced.

A Remington 700, Marlin XL-7 or XS-7, Savage 11/111 (or equivalent), Stevens 200, Ruger 77, etc. Are all excellent hunting rifles.

I prefer the 30-06/308/270 class of cartridges. Ammo is very plentiful or if you handload, components are plentiful with a great variety.

 

[two-dogs]

The BLR is an excellent choice. You will have a fine rifle as accurate as any hunting rifle needs to be and then some. The 308 is a great cartridge for many reasons. I have many short action BLR's and love 'em all. Happy hunting.

 

[Drillbit]

BLR 308's are excellent hunting rifles and would be a great choice.

 

[cosmic]

Thing is - you're very unlikely to put the distance capability of any centre-fire rifle to test hunting big game in south/central Ontario. Example - 99 percent of shots are under 100y at our deer camp, and most of those are at moving animals. For this reason, a light rapid firing gun is preferred by most deer hunters. The BLR is on the preferred list.
To boot, it has a clip and iron sights - very functional features.

 

[woolly]

To boot, it has a clip and iron sights - very functional features.

I'm curious. What advantage does a removable magazine offer? For the most part 5 rounds is 5 rounds whether in an internal magazine or a detachable magazine. I would think if you couldn't hit the animal after 5 rounds give it up.

I have seen more detachable magazines that malfunctioned than internal magazines. Perhaps it is because the internal magazines never get sat on or dropped in the mud, etc.

I have yet to see an internal magazine get lost, be left in the truck or back at the camp or home or be the wrong magazine for the rifle.

 

[Calum]

BLR 308's are excellent hunting rifles and would be a great choice.

Personally I'd rather a BLR in 7mm08.

 

[icedog]

I think the detachable mag can be a truck or ATV thing. You're on your way to or from your hunting area, exploring some new territory,... or dare I suggest "road hunting", and you see a moose, deer, bear,... whatever. Grab the rifle, jump out of the truck (off the ATV), slap the pre-loaded detach mag into place, and your ready for the pursuit. Definitely not everyone's idea of a "hunt", but a frequently successful way of putting meat in the freezer for some.

 

[fiddler]

I'm curious. What advantage does a removable magazine offer?

As said above, easy to load and unload. If you're in and out of a vehicle or ATV, its a useful convenience. Consider how one would load and unload a lever action with a tube magazine, then compare the ease of a removable mag.

 

[cbabes]

Thanks for all the reponses. It helps.

 

[cosmic]

Yes - We're in and out of camp several times a day, using four wheelers, etc. A detachable mag is extremely convenient. I dont know of anyone who has lost a mag. I guess if one was concerned about losing a mag, one could always tie a string to it like on mittens for children...

 

[KePet]

I've had a BLR in .308 for years. It shoots MOA at 100. 150gr for dear. 180 for moose. In mine the 180 gr Wallywolrd Winchester will drop 10" at 300 yards. Never had to shoot farther than that with it. My nephew has used it the last two years: 7 white tail and I think he's used 8 rounds of ammo. Great choice for a hunting rifle; light, fast , handy, quick follow-up shot if required, and mild recoil in the .308. One of the nicest all-round guns I own.

 

[Toomanyguns]

I had of the recent ones. I was very disappointed with how the rust bubbled up from under the bluing. Decent shooter, quick, and very handy rifle but I was disgusted with the rust bubbling up.

Maybe I got one from a bad batch but I doubt I would ever purchase another.

 

[stickhunter]

I had of the recent ones. I was very disappointed with how the rust bubbled up from under the bluing. Decent shooter, quick, and very handy rifle but I was disgusted with the rust bubbling up.

Maybe I got one from a bad batch but I doubt I would ever purchase another.

Toomanyguns, where'd you see the rust occurring? I ask because if it was on the receiver then it would have been some other sort of corrossion since the receiver is an aluminum alloy on the newer BLRs.