Looking to learn about the BLR

BullOnParade

BullOnParade

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Eastern Ontario
I've been interested in a BLR for a while. I've browsed them several times on EE over the years, held a couple in stores, but I can never figure out what I want from all the options available.

Is there a particular thread on CGN or elsewhere, with a large deposit of information, or a specific website which proves invaluable to those of us looking to further understand the platform? If no one can provide something, maybe we can start to gather that necessary information here?

As I have gathered, there's an post '81/pre '81 divide. There's a take down vs non take down. There's straight grip or pistol grip. There's two or three different countries of origin? These factors all seem to add up to a price tag between $600-1200 plus or minus for wear and accessories. Just being able to straighten out what is fair market price for any particular set of defining characteristics would help me pick my first BLR.

Thanks in advance!
 
The only advice I can give is if you buy a pre '81, you're looking at minimum $200 for a spare magazine. I had one in .308 with a bulged muzzle that despite the issue, still shot very well. They're nice rifles.
 
To the OP. I own a few and they are my preferred lever rifle. Mine are all blued, straight grip, and post '81. The sum total of my personal experience with the BLR has resulted in this outcome. The most important factor, IMO, is ergonomic. Handle both pistol grip and straight grip and go from there. The rifle will tell you which to choose. Everything else is less important. Mine are Japanese, made by Miroku, and I believe they are as good or better than the original Browning manufactured guns.
 
My wife had a steel framed straight gripped BLR 81( newer model) that shot very well and was heavy enough to absorb recoil but not so heavy it was a burden. The triggers are notoriously heavy and can be reduced but gunsmiths are loathe to do this because of the time it takes and the resultant sticker shock to the customer. I have a copy of guntechs article for the BLR that he wrote for Brownells Gunsmith Kinks that simplifies the timing issue with reassembly but I still would not try it myself. Take down guns have never appealed to me and unless you fly frequently with a rifle I don't see a purpose except for the novelty.
 
I've had a few in the last dozen years or so of both.
All good.
One I sold as the trigger was a bit heavy for my liking.
I prefer the straight grip and my latest has the roll over hammer which
I thought was a gimmick, but it has grown on me.

Great units if you don't mind the heavyish triggers.
 
Rarely are these rifles priced reasonably on the used market. That's been my experience at least. Yes they are an aquired taste but probably the best platform on the market if you want a longer range lever gun. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but they are nicer than the Henry long ranger imho. I concur with others that straight grip is nicer.
 
I own 4 BLR-81, the trigger are a little heavy but still ok, luv the smooth action. They all are good shooter, those are very nice rifle with their straight grip.

257 Robert…
243....
308....
358....
 
I have a '71 in 243 straight stocked nice handy little rifle that carrys well and is plenty accurate just mounted a new 2-7 Leopould on mine, you'll get no complaints from me, as for it being ugly i've never heard the deer complain, but they have been known to fall over at the sight of it....
 
Love my BLRs. Have 2 takedowns (.308, .358) and a pistol grip .358. Have had a few others. Lightweight, handy, cool as hell (IMHO). Trigger is heavy for sure, but this is a working gun meant for the field not a bench rest rifle. And its really easy to learn how to deal with a heavier trigger. As for accuracy....My 3 shot groups from last week. Gettin ready for hunting season.

Pistol Grip .358 w/Leupold 1.5-4x VR-R Scope shooting Hornady factory 200gr SP
qXGIu6M.jpg


Takedown .358 w/ Leupold 1.5-5x VX-R Scope shooting Hornady factory 200Gr SP
pgvReoA.jpg
 
I purchased a used, straight grip BLR in 7mm-08 for my wife a few years back. It has downed numerous deer and a moose or two (using 160gr Nosler Partition handloads) quite efficiently.

The detachable magazine is very handy, and the action is (as has been noted) very smooth. The trigger IS on the heavy side, like most lever actions, but its ability to shoot spitzer bullets, unlike most lever actions, is a big plus. The only other lever guns I am readily aware of that can do this are the Savage 99 and the Winchester Model 88.
My wife is right-handed, but is LEFT eye dominant, and hence must shoot left-handed. The BLR accommodates this easily.

The only other comment I would make on the BLR is that it has a fair drop to the comb, making felt recoil somewhat of an issue. I have heard it said that recoil in anything above a .308 can be heavier than expected in this rifle. (But I can't attest to this personally)
Perhaps those who have shot the heavier calibers can speak to this?
 
I’ve had a few blrs. My go to now is a takedown stainless laminate straight grip in 325 wsm. I’ve had a straight grip takedown in 30-06 and a hogstalker takedown In 308. The triggers are heavy no doubt and the short actions are the way to go in this format. All of mine have shot 1 Moa with handloads. If you like rifles that point and handle quick these are it. The 325 recoils but I certainly don’t find it any worse than the 300’s. The front end comes up more than a bolt gun I find. But I’ve shot deer at 15 yards with them and elk at 400 yards. I’ve never felt the need for longer barreled bolt guns even in open country and I live in open country. The magazines on them are slick to. All metal and with a quick push they drop right out. I think the pistol grip models might offer a higher comb and better cheek weld to if that’s an issue. But as mentioned earlier do not take them apart lol. The timing on them can be a nightmare. Try one out I bet you will like it.
 
DTM5 said:
Love my BLRs. Have 2 takedowns (.308, .358) and a pistol grip .358. Have had a few others. Lightweight, handy, cool as hell (IMHO). Trigger is heavy for sure, but this is a working gun meant for the field not a bench rest rifle. And its really easy to learn how to deal with a heavier trigger. As for accuracy....My 3 shot groups from last week. Gettin ready for hunting season.

Pistol Grip .358 w/Leupold 1.5-4x VR-R Scope shooting Hornady factory 200gr SP
qXGIu6M.jpg


Takedown .358 w/ Leupold 1.5-5x VX-R Scope shooting Hornady factory 200Gr SP
pgvReoA.jpg
Click to expand...

You got that flier too? ;)

7WSM , Swift SC II.

 
I shoot a BLR stainless, laminate takedown in 358 Win. I love it! I have a Burris scout on the forward rail and as a result the takedown is always zeroed. I have a Skinner LO-PRO that I have placed in the rear mount hole which lines up nice with the original factory front site which makes for a nice back-up peep. I am not getting sub MOA but a legitimate 1.5 inch 3 shoot groups. I have a load with Reloder 7 and 158 grain pistol bullets that comes out at almost 3000 fps and shoots a solid 1.5 MOA. Amazing at exploded spoiled veggies..... and gophers;)

The aluminum receiver cuts the weight by a pound and I like that.

As others have mentioned, the trigger is heavy but I find mine quite smooth and accuracy does not suffer for any practical purpose.

Go for it!
 
I have had pre and post 81 BLR's in 358 Win and 243. All have been capable of MOA accuracy.
Never should have sold the 243, as it was a Belgian rifle. Would love to find a 257 Roberts.
I prefer the pre-81's for their steel receivers. And to me, the nicer lines of the action (as compared to the newer LWT's). And I also prefer the straight grip over the pistol grip. Again, this is just my preference.
Great rifles that are fun to carry and shoot! Quick, and handy.
Yes, triggers are heavy, but once you learn yours, you can do well with it.
Would actually like to get a T/D and do a switch barrel rig with barrels in 250 Savage and 338 Federal.
 
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