modern BLR users?

TargetAcquired

TargetAcquired

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Hello:

Was handling a BLR takedown hogger today in .223, and I could barely put it down. Beautiful gun aesthetically, and in function. One of the nicest working actions I've used - I'm not someone who's handled every gun ever, so don't take offence to that if you're got a nicer gun - I just think it was amazingly smooth and tight, the takedown is very secure and rock solid.

It comes in a bunch of calibers, but I'm leaning more toward the .223. Its a caliber I'm interested in, but have no experience with. I have 30-30 and .303 hunting arms for bigger game, which is something I do rarely at best anyway.

Any other BLR users out there that have anything worth mentioning? Good or bad. Bonus points if yours is a takedown as well. The one I tried had a straight grip, which I really like, but BLR comes pistol gripped as well. I don't know if I would say one is necessarily more comfortable than the other (for me), but in terms of looks, I prefer the straight grip.

It's not that I'm worried about the price, but $1300 was not how I envisioned myself getting into .223, so I'm on the fence. The action is amazing, but fairly complicated internally - has that been a downfall at all to any owners here? Also to consider, while I love the rotating bolt + magazine configuration, extra mags are about $100 - something I'm not easily getting my head around.
 
I have a Model 81 Lightweight takedown in .308 and, as I said on a different thread, it is the one gun i will NEVER EVER sell! It is, by a LONG shot, the best deer and black bear rifle I have EVER owned (and I been doin' this shooting thing for over 50 years by now...). Best bush gun I ever had - not a single malfunction or breakdown of any kind whatsoever in hundreds and hundreds of rounds fired. Two Thumbs Up!!


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The BLR 81 Lightweight is a fantastic gun, both in the regular and takedown version. They are great carrying, wonderfully balanced and generally shoot very well. I enjoyed using mine for many years until I sold it recently. But it shot 3 moose and always performed as required. Will likely get another at some point,

Patrick
 
I have the takedown in stainless laminate in .308 Win. My only complaint is that the trigger on mine had double the factory-spec weight.
(spec is 4.5 lbs, mine was 8.8 lbs).

Extra magazines are much harder to find than the rifles.

Hunting regs or game species may shape your chambering choices. .223 Rem is not legal for big game hunting in NS, for example.

If you are primarily interested in paper punching .223 Rem is a great choice.

The takedown lockup is claimed to be tight with good return to zero. It certainly seems that way to me.
I'm using a factory (forward) scout-mount so I have no way to verify that claim.

One of the less-touted advantages of a takedown rifle is that the barrel is much easier to clean from the breech.
 
What are your expected uses for a 223? If its for coyotes and such it would be a good choice but for multiple shots at varmints the light barrel heats up quickly. My wife had a BLR in 308 ( steel receiver) and liked it but for the over heavy trigger. They are well made an ergonomic in function.
 
medvedqc said:
Sk8r,

did the accuracy remains even after removing/taking down the barrel?

if yes that is one of the best gun for flyin-in and not that much expensive ...
Click to expand...

Doesn't discernably change the zero at all. And I travel mostly by canoe - the gun does get unintentionally banged around a bit on carries etc - never had a problem.
 
A takedown one in .308 has been on my lust list for a while, but I always find other stuff to buy.

How have you found the takedown lever sticking out? Is it a critical weakness waiting to break?
 
Have a takedown pistol grip in 300wsm. I've mounted a zero magnification red dot on it and I consistently shoot about one inch at 100 yards. Makes me think that if I put a real scope on it it could possibly be my most accurate rifle. Never had the zero move noticeably after takedown. The take down is very nice for cleaning. The trigger is horrible, but I love the gun. Will be taking it elk hunting next week, wish me luck.
 
The takedown lever itself seems strong enough, but I could see the possibility of it getting "munched" by bad circumstances.

Guess I should look into spares for the surrounding.
 
I shot one a while ago in 450 Marlin. I think I fell in love. I work in the bush and it would be a handy little gun that wouldn't take up much space in my truck, but would be a handy bear gun when away from my truck. I didn't even realize it was a takedown until the guy showed me the lever.
Kristian
 
Stevebot-7 said:
A takedown one in .308 has been on my lust list for a while, but I always find other stuff to buy.

How have you found the takedown lever sticking out? Is it a critical weakness waiting to break?
Click to expand...

Never had an issue with it. It's really a solid mechanism - not flimsy or delicate.
 
I have a pistol grip in 30-06. Surprisingly accurate with 180 grain Remingtons. I used to own a '81 straight grip in 243. The shorter action was smoother, but the chamber tolerances were such that it did not like to chamber reloads (this may have been me not full length sizing properly, but i have heard the same complaint from other Browning owners). Both were beautiful guns and a pleasure to shoot. Consider something larger than the 223 unless all you want to kill are varmints and paper.
 
Okay maybe nothing to do with the take down model in particular and i know you said modern but possibly something to consider just the same.

I like these rifles.Feel comfy and handy.I personally prefer the feel of the pistol grip stocks.

Only thing about them is if you get one with a crappy heavy trigger i don't believe there is anyone in in Canada that does anything with them trigger wise ,so if you get one that has a very heavy trigger on it you are stuck with it. Anyone who knows someone here in Canada that can do something with them feel free to correct me.I would like to know. As far as i know you are stuck with what you get. So i would suggest trying a few out for trigger pull before buying.

Only other issue i know of is that the gears can jump the timing.

My late fater had one with a very low round count that jumped the timing rendering it useless during a hunt. I know of one other gentleman here that had the same thing happen as well. Both rifles were in .308 Win. whether that had anything or not to do with it i don't know. I have read of others having the same problem.

My mother had one in .308 as well she used for deer hunting and never had any problems with it and i know far more people who have used them without problems then with, but the jumped timing left a bit of a sour taste and doubts in my mind just the same.

Those two here that jumped timing were both older models with the hang down Mags. Not sure if this is an issue with the newer ones or not. Most likely someone on here with experiance with the newer ones can chime in on the issue.

Maybe it is a non issue anymore. Something to consider if it is though.
 
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I would love a third BLR in anything stainless steel. Wife told me that two is enough for now until I finish my University degree! I can't wait to get done!
 
I have a non takedown in a .308. Great rifle for hunting. Short, light weight and easy to carry in the bush. The only thing I don't like is the shiny clearcoat on the wood. It seems to scratch up easier than other finishes and is harder to touch up when it gets' nicked. I've thought about stripping it down and refinishing it, but haven't found the energy yet.
 
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