Opinions: BLR vs Henry Long Ranger as main hunting gun

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What do people think of these rifles? Which would you choose if you were looking for a replacement "main hunting rifle"? I'm planning to trade my Weatherby Vanguard S2 308 for one of these. (Other hunting gun will be a JM Marlin 336).

BLR caliber thread seems to have concluded a BLR should be 7-08/308/358. What caliber would you want your long ranger to be?

Anyone have strong feelings on either of these guns? Why? Why is the other side wrong and evil?

Edit: Anyone want to help me with a trade PM your proposal :)
 
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Neither, but if you just gotta do a lever as your main hunting rifle, it is hard to go wrong with a BLR in .308.
 
My choice would be the BLR,.... 358win if you handload,.. 308win if you don't. In all fairness this is a bias choice because I have BLRs and don't have a Henry Long Ranger.
When I first discovered Henry was making this rifle I strongly considered trying to get one in 308,.. but after doing some research and watching videos of the Long Ranger I discovered that it had ejection problems,.. every video I have watched shows a spent case not clearing the chamber and just laying in the open action to potentially cause a jam,.. go watch videos on YouTube, you will see for yourself.
I have also noticed the magazine does not enter and exit the action as slick as a BLR.
The Long Ranger appears to be an attempt by Henry to copy the BLRs rack and pinion action, box magazine style.
I think it is a nice looking rifle with its nicely grained satin finished wood and matte finished steel. If Henry has fixed the ejection issue it would likely be a great rifle.
 
A strong consideration is that the BLR has a long and proven track record... it is a known entity... the Henry Long Ranger is a new design... although I have only had positive experiences with Henry products.
 
Every time I consider buying a BLR I remember that Henry rifles are made in NA and that I would be supporting NA manufacturing jobs something I like to try and do whenever possible. Then I remember how much I like the fit and feel of Remington 760/7600's and shortly after that the Scotchish ancestry that wrestles with my rifle looneyism takes hold and reminds me that I barely have time to hunt rifles I own now and I put my wallet away. It is a sad and frustrating ordeal to want something, be able to afford it but still talk yourself out of buying it. The tragic part is after resisting good deals I occasionally break down and over pay because I can't resist any longer and just got to have what I want now. The human mind is a strange and fragile thing isn't it.
 
Blr in .308.

The sausage and jerky in my freezer says it works perfect.

The lone ranger looks great tho! I think you will be happy with either or.
 
Jim870 said:
Every time I consider buying a BLR I remember that Henry rifles are made in NA and that I would be supporting NA manufacturing jobs something I like to try and do whenever possible. Then I remember how much I like the fit and feel of Remington 760/7600's and shortly after that the Scotchish ancestry that wrestles with my rifle looneyism takes hold and reminds me that I barely have time to hunt rifles I own now and I put my wallet away. It is a sad and frustrating ordeal to want something, be able to afford it but still talk yourself out of buying it. The tragic part is after resisting good deals I occasionally break down and over pay because I can't resist any longer and just got to have what I want now. The human mind is a strange and fragile thing isn't it.
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LOL I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one with this problem...

Back on topic, I had a BLR but could never warm up to it. My example had a pretty poor (heavy) trigger. But I still like the idea of a lever gun with a detachable magazine and modern calibers. I think I would take a look at the Henry if/when I give the idea another try, the Henry at least has no barrel band and a the fore end is attached directly to the receiver and fully free floated and that should help accuracy.
 
hoytcanon said:
Neither, but if you just gotta do a lever as your main hunting rifle, it is hard to go wrong with a BLR in .308.
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Yup, plenty of Swamp Donnie’s been harvested in Quebec with a 308...
Depends what you style is, going for nostalgia or the classic Browning look?
Your call, but 308 will put meat on the table as will the 358, 7-08 and the 308.
There is no easy choice as the easy choice was yesterday.
Rob
 
If it's a matter of of form over function... The Henry is your huckleberry.

But, a stainless BLR PG (pistol grip stock) takedown in .358 would be what I'd throw my money at if I had money to spend, and was able to find such a beast, I'm sure how many of those were ever made, or how hard to get a hold of them, but one of those would be cool
 
As someone who owns a BLR and a 99, both in .308, I say go with the BLR

I like the 99 but the BLR is hands down the better rifle IMO
 
Question..."do you like blondes, or brunettes?" Answer..."redheads!"

I have no personal experience with the Henry Long Ranger, but have owned four different BLRs, two 308 and two 358, all were decent shooters. I would try to find a good used Browning steel receiver BLR in any of the chamberings you are considering. They are a solid rifle, feel good in the hands, point naturally, and work equally well with irons or optics.
 
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