Stainless BLR or Win 94 in 450 or Marlin 45-70?

T

thud

Member
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
London, Ontario
I just got the go ahead to get a new gun. I want to look at the Stainless BLR, does anyone know of a store that has one. I want the 308. I am going to hunt bear and moose with it. Thanks
EDIT; I called gobles and they have one for $1149
I think I will go with a blued/wood levergun. Now my choice is Winchester 94 in 450M or a BLR in any cal. or a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. Any help guys? I will be hunting around Chapleau in cutover areas and I weigh 180-190. Not very experienced with guns other than playing around with 303's and my handme down pre 64 win 94 in 32 special.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Generally speaking you should reload if you get a 45-70, as thefactory loads (except for some exotics) are quite weak. When you pick up the pace in the 45/70, or just the standard loads in the .450 Marlin, they wallop you pretty good. Considering you don't have much experience, it may not be the best scenario. Why not go with a BLR in a .358? It is very effective, and has much lower recoil. It can shoot a fairly heavy medium bore at the velocity required to anchor bullwinkle. The other choice is the .308 in the BLR. Again you will have lower recoil, much cheaper ammo and with good bullets it too is enough for a moose.
 
blr in 358 is an awsome round. the 308 has a little more range. maybe thats why i have blr's in both calibres. couldn't make a decision
 
My BLR in .308 is a hunting machine. Scares the #### out of the moose. :D

I love it.

165 interboonds with 41 grains of 3031 which will now be reduced to 39 or so because its too hot (I think 1899 told me that).:redface:
 
I have and use doth the BLR and a model 94. The 94 is a pain to unload unless it's pointed at a whitetail but great to carry. The BLR gets heavy and clumsy when dogging a swamp but is easy to load and unload with the clip. As for caliber you have enough choices to keep anyone happy. BLR 308, 358, 450. The 94 307, 356, 375, 450.
The best part is that you get to buy another gun.
 
Based on thud's previous experience, which is fairly limited, here is my $0.02 worth:

Join a gun club if you have not done so already. EESA is down in your neck of the woods, and stormbringer here on Gun Nutz can tell you all about it. then find out what day(s) guys bring in their center-fire rifles to shoot. Then SHOOT a bunch of rifles to get an idea of what FITS you, and what you enjoy shooting.

No sense laying out over a grand of hard-earned cash for a brand new gun and then find out for whatever reason it is not the best choice you ever made.

And I think the guys steering you towards medium calibres are providing good advice, based on what you have told us........

Doug
 
Thanks for all the input guys, I went out to TO yesterday, stopping at the Gun Room in Waterloo. I looked at the marlin guide gun in 45-70 and I handled a BLR in pistol grip. Both very nice guns. At BP there wasn't much selection in lever action, just one BLR in the standard stock in 308 I believe. Then I made my way over to LB and they had a stainless/laminated BLR in 358. It was $936 and I knew that Gobel's in London had one in 308 but I wanted a little more punch and the gun was cheaper by a fair bit at LB. So, I bought it and I can't wait to shoot it. I was a little excited and I forgot to buy any rounds for my new toy. I noticed a BP they didn't carry 358 ammo is it going to be hard to find? I had a friend with me looking for his first gun and he wanted a 22 lever. BP had one win94 left and after going to LB and finding out they didn't have any he started calling around and found out that noone had any left. We drove back from LB's to BP to buy the Win94 in 22. It was quite a day.
 
Yes, it can be a chore to find .358 Win ammo, but it is out there, and not cheap. If you are going to be doing much shooting, I would suggest getting started reloading if you are not already doing this (which seems to be the case). You can make .358 Win cases from .308 Win, and bullets are widely available.

The .358 is a very good cartridge, and the BLR is an excellent rifle, IMHO the most accurate of all the leverguns. Stainless/laminate would not be my personal preference (I like real wood, and blued metal), but they are sure pretty! Good for you!

BTW if buddy needed a lever gun in .22, he could have bought my Browning BL-22!!! ;-)

Doug
 
Cool rifle thud, I think you will be impressed with the rifle and cartridge although as Doug says it isn't the easiest ammo to find and, its a little pricey. I'd check back with where you bought it - you would think they'd have ammo for a rifle they're trying to sell.

And also like said, reloading is the answer for the .358 . (Sometimes, there's reloading 'contractors' that will roll some up for you. Just make sure they know what they're doing). Hopefuly eventually you'll get to reloading yourself and all will be right with the world :)
 
I called and Al Simmons has some ammo. LB's didn't have it, apparently only Winchester is making anything for 358 and they only run it once a year.

You're right Salty reloading is in order. Hopefully I can get into reloading next winter.
I was a little leary about buying the 358 but after reading up on it, I am 100% happy I went a little exotic rather than going to a smaller caliber or to a different gun. I have wanted a BLR for a long time and when I saw the stainless/laminated ones I am glad I bought it.
 
Thud, you'll love the 35 cal, I love mine.
My buddy shot a big doe with my 356 this year (and 250 gr FP's) and it made one hell of a hole in both sides.
 
I was a little leary about buying the 358 but after reading up on it, I am 100% happy
Click to expand...

You'll hear some of our "north of 60" members talking about all kinds of big beasts falling to the 'little .358' up there. ;) I've never owned one but its on my wanted list...
 
Good choice! I tend to agree with Doug on the wood/blued thing, but can't deny the practicality of the ss/laminate version. You can get a relatively inexpensive reloading kit from Lee. I think they run about $115 or so. Add dies and components and you are off to the races!
Let us know how it shoots!
 
I went to Hamilton today and bought the last 2 boxes of ammo 200gr. I am going out to the farm Saturday to shoot it. At almost $2.50 a shot I will be reading up on reloading equipment.
 
thud said:
I went to Hamilton today and bought the last 2 boxes of ammo 200gr. I am going out to the farm Saturday to shoot it. At almost $2.50 a shot I will be reading up on reloading equipment.
Click to expand...

Reloading is a great way to go. Wholesale sports lists ammo for the .358 Win at $34.99/box. But you could reload with 200gr Nosler Ballistic Tips for about $18/box or so. As you can see, you will recoup your investment quite quickly. Additionally, you will have a new and fun way to enjoy your sport. It's a win-win situation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom