Lever for Hunting in West

[Savorino]

I am trying to pick up a lever that could perform long range shooting like in the West. The candidates are a Savage 99 in 308 or a BLR in 308 or 7-08.
What do you think?
Which has better trigger?
Which has typically given you better acuracy?
Sav

[Lloyd Smale]

it would be hard to beat a 308 browing for an all around whitetail mule deer gun. It wiill need a trigger job though!! Personaly id take a winchester 3030 and a reciever sight and feel fine out to 200 yards and if the shot was father id do an old fashion thing they call walking.

[32-20]

I have been thinking of selling one of my sav. 99eg's in 308 if you are looking for one.

[pastorp]

I personally prefer a gun with a exposed hammer. The blr has a 20" barrel the 99 a 22". Really I think it boils down to whichever you like the best. Which one feels the best.
 
When I lived in the rocky mountains I killed a lot of game with a belgium browning BLR in 308. If I could only have one rifle for all my big game hunting that would be the one.  Regards, Byron

[Savorino]

All
Thanks for the info!
I'd like to have both a Savage 99 and a BLR someday. One in 358 Win and one in 308  (or 7-08). At one time I was thinking of collecting one of each of the lever guns in  the caliber they made famous or kept alive. Marlin 336 in 35Rem, Savage 99 in 300Sav, BLR in 358Win, Win94 in 30-30. But then I decided it's got to be what works best for me first. Regards
Sav

[SM Bob]

I think both the BLR and the Savage 99 are great rifles. It might take a little longer for you to find
a 99 in the right shape that you are looking for. On the other hand you can go right down to the
local gun shop and pick up your BLR. It is kind of a Ford vs Chevy thing. It all boils down to what
you prefer. I happen to prefer the Savage 99. I have been looking for a 99 in 308 or 300 savage
that is in good shape for a good price for a while and haven't located one locally yet. I have seen
a few online that I would like to have, but every gun store around my area wants $80- $95 to do
a FFL transfer + a $20 dross fee. So I am going to try to locate one locally. I really like the way that
the 99 is balanced and the way it points. I plan to keep checking the pawn shops and gun shops
in the area till I find one.

                                                        Robert
 

[Hook686]

http://www.gunblast.com/Browning-BLR358.htm

talks about the Browning BLR ... nice lever action rifle.

[Savorino]

Well, we got one for Savage now, and about four for BLR.
How 'bout those that had both, can you make a point about accuracy for one or the other?
Sav

[Anduril]

any votes for that new 308 Marlin Express?
not the same as a REAL 308, but kind of close.

or maybe a 444 or 45-70. can't get more western that that.
..

[pastorp]

Either the blr or the 99 will be plenty accurate for hunting big game. You don't need a 1/2" shooter to kill deer.  Just find the gun you like, then a load the gun likes and go hunting. Regards, Byron

Anduril, neither the 444 or 45/70 have the range for a all around western big game hunting rifle. They are more speciality guns.

[Blackhawk44]

Thirty five years with three BLR's gives them my vote.  The trigger may not be match perfect, but a good gunsmith can really help.  .308 Marlin?!  Remember for now it only works with store bought ammo (not yet seen at Wally World) since they don't sell the little rubber tipped bullets to handloaders.   

[Anduril]

Perhaps I shouldn't be posting in this thread since I have no first hand experience with either the Savage or Browning lever actions. but I am looking for a nice 99 to turn into a .358.  My guess is that they will both go BANG and put meat in the freezer (big help huh?). Like Byron said, find one you like and go hunting.


( just my opinion, but even in the west, if you're shooting much past 200 yards you are not hunting. )

[LEO]

I have a Savage 99F in 308. It will put 5 shots into 1 3/4" at 100 yards as long as you don't let the barrel heat up.  I agree PastorP in that we often get too caught up in the accuracy issue in big game rifles.  I admit I like accurate rifles, I have a 7 mm Rem Mag that is a true 3/4" 5 shot at 100 yards rifle (it will do it every time if you do your part, not just shot a 3/4" group once).  Now with that said, I don't need that kind of accuracy to shoot a deer at reasonable hunting ranges but no I am not going to get rid of it.  My point being the Savage is plenty accurate for shooting at game at the majority or ranges that game is shot at and with some tinkering it might even shoot better.  Now would I shoot at a deer at 500 yards with it, no but then I wouldn't shoot at a deer at 500 yards with my 7 mm either, not that either rifle wouldn't kill a deer at that range but because I haven't practiced enough at that range recently to be confident in my abilities at that range.  There was a time when a deer at 500 yards was meat in the freezer but I was shooting a lot more at long ranges then.  I think the Savage is a neat old school classic rifle but they are as expensive as the Brownings for ones in good shape and there is no factory support if something goes wrong.  So while I am not selling my Savage if I were looking for a rifle for hard use I would go with the Browning BLR.

[pastorp]

Anduril, the savage99's in orginal 358cal. get pricy if in excellent condition. The pre-million s# ones don't lend themselves to a rebarrel easily. A good condition late model F in 308 would be a good canadiate for a rebore and chamber to 358.

Or buy a blr. Thats my choice. Regards, Byron

[Savorino]

Great info.
the kind of stuff I was hoping to get out of this post.
As I stated I would like to own at least one of each, and am a firm believer in minute of deer being the most important. But I would like to be ready for a hunt in the West, and have a freind whose a "bolt only" man that I would like to be able to put in his place. Or at least make him sweat. I believe my 336SC can give him some pause but may need some more help at 200yrds.
thanks.
Sav

[totallycustom]

I vote for the Savage, I have many friends that hunt with 99's of various calibers all around the west here.  They are a fine rifle.  I also vote for the Savage because it is made in America, its a part of our history.  The Brownings are made in japan or belgium, its a sad end to the company started by Americas finest gun designer.  I say go American- go Savage.

I think the factory support is a non-issue it is a popular rifle and many smiths know how to fix any problems with them.

-TC-

[baitwaister]

I own a Marlin 336, Win pre-64 94, a savage M99f .308, and have shot he BLR in the .308 a fair amount.  I love the Marlin and Winchesters for quick swing and shotgun like shooting(with open sights).The Savage is however my favorite all-around rifle I have ever carried. I own many bolt action rifles in a different calbers and the only one that comes close to the Savage is a M96 mauser 6.5 x 55 swede that I have sportirized. Oh yeah I am rambling again.  The Blr doesn't seem to mount nearly as smoothly and the trigger is STIFF.  Both the BLR and SAvage accuracy are good . Like many have said the you Can still go and buy a BLR but you have to hunt around for a 99 that is in good conditon and not priced out of this world.