Does Your BLR Shoot?

[Blowtorch53]

I just got in my third BLR.  It is a Lightweight .308 and it is like new.  I bought another of the same model in .358.  I also have a Model 81 straight stock in 7MM-08.  I just got back from the shooting range with the 7MM.  I tried 175 grain and 140 grain handloads.  The 175's are out.  6-1/2" groups (patterns).  The 140's were a little better.  Shot some Fusion 140 grainers and these made about a 4" pattern.  I bought the 7mm a week or so ago and it had a cheap Simmons scope but it is very clear.  Doesn't have much eye relief and now I have a sore nose.  However, I don't really think the scope is the problem.

I had about the same results with the .358 a couple of weeks ago.  It has a Browning 2 x 7 scope which I understand is a Bushnell.  I will keep trying.

It probably would help if the trigger pulls on these guys didn't feel like pulling a tractor out of the mud.  I strained my trigger finger muscle trying to get both of them to shoot! 

I haven't yet scoped the .308 but I am open for suggestions.  I have some very accurate Marlin rifles and a super accurate Winchester 88, so I know it's not all me.  The Winchester has a tough trigger also but it shoots 1" at 100 yds.

Thanks,

Blowtorch

[Hairtrigger]

I have a Steel Receiver BLR-81 in 223 that will shoot moa easily.
I have an older BLR in 308 made in Belgium that will shoot moa with handloads.
Those are the only centerfire BLR's I have shot

[Lloyd Smale]

my dad hunts with a blr in 308. His is one of the first guns after they went from belguim to jap made guns. His likes 165 grain sierras either in handloads or fed premium factory ammo. Shoots them into about 1.5 inch at 100 yards. It didnt do near as well with 150s though.

[pagris]

Blowtorch53:  I own 4 BLRs and all of them are fine shooters.  It is true that the triggers are not great, but I think you will find that they improve with use.  Since you are reloading, allow me to provide you with a few loads that have done well in mine:

7mm-08  130 gr Speer SP  42.0 gr IMR 4064  COL = 2.73"

7mm-08  130 gr Speer SP  48.0 gr IMR 4350  COL = 2.73"

358 Win  180 gr. Speer FP  47.0 gr IMR 3031  COL = 2.68"

358 Win  200 gr. Hornady RN  26.5 gr  IMR SR4759  (A reduced-recoil recreational shooting load)

Although none of these are very hot loads, all of the usual warnings apply - work up to these in your rifles.

These are just some loads that I happen to have here in front of me -I have more data elsewhere of loads that have done well in these two calibers.

It may be that the 175 grain bullets aren't traveling fast enough to stabilize with the barrel's twist rate in the 7mm-08 - did you notice any signs of keyholing? You might also want to play around with the COLs of your loads - I occasionally find a load where varying the COL makes a significant difference.

I would also suggest that, if your scope is punching you in the nose while you are shooting the 7mm-08, you will definitely not shoot well, even if you think it isn't bothering you.

Lastly, I believe Redfield made scopes for Browning, at least at one time, though I am not positive about that.

Don't give up on them just yet - they are fine rifles.  Good Luck!

1977 .358 BLR
1980 .358 BLR - original owner
1987 .243 '81 BLR
1991 7mm-08 '81 BLR

[ncsurveyor]

So far, my browning BLR in 257 Bob is shooting 100's, 117's and 120's factory loads <2moa.

Hope to start reloading soon on it.

[Blackhawk44]

My three BLR's will shoot 1.25" or less with factory ammo and less with handloads.  First, try three shot groups.  Their light barrels heat too quickly to show well with five shot groups.  Second, put the front sandbag under the action instead of the forearm.  Groups ususally become much more consistant.  Third, most decent gunsmiths can bring the weight of the trigger pull down a good bit.  Since their trigger is a lever against a lever type arrangement, it will always have some creep, but that can be controlled. 
Finally, you may have to try another scope.  Something is not right with that Simmons causing such short eye relief that a 7mm-08 would whack your eyebrow.  

[ncsurveyor]

..................  First, try three shot groups.  Their light barrels heat too quickly to show well with five shot groups.  ..........................  

No doubt about that.  Mine was hot to the touch after the third.

Remember, its a primordial hunting rifle.  Hopefully you won't need past one, let alone three.  Unless you shoot three deer.

[Blowtorch53]

Thanks Pagris and all you guys for the help.  I will try some of the 130 grain loads and see how they work.  I shot some Fusion ammo. yesterday and it was a lot better.  This seems to be some pretty accurate stuff in everything I've tried it in.  I also used some of my 140 grain handloads.  Got about a 2-1/2" group.  I think you are all right about the barrel heating.  It gets pretty hot in a few shots so maybe I am crowding it.  My scope is the problem though.  I need to get a 2 x 7 Leupold like I have on all my others and do it right.   I wanted to take this rifle antelope hunting in west Texas in October so I'd better get it right!  I don't know anyone in the Houston area to work on a trigger and it really needs help.  Any ideas?  Thanks BT53

[superdown]

 Just fine thanks for asking

[jcn59]

You may have as much help as you need but here's my 2 cents anyways.

1.  Thoroughly clean the bores on used guns that don't shoot well, esp. the 7mm.  REALLY scrub it!

2.  I can change group size by experimenting with torque on the bolt at the end of the fore end on my steel receiver Jap 81 in. 358.  Maybe you can improve your groups by loosening or tightening the bolt on your gun ??

At 100 yards, my BLR shoots almost anything into 3 shot groups of 1 3/8" or less.  Sometimes as small as 3/4". Usually an inch.

[bentrod]

I got a new 308 in 2000, I didn't think it would shoot better than 2.5 moa for 5 shot groups, but now I can keep it close to 1/2" at 100 yd with 3 rounds. I just can't get a good 5 round group, even in cool weather with 1 full minute between shots. But I know it will be right on for the first 3, only need 1. Everything is handloaded. And yes the  trigger is in the lever, heavy with lots of creep, and not many gunsmiths will work on it, but I heard of one in Montana,  I may send my rifle to him this spring. But over all I really like my BLR, the detachable mag. is a big pluss, and the rifle is so handy and easy to carry.

bentrod

[Lloyd Smale]

blackhawk hit on something important with theses guns. You are just not going to shoot moa groups with one with an out of the box trigger. My dads was around 8 lbs as it came and had lots of creap. It is now 2.5 lbs and crisp.  Another thing ive noticed with the blrs ive shot is there all more ammo sensitive then the average bolt gun. they can be accurate but it takes more experementing with loads to find the majic one and its an expensive proposistion to keep buying boxes of factory ammo just to find out they dont shoot in your gun. We got lucky with dads gun. I tried maybe 5 different factory rounds mostly 150s and the best it would do was 3 inch which to me is exceptable with a gun like that. I started fooling around with working up loads for it and found it had a definate prefernce for 165 sierras. I noticed one day while in the gun shop that fed preimium ammo used this bullet and picked up a box and the gun did better with it then any of my handloads. I call it a 1.5 inch 100 yard load but i use the largest groups shot with a load to rate them. Ive shot many groups with this ammo out of this rifle that went under 1 inch. Again like was allready said on another post here the guns tend to string when the barrel gets hot and it gets hot fast so you need to go slow with your shooting and keep your barrel from getting to hot.

[Blowtorch53]

I am going to clean it.  I mounted a Leupold 2 x 7 on it.  I am going to try all types of ammo.  I am going to see if I can find a gunsmith in Houston that has a delicate touch with a stone on the trigger.  If that don't work...I'm going to trade it for a Savage 99 .303.  The reason I got hit with the scope is I became complacent and held it loosely since it doesn't have any recoil.  I had been shooting my 9.3 Mauser at the same time which kicks a lot more.  If you want to get a real crease above the eye..try a .458 Lott.  My boss has one and I don't want to shoot it anymore.  Anyone got a .303 they want to get rid of?  I don't want a collector...just a nice one with a good bore that I can shoot.

Thanks for your help!!!

BT

[jcn59]

I have a 1899 in .303 Savage that I might part with.  Thing is, I think ALL Savage 1899s are "collectors".   Mine was made in 1904.  It's in good shape; I shot a deer with it a couple years ago.  Works fine.  I might take a BLR in trade.  PM me if we need to talk.  Ammo is easy enough to come by.  I bought some recent manufacture new stuff from a guy named Tony Sailor in Stanley, WI..    I bought dies so I could reload it.