Author Topic: BLR's -- Questions?? (Read 1254 times)

Ken in SENM · « **on:** February 07, 2003, 11:38:40 AM »

:?: I have been reading that some of you fellers seem to be fond of the BLRs. I like levers but have no experience with the Brownings. I mostly own some Marlins and a Winchester or two, and much prefer the Marlins. However, it finally struck me that the BLR has a detachable box mag which would open the door to other than flat pointed bullets. That would hafta be good, plus I just happen to like detachable mags anyway.

Would anyone share with me your thoughts about the BLR? Accuracy? Function? Case life -- does the action allow stretching like the rear locking bolts in the others?. Cost? I know that anything with the name Browning on it is gonna cost some extra bucks, but are they worth it, I mean from a function and use standpoint? A guy would have to decide for himself whether the shiny wood and blue was worth the extra tariff.

I looked in a catalog at a dealer's today, and it listed in the short action: 22-250, .243, .308, and 7MM-08. The long action, with longer barrels were listed as: .270, .30-06, 7Mag, 300WinMag. I have no use for the 7Mag or the 300WM. I would really like to have a short action in .223. Otherwise, all those calibers are good 'uns. What do you like and why? I know that it depends some on what you do with it. Any of them oughta punch a coyote's ticket, specially if you are not a hide saver? Any of them oughta punch any other game's ticket from small whitetail up to elk or so. I personally would not use the 22-250 in my country for deer, and the .243 is somewhat limited, simply because ranges are pretty long. Same goes for pronghorn, but the rest sure oughta get the job done.

The catalog did not list prices. The dealer would have called, but I was just looking. Can you tell me the price range for these? I am not really thrilled about how shiny these rifles are. I am more fond of an oil finish. I guess a guy could change that with lots of work, and then it would lose some of its resell value, so maybe I could learn to live with the shiny!! Anyhooo, any info you care to share with me, good or bad, for or against, please lay it on me, and Thanks for your time.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2003, 01:04:04 PM »

my fathers .308 will shoot into 2" at 100 yards but the trigger is terrible.

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:03:21 PM »

I have an older 358 winchester and its a shooter, really loves cast bullets too. Have to agree with Lloyd though, trigger needs work, but to lazy to get it done lately. The magazine on my rifle will sometimes feed too many shells and jam the action. I replaced the Mag but the problem sometimes persists. Not sure what the fix is, but again, too lazy and busy to get it done.
Beautiful rifle, love the caliber, good case life, trigger needs work, old mag style suspect, but no, it's not for sale or trade.

Graycg

Balto · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2003, 03:10:23 PM »

I once had a BLR in 308 Caliber. It was the smoothest, slickest, handsomest, reliable, rifle that I ever owned. I had it equiped with a Williams fullproof peep site mounted on the side of the reciever --I never liked the look of scopes on lever action rifles. I ground down the gold beed so i could get a good sight picture on a 200 yd bulsey. I normally got easily 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds and 4-6" groups at 200 yards with this set up.

It was my "ramlbing" rifle. I never seriously hunted with it in Alaska only because I prefer scopes on my rifles and I am primarily a bolt action man. My bolt actions were just as reliable and one is even kind of pretty in my eyes. But I can honestly say that none were as fun to shoot as the Browning BLR. there is something really cool about levering a round and shooting 4 accurate shots on a target fairly rapidly. I practiced at 25 yds and up to 200. It was great fun....

I shot this rifle a lot, I mean a lot.... I am an avid reloader and my case life was execellent. Of all the rifles I have owned and sold this is the one I regret the most.

Why did I sell my BLR. Well I was short on cash at one time and I saw a sleek looking Win Mod 70 stainless steel 30-06 in a Walnut stock and was willing to trade most of my worldly possessions for this rifle.

I see Browning is coming out with a 358 this year. I am seriously contemplating it. By the way the trigger on my particular BLR was very good....Hope this helps....

Bob_K · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2003, 03:12:24 PM »

I have a BLR in .308. It is as accuracte as most any of my bolt guns, so I don't feel like I'm giving up anything in the accuracy department. Good looking rifle to boot, as most Brownings are. Regretably, I live in a shotgun county for hunting purposes so the BLR sees little use.

Border · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2003, 04:01:24 AM »

Glad to hear that you guys like the BLR.I just bought one in 308.It is going to be my deer rifle from now on.I hunt in NH and Maine and do a lot of still hunting.It sure seems like this Browning is going to be easy to carry.I am going to put a scope on it.Any ideas or suggestions?? Most of our shots here are at 75yds or less.

Graycg · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2003, 02:32:50 PM »

Boarder,
I think the BLR just cries out for a low power variable scope, I have a 1.5x4.5 by 20 Scopechief on my 358 BLR. Big objectives and the BLR just don't seem to go together.

regards,
Graycg

Enforcer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2003, 06:21:28 PM »

Quote from: Ken in SENM

:?: I have been reading that some of you fellers seem to be fond of the BLRs. I like levers but have no experience with the Brownings. I mostly own some Marlins and a Winchester or two, and much prefer the Marlins. However, it finally struck me that the BLR has a detachable box mag which would open the door to other than flat pointed bullets. That would hafta be good, plus I just happen to like detachable mags anyway.

Would anyone share with me your thoughts about the BLR? Accuracy? Function? Case life -- does the action allow stretching like the rear locking bolts in the others?. Cost? I know that anything with the name Browning on it is gonna cost some extra bucks, but are they worth it, I mean from a function and use standpoint? A guy would have to decide for himself whether the shiny wood and blue was worth the extra tariff.

I looked in a catalog at a dealer's today, and it listed in the short action: 22-250, .243, .308, and 7MM-08. The long action, with longer barrels were listed as: .270, .30-06, 7Mag, 300WinMag. I have no use for the 7Mag or the 300WM. I would really like to have a short action in .223. Otherwise, all those calibers are good 'uns. What do you like and why? I know that it depends some on what you do with it. Any of them oughta punch a coyote's ticket, specially if you are not a hide saver? Any of them oughta punch any other game's ticket from small whitetail up to elk or so. I personally would not use the 22-250 in my country for deer, and the .243 is somewhat limited, simply because ranges are pretty long. Same goes for pronghorn, but the rest sure oughta get the job done.

The catalog did not list prices. The dealer would have called, but I was just looking. Can you tell me the price range for these? I am not really thrilled about how shiny these rifles are. I am more fond of an oil finish. I guess a guy could change that with lots of work, and then it would lose some of its resell value, so maybe I could learn to live with the shiny!! Anyhooo, any info you care to share with me, good or bad, for or against, please lay it on me, and Thanks for your time.

I've got quite a few BLRs 22/250,257 Roberts,243Win,284Win,308Win and 358Win.My babies are the 257 and 284Win.You can't beat them for accuracy and bolt action ballistics from a lever action.Thats all!

Ken in SENM · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2003, 07:31:25 AM »

Thanks to all of you for your replys and information. I appreciate it very much.