You opinion on the Browning BLR in 308 stainless lightweight

[nasem]

Whats everyone's experience with these, my brother is REALLY trying to get one, but isn't sure what to expect.  Me and him are heavy bolt-action and semi believers, but we've never had a lever before.

the model he likes is the stainless with laminated stock (very pretty) and weights about 6.5 lbs in 308 win

[handirifle]

Never owned a BLR but came close to getting a 7-08 in one.  They have a great feel to them, in my mind, lock up like a bolt gun, so no pressure limits like a lever.

All the comments I have read have been very positive about them as for accuracy and reliability.

Have him get it and enjoy.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Just to point out the obvious----ALL guns have pressure limits----just some are higher---some are lower.

[ScoutMan]

It is more difficult to get a good trigger pull  on other action types than the bolt.

[w4dsb]

mines not stainless . It is a 308 and i love it! great accuracy and easy to work the lever it has a rack and pinipn system to move the action instead of levers and cams like other lever actions.  it also has a rotating bolt face for lockup

[Dee]

I bought one in blue, in 308 and it was junk. The trigger group came apart the first trip to the range and I took it back to the shop I bought it at. When I showed him what had happened he gave my money back and stopped dealing in Brownings BLRs. He said it wasn't the first time a BLR had been brought back due to poor workman ship.

[bearfat]

I have the BLR in 30-06 caliber. I did compare it against a 308 someone brought down to the range one day and the 30-06 looked like Fort Knox next to it. Just a lot beefier in the receiver.

Taken a couple of bear with it. Had an aimpoint and a Leupold 1x4 shotgun scope on it. They both worked fine. The gun as a whole is OK but for some reason it is my least favorite. Can't get it wet because major work involved in getting the wood off. I don't recall the Marlin lever action I had being any easier either though. I don't know what I was thinking other than it was an excuse to replace the Marlin I had sold and my buddies all brought lever actions to the cabin for a spare gun during deer hunting.



I always used it at my gun clubs "Running Deer Shoot" and it never failed to get all my allowed shots off whereas some of the semi auto and occasional bolts had problems but my guess is they were dirty.

Just don't get it wet or plan on a elaborate tear down. I think I even had to drift a pin out on the forearm somewhere. I don't remember other than my notes tell me only do a complete tear down on it every five years to polish and oil the metal under the wood.

Don't get me started on the tearing down the rack and pinion lever system. Took about 3-4 hours to put that nightmare back together.

If I could find fiberglass stock and forearm for it I'd like the BLR more. I keep watching and looking but no one makes one yet. I'd just degrease or WD40 the heck out of it after it got wet and hang it above the wood stove.   

[Hairtrigger]

I purchased a BLR in 1984. It is the older style. Mine is in 308 as well. If I work at it  my BLR will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. I have never had any trouble with this rifle nor have I ever felt compelled to remove the wood from the rifle.