Author Topic: BLR 358 Win. (Read 10351 times)

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #30 on:** June 13, 2009, 10:55:17 AM »

Big easy
Timing is the relationship betwwen the rack and pinion. If your not on the right tooth , the bolt will not travel its full range . One way the bolt will not rotate the lugs down into the barrel , lever might not move it's full range , or as the bolt moves reward it will not fully cock the hammer. (the simple answer)

Now if the rifle operates a factory Winchester load you could be going something wrong at the reloading bench. Your cases might not be fully resized or overal length to long were the bullet comes in contact with the rifling before the action is closed resulting in the lever being hard to close. Browning BLR are known for short throats so beware. Check your cases to spec., and overal length . ( reloader error)

Rifles sent back to browning are not always returned fully repaired . In My case we went from one problem to another . There might be a sort note ( timing issue/ rough chamber polished )to the Dealer who shipped the gun .I am sure the guns never have a round chambered before they are sent back.

There are many BLR rifles out there . I would say 95 % of the steel recievered actions never have a problem , for the life of the owner . How ever the lastest steel recievered and the now liteweight do have problems . Not said they all do but "SOME -made in Japan".

I had a Steel BLR in 308 . I quickly found out it had a short throat with my first reload After that was corrected never a problem . Like a fool at a weak monent I sold the rifle not knowing what I had .
I not when a good one comes arround on the used rack they are pricey and soon gone.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #31 on:** June 22, 2009, 03:01:15 PM »

Well, she is finally home and setting in the safe. Now have dies and brass so will have to get going on some loads. She is one of the steel receiver ones, old style mags. I was hoping the mags from my 7mm-08 would fit but they are the newer ones. Just picked up another mag for it on closeout, out the door for $24.75. Now to let the 2 girls get acquainted in the safe for a couple of days.

DP

coyotejoe · « **Reply #32 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:57:49 AM »

I've had a couple of BLRs, older steel Japanese versions and never had any problems except-- That rack and pinon design is just not really so neat in practice as it may seem in theory. They are very slick and easy to operate when just cycling the lever of an empty rifle. But in actual firing it is very jerky because it takes considerable effort to unlock the bolt, extract a fired case and cock the hammer, all at the same time. The Winchester and Marlin lever actions have much greater leverage in that first inch of lever travel, which helps overcome those issues. The rack and pinon gear arrangement maintains the same leverage throughout its travel but the resistance is not the same throughout so it takes much greater force on the lever during the locking and unlocking phase.
As to the "timing issue", yes they can be assembled incorrectly but that should be immediately obvious. I don't see how a properly assembled rifle could get "out of time" unless it stripped a tooth off a cog.

Happy · « **Reply #33 on:** June 24, 2009, 08:35:24 AM »

As to the "timing issue", yes they can be assembled incorrectly but that should be immediately obvious. I
Winchester / Marlin have rear lug lock up were the BLR is a front lug rotating bolt lug set up so you can not compair the two , except maybe the winchester 88 and 100.
The winchester 94 and the Marlin 336 can not handle the pressure that the BLR can. That is why we got the 308ME and 307 cartridge for these guns , though the savage 99 with its rear lock up can handle the 308 class.

First of all do not think I am dumping down on the product . Many of the BLRs out thier are fine rifles . Just some units have a problem that can not be or never will get sorted out over time . Some rifles keep coming back with the same problem while being used , repaired then back into service only to have it show up again after a hundred + rounds again . Well if you only fire a box off a year , guess you would be fine.
Some of us shoot often , get to know our rifles , then too able to shoot when the time comes . My ol' Marlin is almost as old as I am, and the ten years I owned it it problably wore out more brass then ever in it life time . I shoot it often and am good with it . When I bought it , the former owner carried it a lot by it's out side appearance but inside , it looked like maybe in it's fifty year life time , it might of only shot a box.

don't see how a properly assembled rifle could get "out of time" unless it stripped a tooth off a cog.
[/quote]

Yes I think the same way. My blr operated perfectly when bought , but slowly after 50+ rounds things started to change . And then you did not know the changes happening until there was a problem, usually during cleaning . On the range you would notice things were not as slick , and maybe you thought a good cleaning would just be needed , until you got home .
Well believe it or not , you just have to have one of these units do it, and you know of some one who was in this boat . We should never have traded in the older BLR in 308 'cause it was a good one. At the time we thought we were just trading up.
There are alot of rifles out there , that never had one or other problem , and people hang onto them, but see a newer unit just traded in , just beware !!!!!!! One that might be a bit overpriced , compaired to a unit sold at a good price could be telling you something -if the dealer is being honest .

Country Boy · « **Reply #34 on:** June 27, 2009, 02:45:11 PM »

I had a problem with my blr not closing completely. Turns out I set the crimp die wrong thus putting a small bulge in the case. Operator error. My old steel/jap blr is the most accurate rifle I own. and it will take any handload you want to put in it. Try some TAC powder I get 2360 with 250 grn bullets after 26 bear 1 moose several elk and wild boar dumped on there nose I don"t need anything else but I'm tempted to buy a Ruger hawkeye as a back up.

Happy · « **Reply #35 on:** June 27, 2009, 03:50:04 PM »

Well I think I liked the 358 W more than the current 338 F I have now. At least then I could practice with out taking the kids milk off the table . Let to see 338 lead with a gas check and do not pore my own. So what if I lost a bit of range with the 358 W. If this really mattered I could have gone with a whelen.
The BLR carried "real nice" and what other 358 had a clip ?
Well the ruger would have been next best being a bolt, and having it to at least dump the load in one hand out the bottom

Tac powder is not to be found in Canada . I tried to get some from Wholsale Sports , but they are not stocking this product any more .
Country Boy
What bullet are you using for big game ? the 225 Seirra?

Country Boy · « **Reply #36 on:** June 28, 2009, 05:19:20 AM »

Happy ,mostly I've used the .250 speer and .250 hornady sp for the bigger stuff and 200 hornady for deer and such but 180 speer do a fine job on deer. I limit my shooting to under 300 yds but it will reach that far if necessary . I just got back from a Manitoba bear hunt(1st of June) and killed a 425lb bear ,one shot with the .250 hornady at 160 yds. DOA

Country Boy · « **Reply #37 on:** June 28, 2009, 05:24:53 AM »

Happy, forgot to mention I've had several .358's, Savage 99 A, Winchester 88,two Browning blr's, one custom and a ruger hawkeye. All have worked fine. The 88 win started as a .308 I had it rebored and chambered to .358, wish I had it back. Also a model 7 Rem. But most of my hunting has been with a BLR steel reciever jap model.

fknipfer · « **Reply #38 on:** June 30, 2009, 05:20:07 AM »

I lucked out in the past year by picking up two 1989 BLR 81's on gunbroker a .308 Win, and a .358 Winchester both steel models. Looked like they have never been fired I guess some people buy a firearm to look at it and never use them. Fired the .308 at l00yds, five shot group 2.0" high and grouped a 1.050". So I will keep that one learned to shoot it. Asked Hornady if they had a round calculated for the .358 with their 200gr ftx bullet and they said they hadn't as yet, but they would sometime in the future.
That would make a nice combination a 200gr bullet with a BC of over .300 and 200gr for the .358Win might never shoot anything else again.
Anyway picked up both BLR's for $500 each and I agree I will only buy steel Blr's, next buy if I can find a good one a 30-06 in the BLR as the steel ones are a 22" barrel. I can't think of anything better.

fknipfer

Happy · « **Reply #39 on:** June 30, 2009, 01:56:40 PM »

One of the Mags listed using the200gr flex tip with good results can't remember which one , but he was loading for the 358 W I think I was using 46 grs of H4895Or H335 in about 2400 FPS, while you could run a bolt about 100 FPS more.This was a good load for the gun I had , and also worked a bit with the 225 Sierra which some say hold their speed over the distance to kill larger game than deer.

Tac is listed as a good powder for the 358, but I could never find any

While my old steel recievered would handle about the same pessures as my remington 660 bolt, But it had a shorter throat, thus I would need to load the bullet further in the case and back off on the powder abit.
Both loaded well with just the regular factory dies

Shoud have kept the 308 ,Still kicking my A$$ over that one

fknipfer · « **Reply #40 on:** July 01, 2009, 08:31:17 PM »

Hornady lists a load for the 200gr ftx for the .356 Winchester 44.5 grs of H4895 @ 2400fps and has one other load of AA2460 that you can shoot the .356 to 2450fps I think around 45.4 grs. You could shoot those all day long in the .358 Winchester since basically they are the same load. This probably wouldn't be a bad round for either caliber .356 or .358 Winchester. If I ever get this back healed up I am going to shoot that round at the range.

fknipfer

35 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 12, 2009, 01:53:08 AM »

I picked up a BLR in 358 this spring.
I took it to the range, fired the first two rounds no problem.
Then I started to have failure to fire.
If I slammed the action shut it would shoot.
Has everyone (blackwolf) had their problems resolved by Browning.

Thanks, Dennis

Country Boy · « **Reply #42 on:** July 12, 2009, 01:12:50 PM »

clean the firing pin ! the pin is free floated and will only go fully forward if struck by the hammer. chances are you have a little crud in the firing pin channel. blow it out with gun scrubber or similar then one tiny drop of oil.if that is not the problem checked the cases ,if reloads you might have the crimp set so it crumples the case a little and won't feed properly. Last look at the gears and clean the heck out of them. I took a blr81 to Browning and they would not fix it as they no longer carry parts for the older problems, it had a grear problem Midwest Gun Works in Pevely ,Mo has all the parts I had a gear chipped and they rewelded it put it back to spec s, no more problems.
Chances are the firing pin is your problem.

35 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 12, 2009, 01:31:35 PM »

CB,

I`ll give that a try.

Thanks, Dennis

Country Boy · « **Reply #44 on:** July 15, 2009, 01:07:45 PM »

I went to browning blr81 and they said they no longer had parts and didn"t repair them.

took it to Midwest gun work in peveley Mo (reccommended by browning) it had a crack in 0on cog, they rewelded it worked fine for 3 shots and did it again. Got rid of it and foujd another on Gun Broker. it worked fine but wouldn"t close on a few rounds. I hadn"t set the crimp die correctly ! once corrected it worked fine. I have owned 3 blr's and they all worked fine and have taken the hottes reloads I can find. I use the .358 for black bear and the .308 for deer. wonderful rifles !

BlackWolf · « **Reply #45 on:** July 21, 2009, 01:14:39 AM »

Dennis,
I'm way behind on my reloading - I still haven't had a chance to shoot the blr since it came back from the factory. My wife and I are expecting our 2nd child and I'm frantically attempting to turn my office into a new bedroom. I hope to get out this weekend or next weekend at the latest - I'll keep you posted and let me know if you're able to resolve your firing issues as well, I think that the firing pin oiling is all that the factory did from mine also from a visual inspection.

superdep · « **Reply #46 on:** August 01, 2009, 01:58:44 AM »

I found a Steel BLR on Gunbroker in .358 and had to have it. Paid 595.00 plus shipping. The only thing I can see wrong is the junky scope on it but I have a Leuopold 2x7 that should work nicely. Factory ammo is like hen's teeth around here, but I managed to scrounge up two boxes. I ordered 2 boxes of 225gr Nosler Partition handloads from Conley Precision and can't wait for them to get here. Looks like I'm going to have to handload to be able to shoot this rifle often.

In reading this forum, it seems as though several people have had problems with their BLR's......I bought one in .270 for my nephew (steel receiver) and using factory 130gr Ballistic Tips or Core Lockt rounds...no problems......I can only hope for the same with mine. I have a Win Mod 88 in .243 and HAD a pre '64 one in .284 (why did I EVER sell THAT one???) and I've never had ANY problems with any of them feeding, extracting, ect.....but then again......I keep them CLEAN. I'm wondering if gunk isn't buildiong up and more oil being put into the mix that's causing some of the malfunctions I'm reading about. A little is great, but a lot just messes things up....Just a thought.

Country Boy · « **Reply #47 on:** August 01, 2009, 03:30:20 AM »

At one time I had 5 different .358's but now have only the blr. I've killed 23 bears, one moose and one elk with it all doa. I used to use AA2015br in it then they quit making it. I use 3031 with light bullets but seldom shoot anything less than .250 bullets 48 grns of TAC gives 2350 in my carbine. and 49 grns gives 2750 with the 200. It is very accurate and I consider it a real thumper ! I recently bought a Ruger Hawkeye in .358 but haven't shot it yet. Just can't seem to give up my lever gun !
You got a good price on the Browning, the more you use it the more you will like it, especially when you get to reloading. Can you believe a mule deer at over 300 yds with a .358. Read Chuck Hawks artice #2 on the .358 you will bee amazed.

Country Boy · « **Reply #48 on:** August 01, 2009, 03:33:42 AM »

I also have a leaupold 2x7 on my browning with a #4 crosshair then added a rubber cheek piece last year, makes a Big difference in your like of sight with a scope and don"t forget to add a hammer spur and sling set !

Country Boy · « **Reply #49 on:** August 19, 2009, 06:17:42 AM »

I have two jap blr's in .358 and a .308 all have steel recievers all threee shoot good and I've shot 23 bears with the .358's no problems.

But, I bought a used one recently that had a broken cog, Browning said they didn"t carry parts for it and wouldn"t repair it ! Sent me to anotheer place called midwest gun works who charged and arm and a leg to fix it then it broke again. boy was I steamed !
Never the less I love the Jap blr's .358 a better black bear killer I've never used.

Happy · « **Reply #50 on:** August 19, 2009, 07:20:38 AM »

Black wolf
Some time has passed and we are yet waiting to see if you have resolved your problem . Let us know as it might also help those that experiance some problems . Is it your rifle and how did it sort out , or was it something you were going with reloads ?
Let us know.

BlackWolf · « **Reply #51 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:58:34 AM »

Sorry thats its been so long all. My wife and I are trying to get all moved into a new house and prepare for our second child that is on the way. I took my gun to camp this weekend and fired a whopping 1 shot (sore shoulder). I used factory ammo in it for the first time and it went off. My intentions are to get it on the lead sled up behind my house to sight it back in since I had to take the scope off to send it to the factory, and also to see how it groups. I'll add more as soon as I get a chance to shoot it again.

I'll be using a combination of factory ammo, handloads with 200gr Hornady FTX bullets and 200gr Remington C-L roundnose bullets. Does anyone have a sweet load for either of those 2 worked up? So far I juse use a mild load of 43.1 gr of 3031 to push them about 2350 fps or so - not super concerned with speed as you can probably tell from some of my other posts.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #52 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:16:14 AM »

Black wolf
If you look back on this post you will see some good loads posted . If not PM me and I get you the info.

Otherwise how is your rifle shooting ?

BlackWolf · « **Reply #53 on:** October 07, 2009, 01:40:22 PM »

Harry, I tried to shoot without a very steady rest at 70 yards without bore sighting (figuring the scope should be back in the same spot right?) ok so I missed the target entirely and the angle that I shot at gave my shoulder a pretty good whack so I opted to say "I'm happy that it went bang, I'll sight it in from the lead sled later"

I love how this gun carries, hopefully all the bugs are worked out now!

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #54 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:01:28 PM »

I injured my right shoulder ( Rotatercuff) and man, can barely shoot the 10/22 this summer . So I left the 300 WM in the box this year and put a limbsaver pad on the tikka 338F. Now Arthritis also set in .
Well this fall about one or two shots from either rifle brings out a God awfall moan of a wounded bear , so I got a good price for my 35Rem Marlin that I could not shoot period ,and traded on a new Savage 11 Hunter in 308 .It already has the sissy recoil pad so we give it a go.

The BLR with the alloy reciever was a disappointment , and I lost a few $$$ trying to get it right and finally got rid of it . the new owner no longer has it so I assume there was a black cloud over that gun . Too bad 'cause I liked the way it carried . Should never have parted years ago with the steel recievered 308 .

Will Browning ever resolve some of the issues with the BLR ? I hope so , since my wife is still looking at them .

smong2000 · « **Reply #55 on:** October 19, 2009, 06:22:13 AM »

I just sent my Steel BLR to Midwest for repair. I shot it a lot, maybe too much with high end loads - not over max but at the top of the range. The lever just kept getting harder and harder to open and close that first 1/2". I could see the problem, there is a bulge in the bolt lock at the end of the spiral that turns the lugs. That looks like the weak link in the whole lock-up mechanism and was binding as it went into and out of the bolt housing. Bummer for me because i love the rifle and planned to use it on a trip to Ontario leaving Halloween. Maybe Midwest will surprize me...

Country Boy · « **Reply #56 on:** October 19, 2009, 07:07:06 AM »

I ended up selling mine as Midwest was too expensive for the repairs I told the new owner the problem but he didn"t seem to mind, he has more bucks then me. I don't know if he kept it or not. Bought another off the internet and it works fine. a steel reciever jap model

smong2000 · « **Reply #57 on:** October 20, 2009, 09:36:22 AM »

Midwest fixed it, $270

but I am thrilled to get it back for my trip. Expensive lesson, - don't believe that the action is as strong as a bolt gun.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #58 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:37:37 AM »

Well the rifles do come in 7MM and 300 WM , but I wonder if you should load them up in the calipier you have . I was using loads about five grs from the max , and the rifle did not do all that well if you have followed along on this topic.

If I could have paid 300 and ended up with a good rifle then I still Have my BLR 358, but as with so many people I have heard from it boils down to only a matter of time before it's back in the repair shop . Then too I shoot more than 300 rounds a year
I truely envy the folks out there, that never have a problem !!! Yeah!! you know - the guns that NEVER get traded in on new ones . HINT!

Good Hunting Guys!

smong2000 · « **Reply #59 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:29:57 PM »

The BLR saga continues, my BLR got back yesterday - THE BARREL WAS STICKING OUT OF THE PACKAGE 6"

and the crown was trashed. I'm not going to have it for my trip after all.

I checked the function and it was smooth but wouldn't extract new cartridges, no problem with fired ones though. I pulled the extractor to see how much tension and it came right out along with the spring and a peg thingy. So I called Midwest Gun Works and they are going to make it right even if it needs a new barrel. Oh well, could be worst...