Has anyone used their BLR as their favorite range rifle?

[briannmilewis]

Just trying to determine if a BLR can handle high volume shooting.

I have read or been told that BLR, BAR and Rem 750 cannot stand up to annual high volume shooting like 1,000+.

Looking for opinions and experience.

Thx.

[Hairtrigger]

I have two BLR's one Belgium made in 308 the other a BLR-81 in 223
Both rifles have seen 700+ rounds and are still going strong. The 308 has plenty of Blueing wear but and the action is very smooth.
The 223 was purchased as a woodchuck rifle but I rarely carry it as it looks so darn nice I want to keep it like that so it mostly gets shot at paper.

[JASmith]

My BLR in .270 Win has 950 rounds through it, not counting factory loads.  It's going strong, accuracy still fine.  Can't say the same for the first (cheapo) scope I put on it!  

BTW. Between Hairtrigger and me we have all three action lengths covered.  

Some BLR and BAR offerings are in the belted magnums, so I don't know how they will take a lot of shooting!

[briannmilewis]

Just the kind of first hand feedback I was looking for. Knowing how they have been holding up over time and use, provides me with a comfort factor that will help make an investment in a BLR a lot more comfortable. I know folks prize them, and they are not super abundant used, so that is also a good recommendation. Thanks friends.

I'll still take more input of any kind if you've got it.

[JASmith]

I've been able to get as small as 1.25" 5-shot groups at 100 yd off the bench.  Took a lot of work because the trigger is pretty heavy and creeps a fair bit.

[Bigeasy]

This early model BLR in .358 has well over 1000 rounds thru it between factory and various handloads.  Still shoots as accurate and reliably as the day it was new.  You see some BLR bashing on these internet sites; most of it involves improperly loaded handloads.  The BLR does not have the camming power of a bolt action, and can be sensitive to IMPROPER handloads.  Most BLR "problems" disappear when the shooter breaks down and buys a box of factory ammo...

Larry

[smong2000]

Mine cost me $275 to repair last fall (Japanese steel .358, buggered up bolt lock).  I got it used in like new condition and put over 400 reloads (I know what you're thinking Bigeasy but that would have cost $1000 in new ammo  ) through it. Some of the loads were hot, a few were sticky so bear that in mind. I settled on some mild 2500 fps 200 grain loads after that. BTW, it was still going strong, just made me concerned that the bolt would break.   
I would say no, it's not a high volume range rifle in .358 unless you only use light stuff in it.  It's not meant to be - it's a hunting rifle and a great one at that.  Mine is my favorite hunting rifle, I shoot it 2-3 times a month and keep the shot count down to less than 10 per session.  Should last me another couple years before it goes back to the shop at that rate.

[wreckhog]

Great guns, relatively cheap used. Some parts are very expensive. Mags for the older ones, firing pins for the newer ones. We are talking over $200, when the whole mint gun is only about $400-500. I would not expect to put thousands of rounds through one without spending some $. Vs an AR platform where guys shoot thousands of mil spec rounds in a weeklong course or an older style lever, where guys shoot hundreds of light rounds in a 1 day event.