Author Topic: like new BLR in .358, with the original box..should I buy it? (Read 2322 times)

MSP Ret · « **on:** July 23, 2012, 01:02:19 PM »

My local gun store just got in an as new Browning BLR in .358 with the original box. This thing really looks as if may have never been fired. The store owner does not think it has ever been fired (it's on consignment). The price tag is $795 with 2 boxes of ammo..deal or no deal? I have the same gun in 7mm-08 and would much prefer the .358 but the owner does not want any traeds he just wants to get rid of some of his guns...What do you Browning experts think about the BLR in .358?...It is as new as any gun I have ever seen...<><....

pastorp · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2012, 02:43:19 PM »

What vintage is it. Where mfg. if it has the protruding mag,pre 81 , I'd buy it in that condition.

Quote from: MSP Ret on July 23, 2012, 01:02:19 PM

My local gun store just got in an as new Browning BLR in .358 with the original box. This thing really looks as if may have never been fired. The store owner does not think it has ever been fired (it's on consignment). The price tag is $795 with 2 boxes of ammo..deal or no deal? I have the same gun in 7mm-08 and would much prefer the .358 but the owner does not want any traeds he just wants to get rid of some of his guns...What do you Browning experts think about the BLR in .358?...It is as new as any gun I have ever seen...<><....

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2012, 11:55:56 PM »

Bud's has them in stock for $802 with free shipping so his price is in the ball park for a new rifle. The last consignment rifle I bought the gunstore phoned the owner and he came down $50. Might try that.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2012, 11:58:19 PM »

Thanks for the response, I'll stop back at the gunshop tonight and check into it further. The magazine only seemed to protrude about 3/16"....<><....

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2012, 01:09:10 AM »

I would like to have one, maybe in a 338 Federal. More bullet selection. But I would take one in 358. I love the BLR's. They are light, quick, you can mount a scope or use sights. Good brush and woods gun, but still lets you shoot at a distance. I have one ine 308, but my son claims it every time we go hunting.

smong2000 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2012, 01:33:15 PM »

I have a steel framed B81 in .358 and love it, recently paid $500, used mint, w/box and 1.5-5X Leupy Vari-x III. Got another mint steel BLR 81 in .308 in straight trade for a nice Rem 7600. Just got a Belgium .308 BLR w/ Leupy 1.75-6 Vari-XIII for less than either!! Price seems very high IMO, in the Northeast they are fairly common and go for $400-500 in mint cond without scopes. I have no interest in the alloy frames BLR so if it's a new one of those can't give you any ideas on what they go for.
Nice rifles, if you like it offer what you are comfortable with and be prepared to walk away and not look back if they don't take it. BTW if you don't load your own, get ready for sticker shock on factory ammo for .358.

chefjeff · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2012, 02:04:42 PM »

I agree Smong2k. I have an old .308 BLR with a peep. To me, it is the best lever gun. I sold and traded several winchesters and marlins,but the browning is the best for my use.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2012, 12:22:15 PM »

Thanks guys, I do like the .35's but I may just keep my BLKR in 7mm-08 and be done with it...although If I could get it for $400 I would buy it in a heartbeat....<><....

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2012, 08:55:16 AM »

I liked the steel reciever BLR we had , but as a fool I sold it .
I later bought an alloy model in 358 and had all kinds of issue's with timing and bolt sticking - so after three trips for repairs I sold it .
This was some time ago before Ruger chambered the 358 W in the hawkeye .Now I should have bought one when they were offered .
Instead I bought a 338 F in a Tikka and am still well pleased with this gun.

mannyrock · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2012, 05:33:12 AM »

Dont' know if you went ahead and bought the BLR or not.

But, here is another thing to check out.

If it is one of the older models, and you plan to mount a scope, then you will need to find a hammer extension that will fit the original hammer profile. It is my understanding that these are almost impossible to find. Nobody has made them for years and years.

I passed on a beautiful Belgian BLR carbine, in .308, with the original buttpad, for this very reason.

Regards, Mannyrock

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2012, 06:25:12 AM »

I use see through mounts on mine, no problem with hammer. I like iron sights as backups. I've had two scopes get off zero when hunting. One fell out of truck gun rack when I had to slam on brakes to avoid an accident. Can't remember the other one. Modern scopes might be better.

pastorp · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2012, 03:34:33 AM »

I've owned over a dozen BLRs beginning with a 1971 Belgium made one. Used medium rings and never put a hammer extension on any of them. To me that is a non problem. They have a nice wide hammer to begin with.

Regards,

Camba · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2013, 06:05:27 PM »

I have one of the least wanted BLR lightning (alloy receiver) in 7mm-08 Rem that beats my Remington Model Seven most of the time (1" or less at 100 yards) with most loads. The first 4 shots the BLR wins. After that, the group opens up faster than the Rem M7. It is just my observation or perhaps I've got a good one.
The 358 win caliber in that arrangement has crossed my mind but I can only have one or the other.
Camba

pastorp · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2013, 01:06:17 AM »

Camba,

Don't know where you live or what game you hunt but a 7-08 should be great for deer size game and give you plenty of range for hunting.

I do like the 358 but don't have one at the moment.

Regards,

mannyrock · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:36:36 PM »

Last month, I passed on an early BLR 81, steel frame, .358 Win, with Leupold steel mounts and an excellent Leupold Vari-X II 2x7 scope, all for $700. The rifle was in "near mint" condition, having come out a collection from some old dentist's estate. Problem was, the dentist had engraved his danged social security no. on the top of the barrel, up next to the receiver. (Probably used his drilling tool.)

I thought about it long and hard overnight, but being unable to locate any .358 ammo on the internet, I decided to pass. I decided that I just didn't need a rifle with somebody elses number on it, that uses $50 a box ammo that nobody can find. Back at the show the next day, the seller was really POd because I didn't buy the gun from him, and he said I had wasted 20 minutes of his time. I told him that I was glad he thought so highly of the rifle, because he would be taking it home with him, AGAIN!
Last I saw of it, he was packing it up at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, along with all of his others.

Mannyrock

Camba · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2013, 05:45:17 AM »

Pastorp,

I am located in Kansas City Mo. Probably the largest animal I hunt had been the South American Tapir; but 98% of the hunting I do is for whitetail deer. You are right. The 7mm-08 Rem will do it all.
The reason I like the 358 win caliber is because I have decided to consolidate my calibers to the .358. That way I can use some of my pistol bullets in a rifle for hunting small game and up to deer size animals. I love the way the BLR look and I guess that's what gets me attracted to it.
Whatever makes it cheap to do a lot of shooting for enjoyment and keep up with practice.

Camba

pastorp · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2013, 03:53:48 AM »

Camba,

You might want to get into bullet cast for whatever caliber you end up with.

Regards,