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Offline Big Paulie

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Cons of the BLR
« on: December 18, 2004, 07:20:57 AM »
Dear Guys,

   After much thought and analysis, including looking over all of the new Marlins and the old Savages, I am very strongly considering getting a new BLR in .308 Winchester.

    I have read all of the "pluses" regarding the BLR.  What I am interested in, which is sometimes harder to find, is the negatives.

    Aside from the fact that it obviously does not have the look and feel of the old west lever guns, and that it uses a detachable magazine, (both of negatives I accept), does anybody have any negative thoughts or experiences with the BLR?  Any persistent bad reputation for any particular factor?  (Such as reliability, accuracy, function.) I will be mounting a scope.

    All replies are welcome.

Best Replies,

Big Paulie
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Offline NYH1

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2004, 08:44:46 AM »
The only "con" I can think of is that their made in Japan, thats why I won't buy one, thats just me. I also have a pre '64 Winchester model 88 in 308 Win. that shoots one inch groups and I like it better then the BLR! Other then that I think their an outstanding rifle. If you like it get it. I would recommend either a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm (10.5 oz.) or VX-II 3-9x40mm (12 oz.) scope for it. These scopes are pretty light (especially the 2-7x33mm) and should work real good!
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Offline Pinebark

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2004, 02:18:16 AM »
First let me wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. I do not have a BLR at present but after posting here and talking to my dealer I will have one soon. I looked and shouldered both a 270 and 7mm-08 yesterday and it may not be old west but it felt good. Besides, I also shoot a stainless 45-70 Guide Gun and it is not old west either. I have for years shot bolt action rifles but started with levers. As I near 60 years old I have this desire to finish out my hunting of whitetails and hogs with a chance at a coyote every once in a while with a lever gun. The fact that it is made in Japan does not matter. Heck, just look at the phones, TV, parts on your truck and all the other things in your life that are made there that you will not live without. I will be ordering mind in 308 Win. and will scope it with a VariX II in 2x7. If you decide to get a BLR let me know how you like it. I will do the same.
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Offline armory414

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2004, 06:48:41 AM »
The BLR's were only made in Belgium for about a year and a half, so if it bothers you that it is made in Japan, then you might have a long wait to find one that isn't.  (Though many of Browning's guns are now made in Portugal. . .).  I have a Japanese-made BLR in .308 and I love it.  It is very fast handling, very pointable.  Mine is topped with a Bushnell Trophy 4x, a nice short scope that fits the look of the gun.  Being a light, short, gun, the BLR in .308 has a little bit of a kick, but not as much as a 12 ga., IMO.  Mine is very accurate, in fact I've been wanting to have a little 300-yard competition between my BLR and my brother's Savage varmint rifle in .308 to see who does better.   I bought mine used for $275, but I see most dealers want the same price for a Japanese-made as the blue book value for a Belgian-made.  Go figure--they're all good guns.  

You know, I have to wonder--some of us have problems buying a Japanese-made firearm, but we have no problem buying Iraqi gas to run our cars. . .
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Offline southern utah

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« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2004, 06:48:46 AM »
the only draw back I know of is they are harder to disasemble and clean. I have 2  BLRs one is a 223 and the other is 308. I don't shoot either but they look good.  Using Encores and just haven't taken time for the levers.
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Offline John Y Cannuck

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2004, 07:27:11 AM »
My wifes 308 has an issue. It has a tight chamber. Tight enough to require SB dies, and run 'em through twice. Also will not chamber offshore factory stuff
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Offline Harry Snippe

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2004, 09:09:37 AM »
About the only con I have with the new Browning BLR is that it is harder to clean.You need to clean from the muzzle as with the winchester levers.
Then the high gloss finish . Some would want a oil finished stock.
Then the Browning do have a high price.
Comparing the Marlin Guide to the BLR . It was worth the step up to Browning.
On the pro side . The BLR is really a bolt action- lever operated rifle where the Marlin has a rear locking lug

You got a clip-loading and unloading a breeze. you can load pointed bullets and do not need to crimp the bullet in place if your not wanting.
they point well, no issue with speed bumps and generous bores , so they shoot well as I found out with my new 358W BLR.

I traded the Marlin guide for a 358 BLR. I am  pleased with the step up.
Happy
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Happy

Offline Lloyd Smale

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2004, 01:12:35 PM »
bought dad one for a retirement present only thing i didnt like was the terrible trigger pull lots of creap and about 10 lb.
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Offline Harry Snippe

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #8 on: December 25, 2004, 07:19:06 PM »
Quote from: Lloyd Smale
bought dad one for a retirement present only thing i didnt like was the terrible trigger pull lots of creap and about 10 lb.


Funny that Mine has about a five pound pull when new with a little creep.

Gun Smith said he could polish it up for me.
Funny thing, I shot a few box's of ammo throught this gun and I am not bothered by the trigger any more. feels fine.
And I have the bolt action rifles set at 2 to 2 1/2  pulls.
Happy
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Offline John Y Cannuck

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #9 on: December 26, 2004, 08:45:53 AM »
My wifes trigger pull is inconsistent. So is her rifles  :)
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Offline icedog

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2004, 07:32:31 AM »
Too shiny!  I don't worry about it scaring the game away, but  I bought a new BLR in .308 several years ago.  I loved it in the store and at home, where I could could fondle it and appreciate its smooth action and beautiful furniture.  It was a different story when I took it hunting though.  I worried about a thermos, an axe handle, or someone else's gun marring it's finish when it was being bounced around in the truck.  When I carried it in the bush I was always conscious of the need to protect it from the inevitable scrapes and bumps against brush, fences, tree branches, or other gear I might be carrying at the time.  Great gun, but mine sits in the back of the gun box at home topped with a fine B&L 3-9x scope, all but unused... while I pack a 99 Savage or some other piece around the outdoors with me.  Guess I'm just paranoid...or is that "anal"?
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Offline icedog

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Cons of the BLR
« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2004, 07:36:21 AM »
Too shiny!  I don't worry about it scaring the game away, but  I bought a new BLR in .308 several years ago.  I loved it in the store and at home, where I could could fondle it and appreciate its smooth action and beautiful furniture.  It was a different story when I took it hunting though.  I worried about a thermos, an axe handle, or someone else's gun marring it's finish when it was being bounced around in the truck.  When I carried it in the bush I was always conscious of the need to protect it from the inevitable scrapes and bumps against brush, fences, tree branches, or other gear I might be carrying at the time.  Great gun, but mine sits in the back of the gun box at home topped with a fine B&L 3-9x scope, all but unused... while I pack a 99 Savage or some other piece around the outdoors with me.  Guess I'm just paranoid...or is that "anal"?
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Offline pastorp

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BLR's
« Reply #12 on: December 28, 2004, 07:26:15 PM »
Big Paulie, I bought the first BLR to be put on display in the gunshop in my home town.It was belgium made and I believe the year was 1971. I hunted with that gun almost exclusilivity for 20 years and could find no fault with it. It was a 308, and I killed everything up to elk with it. It fed everything, factory loads, reloads,military surplus.. In a fit of stupidity I traded it off and have not been truly happy with any rifle since. I believe I'll just go sit in the corner now and cry a while. Regards, Byron
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Byron

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