Muzzle light and butt heavy/ What to do ?

[Country Boy]

I have a blr81(steel reciever)in .358  I've always felt it was muzzle light and butt heavy. That is it needs better balance with a little more weight on the forearm, while lighting the butt stock.
  Any ideas on how to accomplish this. All ideas appreciated.

[gunnut69]

I can think of several.  The simplest would be lightening the butt stock by enlarging the hole there.  Of course only so much can be removed in this manner.  Adding weight to the forearm is also popular although the BLR limits this somewhat.  I've not worked with the BLR but it should be possible to drill holes or cut grooves in the forearm and fill with lead shot.  This is held in place with epoxy..  Another alternative would be the barrel harnmonic dampeners that are on the market.  They clamp around the barrel and are lower the vibratory frequency of the barrel.  This is said to enhance the accury potential of the rifle..  Muzzle weights accomplish nearly the same thing by simply increasing the weight of the barrel.  The last 2 suggestions are however a lot more visible than the first 2..  On lever rifles I prefer the gun to balance at the lever hinge usually..  Further forward makes them feel whippy.. further forward can 'slow them down' on the swing.  At least that's my preference..