I know this might sound a bit odd, but does anyone know of anyone ever rebarreling a BLR to .458 Win Mag? They are factory available in 7mm mag., so I don't think the conversion would be too difficult (same boltface, etc.) other than some magazine modifications. Opinions???

Wren

Wren, I would be bold and say that it wouldn't be any problem at all for a good 'smith. I would definitely make sure you use an 81 model with the steel frame unless you are a glutton for punishment. I have an 81 model in '06. I love the gun, But I don't think I would ever own one of the new straight grip models with the aluminum receivers. Get yourself a BLR 81 7 Mag and have it rebarreled! Sounds like fun to me! Regards, Wyo

I have heard of it being done on the BLR. However, it does require a bit of beefing up with the stock and forend attachment and stuff like that IIRC. Strength wise and the actual caliber change, again IIRC, no problem.

If someone has done a BAR, which they did, then a BLR could surely be done. Sean

Yeah, I know. Sean

Wyo,
What sort of groups do you get with your BLR?
Wren

Here's some pics of my BLR.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/p44d90bbfdbf493e6266967d52834dece/fa7ccd0a.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/p71c4aeb65f5f7dc8fcdd9e851ace49aa/fa7ccd10.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/p001f91bc3c27cd8c6714c9579176e586/fa7ccd13.jpg

Good luck with your 458 project!

one of my buddies wants me to do this in 416 taylor...

a better solution, all the way around...

but, DAMN those little guns have a SHARP recoil, even in 358

jeffe

I noticed that the BLR is not available in .450 Marlin. I wonder if it would equal the .45/70 in the Ruger or other strong single shot rifle. Did Browning make a long action BLR (7mm mag.) with a steel receiver?
Wren

Whoops...make that IS available in .450 Marlin....

YES

Reworking a BLR from 7 mag to 458 win mag is a bit of a project. Barrel threading and headspacing are of course no problem, but attaching the forearm properly is going to be a job only for the advanced and thoughtful gunsmith. Then there is feeding. Those wide blunt bullets will not feed near as easily as pointed bullets, so the magazine will have to be tweaked until it perfectly centers the bullets over the chamber.

And then the stock will break at the wrist! So a new very sturdy stock is probably the order of the day, carefully relieved and steel bedded.

When you get finished the result will be much more expensive than a bolt rifle in .458, but if you want a lever then get to it.

Sounds like the steel receiver would be the way to go if one wanted to rebarrel to .458 Win mag., but honestly, the .450 Marlin, which is in effect at .458 x 2" would probably be more than adequate for anything I would run across. Also, I would assume that the .450 BLR would accomodate an OAL of 2.80" (.308 Win. length et al) which would give some additional room over the .45/70's in a Marlin (max OAL = 2.550"). I can get an honest 1600 fps with a 500 grain LBT out of my 1895, so the Browning (in .450)should be able to beat this by some margin if not a large one.
I wouldn't be afraid to tackle ANY game with my .45/70 as I know the rifle and can place my shots with precision.

Sounds like the steel receiver would be the way to go if one wanted to rebarrel to .458 Win mag., but honestly, the .450 Marlin, which is in effect at .458 x 2" would probably be more than adequate for anything I would run across. Also, I would assume that the .450 BLR would accomodate an OAL of 2.80" (.308 Win. length et al) which would give some additional room over the .45/70's in a Marlin (max OAL = 2.550"). I can get an honest 1600 fps with a 500 grain LBT out of my 1895, so the Browning (in .450)should be able to beat this by some margin if not a large one.
I wouldn't be afraid to tackle ANY game with my .45/70 as I know the rifle and can place my shots with precision.

I don't belive this gun is designed for the kind of recoil the 458 produces and it would bust your knuckles and your shoulder and with busted knuckles its very hard to extract your thumb from your nose, especially with your elbow bent behind your head...but hey have a go at it!

Ray,
You know I can forget recoil (okay, it's concussions) but I never forget lighting off a blr from teh bench... and remember most shots from standing.... nasty little hardkicking recoil in that frame...

jeffe

get some health insurance first.. my guess is you would need stitches at the least
woofer

I've got one or the ballistic equivlent thereof. Mine is a new production 86 Winchester extralite rechambered for 450/110. The cartridge is formed from necked down 50/110 cases. Case length is 2.4 inches and COAL is 2.88 inches. Brass is starline and costs 75 cents per case.

Max loads of 83 grains of RL15 will drive 420 grain cast performance gaschecked bullets at 2430 fps and 400 grain Kodiak bonded core bullets at 2400 fps. My goal to push 450 grain bullets about 2250 fps for use on african DG.

Recoil is punishing out of the rifle which weighs in at about 8.5 pounds with the muzzle brake removed.

I am getting an 11oz mercury recoil reducer installed as we speak. Should bring total rifle weight to 9.5 pounds.

The extended tube magazine holds 6 plus one in the chamber for a 7 shot 458 mag in a 40 inch rifle with a 22 inch barrell.

JNC, how does your case compare with the .458 Win mag for capacity?

If a Winchester 86 will handle the recoil of a 450 grain at 2400 fps, why won't the Browning?

I think it is more a matter of what the shooter can handle. That being said, the smith put bolts in the stock and re built the forend and magazine tube attachments to handle the recoil.

I saw the first 450 he built when it came back to the shop for repairs to a cracked stock, mine is number 004, we will see how the modifications hold up but it is doing well so far.

Jeff

Jeff,
All of this is really "pie in the sky" as the .450 Marlin would really be adequate. I have a Ruger #1 in .458 and it's recoil is about as much as I can endure for anymore than 20 shots or so. The Ruger weighs about 10 pounds and I don't think a converted BLR would weigh that much.
What do you use your 86 for?

I hope to use it in Africa and Alaska some day ane will be working up loads with that goal in mind.

In the mean time I will down load it to the level of a hot 45/70 or 450 marlin for the lower 48 states. Should be be able to easily achieve that level of performance with much lower pressure and softer recoil.

As for a converted BLR, I would definately opt for a heavy barrel and enough mercury in the stock to give me a 10 pound rifle that is properly balanced for good handling. With the shorter action length of a lever gun you should still have a shorter overal package compare to a bolt gun.

My 22 inch barreled Winchester is only 40 inches overall, it is a sweet handling rifle even at 9.5-10 pounds.

[ 11-25-2003, 05:00: Message edited by: jnc91 ]