I am considering a browning lever action rifle.I'm looking for opinions based on experience.Any feedback will be appreciated.
Thanks,
ray

I just realized there is another thread on the BLR.Sorry!!!...The other thread seems to be focused on cartridge selection.I don't need that.What good and bad points about the rifle can someone offer.Thanks.

I've never shot a BLR and I have never heard a bad comment about one, but I don't like the feel of them.

I was planning, for quite some time, to buy one as I thought that a light, lever action rifle chambered for a modern cartridge would be ideal for my hunting needs. But when I picked one up to try it, I instantly disliked the feel and pointability of it.

So I went back to my 'first love' - the Savage 99 and that is the way I have gone with the lever action with modern cartridges idea. It is just a huge shame that they are no longer available new, but there are some excellent second hand ones out there!

I have an early BLR in .358 and it is a joy to carry. It shoots accurately with jacketed and cast bullets but, has the most unfriendly trigger of any of my rifles and it just doesn't fit me very well. You see, I started my lever gun experinces with a Savage 99 and nothing feels as good as a G, EG, or T model in that fine rifle. I just acquired a 99DL in .308 that is supurbly accurate that may just become my main hunting rifle.

Forgot to say that the BLR is the smoothest of any lever I've ever used.

ray m: BLR's have been my go-to hunting rifles since 1981. I find them a joy to carry - light weight and easy-handling. They are quite accurate and well-built. The only sore spot in my opinion is the trigger - they are heavy and have considerable creep, but I never notice that in the field. Pre 1981 models also have a protruding magazine that bothered some users - post 1980 models have a redesigned receiver with a more flush-fitting magazine.

Try to handle both stock versions of the newer BLRs, the straight stock and the pistol grip version, before you decide whether either feels right for you.

1977 .358 BLR
1980 .358 BLR - original owner
1987 .243 '81 BLR
1991 7mm-08 '81 BLR

I have a BLR 81 in 358 Win. The barrel is a little to skinny for my taste and it is not set up well for a receiver sight. I like the fit finish and feel of the rifle but it has the worst trigger ever put on a rifle....

Many years ago bought one in 223 for a Jackrabbit gun. Never had anything but FUN with it. Don't really know why I traded it but it was not because of anything wrong with it. My wife even liked it.

Ray

Unlike some, or most detractors of the BLR i actually own and shoot one, a 81' light-weight in 358 win. Rifle fit is dependant on body shape and size so you wont know how it fits you until you SHOOT one, and not just shouldering it in a gun store.

As stated, its trigger is heavy, but that can be adjusted by a company called Z-hat custon, they also make a take down kit for the regular BLR's even though Browning now makes a take-down model.

I have found my particular rifle to be very accurate, with some loads shooting under 1 MOA at 100yds. I do not find the recoil to be un-comfortable with the .358win even with heavy bullets. I have a Leupold ultra-light 2-1/2 X scope mounted on it, in Talley rings and its a great set-up for close range brush hunting.

I was thinking of picking up a BLR that is chambered in one of the full length magnums, like a 300 win mag or 7mm rem mag and having it re-barreled to .358 Norma mag, you could even go up to .458 win mag, try that in a Savage 99 or Win 88....................

Light, fast and slick. Any good gunsmith can help the trigger. Find a scope with a small objective bell (32mm or less) and mount it low. My .223, .257 and .308 are not for sale. The long action is very different and does not have the balance or handling of the short one.

My all-time favorite rifle to carry. I've owned 4 different BLR's and still own 3 of those, all pre-81 models as I prefer them. I have 2 in .358 and one Belium-made .308 Winchester. So far all have easily shot MOA or better from the bench.

Only issue I've ever had with them was with reloaded ammo. If the cases aren't resized all the way to the base, the bolt will not close all the way, preventing firing. I use small-base dies if I can and If I'm going to hunt with reloads I cycle all the rounds through the chamber to make sure the bolt will close all the way, before I head to the field.

I never use factory loads in anything.I don't mind full length sizing but if a small base sizing die is neccesary,that would be a big negative for me.

I have owned six BLR's. I now have three. An 81 7mm-08, a like NIB pre 81 .308, and a pre 81 .358. Used to hunt with them all, and loan them out to my boys some times. But the big deer only show up when I have my marlin 45-70 .

I use the .358 hog hunting mostly.

quote:

Unlike some, or most detractors of the BLR i actually own and shoot one

I'm not arguing with your views on the BLR, but this comment took me as being a little odd - why would anyone own something they didn't like?

my father gave me a pre 81 action when i first started hunting deer. it wears a variXIII 2.5-8x36 in low leupold rings. i have killed good deer from 25 feet to 200 yards and take a decent buck every year with it.

Ray- have loaded for my three BLRs and two for other friends. I have never had to resort to small base dies in any caliber. Smoke your cases and size carefully, but don't look for SB dies.

I'vehad a number of them. No complaints. You can load them like any bolt gun and my have been very accurate I find a leupold 2x7 just right for them. My favore is a .358 which I use for bear. 25 0ne shot kills ! the .308 is about all the deer rifle you need. I think the old steel reciever ones are faster than the new ones. I've had both and the pistol grip model, didn't care for it but that is just me.

I have owned several of them as I like to hunt horseback. I had a .308 that was a tack driver and another in 22-250 that I dearly loved. I never had a problem with them. Neat little gun, but in the end the Savage 99EG or F model took my fancy.

You will like the BLR.

I really liked them until they went to the all light weights. No use for them at all.

BearHunter,

Is that because of the aluminum receiver, or were there other changes you did not like? The bolt still locks up steel on steel, so I don't see how the aluminum receiver weakens it in a meaningful way. Unless I'm missing something...

Andy

I have "almost" bought a BLR in 308 [it is my favorite general purpose "deer wild pig etc" cartridge] several times, and a 358 [as I think it is an excellent hunting caliber], many times as well.

A fast short handy lever seems just like a great hunting gun. And it surely is....

However it is just enough heavier and bulkier than my Remington Mod 7's, and now the Blaser R 93 with the Tracker bbl [19 3/4"] that I could never justify it.

However for the "Lever Lover" I think they are a good choice.

The 308 is a Great all round cartridge....
But the 358 is a SLEEPER... AND KILLS WAY BEYOND ITS "PAPER BALLISTICS".

Ray i have a new BLR Lightweight 81 in 358 winchester. Have only fired it in two range sessons. I bought it in December of 2006 and i am sorry i didn't buy one years ago.I have no problem with the trigger and it is very accurate with winchester factory loads and i am shooting clovber leafs with 200 grain hornady hand loads. My next trip to the range i will be testing 250 grain hornmady RN bullets . I have never seen a smoother action on a lever action rifle. The best feature for me is it weights in at 7 pounds topped with a Leupold 1.5X5 you can carry it all day , very handi and points well. Like i said i am sorry i didn't by one years ago .Its truly a great hunters rifle.

I am a fan of the BLR also, although my experience is limited to an older model in 243. I wish I still had it as it was quite accurate. I see that a few of the new take down models are starting to show up now. I am curious if anyone here has had a chance to try one yet? I am curious as to how the take down feature seems to work, as far as ease of assembly and apparent long term durability. I have wanted a take down lever action for a long time, and had hoped that Marlin would eventually make one as a factory model, but as yet a custom is the only option in a Marlin. I like the cartridge line up in the BLR but I want to get some first hand reports on the take down before buying one.

Not sure, might be that the bolt is groved as opposed to the old round ones The old ones were a little slimmer in the action in the old ones the bolt locks up in the action not in the bbl. anyway I've tested them side by side and the 81 with steel reciever and flat clip is better IMHO. I will be buried with my .358 butI had a .308 but sold it, big mistake ! Now I'm looking for another on the used gun mkt.

BwannaBob

A little late in my reply, but it usually goes like this- I was in a gun store the other day and i shouldered a BLR and man i just dont like it. Or another famous one is- i dont care how accurate they are i just cant get over how ugly it is. These comments are actually common, have seen it on several inter-net sites so i thought i would clear the air of the bull shit, comprende?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but actually,I find the BLR to be attractive.

I have one in .284 that really shoots well after mounting a quality scope. Not nearly as ugly as a browning bolt action.

quote:

Originally posted by ray m:
I never use factory loads in anything.I don't mind full length sizing but if a small base sizing die is neccesary,that would be a big negative for me.

Small base sizing has it's place, particularly in rifles with tighter than normal chambers.

Short brass life? brass (even nickel plated) is cheap enough... for the ammount you shoot most hunting rifles 200 cases will last a long, long time.

BTW, RCBS used to make an SSB ("Special Small Base") die set for BAR/BLR owners.
I've seen atleast one of these die sets marked
"BAR Special S B", and another marked "Extra Small Base BAR".

AD

Just a note. I took my old steel reciever Blr 1983 to Browning this Mornning for a minor repair. They said they don't work on them any more and sold all the parts to www.midwestgunworks.com and I wouls havce to go there for the repair.

I bought a Blr 81 two weeks ago in .308. off the net. Boy did I get taken ! Nice looking rifle but it had problems, headspace, firing every other shell, and the poorest accuracy I've ever seen in one. I GOT RID of it.
Now I'm on the hunt for another with a steel reciever and flush clip. It must be mechannically sound and shoot accurately. If you have one or know where I might buy one please llet me know.

Headspace problems would not be caused by the aluminum receiver. The bolt locks up in the barrel extension, not the receiver. If you liked it otherwise, you're not likely to encounter the same issues with another lightweight (aluminum rcvr).

Andy

My current lever action .35 rifles include a Marlin 336 RS in .35 Remington, a Winchester M94-XTR in .356 Winchester, and a pre-81 Browning BLR in .358 Winchester. Have also been looking for a Savage M99 in .358 Winnie, but haven't fround one for sale at anything like a reasonable price.

I would take any one of them to the woods in a heart-beat. I like them all about equally well....except maybe the Winchester. I find that a bit too thin to really feel comfortable in my big mitts.

As to the BLR, I have owned several .358s, and never had one with a heavy trigger. The triggers in mine all felt about like a Luger trigger...somewhat mushy...but were not in the least heavy. (All were pre-81s...mostly Belgian, but still several .308s were also Japanese.) Likewise, I have never had to do anything special to handload/reload ammo which would easily chamber in all of mine. In my .358s I have used pretty much exclusively 250 gr. Winchester Silvertips (of which I have had a large supply), In the various BLR .308s I tried darned near every weight and brand of bullet commonly available, except for the new boutique bullets. "No problemo" so far. Sold the last one to a buddy in the RCMP national ballistics lab at Regina, who wanted it for his father. So far as I know it has never posed any problems either since he got it.

Every single one of my BLRs would shoot MOA or slightly better with selected handloads. I never had a BLR .243, a post-'80 BLR, a lightwight BLR, or a take-down BLR, so don't know zip about those versions. Can strongly recommend the prte-'81s however....

Found another one on the net,steel reciever, .308 boy is it
a beauty and shoots execptionaly well !AS to some you not liking the low comb, buy a cheek protector, it will raise you eye. I too agree the leaupold 2x7 is perfect for this rifle. I have one on my .358 with a #4 crosshair. I have no issues with the trigger, just pratice, uyou will never even notice when a deer jumps through the timber.
Now for the negatives: I don't like the shiney finish, so I paint the metal with flat black rustoleum, works great. Then I cammo tape the stock, no shiney finish. I also like the smoothness of the action. But the real problem for me is the length of pull, So I shorten mine some. either by cutting or using a thinner recoil pad. My blrs are for hunting, not target rifles or for handloading experiments(altho I have done some) I don't expect a 1/2" rifle but my blrs will shoot 3/4 inch 3 shot groups. Bolt actions are boring and I challenge any bolt shooter to get off three shots and hit what they aiming at when a big whitail or bear is running full throtle through the woods. and yes you can easily kill whitetails at 300 yds with the .308 This I know from experience, not bull shit if's , ands's. or mabeys

IMO, my older 358 BLR with straight stock is the perfect woods rifle. I use either a 2.5 Leupold or (right now)a red-dot. In fact, this is going to be my bear rifle next week! MOA with 200gr Hornady's too!
I wouldn't prefer this rifle for stand hunting or powerline sitting, but if you need a good handling, quickpointing rifle, I feel they can't be beat! That said, older 99's are nice too, but since I can't use iron sights, I think the BLRs are easier to mount optics on.
I would look at the new take down BLRs as they seem pretty neet, although I haven't actually handled one.
I don't like the glossy finish on my BLR, so I put a slip on camo cover on the stock. Seems to do the trick for me.

A good friend took two BLRs to Africa in spring of 2006. He was after plains game, first trip. 308 and 358 calibers. He was a very competitive HiPower and Silhouette for many years, and a steady offhand shot. 11 head of antelope, a zebra, and two warthogs...all one shot kills. He raves about them, accuracy and dependability.

Rich
DRSS

I have a new BLR lightweight in 358 with the pistol grip stock and the Schnabel foreend. This is my Fifth BLR all the previous ones were 308 and I can tell you the stock configuration fits me just beautifully. FIt and Finish on it as well are impeccable. Neil Jones does trigger jobs on these rifles but mine doesn't need one .

The trigger on my BLR 81 light-weight in .358win is heavy. I have got this rifle dialed-in real good with 200gr Rem core-lokt SP's and 49.5grs of IMR 4064, the guy shooting next to me was amazed at how accurate it is. I have had no issues with any functioning of this carbine and it just begs to be carried in the thick stuff. The fit and finish is also extremely well done, blows away the last couple of Marlins i have seen at the gun store. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.