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BLR fans...accuracy??
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For those of you who shoot BLR's...what kind of accuracy do you get?

Any real/consistent problems with this platform?

Thanks for your input.


DRSS &
Bolt Action Trash
 
Posts: 860 | Location: Arizona + Just as far as memory reaches | Registered: 04 February 2007Reply With Quote
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Hello,
I have two, older one or "steel" version and new one, White Gold deluxe version, both 308Win. and they both shoot very well indeed. In reality, they are merely lever actuated bolt front lock up rifles. Triggers take some getting used to for they are what I would say on the heavy side compared to typical bolt guns, but they do shoot. Older one has had many rounds through it and no problems. I see no advantage to the steel receiver vs the aluminum alloy one other than tradition?? Have no experience with the magnum models and only wish they could produce one in 45/70Gov't.
They handle/balance well, smooth, quick, functioning and to me an excellent hunting rifle. To be specific on the accuracy, both will shoot 3 shot groups under an inch at 100yds w/ quality factory and reloads.
 
Posts: 1328 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 19 January 2009Reply With Quote
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Have one in 243. It is fast handling, reliable and accurate. Similar to above poster, under an inch at 100 3 shot group.
 
Posts: 1851 | Registered: 12 May 2009Reply With Quote
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Before my father's Belgian manufactured 308 Winchester BLR was stolen, we shot it extensively at the Marine Corps range at Quantico, VA. As I recall, one got one three shot group at .375 inch. The insurance company replaced with it with one of Japanese manufacture, and we preferred the first rifle.
 
Posts: 154 | Location: West of the Mississippi, East of California | Registered: 23 October 2008Reply With Quote
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Funny, I was involved in the same conversation on another board. The BLR is a hunting rifle, so using a bench and measuring group size is a waste of ammo. How many people have a bench in the woods? I shoot mine offhand or w/ a simple rest. Set up some milk jugs filled w/ water at 50 yard increments from 50 to 300 yards. You will find out soon enough that the BLR is more than capible. Mine is a steel reciever .308 topped w/ a Sightron 3-9x40mm scope. The scope sits on 4x all the time it seems. The platform does exactly what is intended to do. JP
 
Posts: 447 | Location: NH | Registered: 09 May 2008Reply With Quote
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One morning at the range a decade or so ago the fella at the bench next to mine shot a half dozen five shot groups with with a steel frame BLR 358 Winchester. They all hovered right around an inch and half at 100 yards. I've spoken with other riflemen, most of whom owned the steel 308; they offered no complaints.
 
Posts: 1733 | Registered: 31 January 2006Reply With Quote
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My lone BLR is a new model lightweight in .358 Win. I concur with the gist of the other posters. The trigger is heavy, & takes some getting used to. Accuracy is very good, & equals that of most bolt action sporters. Mine will put three rounds into an inch with one handload, & three into an inch & a quarter with three other loads.

The rifle is smooth, quick, & well made. If I could make one improvement, it would be to enlarge the trigger guard to better accomodate heavy gloves.
 
Posts: 70 | Location: Western Colorado | Registered: 13 November 2007Reply With Quote
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I have owned four or five (I forget) BLR's. I have one 81 and one pre 81 left. The pre 81 is a 308 (hang down magazine), and the 81 is a 7mm-08. Probably hang onto the 7mm-08, and my oldest boy seems to have the 308.
All shoot well with factory ammo.
 
Posts: 930 | Registered: 25 December 2001Reply With Quote
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Not much to add to all the above...

Have had my .358 BLR for about a month now...

Still working up loads but am very encouraged by the trends. I notice I have been getting groups a little out of the ordinary...two holes touching and then a "flyer"...no particular order with the shots. I am chalking it up to the heavy trigger and low power scope. Certainly shoots minute of deer or elk for ranges I choose to shoot at!

Nice rifle, smooth action.
 
Posts: 228 | Location: Huson Montana | Registered: 31 January 2008Reply With Quote
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I have a BLR81 steel version in .308win that shoots as good as some of my bolt actions. I also have an old BLR in 358win. that will shoot reloads just as good. As with everyone else, the triggers are the only complaint I have. I just killed a 110lb doe with the 358. first deer that i have killed with that gun. Bang flop. Have always loved the way the BLR's feel and balance.
 
Posts: 66 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: 08 February 2006Reply With Quote
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I have two newer ones. They are the stainless laminate version. Both are 358. One is a takedown model the other a standard. The standard one is about an inch gun. But things go to hell quick as the barrel heats up. Two groups then you better let her cool down. Now the takedown blows my mind. I figured accuracy would be marginal and figured on the same hot barrel issues. Well it will shoot ragged holes all day long. I cannot afford to shoot it all day long though as it likes the barnes triple shocks. I could try a different bullet but for this kind of accuracy and knockdown power I ain't going to mess with it. I now plan to sell the standard one. My dad has an original BLR in 358 which will shoot sub inch as well. I have heard a lot of stories of inaccurate BLRs. But these three are very acceptable to amazing for a hunting rifle.
 
Posts: 448 | Registered: 27 September 2005Reply With Quote
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I had one in 7mm-08 which I foolishly sold. This rifle was as accurate as a typical bolt action. Certainly far more accurate than any Savage 99 I've used.
 
Posts: 54 | Location: Nassau County, NY | Registered: 21 September 2008Reply With Quote
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BLR goes to the smith this afternoon for trigger work.

Will report back later about results and anticpated accuracy increase etc.

Cheers
 
Posts: 228 | Location: Huson Montana | Registered: 31 January 2008Reply With Quote
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I will give you a report next week.. just picked up a Jap steel frame 358 in really nice shape.. mounted the scope on it last night, and this evening had time to get it on paper at 25 yds.. will sight in at 100 Tuesday and it will be in the elk woods with me Thursday.. (hope they're still bugeling).. Les
 
Posts: 432 | Location: Wyoming/ Idaho, St Joe river | Registered: 17 November 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by kreyten:
BLR goes to the smith this afternoon for trigger work.

Will report back later about results and anticpated accuracy increase etc.

Cheers


It's very rare to find a smith who will work on a BLR trigger; please update us with the results.


analog_peninsula
-----------------------

It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence.
 
Posts: 1580 | Location: Dallas, Tx | Registered: 02 June 2006Reply With Quote
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Just got my BLR back from the smith. Charged me 75$ for the trigger job.

First impressions are very favorable...trigger releases at just under 3 pounds and has none of the creep that the factory set up had.

Hope to get to the range and try her out within the next couple of weeks.

Seems like money well spent.

Cheers
 
Posts: 228 | Location: Huson Montana | Registered: 31 January 2008Reply With Quote
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I have one of the first model BLRs in .358 win. Accuracy was not so hot so i tinkered bit. I relieved the barrel band whee it touched the barreland did a free float of the forearm. Now the forearm rattles a bit but it will put a full magaine of factory ammo into an inchand my 200 gr. Hornady SP handloads into slightly tighter groups.
My only gripes with the gun are it is way too muzzle light and that crappy trigger.
Paul B.
 
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001Reply With Quote
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I have an 81' light-weight in .358 win, it will shoot handloads(200gr core-lokt sp and 200gr hornady sp) into around an inch @ 100yds.

I really like the rifle, but i do find it a little muzzle light, it is quick, accurate, and very compact, think i'll keep her. Wink
 
Posts: 498 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 22 May 2004Reply With Quote
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I have a pistol grip model in 450Marlin. I like it. This rifle likes to push the 300gr TSX fast and hard. Consistent MOA at 100yrds.

Once I got the TSX dialed in I switched to 300GR Hornady's to save a few dollars for shooting around. I was near the TSX levels w. IMR4198 and they DID NOT respond well. Jackets seperated big time against metal plates (100yrds). Accuracy was 2" or so. I dialed the load down and bingo. Back to MOA.

I really do like the BLR. My trigger isn't bad at all. Very little creep and it's about 4lbs. Guess I got lucky.

What I don't like is the fact that the newer ones are a PITA to remove the bolt. Or should I say, time the bolt on install after removal. Man what a bitch. I like to be able to take a rifle apart and really clean it up when needed.
 
Posts: 969 | Registered: 13 October 2009Reply With Quote
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My .223 and .257 will do 1 to 1.25" with decent loads. The 35 year old .308 will usually do much better. A good smith can clean up the triggers a good bit but they will never feel like a Savage Accu-trigger.
 
Posts: 231 | Location: Republic of Texas | Registered: 19 June 2003Reply With Quote
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Had a 22-250 BLR and sold it, sticking to Marlins.
 
Posts: 247 | Location: Norman, OK & Marble Falls, TX | Registered: 29 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I just picked up a takedown stainless BLR. Is there supposed to be a metal plate on the forend piece that abutts the receiver.


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10164 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I don't know if there should be one but my stainless 358 takedown does have a plate. Also the blued walnut takedowns I have looked do not have a plate.
 
Posts: 448 | Registered: 27 September 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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Huh...can you take a pic and email it to me...


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10164 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I need to apologize. I have been up since a bout 430 this morning on about 3 hours sleep. I mistyped. I meant to say DOES NOT. Sorry about that. I am surprised they don't though to protect the forearm from chipping.
 
Posts: 448 | Registered: 27 September 2005Reply With Quote
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