I have a similar post over on the reloading forum but thought I would see if any of you guys have any suggestions. I bought a browning BLR last year in 308 (new model 81 with the aluminum receiver) for deer hunting and harvested a nice buck with it. I used reloads with 150 gr RN bullets with a light load. I noticed right from the start that the gun kicked really hard for a 308. I realize the BLR is a light rifle but the gun just about killed my shoulder off the bench. I had to fold a towel up and put it on my shoulder to make it tolerable to shoot. I have shoot other calibers bigger and smaller and nothing hurt me like this gun. I didn't see any pressure signs i.e. no backed out primers etc.

Any suggestions or thoughts on what to check out? Unfortunately I am starting to flinch with this gun. I may try a lighter bullet or just trade the gun for something else.

Thanks for the help.

It may be sacrilige to bring it up here but I've long been a member of the camp who finds that the ergonomics (drop at comb and heel primarily) of the usual leveraction rifle accentuates recoil. If you don't have a PAST Recoil Shield yet buy one and keep it in your range bag (you wear it - under your jacket if you like - making it much handier than a rolled up towel). If your Browning does not have a recoil pad you should add a good one, fitted to your length of pull when wearing your hunting clothes. Otherwise the very best thing you can do is get away from the bench and shoot from field positions. Until you get reacquainted with your BLR on more positive terms you might try the Federal or Remington Managed Recoil loads. Good hunting!

Drop at comb and heel on most lever guns are for off hand shooting and they absorb recoil very well in that posititon, but perhaps not off a bench...I have shot the .308 in both the Browning and Savage 99 and never noticed any recoil at all, but I shoot a lot of big bores in my business...I wouls suggest that you probably need to look for a lighter caliber..That model can be found it 257 Robts, 7-08, either should suit you better or you can simply load it down.

Thanks guys for the input. Ray, I already have my reloads a couple of grains under maximum. I have another 308 that I can put a lot of rounds through off the bench without noticing the recoil at all. I was surprised how much the BLR "kicks" even with light loads. This is why I posted over on the reloading board thinking something might be wrong with my loads - case length too long etc.

I now don't think there is anything wrong with the gun or my reloads. The combination of light rifle, extra drop at the heel plus slumped over postion on the bench means more perceived recoil. My brother-in-law noticed how much the muzzle jumps when I fire the BLR. The muzzle jump is rotating the butt of the stock off my shoulder such that the top of the recoil pad is bearing on my collar bone. Most of the recoil is going into my collar bone - it actually stings a little. Shooting heavy 2-3/4" slugs out of my Mossberg 500 (1900 fps) off the bench doesn't hurt - just bangs you around!

When shooting the BLR from the bench I probably need to pull down on the fore-end which I don't usually do - just straigt back. The towel helps a lot - I can shoot over 20 rounds comfortably and I suspect the PAST shield would be even better. Sometime I want to get one of those "lead sleds" which will neutralize the recoil on the bench.

Thanks for the help.

hogsaw652, I posted something that might help on your thread in the reloading forum. Check it out.

I have two older model blr's in .308 and .358 winchester. The recoil is not noticable, even at the bench and I shoot full power loads(hot) in both. They are very shootable.
I had a newer one with a pistol grip some time back, that kicked the heck out of me, maybe it5's the stock designe.

Hard luck, I assume the older BLR's you have are all steel and the lever handle is curved. I believe in 2004, Browning only offered the lightning 81 with the straight grip which is what I have. The newer BLR you bought that kicked so hard - did that have a curved lever handle and a aluminum housing? If so then the extra perceived recoil is just the lack of extra weight in front of the level and not the stock design.

Let me know.

Thanks.

Mine ared the old style with steel recievers and strieght lever handels. The one I didn't like had a curved grip and lever, the forearm also attached with a screw. came loose on shooting and changted the poi. I did have an aluminum reciever but weighed the same as my others

I have an older BLR in .358 Win and the recoil is very stout in this rifle, especially off of the bench.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I have it figured out. I got a Sims Limbsaver following your advice. I put it on secure enough to test. This made a huge difference! The muzzle snaps up only a little now and the gun mostly pushes back now. It is now a lot more comfortable to shoot - no stinging collar bone. The pad from the factory is pretty much like a rock. Thank you Sims!

Hogsaw

The new Brownings are the light-weight 81 and they have a straight lever, and the aluminum receiver.Browning did just come out with a pistol griped stock in the light-weight 81' and i dont know if it has a straight or curved lever.The older Lightning had a curved lever and a pistol grip stock with the steel receiver.

I have a new one in .358 win, and the recoil is no worse than any other rifle i have. I have shot some hot handloads with the 225gr Sierra and it didnt bother me one bit on the bench. Thats with only a t-shirt on, recoil is subjective some are bothered by it some are not.I dont notice any difference between my savage 110 in 30-06, or my Rem classic in 6.5X55 or my .358 with much heavier bullets.Many times i shoot these rifles side by side and i just dont feel a difference.