« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Browning BLR .308 older model  (Read 2828 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline .308 BLR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Posts: 2
Browning BLR .308 older model
« on: March 24, 2005, 07:50:01 AM »
I am new to the forum and wondered if anyone had experienced a similar problem with an older Browning BLR. I purchased a mdl 81 last year USED from kittery Trading Post in Maine. Shot the gun some last fall and it shot very well with 150 and 165 grain factory loads. Action was smooth and ejection of spent cases positive. This year I took it out and was not able to eject a fired case from the gun without bracing the stock against my leg and pulling up on the lever similar to the old Red Ryder BB gun when I was a kid. It is now at the gunsmith and  waiting to be looked at. My best guess is that there must be some built up crud or microscopic surf rust just inside the chamber although scrubbing it with an offset bore brush for an old Remington 7400 semi auto failed to surface any rust or crud on two or three hoppes #9 wet patches worked into the chamber back and forth.

I have read some info on timing for the rack and pinion gear ratio for the lever operation, however since it has NOT been disassembled since I purchased it, I sort of ruled that out. Shinning a bore light inside does NOT show any signs of rust or pitting. anyone else had a similar problem with any BLR and if so what did you narrow it down to? Dan
Logged

Offline Zcarp2

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 175
Where did you get the ammo?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2005, 04:12:41 AM »
Could be a case of high pressure.
Logged
Zcarp2

"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - - - Theodore Roosevelt

Offline .308 BLR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Posts: 2
BLR .308 fired case extraction problem
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2005, 04:34:54 AM »
I don't think so because it was using only factory loads from 3 different manufacturers (Remington core lokts, Hornady SST, Federal Hi Shoks.

If it were my own handloads I would buy the pressure problem but everything was factory pressure. That is what makes it such a puzzle. Dan
Logged

Offline Harry Snippe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 641
  • Gender: Male
BLR
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2005, 06:03:49 AM »
Well did you ever find out why the rifle was sticking ?
Happy
Logged
Happy

Offline Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18746
Browning BLR .308 older model
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2005, 10:45:39 PM »
I ran into a simualar problem with dads 308 blr. He was using fed premium 165s and ive shot probably a hundred through the gun this last year before dear season he had me shoot it to verify zero and I got sticky extraction and flattened primmers with the same ammo he hunted with last year. Ammo had the same lot no. on it and he bought 5 boxes at the same time. I was ready to blame federal for it but now im thinking maybe it was the gun afterall.
Logged
blue lives matter

Offline handirifle

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3570
    • http://www.handirifle.com
Browning BLR .308 older model
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2005, 05:49:42 PM »
Since these are older guns and the BLR uses a rotating bolt, it sounds to me like possible wear on the bolt lugs allowing too much headspace.  Not a gunsmith, but sure sounds like a headspace issue.
Logged
God, Family, and guns, in that order!

Offline Survival Bill

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6
    • http://www.survivalbill.com
Browning BLR .308 older model
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2005, 11:11:56 AM »
I also had a problem I was using reloads at the time and it did something to jam it up the gunsmith fixed it I never did ask in detail what was wrong with it and what the fix was...
Logged

Offline jason280

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 539
Browning BLR .308 older model
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2005, 01:03:16 PM »
Sounds to me like the gun could really use a thorough cleaning.  I doubt its a headspace or over-pressure issue, especially considering you had zero problems with the gun the previous year with factory ammo.  The BLR doesn't use the same type of hinge and lock-up as normal lever guns, and can be very fickle to dirt/gunk build up.  I'm sure a gunsmith should be able to fix the problem rather quickly.  I have a BLR in .308 and have experienced zero problems with mine, and its a '70-71 era gun.  However, when I traded for it, I did detail strip the gun and gave it a full cleaning.  

Good luck!
Logged
"Hey Peter, check out Channel 9!!"

Offline Harry Snippe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 641
  • Gender: Male
Soft metal possable in the BLR
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2005, 07:36:57 AM »
Now it appears the BLR that first came from Japan had a issue with soft metal I am told . The cartridge would stick in the chamber after firing for a few seconds and you would have to count maybe to ten to lever it out.

I bought a new Alloy reciever BLR and it too has started to stick after firingand hard extracton.
I will be sent back for repair
Logged
Happy

Offline Hard Luck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Blr 81
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2005, 01:29:40 PM »
I've had 4 of them still have one and never had a problem with any but one,it needed small base dies to work. Pressure is not a problem in these rifles. Like to have another in .308 any one want to swap for a Remington 1100 20 ga 3" mag. with a 28" full barrel, it's 95% or better. I got it for my wife but she says it kicks too much, she only shoots it two times a year at a turkey.
 If you do no't have a competent smith, send it to browning for repair, usually no charge. I live about 60 miles from the browning place in Arnold, Mo.
Logged

Offline Blackhawk44

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 981
Browning BLR .308 older model
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2005, 05:51:11 PM »
Thirty years with three BLR's and NEVER a problem with any, after I learned a couple of tricks.  Sticky levers are ammo related.  I did learn early that they like slower powders for the cartridge.  Faster powders tend to create early sharp pressure spikes (not high pressure) that expand cases in a manner that causes extraction problems for the lever.  Don't believe it?  Watch you chronograph (a must-have tool) as fast powders give speeds 3-400fps below normal, with no pressure signs but hard extraction.  Full velocity with slower powders cycles like .22 long rifles.  My .308 gets lockjaw with 3031 and 4895 but thrives on 4064.  Just as a precaution, I keep the bolt's cam races and lugs clean as well as the teeth on the lever and corresponding bolt teeth.  I usually lube with graphite to avoid dust built up ( I hunt dry dusty country), but am not manic about it so try to clean the action every two or three years even if it doesn't really need it.  Have never had any hint of binding.  For your problem I would first try some type of spray Crud Buster, a light lube and a couple of different types of ammo.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »