How Do You Make a BLR Shoot????

[Blowtorch53]

Hi Guys,

I kind of fell in love a few years back with lever guns.  I have a lot more than I need but less than I want!  I have lots of Marlins and Winchesters and most of them are very accurate.  I have three BLR's and I don't know how to tweak them to get the accuracy I want.  All were purchased used.  I have two BLR Lightweights one in .358 Win. and one in .308 Win.  The .308 looks brand new and I couldn't resist the price but I haven't scoped or shot it yet.  I also have a 81 BLR in 7MM-08.  I love the look of it with the straight grip stock and I would love to hunt with it.

I can't seem to get any consistency or accuracy out of either the .358 or the 7MM-08.  The triggers on both of them are pretty bad, meaning stiff and heavy.  Both have quality scopes and they are mounted tight and properly.  The .358 has been tried with Winchester factory ammo. and various handloads.  The best group I have been able to get is probably around 4" at 100 yds. off the bench.  The 7MM-08 is about the same size groups but it prints groups in various places on the target at random.  I replaced the scope but it didn't seem to help.  Is there a bedding issue or forearm screw issue that I need to address?  Are there some tricks to making these work that I don't know about?  All these guns have like new looks and bores.  I can shoot pretty good with other stuff so I know it's not all me.  Before I sell them all, I would like to give it a good hard effort the make them shoot.  Any help would be appreciated!  Blowtorch

[Rangr44]

I haven't heard of too many "tricks", other than talking some gunsmith into working on the trigger (which most won't).

I've only had experience with an early (1971) steel .358 BLR, that I added a peep sight to.

I got 1 3/4" - 2" groups @ 100 yds, out of the box, so just took it hunting - never doing anything to it except clean it.

[tanoose]

Out of the box 2" groups at 100 yards was no problem with my BLR using winchester factory ammo and handloading Hornady 200 rn.I tightened my groups with the Hornady 250 at around 2200 fps. The 225 sierras also shoot well but i am sticking with the 250's

[RaySendero]

Well.....I sound as if you have eliminated the "scope".

However, you haven't eliminated the mount - Just a thought!

Seems you have identified the trigger - This could/can be a big accuracy problem - Depends on you and how you can control a bad trigger.  Think about other rifles you have shot with good triggers and compare.

If it were me, I'd fix the trigger then work/experiment with reloads - Bullet type, bullet wt.(length) and cartridge OAL.

[fknipfer]

I just got back from the range today after shooting my new to me a 1990 BLR .308.  After finding out it liked 150gr bullets instead of 165grs.  I put 10roudnds in a 1 3/4" group 3.0" inches high at 100 yds.  I don't think a hunting rifle could shoot much better unless I had used shooting rest, which I may do next time to see if I can get the group close to an inch.  But 1 3/4" group for ten rounds isn't too bad.  The only complaint I have is the trigger was a little heavy for me but I will get used to it.  Its too nice a rifle to mess with and I always had wanted on so I will really take care of it.  Of course I had use a 2 x7 Bushnell Legend scope.  I think practice, practice and more practice is one of the keys to getting a rifle to shoot well.  Of course finding the right round will work also.


fknipfer

[Country Boy]

My .308 and .358 both shoot fine I never messed with either. However you might check the bbl band sometimes they touch the bbl. The forearm is free floated.My .308 shoots plain old  federal 150" into a3/4 at a hunder and the .358 has them all touching with .250 speers. They are a delight in the field and I've killed a lot of game with both