Author Topic: Browning 81 BLR  (Read 2596 times)

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Offline moose

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Browning 81 BLR
« on: January 06, 2009, 03:10:15 PM »
bought a Browning model 81 BLR, it's mfg date is 1989, 308 cal. ......anyone own one of these, what kind of ammo do they like ???........what kind of scope do your have on yours ??? mine came with a tasco 3x9x40 tv view, got a older nikon 3x9x40 , i thinking about putting on there-thanks for any info

Online Lloyd Smale

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2009, 02:20:24 AM »
dads hunted with one for years. Its favorite ammo hands down is fed premium 165s with the sierra bullet. I havent even improved on them handloading for it.
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Offline moose

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2009, 03:12:13 PM »
will be trying different loads for it, bought some core loc's and WILL try the fed's.....thanks

Offline moose

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2009, 05:48:52 AM »
UPDATE on the BLR............she likes the Remington 150 Core-loc's.............and i killed a pig with it using the core-loc's last Sunday afternoon. @ 200 yds. in a food plot.

Offline Ahshucks

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2009, 05:36:54 AM »
UPDATE on the BLR............she likes the Remington 150 Core-loc's.............and i killed a pig with it using the core-loc's last Sunday afternoon. @ 200 yds. in a food plot.

Same load I use (Pointed Softpoints) to some pretty good accuracy.  If there is a need, the managed recoil loads shoot right on with them with less recoil - longer range suffers however.
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Offline okielectrician

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2009, 10:58:42 AM »
I have a BLR in a 270,had for about 15 years,love it killed a many deer with it,have a simmons 44 mag scope thats been on it for 14.It too likes the rem 150 soft points but if I am varmit hunting I like the 130'
Like to get some dies and load some 110's right now I am just set up for my 45-70.
Thank God for the woods and the critters that inhabit them

Offline saltydog

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2009, 02:13:35 PM »
Nice rifle - I recommend you try the Hornady 150 gr. InterLocks and SST's for big game. Put this scope on the rifle -http://midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=629513  Weaver Classic 2-7 - they are clear, bright, priced right and at 38 mm compact.

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2009, 04:06:27 PM »
I've got one in 7mm-08 and have a Nikon 1.5x5 on it that has worked perfectly.  I like the straight tube on a lever gun and a single shot as well, just looks right to me.  DP
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline jager

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2009, 05:31:38 PM »
   I've owned 2, one in a .308 and one in a .243. Both were '81's and both had steel receivers. They are well made and I really liked the smooth, short lever throw. Both guns were accurate with groups in the 1 1/4 and 1 1/2" arena.
   One area that became a concern for me was reloading. I discovered that both rifles had rather "tight" chambers that required complete "full length" resizing. Back the die off 1/2 turn and "partial" resize (either intensionally or by accident) and the round will probably chamber, but not fire. It appears that the two piece bolt will "gap" if the cartridge does not fully seat in the chamber and the firing pin does not hit the primer hard enough to detonate. If this happens to you a few times, you might lose some faith in the reliability of the rifle, your reloads, or both. I've not experience this problem with factory ammo. (I have tried a couple of different brand dies, but did not have any RCBS "Small Base" dies, which might solve the problem.)
   If you find a load that works and you don't have a desire to test every combination of loads (as I have a tendency to do), you'll enjoy your purchase.
   I concur that 150gr Hornady is probably the best choice in the .308. I had good luck with the 100gr Hornady or 85HPBT in the .243.

Offline rikshail

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2009, 04:44:12 PM »
I currently own one in 30-06 and had one in 308 which i wish to this day i never sold.

I've maybe shot a box of factory out of either as i reload and found that if you plan to reload you will have to full length resize and will need to seat you bullet a little deeper < i believe you will find that most factory rounds are smaller then reload deminsions given in books>.  I use 180 sierra bottails for my 06.  My honest opinion is if you use reloads of origions other then your own press this is not the rifle for you.

also if you look another thing worth mention is most are considered short actions with the 270 30-06 7mm and 300 win mag being long actions


http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=006

linky shows list from browning with that info

love these rifles to death will never part with my 30-06 and plan on aquiring another 308 or 243 as soon as i pass it through my financial adviser who wants a new pistol first  ::)

Offline p15camborne

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2009, 05:24:33 PM »
I've shot many reloads thru my steel receiver Model 81 BLR .243.  All reloaded with a Lee Loader.  Thus the case is only neck resized.  Of course, I only reloaded for this rifle with factory cases previously fired in this rifle.  I've had no problems.  These reloads will not chamber in my Ruger Hawkeye.  They only chamber in the BLR which they were previously fired in.  Once I've fired a few boxes thru the Ruger, I'll reload for it too.  I mark the boxes so I know which rifle fired them.  So my BLR does not require full length resizing of the catridge case. 

Offline Country Boy

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2009, 12:43:12 PM »
My blr81 is a .358 wears a leaupold 2x7 #4 crosshair. Never shot a factory load in it but will make a ragged hole with .250 speers or hornadys and TAC power and others. I've shot 30 bears with it along with some other things and all have been one shot kills ! I've been lucky so far. Opps I did shoot some 200 grn hornadys for deer they are always DOA I use 3031 for the 200's

Offline Skunk

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2009, 01:24:22 PM »
Received the 2009 Browning catalog in the mail yesterday and I've been drooling over the pictures of the BLR with the pistol grip and Schnabel forearm. That rifle in .358 Win would just be the Cat's Meow. At least it looks like it would in the pictures. Course, I've got drool all over the page with the BAR Safaris too. It just never ends. ;)
Mike

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" - Frank Loesser

Offline buckweet

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Re: Browning 81 BLR
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2009, 10:39:46 AM »
oh my !!.... heres a thought ? BAR in .358 .......wow !


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