Author Topic: Finally got a BLR! (Read 3274 times)

MZ5 · « **on:** October 06, 2011, 06:57:43 PM »

I've wanted a Browning BLR for years. Decades. And I finally got one.

I think I got a good deal on it, it's in great shape, nice wood, a 243 Win, and I can't hardly wait to have a weekend free to take it out and try it. Can't quite decide whether to use the Leupold bases on it, or go for a Conetrol set-up (I've always thought Conetrols looked slick!). Hopefully this weekend I'll get a few minutes to take it out, and at least see if it'll fire (and see whether I can see anything with the iron sights!).

Ranch13 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2011, 04:54:20 AM »

Tightne the forearm bolt as tight as you can get it. Keep your groups to 3 shots so the barrel doesn't heat up and with the rifles favorite ammo, it should shoot cloverleafs at 100 yds.
Both the blr's that call our safe home prefer remington factory loads and brass.

MZ5 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2011, 08:30:51 AM »

Thanks for the advice, Ranch13! Looking in the book that came with the gun (don't have the gun in front of me right now), I'm seeing a bolt or screw that apparently screws straight up from the bottom, through the forearm, and into a stud that is dovetailed (maybe?) into the bbl. Is that the screw you're referring to? Perhaps I should mention that this gun is a pistol-grip Lightning BLR, but not new enough to have the current schnabel forearm. '99 model, as I recall. Thanks again!

Ranch13 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2011, 03:48:06 PM »

Well I don't know about the lightning models.

I was speaking of the original and 81 models. Theres a bolt that goes all the way from the front of the forearm to the receiver on those and keeping that tight really aids in accuracy.
I would imagine that those lightning models have the thin barrels as well so sticking with 3 shot groups is probably best.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2011, 12:28:43 AM »

there good guns. MY fathers 308 will shoot 5 shots into 1 1/8 at a 100 yards using factory 165 fed preimum or handloads using that same 165 seirra. Hes shot a truckload of deer with it

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2011, 02:04:02 PM »

My 7mm-08 is one slick shootin bugger, has accounted for several mule deer. The older 358 is still waitin for her turn to dance with deer. Had wanted a BLR all my shooting life, not sorry I got em, that's for sure.

DP

MZ5 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:27:34 PM »

Got my Conetrol bases and rings mounted up today. Let me tell you, those are some extremely fine rings and bases! Hope to be able to get it aligned and sighted in before a work trip later this week. Taking the kids with me to help if I get to go out.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2011, 09:08:47 PM »

Enjoy your BLR. They are one of the finest lever actions ever made. My old original model BLR in 358 Win. has taken quite a bit of game with utter reliability, and very good accuracy. That smooth, short lever throw, with the trigger attached really comes in handy in cold weather when using heavy gloves.

Larry

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2011, 06:00:33 AM »

Enjoy. I've carried one or another since 1974. Accurate, handy and reliable. They shoot groups that shock the weekend bolt action crowd. Love my .223. .257 and .308, none will ever be sold. Always looking to steal a .22-250 and .358.

snowbird · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2011, 03:21:04 AM »

I have a lighting model in 30-06, great pointer for me. I had a chance to have one in 257 Roberts a long time ago (kicking myself), but I was in the magnum craze back then.

MZ5 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:41:20 PM »

Thought I'd update the thread. The late fall/early winter and the holidays have had me doing other things (it's SOOOO nice here this time of year!), but my first outing a few weeks ago with some Prvi Partizan 100-grain ammo was not promising at all. Today, though, I had some HSM 75-grain V-Maxes and some Federal Premium 70-grain NBTs that shot pretty well! I was not shooting from a mechanical rest, just laying the forend across a block and trying to time between heartbeats (they seem to send the crosshairs into wild gyrations these days).

An inch to an inch and a half for both of those types, and no POI walking as the barrel got hot (I shouldn't have shot the last group quite so soon nor quickly, but needed to get along home...). I expect that either a machine rest or someone who can hold a lot more still than I can could pretty easily cut those group sizes in half. So, I'm happy with it!

MZ5 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:31:36 AM »

I forgot to add that I'd like to find a way to eliminate the half-mile of creep in the BLR trigger. If anyone reads this and can point me in a likely direction, I'd love to hear it!

1sourdough · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2012, 11:20:55 PM »

All I can say about the trigger is to be very hesitant to let anybody go inside the receiver. You will probably have to get used to it & the trigger will never be as nice as your favorite bolt action. There may be a few around who deal with the BLR trigger, none I know of & much less I would trust. Other than that, nice rifle.

pastorp · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:45:20 AM »

BLR's are hunting guns. Not target guns.

Shoot the gun a lot & you'll get used to the trigger.

If your smart you won't let anyone mess with it. They are fine the way they are. And I've owned a dozen or more over the years beginning with my first in 1971. A belgium model in 308.
Hunted from florida to the rocky mountains with that gun. Shot jacks to elk and it worked on everything. Oh & on the trigger, thats not actually creep. They have a two stage trigger. You take up the slack & then the trigger pull starts. You'll get used to it if you shoot it enough.

Regards,

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2012, 05:09:31 PM »

Learned to shoot with an M1 with the two-stage trigger. Was taught "BASS": Breathe, Aim, Slack, Squeeze, i.e. take the slack out (stage one) and then the serious trigger squeeze begins.

-WH-

MZ5 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2012, 09:15:33 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on January 12, 2012, 03:45:20 AM

Oh & on the trigger, thats not actually creep. They have a two stage trigger. You take up the slack & then the trigger pull starts. You'll get used to it if you shoot it enough.

Regards,

Are you sincere? This trigger doesn't feel like the 2-stagers on the M1, ARs, or AK, let alone the Ruger Target Model. If this should be a 2-stage, it needs some help. It is gritty and jumpy, like creep. I will have to look it over carefully to see what's up. Thanks!

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:36:09 PM »

Ask some of your local gunsmiths if they have experience with the BLR. After a few responses you will be able to tell who to trust, because its not every "gunsmith" that can reassemble a BLR and get its gears timed properly. A good gunsmith, not a parts changer, can help the BLR trigger quite a bit. I've had a couple of mine reworked locally without problems. With the BLR's disconnecting trigger, it will never break like a target bolt gun, but it is well worth tuning.

MZ5 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2012, 05:17:56 AM »

I may try to see how the sear & hammer interact myself. there is a local guy says he works on Brownings regularly. He is just tough to get ahold of.
Right now I just need a sufficiently long yet large screwdriver in order to be able to remove the buttstock. It's on there TIGHT.

SM Bob · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2012, 12:29:27 PM »

I recently picked up a .308 BLR recently. Put a Weaver 3-9 scope on it. It will shoot 1" 3 shot groups with Previ 150gr SP ammo. Need to try some more ammo with heavier bullets. Very happy with the BLR though. A beautiful rifle and a sweet shooter.

Robert

pastorp · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2012, 05:42:12 PM »

MZ5,

If you take the action down you probably will never get it timed right again. If you can't live with it sell it and go back to a bolt gun with a good trigger... I'm giving you good advise. But from the tone of your post I doubt you'll take it.

I have owned over a dozen of these starting with the belium made one I bought the first year they were made 1971.

Regards,

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2012, 12:59:52 AM »

tried to talk dad into a 358 when i bought him his for his retirement but he had a buddy who had one in 308 and he just had to have one in 308 himself. Pastorp im no gunsmith and dont do triggers myself. My buddy does them for me and he did dads 308 and got it down to a fairly crips 3 lbs. I dont remember him grumbling about how difficult it was and hes grumbled many times in the past when doing some of my guns.

Quote from: Bigeasy on October 11, 2011, 09:08:47 PM

Enjoy your BLR. They are one of the finest lever actions ever made. My old original model BLR in 358 Win. has taken quite a bit of game with utter reliability, and very good accuracy. That smooth, short lever throw, with the trigger attached really comes in handy in cold weather when using heavy gloves.

Larry

pastorp · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2012, 04:20:39 AM »

Lloyd, There are gunsmiths that can work on them. I mean they put them together at the factory... But they are beyond the average guys ability. Not easy to time.

If he has a gunsmith that knows what he's doing fine, My comment was directed at him doing it himself.

I feel that he's trying to make the blr into something it will never be. I have owned a lot of them and honestly never felt the triggers were unacceptable. But thats just me.

It's his gun & of course he can do what he wants with it. There are a few guys that do work on them.

Regards,

MZ5 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2012, 11:09:01 AM »

I've taken it down a couple times now, but I only just got an appropriate stone in the mail yesterday. It's really not all that big of a deal, but it's certainly not the same as a bolt gun or even the 19th-century levers. It looks like perhaps the older style (steel receivers, I guess; all those that lock directly to the receiver rather than locking into a barrel extension) would require a little more experience or feel or touch or something. I don't mind mechanical stuff at all; it's the very small things that irritate me because my fingers are too fat to work with them very well. OTOH, I do all my own automotive work, too, except the things I either don't have tools or space for. YMMV

EDIT: I also found a 'smith here who'll work on them, so if I get myself into trouble, I've got good backup.

MZ5 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2012, 11:38:27 AM »

Oh, what a difference a finish makes!

Put a hard Arkansas to the hammer and sear engagement surfaces ONLY to smooth/polish them up. With that done and a little BreakFree LP (not CLP) applied as a preservative, the trigger is LIGHT YEARS better! Still not quite target material, but now it's actually acceptable for a firearm!
The moral of the story? Anyone/everyone (including Browning) who tries to tell you "it's only a hunting rifle" or something similar as an excuse for the disaster of a trigger supplied by Browning has obviously never fired one of Browning's _other_ 'only hunting rifles.' These can be cleaned up just like most 'only hunting' guns.

Also, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE BOLT OR CARRIER OR LEVER TO WORK ON THE TRIGGER. At least not on the Lightning models. I did need a SMALL, NARROW stone, though. Even a 3/8" triangle may be just a touch too large to get at what you need to, depending upon the exact gun/parts you have.

dpastordan · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2012, 02:09:37 PM »

You got a great rifle. I have one in .270 and it has killed deer and boar. I put a Weaver 1-3X on it. It is quite accurate for a hunting rifle. I practiced to get used to the trigger.

Canuck Bob · « **Reply #25 on:** April 02, 2012, 03:11:10 PM »

I'm hesitant to say this but I regularly breech cleaned the BLR I bought years ago. The timing issue was unknown to me and is ALWAYS reported as a no go for owners. One just made sure it locked up properly. Adjusting one cog forward or back as required.

I pulled my bolt regularly, it wasn't until the forum era that I found out I shouldn't have. It is not straight forward so if one is all thumbs don't try.

pricedo · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2012, 04:03:39 AM »

Quote from: Canuck Bob on April 02, 2012, 03:11:10 PM

I'm hesitant to say this but I regularly breech cleaned the BLR I bought years ago. The timing issue was unknown to me and is ALWAYS reported as a no go for owners. One just made sure it locked up properly. Adjusting one cog forward or back as required.

I pulled my bolt regularly, it wasn't until the forum era that I found out I shouldn't have. It is not straight forward so if one is all thumbs don't try.

What did you think of the trigger?
My BLR (Miroku) is in .308 Win is a Takedown model so I just flip the lever pull it apart and clean from the breach end...........no problemo.
I got the takedown feature more for the cleaning than the portability aspect.
I prefer receiver mounted scopes to Scout scopes (I hate them) and find that the POI doesn't change noticeably after I take the gun down and reassemble.

T.R. · « **Reply #27 on:** May 05, 2012, 01:55:27 AM »

My sister-in-law is a lefty so the BLR is perfect. Her 7mm-08 has taken many mule deer, antelope, and a couple Wyoming elk, too. BLR is a keeper!

TR

muznut 54 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:44:14 AM »

I have a 358 that I bought used about ten years ago when I do my part with my handloads groups are overlapped or touching I have a safe with 35 rifles up to a 300mag auto loader and most of the wssm and wsm cals up to 325wsm m70 feather weights and a 450marlin but I most always grab the blr for hunting.

muznut 54 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2012, 07:05:12 AM »

I forgot to mention I also have a Ruger M77 350rem mag but prefer the BLR 358win.