Author Topic: Browning BLR? (Read 2613 times)

Bear Wallow · « **on:** November 06, 2005, 04:25:53 PM »

I 've been thinking about a 308 in a BLR with a steel reciever. What are the pros and cons. Hwe about the new ones?

wis_sharpshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2005, 05:12:47 PM »

I think if you like the BLRs then get one. There a fine rifle if you like the lever actions and browning makesa pretty good one. I personaly like my BAR in .300win mag but thats me. I'd say choose the rifle based on where you hunt and what u plan to use it for.

Daveinthebush · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2005, 05:26:54 PM »

There have also been some runs in stainless. If they make a 30/06 in one I will buy it and have it rebarreled to .35 Whelen.

pagris · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2005, 07:28:58 AM »

Bear Wallow: I own four older model BLRs, all with the steel receiver, including one which I purchased new in 1981. I find them to be a very pleasant rifle to handle and carry, as well as being well constructed. Their main weak spot, IMO, is a heavy trigger that has noticeable creep, but that is something that you never notice in the field.

The newer, aluminum receiver models were introduced in 1996 as the BLR Lightning and also feature a folding hammer design that provides an extra safety position. The problem with it is that its design prohibits the use of an hammer extension, which I have on all of mine and find quite handy. The aluminum models also originally had a curved pistol grip and lever, unlike the original models which had a straight grip. In 2003, Browning introduced the New '81 BLR which brought back the straight grip and, in 2005, added a curved - gripped model to supplement it. You should try to handle both grip styles to see which one appeals to you most - if you like the curved version, then you will be limited to the newer, aluminum models.

When it comes time to head to the woods, I always reach for a BLR ........

volshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2005, 11:29:26 AM »

This year I traded for a BLR in .308. It was NIB, a K72 at that. Real bueaty this one for a 33 year old. Sometimes you get lucky.
Rick

WoodyP · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:18:25 PM »

I had a Belgian made BLR approximately 30 yrs ago, that I had to trade for a car before I ever got to hunt with it. I remember that it was a sub 1" shooter. About 6 months ago I bought another Belgian made .308 BLR over the internet, and was excited to see that it looked like it had never been in the field. Last Friday (day after Thanksgiving) the BLR and I brought home a nice old buck (7 pt). My shot was OK, but not as precise as those I make with a bolt or single shot with a 3 lb trigger. The trigger is the one sore spot. The big plus is how nice it looks and feels, the great deep bluing job, and that all the fellow hunters who see it, say, if you ever find another one of those, let me know. That creates a great pride in ownership. I don't think that I'll ever part with this one, they aren't the prettiest rifle to look at, at first, but they sure grow on you. This one shoots 3/4 to 7/8 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yds, with 4 power scope and 150 Hornady Interlocks, couldn't get the 165's to shoot quite as well.

Regards,
Woody

WoodyP · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:21:48 PM »

I had a Belgian made BLR approximately 30 yrs ago, that I had to trade for a car before I ever got to hunt with it. I remember that it was a sub 1" shooter. About 6 months ago I bought another Belgian made .308 BLR over the internet, and was excited to see that it looked like it had never been in the field. Last Friday (day after Thanksgiving) the BLR and I brought home a nice old buck (7 pt). My shot was OK, but not as precise as those I make with a bolt or single shot with a 3 lb trigger. The trigger is the one sore spot. The big plus is how nice it looks and feels, the great deep bluing job, and that all the fellow hunters who see it, say, if you ever find another one of those, let me know. That creates a great pride in ownership. I don't think that I'll ever part with this one, they aren't the prettiest rifle to look at, at first, but they sure grow on you. This one shoots 3/4 to 7/8 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yds, with 4 power scope and 150 Hornady Interlocks, couldn't get the 165's to shoot quite as well.

Regards,
Woody

WoodyP · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:23:36 PM »

I had a Belgian made BLR approximately 30 yrs ago, that I had to trade for a car before I ever got to hunt with it. I remember that it was a sub 1" shooter. About 6 months ago I bought another Belgian made .308 BLR over the internet, and was excited to see that it looked like it had never been in the field. Last Friday (day after Thanksgiving) the BLR and I brought home a nice old buck (7 pt). My shot was OK, but not as precise as those I make with a bolt or single shot with a 3 lb trigger. The trigger is the one sore spot. The big plus is how nice it looks and feels, the great deep bluing job, and that all the fellow hunters who see it, say, if you ever find another one of those, let me know. That creates a great pride in ownership. I don't think that I'll ever part with this one, they aren't the prettiest rifle to look at, at first, but they sure grow on you. This one shoots 3/4 to 7/8 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yds, with 4 power scope and 150 Hornady Interlocks, couldn't get the 165's to shoot quite as well.

Regards,
Woody

pastorp · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2006, 03:22:09 PM »

Daveinthebush, I thought Browning did chamber their long action in 30/06. If not get a 358 win. I have one and its a dandy. Regards, Byron

Old Griz · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2006, 09:03:13 PM »

:cb2: OK, dumb question time. (Pardon my ignorance.)

Can a good gunsmith lighten the trigger on the BLR, or is there something unique about their triggers that prohibits this?

pastorp · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:31:00 PM »

Old Griz, I have read about people having the triggers smoothed up on the blrs. It must be possible. I have 6 in different calibers and have owned probably another 8-9 over the years and never felt any I had needed trigger work.

They are not target triggers by any means but perfectly usable for a hunting rifle. Regards, Byron

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2006, 05:25:52 PM »

:cb2: Thanks. I have heard so many people (including WoodyP above)mention the trigger, that it kinda got me worrying about it. I really like the looks, and the fact that it's a lever gun, and I think my next rifle will be a BLR in 7-08.