Any opinions about the Browning BLR lever? I like the fact that it loads from a drop out magazine so can support a lot of sptitzer bullets. I'm thinking about one in .243, but not sure how the alloy reciever will hold up. Opinions, please. --Mykal

The alloy receiver shouldn't be a problem. On the recent models, the bolt locks up into the barrel so the receiver primarily acts as a guide for the bolt, magazine and all those little gears.

I have a recent model in 358 Win and think it's wonderful. It's accurate, handles well, and looks good (to me). The only nit I can pick with it is the lack of swivel studs on the straight gripped model. The pistol gripped model has them. I would have preferred a pistol grip model, but I bought mine before they introduced those.

Mykal - On this forum you will find those who love the BLR and those who hate it. Those who love it admire its strong action, regular lever handiness, and ability to use spitzer bullets. Those who hate it detest its lack of tradition and notoriously poor trigger. The steel alloy seems to be plenty stout, but for your purposes you can probably locate a used .243 with true steel. If you are looking at new rifles you might want to consider a WSM caliber, and if possible, even a caliber in one of the new, though limited, stainless and laminate editions.

Oh, and another negative: the high gloss stock. Still have one on my .358, but had a new, softer finish put on my 7mm-08.

Thanks for the responses, gentlemen. I agree with you, Jayhawker, the BLR is one beautiful rifle. I saw and article about it in July's Rifle Magazine and it really caught my eye. Sunday Creek: I can understand Lever Lovers not liking the non-tradition function of the rifle, but that is the very thing I find so interesting. What a genius design! A rack and pinion system, no less, to work a rotating bolt. Wow! I just have to feel that action. Don't get me wrong. I love my Marlin 1894, but I can't resist a lever action that shoots a .243. --Mykal

I will sound a bit like a fence rider, although I am not. My BLR is a longer action 30-06. It is a fantastic hunting rifle. Since I bought it, I have bought numerous Marlins, and find them to be a bit more adequate for my "plinking", Mine is accurate, and I reload for it using small base dies. I don't have problems with it, but it would not be my first choice for shooting cast bullets. Also, it is not my first choice for heavy duty shooting. The action cannot be taken apart unless you have special knowledge/training, and this is necessary for the amount of shooting I do.

My BLR gave me one of my longest shots, and accuracy is very adequate. Strangely, if you look at the Postal match, Jayhawker seems to be the only one with one entered. My experience is that it is adequately accurate, but not overly so. I know there are many that claim great accuracy, but I have not seen it. 1.5 in. seems to be the norm. I think I got one group under 1 inch for last years match. It was a fluke. I do like it better than my Savage 99 in 243. I am not a true traditionalist. ( I like scopes etc), but do like my Marlins more. Just chalk it up to they fit the type of shooting I do quite a bit more. There is nothing else like them. I may still get one in 22-250.

Dr. A - I just noticed that there aren't any Winchesters in the scoped postal match yet. Wonder what that means?

I just wanted to add that I have 15 Marlins and only 1 BLR, so that sort of defines my preferences too.

None of my three short action steel frame BLR's are for sale. With handloads and no tuning (other than triggers) two (.223,.257) shoot 3 shot groups right at 1 inch and the 30 year old .308 shoots well under that. While one chamber is minimal, none have ever required small base dies. Personally, I could be talked into a .22-250 and a .358. Still have a crazy idea to build a BLR .458...

Gentlemen,

Put a solid "Pro" in the BLR column from me. It does have its issues, the trigger, surely, mine is long but fairly light. And that magizine, I'm not very crazy about it, the thing sometimes has a mind of its own.

But, overall, its excellent. The action is smooth and lightening fast, the gun handles wonderfully, and it heck for accurate, at least mine is.

I came aquainted with mine because it was a 358, and to be honest if this caliber was offered in a 20" model 77, or a Model 7, I think I would have gone that way, but I am very happy with the rifle. I have let some of my wrong-handed kin shoot this gun, and they are sold, I reckon if I was a left handed shooter it might be my one and only.

Good shooting fellows,

Steve

I like what I'm hearing. I'm debating between the BLR and the Marlin stainless 336 in 30-30. I'd probably go with a .246 with the BLR. Like I said, the thing that pulls me toward the BLR is its unique design. The way rifles work fascinates me, and I like to collect rifles with as many different action types as possible. A lever that shoots "normal" rifle cartridges and spitzer bullets is pretty irisistable. Plus, to my eyes, the BLR is a beautiful rifle. What the 336 has going for it is probably obvious. It's a Marlin 336, and that stainless model is like looking at a fine piece of jewlery. -Mykal

This aluminum alloy receiver is refined and heat treated same way aircraft parts are made. I doubt very much that you will ever have a problem related to the receiver. Browning builds a very good product.

BLR's hold their value quite well. I'm not really clear on why some good rifles sell for so much less on the used rack. For example, Remington pump action rifles hardly ever sell for more than $300. used.

BLR makes a good base for a custom rilfe if so inclined. I had a 30-06 rebarreled to 9.3mm Mauser and a 270 rebarreled to 6.5mm Swede. Suprisingly affordable projects.

The Swede is my wife's rifle and she loves it. This unique rifle has transformed many elk, antelope, and mulies into neatly wrapped packages of frozen meat.
TR

i have a blr in .270, it is my first rile and my dad has a blr in .308 i love it when i was shopping for a rifle i was at the store and handles a few winchester's and marlins but the blr felt better and looked better and with a more capablr round i was sold, i also got to handle the strait stock and pistol stock and the strait was so much better and in my opinion looks a lot better to.

do what i did buy it :D

Mykal, you will not be disappointed in your BLR! It's my fave rifle, I leave the Weatherby parked usually now. And for those who don't understand, the BLR is a RIFLE, not a glorified pistol with a long barrel....sorry, couldn't help myself. In the .243 or .308 or .358 or one of the new WSM's...it can't be beat for light weight, easy handling, good shooting, etc. I mounted mine last year with a detachable Leupold mount and a Weaver 1.5-6x...in the rain, I yank it off. In the dry or a tall stand, I put it on. Tremendous versatility.

Thanks for all your input, gentlemen. TR - that custom work sounds pretty interesting. Where did you get that .270-to-6.5 Swedish done? JR1 - pleasant suprise to see you chiming in in the lever side of life. Man does not live by bolt guns alone, eh? Also glad to hear you think so highly of the BLR. Jeez, I haven't even got that Remington 700 LV-SF in .17 Remington scoped out for shooting yet, and I have my sights set on the next one! It's expensive being an addict. Thanks again to all for your experiences. -Mykal

The 270 to 6.5mm Swede was assembled by Dale Storey of Casper, Wyoming. Barrel was made in Montana.

Chamber specs matched original long throated Swedish Mauser because I wanted to handload the extra long 160 grain soft tip for elk hunting. Yet we use 140 grain Nosler Partition because it is more accurate for those long shots beyond 200 yards.

270 with 150 grain Nosler Partition is identical to 6.5mm bullet 140 grain bullet for penetration. I'm not sure the conversion was so wise after all. But this 6.5mm BLR is a fine all around rifle with moderate recoil and the accurasy rivals any off the shelf bolt action.

Actually, Browning's BLR IS A BOLT ACTION. But operated by a lever. No kidding, just remove the clip and hold the rifle upside down. Then operate the lever and you'll observe the bolt rotate to lock/unlock the action. Very clever indeed.
TR

When I was looking for a woods gun I was looking at a more traditional style lever gun such as the Win 94 or Marlin. I was looking at different lever guns from the different makers and stumbled upon the BLR. I didn't like the look as much as I did the Win 94 but I noticed it was produced in 358 Winchester. I looked more into the caliber and liked what I read about it and thought for what I was looking for, it would be hard to beat the 358. ironically when I went to my sporting goods store, they had one in the 358 on the shelf and was going to buy it but that weekend they'd have sales reps from Browing there so I waited and got a heck of a deal on it. Thanks to Whitehunter recommended some loads, I've shot tighter groups than I have with my Rem M700 off the bench. I've even thought of getting another and if you got one in a .243, I don't think you'd be disappointed either after handling and shooting it.

I to bought a BLR two years ago and had problems. The first year the bolt or pinion started to rub on the hammer and the hammer would not come all the way back . Browning repaired it .

The rifle was sent in the early summer and returned for the last few days of the deer hunt.

This spring I started shooting it after the snow and when the buggs were gone . It started acting up where the case's would stick for a moment , after firing. ( My third box of factory winchester bullets)

The rifle was then again returned to Browning for repair in June.

The BLR has had many good write ups. Most people like the units and had no problems. I few on the forum report the bolt rubbing on the hammer thing , and a few of the first 358W Japanize steel reciever model report the case sticking momentary in the reciever on firing. The new alloy reciever Model made in Japan in 358W, was supposed to have this problem corrected according to my Smith.( Soft Barrel)

I bought this rifle chambered in 358 W with high hopes of having a lever with 250 Yards Plus range and of course A bit more thump to be able to take on some of the big bears we have here in Central Ontario Canada. Then it is going to be my Moose gun also.
So I sit waiting for the second year for the rifle's return. Just wondering If I can load the Marlin 35 REM with Remington 35 's loads to take it moose hunting this year?

Now if I can get my Issues with the rifle sorted out , I still think I am going to like the gun. It points naturally. Recoil is not an issue,as the rifle has an Excellent recoil pad.
I think the 358 W chambering is going to be great for the hunting conditions and the game we shoot.

The rifles do seem to command a high price on the used rack, and here in central Ontario, that means being put on a waiting list.
As far as new rifles in 358 W, not two many come into the gun shop, though every one seems to be quickly sold.

Just wondering now that since the 358W chambered rifle is only made in Japan, and I am having some grief, that there might be some Q.C. issues,that we are not hearing about.

A demand for the 358W chambering is real , it is a great cartridge, and like I said, there is a waiting list for any used unit so chambered.

Nothing has ever been said about the 300 WSM or the New 325 WSM.
Wonder how these rifles are making out?

My rifle is getting a few little marks on it , not from normal wear and tear , rather being shipped back and forth to Browning for repair .

So I will post how every thing works out.
Happy

M1: how is the recoil on the .358? Been reading about the cartirdge, and it sure seems like an overlooked gem. -Mykal

Harry, truly hope they have your BLR straightened out. Apparently, according to the boards, when Browning went to the aluminum receiver they also changed some the materials for internal parts and forgot something about QC. My old pre-81 BLR was bought used in 1973, one of the early Japs, and has yet to give the first problem. It is also an unbelievable shooter. My '81's from the early '80's have also been trouble free. Truly BOL.

Yeah, Harry, more sympathy here. And proof that big companies don't know what they're doing. A stumble like this folks remember. Mine is an '81 Jap, bought used, probably 12 years ago, so who knows? But not a lick of trouble.

Mykal, I agree, I think that .358 might be one of the best 'not talked about' cartridges out there. Who knows why.
(Personal side note to Mykal-am wringing out Benchmark next week in both 'doggin' guns. Will report back. Under 40 grainers of course...)

My BLR is simply my favorite rifle. Handles so well, shoots acceptably well, (1.5" @100) and is in .308 which I have found to be a cartridge that simply fills 99% of my hunting needs. I have several posts concerning the BLR just do a forums search using BLR or look up my post using the members Control Pannel. Get yourself a BLR, you won't be sorry. I just got a new one, one of the stainless laminated ones they made for the 2005 shot show. Mine is again in .308 and was told by a Browning tech that only 380 were made in that configuration. Mine wears a Leupold VXIII 2.5x8x36 which I again believe to be the perfect scope for this gun. low enough magnification for quick up close shots, and high enough on the top end to easily get the job done @ 300yds. However I've never had to shoot anything that far away. This of course is just my 2 cents and worth less than that, so take it with a grain of salt. Do yourself a favor and go to a gun store, pick one up and quickly throw it to your shoulder, it will sell itself.

M1: how is the recoil on the .358? Been reading about the cartirdge, and it sure seems like an overlooked gem. -Mykal

Recoil of the 358 is about the same as with the 308 I find. Go up in bullet weight and the recoil is going to increase accordingly. Been reports that with the heavy loads recoil is about that of the 3006.

The blr has a super recoil pad, so maybe at the bench , you might notice a bit , but standing shooting I really did not note anything with the factory rounds.

I really think the 358W is really an overlooked jem. It was introduced along with the 243 in 1955 I believe.
Well the 243 caught every ones eye, but every one was starting the big faster is better craze, so the 358 @ 2300 of so with bullets upto 250 grs di not really catch much attention.

Now get out your charts and compare with the 45/70.

2300 to 2500 fet per second with a 35 call bullet in the 200 to 250 weight range is really not that bad

The 45/70 I hunted with for awhile , in the guide , and it is a good cartridge. Recoil is up there, and the cartridge does suffer from the rainbow affect.
Sighted in at 3 " at one hundred yards I should be good to 175 yards with the 300 gr. bullet.

Well I could not touch a deer just over two hundred yards . then again my Marlin would not group those bullets either .
(Six to eight inches @ 100 yrs was nothing to brag about)

Now take the 358W and compare . You have not got that rainbow affect ,nor the recoil, and look what energy your packing out to the 250 yard mark.

More like shooting the 300 Savage, but throwing a 250 gr 35 cal bullet. And a lot of thump.

That is when I sold the 45/70 Guide, and started looking at the BLR.

So guys if your into reloading , and you like to shoot something between the 35 remington and the 35 whelen.
in a short action lever . And you want something that points itself, and does not hurt at both ends when you pull the trigger . Listen then to all the folks that have a BLR in steel or in the new Alloy.
I am just itchin' to get my rifle out shooting.

Browning lets get it right this time.

Matt, if you haven't yet, try the SST's from Hornady. I was getting <1" groups with iron sights and I'm not that good! So I figured it earned the scope. Now with the small power scope I have, it's not much better, but it's better than 1.5"...and if we ever go mountain climbing with it, that'll be important.

Matt, if you haven't yet, try the SST's from Hornady. I was getting <1" groups with iron sights and I'm not that good! So I figured it earned the scope. Now with the small power scope I have, it's not much better, but it's better than 1.5"...and if we ever go mountain climbing with it, that'll be important.


JR,

Thanks for the tip. I hope to be sighting in my rifle this weekend, I will give the SST's a try.