Hello all,

Being a Marlin Lever frequent user and a TSX-addict, I need a lever action rifle, that I would:

- scope without stomach cramps,
- could use TSX FBs in (no tube).

That says Browning BLR. A collegue of mine has one in .308 Win. that keeps red deer in check in the Harz Mountains.

Often having to participate in game drives on wild boar, I want more bullet.

Browning offers the .358 Win.
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...alue=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=006

Questions to the board:

1) What is the max. COAL the short action BLR magazine permits?
2) Who has actual load data and velocities with .358 Win. and 225 grain Barnes TSX out of the 20" barrel?
3) Is there any indication, that Browning will chamber the BLR 81 Lightweight in .338 Federal (in 20" barrel)?

When I had mine I could get all but the 250 grain Noslers in it just fine.

You don't need a TSX for the BLR or any 358 win, the speeds aren't that hot, and 225 grains of lead will go all the way through just about anything including a 150 lb whitetail from front to back. I shoot 225 grain Seirra gamekings, alot cheaper too.

I can't answer the last question

Spot

find a pre 81 or an 81. the new models are mere shadows of the older ones.

Spotshooter, thank you.

All of this is not so much a question of "need", more a matter of "want".

I want a 200 to 225 grain TSX bullet of .338 + caliber at 2250 + fps out of 20" barrel in a short action lever.

BLR '81 in .338 Federal would be the perfect solution.
.338 Marlin will not do for me because of the tube. Id rathers tay with my .45-70 then.

I don't remember the exact length of the mag box. I remember I could load out to SAAMI overall length spec for .358, but not a whole lot more.

My opinion- if you get one, and you should, get the pistol grip version. I've owned both, the PG version is superior to me. It scopes up better, handles recoil better (that straight stock really slaps the side of my face), and on the PG version the barrel is free-floated while the straight stock has a barrel band.

I did mess with X bullets in mine. Spotshooter is correct, you certainly don't NEED an X bullet in a .358, and in fact the argument could be made that the moderate velocities of the .358 speak against the TSX; they like to go fast to insure expansion. I load 200-gn Hornady's for deer and 225-gn Partitions as my "anything" load for my current .358.

I have a BLR .358 win pistol grip version that I bought last summer. I love it. I put 3 shots in 1/2" over the weekend when I was having fits with my Model 70. I like the 200 grain hornadies myself for whitetail but might consider the barnes for an elk hunt. I had a straight grip Marlin guide gun and couldn't stand it. Pistol grips are just more comfortable to me.

I have the itch for one of these real bad. Just gotta get over that golden trigger

I was about to buy one of these and in fact tried to work a trade for a blr in 358 about a week ago when a Savage model 99 in .358 came available and I grabbed it. A much better gun, IMHO. I WAS going to rebore my , 308 caliber clip feed Savage 99 from 308 to .358 when I made the deal just completed, I will sell you the now not needed model 99 donor gun cheap if you want to go this route.

I, too am a total TSX nut case, but my affliction comes from 1) having unbonded lead core bullets fail one or two many times as in failing to exit and give a good blood trail and 2) using X's in thier various itinerations all over the Western US, Alaska and Africa for about 20 years now and reccomending them to my Safari Clients with wonderful results every time. I just last night necked up a bunch of 308 brass to 358 and loaded them up with several different amounts of H335 and... you guessed it... Barnes 225gr TSX's. This will be my 'mobile' West side (rain forest) Elk rifle. Maybe one could get by with a lead core bullet but the absolutely reliable expansion of the hollow pointed TSX, even at very low impact speeds, combined with the ability to penetrate deeply if called to do so make this a no brainer for me. The cost of our projectiles is SUCH a small part of the cost for big game hunting I see it as very cheap hunt insurance. My loaded TSX's work through the clips of my Savage model 99 just great when seated and crimped into the forward groove. I would think the BLR's clips to be of similar length. Should be able to reach 2300fps or a little more with this load. If I can get to the range this weekend to chrono these I will report back my results. Good luck in your quest, I only just now scratched this long standing itch of mine so I DO understand! Good hunting, MARK

I'm for thinking a 225 TSX will be a little "long" in a BLR, but I can't say for sure. I do know the 225 Sierra and Partition were about as long a bullet as I could see using in my two .358's.

... Unless you just don't care about losing the 100-150 fps that the extra length of the longer bullet will cost as you seat it deep enough, and that's cool too. I can hit 2500 fps with NP's; I guess a TSX even at 2350 (say) would do purty much the same thang...

Jeff,

With what powder and charge were you getting to 2500?

Also, I have some 210gr gas checked and lubed hard lead bullets coming. Anyone have a recipe for a sub sonic load for these? I am hoping to create a load that will hit minute of grouse or tree squirrel out to 25 yards or so with the same scope setting as my hunting loads.

MARK

PS too cloudy to Chrono today, will try it again tommorow but I would sure love to try Jeff O's powder at the same time.

CMG

The .325 WSM in a BLR might be an option, if you are thinking about a new rifle. A used Savage 99 in .358 is another. Good luck.

Or, like some of us who either do not want to spend the big bucks for a used model 99 in 358 or, like me prefer the clip feed feature, a model 99 originally chambered in 308 re-bored or re-barreled to 358.

All,

thanks for the good advice. I particularly like the Savage 99 .358 deal. That TSX matter is, like I said, a matter of want. Not much need at .358 Win velocities, indeed.

Well, I will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

IMR 4895, 51 grains of it, gets me to 2500 fps. 2480, actually <g>. That is a max or even over-book-max load, so work up to it!!!

It's also a highly compressed load. I slowly trickle the powder into the case, while rapidly tapping it on a bolt head on my bench. That makes it possible to fit the powder, but it's still a very compressed load.

According to John Barsness, TAC will get you over 2500 fps, without the compression. Have not tried it yet.