Yes they are. IMO, you'll be happier in the long run than trying to find a 99 to spend too much $ on, only to realize you got nothing as good as that BLR or any decent bolt gun, save possibly some prettier wood or case hardening on a lever. Also, I noticed a comment about the 220 FPs and short barrels vs expansion. IME, those Speer FP pills are hard to get to expand, period. The factory Hornady and Winchester loads are better loads.
I wouldn't go that far, at least not concerning the BLR/99 comparison.
Gears don't make a BLR better and you just try and pull one apart and put it back together.
