I owned a 1977 BLR in 358 that wanted to be a 5" rifle, but could be fought to make it a 2" rifle. Curiously, it had a BIG squarish pit about an inch and a half from the muzzle? Like a chunk had been ripped out of the inside of the barrel. As a side note, it came with a Leupold 2.5 that I count as the dimmest scope I have EVER owned.
Replaced it by ANOTHER 1977 BLR in 358, which spent much time in a scabbard. It is awaiting load development after being rehabbed. HTH, Dutch.
