Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General BLR Straight grip or pistol grip with scope?

I have an interest in a 358 win for deer hunting and wondered what the consensus was for the BLR regards straight or pistol grip? I really like the stainless gun but the takedown is only available in the model 81 style and not sure how repeatable that will be with a receiver mounted scope. Anyhow I think I want to try the 358 win and this looks like a good gun to try it in.

I have only had a pistol grip BLR, it felt so good I can't imagine the straight grip feeling any better. Currently without a BLR but I would really love a pistol grip 450 Marlin for bear protection. The 358 would be a really sweet gun so I would go for it. The best thing you could do is handle both and see if you like one style better than the other.

I love my takedown BLR 30-06. No problems with accuracy with the receiver mounted scope. It is a shorter range gun for me, no plans for 300+ yard shots.


[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/TAGLARRY/media/image_zpsb9t3ggy9.jpeg.html]BLR 30-06[/url]

in my experience the pistol grips are easier to carry/cradle. i like the look of straight stock better though.

Off the bench I feel I can group better the pistol grip. The pistol grip comes out of the saddle scabbard easier ( the grip helps). But the straight grip looks cooler IMO.

I have owned both a prefer the straight stock, it just feels better to Me.....The BLR is an excellent great handling rifle in either stock configuration.......Hb

thanks the take down gun looks interesting.

Own a pre '81 BLR in .358 with the straight stock. Own other lever guns with straight and pistol grip stocks. Never noticed much difference.

You have to handle both style rifles and see for yourself.

I really love the looks of the pistol grip but after handling both styles, the straight grip fit me best.
Mine's a 358. Great gun cartridge combo.

Dan

I hope the break down 358 works and is reasonably accurate

Pretty much, a straight grip, stainless, takedown BLR in .358 or .338 topped with a fix 4x is about the only rifle I'd even remotely want anymore.

Which, of course, means, I want one... LOL!

Thats pretty much what I was going to say. The pistol grip feels better, the straight grip is much more visually pleasing.

I bought a 358 BLR just over a year ago. It has a straight grip and I don't have any issues with that. No issues with function, and the 100 yard accuracy is on par with my bolt rifles. The cheap stamped steel magazines are another story.

Both of mine are scoped and straight grip, .308 SS take down and a blued .358. I like the TD model better because it is easier to clean. Both are more accurate than I need them to be and feed and function 100%.

I prefer the pre 81 model with a straight stock. Mine has a leuplod Alaskan 3X. Perfect combo for the 358 win.

garyb11,
That rifle looks to be a BLR 81. Not the "pre 81" with the magazine that hangs well below the receiver.

I think the straight grip is faster on target than the pistol grip stock.

I owned an early 358 BLR with a straight grip. It is my preference.

I love my takedown BLR 7mm-08. No problems with the receiver mounted scope.

Here's my 308 Win BLR with a Leupold VX-2 3-9x40 and single piece DNZ mount/rings.

I own 2 BLR brownings both with pistol grip,i plan on buying a 358 win. next year with a pistol grip but not a take down

I've had BLRs in 308, 30-06, and 358 Win. All good shooters. All pistol grips.

If you don't have a sling on it, the pistol grip can begin to ache the wrist after an time walking. Straight grip is much better for that. Plus, I've always found that a straight grip (on my Citoris and other lever guns) shouldered quicker and cleaner.

Everybody has a preference. And even though I had 3 pistol grips, I'd of prefered the straight.

I had this exact same rifle and got 1.25”-2” groups, but it’s a thumper on both ends because how light it is. I would’ve rather had it with a pistol grip but it slayed deer and hogs with distinction. I have magnums but this thing jumps lol.

I have a takedown 308 that’ll be buried with me because it straight up shoots lights out.

Good luck

today we checked our 2 Browning BLR`s again that I purchased last year ,both are scoped and a pistol grip,S.S. not take downs. the 308 with 130 gr. x-bullets 3x9 leupold shoots under a 1/2 all day long off my cement bench at 100 yards ,I never thought a lever gun with a hammer would ever shoot this good, my son could use any of my guns some are real nice ruger # 1`s and expensive bolt guns but would rather just use this 308 win BLR, just because its kinda of a fun gun,easy to carry,very accurate and son was really happy to get it from dad last year for x-mas. now the 300 win. mag has a straight leupold 6x because of the recoil,and I also loaded 130 gr. barnes x bullets gun shoots 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards off my cement bench too. this 300 win. mag. has plenty recoil but in a lever gun with a hammer it is very powerful compared to the old lever guns and accurate out to 300-550 yards maybe farther ? the nice thing about BLR levers they all have a clip/magazine so you don`t ruin the front of a bullet like a old tube fed lever. I think I will buy a another BLR in a 243 WIN, I thought about a 358 win but really for now I see no reason to own that short range cartridge, besides I kinda like to buy grocery store cartridges meaning easy to find any place. these BLR Browning levers are unbelieveable in accuracy I can not say it enough compared to the old type hammer levers.

this weekend was Minnesota deer opener,my son who has the Browning BLR 308 WIN SS,pistol grip with a 3x9 leupold, shot a nice big typical 8 pt. with this gun ,one shot at 250 yards right thru both lungs, opening evening deer was weighed dressed 180 lbs day later,130 grain barnes x bullet ,my hand load went right thru deer with a 1 1/2" - 2 " exit hole.i can`t say enough about how these BLR levers have a huge advantage over the older levers except for maybe the fine old savage 99`s,in accuracy and distances . my hunting partner who owns a large number of guns says he is buying this same type gun before next season. what I wished browning would build in a BLR is a 6.5x284 in a 24 inch barrel s.s., recoil would be lesser than a 7 mag but would out shoot the 7 mag in longer range ballistics and should be more accurate too ?

Bought my 358 BLR Model 81 in 1981. Piled up many a deer with mine. I have a Leupold 3x9 mounted on it.

I have a BLR - one of the light weights straight grip wood and blue steel chambered in 450 Marlin. I wished it was a little heavier - the recoil is a tad more than I like. I wanted a BLR and found mine on the used gun rack at Greata's guns. It looked like it has not been shot much. The price tag indicated they wanted $550.00 for it. I thought it was a fair price, so I bought it.

I have a takedown, straight grip BLR in a .270 win. Fits into a saddle scabbard a little better than the pistol grip model. This goes with me everywhere it seems

My BLR is the straight gripped stock in .308 Winchester with a leupold 2.5x10 vx3, very handy rifle.