Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles BLR. Steel vs aluminum

Other than the obvious differences in the metal what are the advantages and disadvantages of each

The only difference I see is the weight, steel is a stronger material but the BLR reciever is not a stressed part, the bolt locks up inside the barrel breech so the BLR's with aluminum reciever's are noticeably lighter........Hb

Chances are it is a lot easier to strip out the scope mount screw holes on the aluminum receiver. I will admit to only hearing this as a rumor, but also makes sense.
George

Screw mounts are not tapped into aluminum, they have steel inserts. Both actions lock into a barrel extension, so the aluminum is lighter. I would rather have the steel version but not because of any strength concerns, I like the bluing better then anodized.

Thinking about a nib 1980's 358 I found. Steel receiver

$250 dollar magazines?

Nice find

Academy has the 358 mags online for $100. Still a little steep. I believe even common ones like 308 run around $80

Not for a pre81

Regular mag. Flush

358 mags are very very scarce for the rifle in question. I could have bought a BLR 358 from Cabelas for 650 but it had no magazine(What a fugging deal/) LOL

I own both and really don't notice a weight difference between the two materials. I like the steel receiver ones better but can't give you a good reason why I do. As far as the magazines I am guessing the BLR you are considering has a magazine that is flush with the bottom of the receiver and not one of the real early models that had the magazine protruding from the receiver. Flush magazines are available for under $100 but the older ones are tough to find and command prices like $250+. The two different types are not interchangeable. If the price is right I would gobble it up, 358s in steel are not rare but it is hard to find someone who will let one go. Fine rifle.

Is there any difference between the .308 and .358 magazines for the BLR's? I actually have a steel framed .358 BLR, but can't remember how the magazine is marked. My .308 BLR is an older "Belgium" gun, so it uses the really expensive magazines. Actually, now that I think of it, I can't remember which style magazine my .358 uses, its been a while since its been out of the safe. I know my .243 BLR has the flush fit magazine, but cannot remember for the other. Speaking of .243, would it not also work for the .358, considering they all use the same parent cartridge?

Damn, now I really want to go out and shoot my BLR's!

Yeah man, I love My Miroku BLR's, they are great fun to shoot and hunt .......Hb

Yup flush magazine. Rifle is NIB unfired

Once you go to a widebody BLR, it doesn't matter much.
6/ half dozen

a widebody????

I think he is referring to the depth of the receiver with and without a protruding magazine.

If it's NIB w/magazine it would be a non-issue for me. I would be on the lookout for a spare but really not necessary.

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