Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browning BLR Opinions?

Hello,
I just picked up a clean BLR chambered in 243 for $525 at my LGS. I only bought it because I wanted a 243, and was having problems finding a lefty Tikka. So I was wondering what people have experienced as far as accuracy and reliability hunting and shooting a BLR. The rifle was made in 1985 per the serial number if that means anything or matters. Thanks for the feedback!

I currently have a bLR in 308 and previously had one in 450 Marlin. both guns are and were sub MOA accurate. I have killed several deer with the 308 from 20 feet to 250 yards. its one of the last guns I would part with

I have one in .308. It was a 2007 shot show gun its stainless and Mossy Oak Brush. Unfortunately its a Dura-Touch gun and the fuggin thing is so sticky you cant let go of it.

Great gun! Wears a Leupold 2.5-8x36. Rivals a lot of bolt guns for accuracy. Mine really loves 150gr Hornady SST. Killed a bunch of deer with it before it got sticky.

I used to have a Japan-made BLR in 358 Win. Didn't shoot it much, so I can't give an accuracy/range report. It was well-made, having an an interesting design, a smooth lever throw, and strong lock up.

Two reasons why I sold it: drop at comb was too much for me when I mounted a scope (low rings), and not easy to clean from the breach. For that last reason of cleaning from the breach, is why I prefer a bolt action over the BLR.

I preferred my Marlin 336 35 Rem to the Browning BLR simply due to Marlin's action design are a snap to clean from the breach. My Marlins ( plural, had three: 24" bbl 336a 30-30, 336c 35 Rem, 1895 45-70) all were plenty accurate (<1.5 moa).

I enjoyed owning my BLR, and apprecisted its innovative design; but, don't miss it. Never developed any emotional attachment to it. It was good, but not good enough. Sometimes, simpler is better.

Ive never had one but have wanted one. I think the new takedown verions should be easy to clean as the barrel extension is exposed on these ones. Maybe someday ill try one but currently nothing is available.

My 308 shoots great. You will like it.

I have a 30-06 Lighting model. It wears open sights and I have never grouped it. 180’ shot way too high, 165’s shot a little lower and 150’s were just right.

I love carrying a good lever action like the Browning or Savage.

First thing that comes to mind....heavy!!

Mike

I've never owned one. I got to shoot one a bit ... 7mm mag with a 4-12X scope. It was long and heavy. So was the trigger. Past chitty, whatever that would be. I still managed to pound out a 3/4" 5 shot group with a borrowed gun and that chitty trigger so .. overall, impressed with the accuracy, but not with the weight or ergonomics.

The only guy I know fairly well who had one sent it back to Neil Jones for trigger work. I believe Neil said "never again" .. it was miserable to work on. He could have changed his mind. I wouldn't buy one without checking first.

Tom

Agreed that the steel framed ones were heavy (7mm and 300).

I had one .A love- hate relationship .[bleep] trigger. I type slow . Look up my response to a old post . Was Accurate beyond my expectations .Other issues are why it is not here .

I've had several.
Last one was one of the Belgium 308s that
everyone lusts over. The others were Miroku.
One shot just as well as the other, and all
were top drawer.
I miss having them, but I didn't use them as
much as I did for lack of a place to make
longer shots, and the people that wanted
them made too big of a pile of federal reserve
notes for me to resist.
Fine well built top quality firearms

I've had a couple in .358, and still have an older Belgium .308 and (somewhat) newer .243. They've all shot very well, but disassembly isn't quite as straightforward as a Win 94 or Marlin 336. Regardless, whatever you do, don't lose the magazine on an older one!!

I have a BLR in .358. It's been a good rifle. I used it a good bit when I hunted on the east coast. With reasonable attention it never gave me any trouble and it is more than sufficiently accurate and very quick to cycle. After moving to Alaska I quickly found out that it is a fairly complicated action and it is not a rifle for hard use. If you hunt from tree stands and stay at home or in a cabin every night, it'll likely serve you well. There are better choices for hard use in bad weather.

I never have lost a detachable magazine from a
firearm from 22 LR on up
How does that happen without depressing the
release button?

I just bought a 336 in 35Rem. It clusters 0.5MOA but overall like your accuracy. It likes the mag screws (front band and mag plug) to be loose-ish to avoid any vertical stringing.

[End of high-jack.]

I have one in 358(BLR 81), absolutely love it. Will put 250 gr reloads in same hole past 50 yds. I just shot one in 308 yesterday, shot great. Triggers are not the greatest but if you practice with them you will get use to them. I deff would buy another one

Sold mine (.358) last year. Great handling rifle for still hunting and accurate too! Much preferred it to other levers I have handled.

I think you'll be pleased with it.

-Jake

I’ve owned 6 or 7, mostly 308 and 358, but also a 7mm08 and a 257 Roberts. They can be very accurate guns and are very smooth to operate when cleaned and maintained. The triggers are just bad. Creepy, heavy and rough. However, if you manage them well, accuracy can be amazing. If not you’ll never see it. My 7mm08 and one of the 358s were capable of one hole groups with the right loads. Don’t get too adventurous with hand loads in you use them. Good gun, handles well, but they’re just not for me.

Old70