Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browing BLR lightweight?

Gents,

Anyone have good or negative things to say about the lightweight, pistol-gripped version? Looking at a 243 or a 6.5 as a "carry around" gun at camp.

Only issue I ever had/saw about the older model was the trigger. They usually could use some tweaking, "however" BLRs can be a nightmare even for a good gunsmith to work on as they us that complicated "rack & pinion" action which can get "out of timing". So IF you want to mess with it later, just make sure you have an experienced smith. Other than that, they are all well made and rugged! Have a ball Pard!

Personally not a fan of the pistol grip, '81 straight stock models handle much better IMO. Like everything else about the BLR.

They don't get out of timing unless they are disassembled and reassembled improperly. Otherwise, they stay timed. But there is no need to take them apart. They can be cleaned and lubed while assembled.

I have a '81 Lightweight .308 and a pistol grip Lightweight in .358 Win. The '81 Lightweight feels lighter and handier. But pistol grip version feels slightly heavier and it's easier to cycle the action. The pistol grip is also more comfortable to shoot and has a nice palm swell on the pistol grip on the right side. I like them both. The '81 for carrying, the pistol grip for shooting.

Thanks, y'all.

I’m the same. The straight grip short action models really fit me noticeably better than the pistol grip or long action models of either variety.

Mine were all light, reasonably accurate 1.5 moa or better 3 shot groups with factory ammo, and a joy to use.

How does the trigger compare to a m94 or a 336?

I have the same one in 7-08. I like the pistol grip. Puts the finger in a more natural position. Mine is good for under 1moa with a bunch of different ammo; never really shot it carefully bc it has a lower power scope.

Trigger is about like a 336. On the heavy side but functional. Still allows for one inch groups at 100 yards. I keep meaning to send mine out for trigger work but never get around to it.

I have a .308 pistol grip and the trigger is ok. It works but could use a trigger job. Overall it’s a great rifle!

Ended up going pistol grip! Recs on scope mounts?

I used Talley Steel bases on mine, with Tallley QD vertically split rings (screw lock option, not the levers). The bases are kind of high and the sights are visible over them, but just barely. I wanted the option of using the sights.

If you go with Talley steel bases, the thick lug on the base goes forward. I turned these bases around before I locktited them down.

Important: It's an aluminum receiver with steel thread inserts. The manual doesn't have scope base torque specs so I called Browning and was told NO MORE than 18 inch pounds. The man I spoke with told me he uses 15 inch lbs and blue locktite. I did the same thing - 15 inch lbs. After 50 or so rounds through the .308 and 100 or so through the .358, they are holding perfectly.

Thanks for the info glocks. There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the height of the Browning-made bases and scope clearance.

I have 3, two 81's and a pistol grip model.
I prefer the straight grip, it seems less bulky.
I also prefer the takedown models and with these a scout/ LER scopes.
The trigger can be tuned a little by a professional but I haven't bothered.
My one shot group, stays on zero over time. ( one target, one shot, weekly or monthly)
It was a Warren Page thing.

Just some clarification. Those are Browning-braded bases. But they are made by Talley. The rings are Talley-branded Talleys.

[quote=10Glocks]They don't get out of timing unless they are disassembled and reassembled improperly.

Thats what I meant to say, they are not the ones to turn over to "Bubba the Master Gunsmith", even if it says that on his business card, ha.

I bought a BLR 81 with the pistol grip in 308 last year on the Classifieds here. The only thing I would change would be to send it to Neil Jones, http://neiljones.com/html/gunsmithing.html , and have him work over the 6 lb. trigger. Other than that it has quickly become one of my favorite deer rifles. A real nice lightweight rifle. Even with the skinny barrel I get groups under 1" at 100 yards with my handloads of a 150 Nosler Partition over a healthy charge of TAC. I bet you're going to like yours too.
As far as scope mounts go, I just went with Weaver 2 piece base and Leupold Rifleman rings. I put a Leupold VX-2 2-7 scope on it.

Yea I do. Ive owned two. Both would fail to fire on occasion. My son in law has a 308 BLR and it has the same issue.