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Joined: Feb 2020
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I have been looking at BLRs.
I thought I wanted a 308 Win but a LGS has a used 358 Win coming in on trade. Lightweight, pistol grip. I already have a Rem 673 in 350 Rem. mag.
So for the BLR guys, what caliber do you favor as a deer gun?

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Well, I used to have an original Belgian BLR in 308 and I found it to be excellent layout.
For deer it's easy to get carried away with overpower cartridges. I'd say the BLR I had would have only been better had it been in 7mm-08.

I'd pass on the 358 if I were you. You'd probably never really use it, maybe even grow to dislike it.

Last edited by slingworks; 12/31/22.
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Caliber, or cartridge? There are several cartridges within any caliber. I sure liked the .243 that I used to have, but there are several good options.


You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it.
A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck.
Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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I don't see the joy in overcomplicating an answer to the man's question. It would appear from your reply that you understood what he was asking?

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I infrequently hunt deer or target them specifically as they are mostly incidentally taken while hunting elk but I've used a 308win a good deal for both with good results. At current I'd classify your 350rem and the 358win as cartridges for folk who load their own and the 308win is more of an factory turnkey option. That's really what it comes down to.

Currently the BLR in 358win is an discontinued item. If you want one you best aquire it as they'll get less available in time whereas anything in 308win is always available.

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I have a 358 and love it. I'd love to have another in 7-08 myself. They're pretty sweet little rifles and shoot well from the few I have been around as well.


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I reload everything....
And Browing is still showng the 358 Win in blued and stainless. Actually getting one to a shop is the problem. But that is the same for the others.
Just have to wait and see if the used 358 Win actually shows up. And the price..

Last edited by WStrayer; 12/31/22.
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Originally Posted by WStrayer
I reload everything....
And Browing is still showng the 358 Win in blued and stainless. Actually getting one to a shop is the problem. But that is the same for the others.
Just have to wait and see if the used 358 Win actually shows up. And the price..
Last year I contacted Browning and much of the BLR line is discontinued from what they informed me in an email and specifically the the 358. That may have changed but I'm just relaying what my exchange was via my communication.

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So true. Can't trust a web site all of the time.

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I've had 308 and 243 both, and in Miroku and
Belgium both. Both functioned and shot
equally well. I didn't send mine down the road
because of any dissatisfaction but because the
areas I now have to hunt are much different
than the places I used to be able to hunt at,
and there were people with enough money
that convinced me to let them carry the guns
to a new home.
Before you buy one, make absolutely sure that
you can get at least one spare functional
magazine.
I can't think of any dissatisfaction I had with
the BLR's I owned and hunted with
Good Luck

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WStrayer: I always wanted to find a BLR in caliber 222 Remington - but haven't as yet.
A friend of mine has one in 257 Roberts and used it a lot out in the Cascades and Okanogan country of "taxington" - for a while I kinda had the hots for that caliber in that Rifle also.
It was a Deer killing machine according to that Deer Hunter.
Good luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
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I definitely prefer the short action.

I prefer the pistol grip.

I like take downs.

If you shoot more than 300 yards , or are recoil sensitive I would lean towards a 308.
Or the other smaller bores.

If you hunt in close quarters and are in a ricochet sensitive area I would lean towards a bigger slower ordinant. Like the 358, 450 marlin.

If you don’t mind long actions …..we’ll you got a lot more options!

Trigger work will be your friend!

Best of luck happy new year!

Last edited by Angus1895; 12/31/22.

"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills












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I have seen several comments indicating that the triggers could be better.
I have no interest in most of the cartridges. I have dies and components for 308, 30-06, and 358 so not looking to start up with another cartridge.
My shots have ranged from 16 to 130 (once) yards with 45 being the most common.
At this point t I am looking to just handle one

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Mine is a 358 and it’s the only chambering in the BLR I’m interested in. I love it. It’s as accurate and hits hard.

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Had 308,358 & 22-250 sold them all nothing wrong with any of them some one wanted them more than me.


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I have a 356 marlin ER And a 308 BLR.

I like the 356 to hunt in ranges you speak of over the .308


"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills












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I killed my first 6 deer with a BLR in 308 Win....I would love to find a 257 Roberts

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I have two - a .223 and a. 243. For deer, I LOVE the. 243. Significantly less recoil than a .308 or 7mm-08.

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Recoil is not a probem for me. So far. So thus my inclination towards the 308, or 358 in a short action.
No slam of the guys who like the smaller stuff but I prefer at least a 30 cal.
Keeping a good thought for that call from the shop expecting a 358 Win to come in on trade. I have never dealt with him so who knows how his prices run. And the days of a $650 BLR are gone....

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I passed on a NIB BLR Lt Wt in 7mm 08 for a grand last week. Boy did I catch hell!! I own one in 358 and love it. I never was a fan of the 7mm 08. My 358 drops them in the scope every time with the 250 gr RN bullets made by Hornady

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