Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Anyone have a newer BLR ( alum frame) in 358 or 450 marlin? How does it group?

I have been looking at getting a levergun for a few weeks and really like the BLR's feel. Found a few in 358 and 450 marlin, but the Marlin sst pistol grip seems to be the more common found.

Anyone grouped the 450 or new 358's for group? I plan on leaving either in iron sights for 100 yd deer/ pig hunting, and prefer the 358 due to more stocked bullets for my 35 whelen over 45's for my ruger#1 45-70.

I felt the marlins in both 35 rem and 450, both seemed too muzzle heavy... might as well get another remington 700......which is what my whelen is.

Thanks for any help picking one over the other. 1-1/2" groups are what I am hoping for.

Allen

I just bought a minty .358 BLR 81 (steel, straight stock), haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but my .308 shoots 1.25" MOA. Most BLR's shoot that good, at least that's what thier owners say.

I also got a .358 Sav.99 this year but haven't had a chance to shoot that yet either.

Thanks Rob.

Went to a few local dealers today, one had a savage 99 300 that was trash and I handled it while he told me they sold a 358 last month, $350 in cherry condition and dies, ammo...... aRRRRR

At another store they had a pistol gripped 300 savage, wide forearm and it was a lot more muzzle heavy than my inlaws old 30-30 99.... guy said the store one is normal. Man, the BLR's seem~ a l Lb lighter... Still on the hunt for a PG non gloss 358 BLR sst. I can dull the wood stock, but the action/ bbl needs to be dull for my liking and I hate to do that to a new gun....

Is your 99 a pistol grip gun....Hmmmmm........

Thanks
Allen

I have a .358 in the curve grip with an Al reciver, I bought it about two years ago. Mine groups about 1/2 inch with 225 gr Sierras with a 3 to 9 50mm Ziess. It is a real good one shot deer and hog gun. I tried 250 gr Hornadys and they grouped under an inch. The 200 gr Remington bullet grouped as well as the Sierras, but I liked the thought of a spitzer boat tail. The Al reciver has an arch in it just above the front of the box magazine, the edge of it is sharp and if you load the 225's besure that you load them deep enough that the edge does not catch the nose of the bullet. I had this happen in the middle of a hog heard I was trying to eradicate and it took me a few seconds to figure what was going on. I only got three of them loading one at the time. The second time they came back to ruin my food plots I got all but two. The third day the .358 got them too.

The main cause of this was I had worked up the load at the range and loaded one at the time and never fired the rifle with a full clip at the range. I had checked a full clip for functioning at the range, but never fired it. When the rifle recoiled it drove the soft point of #1 on top into the sharp edge of the ledge/arch of the reciver and loading fron the clip was stalled at that point. So, double check your loads if you get a .358. I would hate that to happen if I needed a quick follow up shot on a bear. Happy New Year!
Good shooting!
Marcus.

Thanks Marcus.

Sounds like you have a very good shooter. If I am fortunate enough to find one of these, or settle for the blued version 358 with the shiny stock I will try and avoid the issue you found.

Thanks for the heads-up

Allen

Well

with the help of a new friend from "the firing line" I located and purchased a 358 sst gun in Michigan. Shipping out Monday, but I have to wait 2 weeks as the gun store is going on a vacation after it arrives here.

Now on the hunt for brass and load data. I have 1k of the sierra 225 bullets, they shoot around an inch in my 700-Whelen.

Allen

Who would that be???

I have a BLR in .450 Marlin. I haven't grouped it but the recoil is ridiculous off of the bench.

LOL

I think his name is Rich from PA....Nice guy

BTW, is the gun vacating the vault making room for a BLR?


Thanks for the info on the 450. If I hit the lottery I may make room for a 450, but I think a 325 would fit the slot better. I have 45-70 reloading items, bullet molds and bullets cast 15 years ago that would make good sub-full loads, but I really think the 358 will kick....errr make big enough holes to satisfy the need.

Thanks all

Allen