Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Browning BLR

I was at the Grand Rapids show today and walked up to a BLR laying on a table. I assumed it was the common Jap-made 308 you usually see, but I asked to pick it up anyway. The first thing I noticed was the condition. It was absolutely like brand new. The guy said the owner bought it new and never fired it (yeah, right). I looked at the caliber designation and it said "243 Winchester." Hmm, that's interesting. I was looking for a 243. Then I got it turned just right in the light and read the words "Made In Belgium" and I started breathing a little faster. After a little haggling, I walked away with the rifle, and I could not be more tickled.

I always liked the design and feel of the BLR but had nothing but trouble with a couple of the Jap guns. When I got home I test fired it with a couple of handloads and it functions flawlessly. Can't wait to see how it shoots for accuracy.

I didn't have a scope at home that I wanted to put on it so on the way to the exit of the show I started looking. I wanted a Leupold 2-7x33 but could not find one at the show. I did, however, stumble across an old Weaver V7 (2-7x32) in great condition, so I bought that. It fits on the rifle perfectly, and there's no need for a hammer spur extension. The gun came with a Redfield one-piece mount and low rings already installed.

I know, I know, it didn't happen unless I post pictures. OK, I'll get some posted. In the mean time, show us your own BLRS, and the game you shot and targets you punched with them.

Here it is. My little point-n-shoot doesn't take the best gun pics. There is one minor safe mark on the buttstock, otherwise it is perfect. Can't wait to schmuck whitey with it. The vented pad is a drag, but the stock has not been cut. Would like to find an original plate for it. Anybody got one you can spare?

Nice wood!

David

Nice! They really are a slick design.

The Belgium Browning BLR's ALL came with pads! Yours is very original.

They seem to be very accurate as well. Enjoy!

Just don't lose your magazine... very spendy these days... usually > $200. Check ebay if you don't believe me!

Don`t lose your magazine.One sold recently on GB for $275.00.If there is one flaw with those early BLRs(Being nit-picky)the magazine clunks around at the most inopportune times .That said those suckers are super accurate,even with the not so great trigger pull.Congrats on a good find!!!

Uh, me thinks the original pads were black without a white line spacer .

Very nice rifle and they have the reputation as shooters. Enjoy. Jack

Just looked at my Belgium made BLR purchased in mid 70's and it has same pad & spacer as Big Redhead's.

They are really great little rifles.

I concede. I did not research the text material, just photos. If factory, regardless of color and etc, it should be marked "Browning." They are great guns. ,jack

Mine has a white spacer. A few were made in Belgium.

Great find.

Nice gun! I have been harkening for one in 7mm-08. Too bad they have never made on n .260

Good find. Great woods rifle

Here's my .358 from 1981. A very handy brush rifle and really accurate with cast bullets.

They are a rifle I could never warm up to. My brother, on the other hand, has one in .308 that he got back in the seventies and it's his go-to rifle for everything, including high-dollar elk, moose and caribou hunts. (Then again, he's not a real gun guy, doesn't have over 25 or 30 guns including rifles, shotguns, handguns.) My neighbor, friend from childhood, has had one for about the same time, also .308. Also his go-to rifle. They will shoot, I will give them that. They always seem like a delicate mechanism though, and having had to fix crud-related jams on both of their rifles over the years hasn't changed my mind about that. Style-wise, they always seem to me to be a collaboration between a French Canadian interior decorator and a Japanese filmmaker. That said, I realize a lot of guys like them and that's what makes horse races.

That is a very nice gun show find. From what I can see, it sure looks all original to me. They make fantastic scabbard guns for horse hunting and also nice timber guns. Enjoy, if you ever find one in 358 win, buy it.

Congratulations, B_R, that's a fine-looking machine!

Thats a great find!! I had a .358 "Made In Belgium" just like your .243, not only was it a great shooter but a dream to carry.

If you get tired of it send me a pm

My son has a 70's BLR in .308, shot his first mule deer with it. My dad has a 70's BLR in .358 that he really likes. Both have performed flawlessly and are accurate.

A friend has one in .257 Roberts that I'm really jealous of, sub MOA.

I just peeked at my all original made in Belgium .308 BLR and ...

It has the same black spacer, white line, and pad as in the pics posted here. The pad is marked "BROWNING" in bold lettering and underneath, in smaller print, it says "pad made in USA".

I shot a BLR in 7mm mag for a few years. I always shot it really well. The thing was heavier then he!! to carry and kicked like a mule. Had a span of 3 bucks 3 shots. That 7mm is a good cartridge.

I took this little guy with it.



and also this one