Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browning 81 BLR .243 good deer rifle?

got this from my dad he doesnt hunt much anymore...figured i could slap a 2-7x scope on it and use it as a woods rifle...i dont know enough about guns like i should but is this a solid accurate rifle ?

Sure why not ?

Load or buy some decent 100 gr boolits & hunt deer....

YES -

I've had 4-5 BLRs and at least 2 were 81 models.

One of my 81s was in 358 Win. It was a great woods or medium range rifle.

I'm 'guessing' you don't hand load? If that's right, just buy 2-3 different brands of 243 ammo, I suggest 100 grs. factory, and shoot 'em to see which it shoots the best.

Put the bullet in the right spot, venison in the pot!

Good Luck

edited to correct my memory @ dates.

thanks guys..no i dont hand load...i need to tho..my cousin recently started reloading i need to start myself...anyways thanks tho im gonna check out the 100gr and hopefully find a good scope at a deal

Just use ammo designed for big game(deer).There are several varmint loads available for a 243 that you don't want for big game. Among big game loads you may try a few different ones to see what your gun likes. For instance in might shoot an 85 grn. better than a 100 grn. Or a Hornady better than a Federal.

Get a decent scope like a Leupold VX2 or Redfield and good low (not see through or Wal-Mart blister pack specials)mounts.

i was thinking the burris 2-7x35. i found a place that still has the #4 reticle

I've never used a Burris but it should do fine. Every time I think about them though, I remember that in all my years of looking at pawn shop rifles, I have seen only two scopes with broken reticles and both were Burris.

Do some asking around about their warranty. I don't know about them but not every lifetime warranty is as good as Leupold. I've heard bad things about every one except Leupold Swaro and Zeiss.

Do yourself a favor and try the Federal Premium loads w 85 gr. Sierra Gameking BTHP. Very accurate in most .243s and kills whitetail and anything smaller very dead. Great one-round solution for .243 missions.

will do coldcase cant wait to get it set up.

That's what I shoot in my L579.