BLR accuracy

[375hh1973]

Was just wondering if someone could tell me what kind of accuracy that I could expect with a BLR in .270 WSM. Not really in the market for one but I have an opportunity to get one in stainless/camo and have always wondered about them. Seems like that gun chambered for that round would make a nice all around Michigan rifle, accuracy being important of course... Thanks for any input!

 

[Charlie-NY]

The 270WSM is rather flat shooting cartridge best suited for long range, IMO anyway. Lever guns are not the best platform for that type of shooting and I am kind of surprised that the BLR is chambered for this cartridge.

I have shot the BLR in .308 and have found it to be raesonably accurate at 100yds. Groups @ about 1.5" were obtainable. The BLR in .358 would also be an interesting choice for biggame at moderate range.

Just my 2 cents

 

[JD338]

I have a friend with a BLR in 308 Win. Very nice rifle and the action is very smooth but his accuracy is around the 1.5" mark as well.

JD338

 

[ldg397]

I have a buddy that has a blr in 270 wsm. He has done a lot of load development and he finally found one that gives sub MOA groups. I think it was 140 grain sst's with IMR 4350? The hotter the load got the more accurate it was. He loves it and it shoots really well.

 

[Big Squeeze]

IMO, better accuracy for the most part always comes from a bolt action rifle! That is NOT to say that great groups cannot be achieved from a lever with some experimentation................The 270 WSM is a great long range and flat shooter, but for better accuracy, I would play the percentages and go with a bolt action in that caliber!...........Save the levers for the more short to moderate/medium range cartridges!

 

[JD338]

I actually tried 3 different powders with the 165 gr PT and could not get decent groups with it. I suggested going up to 180 gr but my friend abandoned the project.

Too bad, I know we could have found a good load with it.

JD338

 

[ldg397]

The BLR is not exactly a lever gun. If you look into how it operates you will see it is very similar to a bolt action. It is probably the only lever action that you could chamber wsm and magnum catridges in for this reason. Have someone else operate it and watch just the bolt and it locks up just like a bolt action. It has some pretty complicated gears in order translate the lever motion into a bolt action movement. Am I saying they are as accurate as a bolt action, No. But sometimes a lever gun is pretty handy to have; especially one that can feed pointed full power rifle cartridges. Most likely if you are in a situation where a lever gun would be handy, less than 1.5 MOA is probably not a priority. However, it may do better than that if you find the right load which is just a bonus at that point.

 

[JD338]

ldg397

I agree with you, 1.5 MOA will suffice far a woods rifle. I had that BLR for a couple of months running several loads through it but never hit the jackpot with the 165 gr PT.
I was impressed with how the "Rack and Pinion" worked on that rifle. I think it is a stronger action than a typical lever action.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

I had 2 in 358 and 1 in 7mm-08. With the right load accuracy hovered around 1.25 which was fine with my needs.

 

[375hh1973]

Thanks for all the replies! I love my bolt rifles, great accuracy, etc, just was thinkin it might be fun to try a lever but not if it would be awful in the accuracy dept... I could live with 1.5 moa for where I intend to use the BLR if I get one. The one I am looking at was special ordered in a gun shop then the buyer failed his NICS check so they are stuck with it. I can get it for a good deal, the caliber is 270 WSM. Would prefer .270 win as I am not sure how long the 270 WSM will be around...

 

[DrMike]

My BLR in 358 shoots sub-MOA groups with both several loads. There are some BLRs that shoot quite well. I believe the 270 WSM will survive, even if it does not necessary outsell the 270 and the 30-06.

 

[FOTIS]

.......... Would prefer .270 win as I am not sure how long the 270 WSM will be around...

It will probably outlast a lot of others. The 300 wsm is not going away so all you gotta do is neck down.

 

[HeathSexton]

My .358 BLR runs between 1" -1.5" groups at 100yds, but mine is a woods gun so it works wonderful for me.

 

[FOTIS]

let us know what it does if you get it.