Browning BLR 308

[rjm158]

This is the rifle my wife got me for Christmas. It was a complete surprise. I had seen it in a gunshop, mentioned it in passing, and a few days later she stopped on her way home from work and bought it.

Today I got around to installing a scope. I chose a Leupold VX-III, 3,5-10x40 I already had. The rifle had Redfield rings and base left by the previous owner. The rings were different from anything I had seen before. The ring screws went from the bottom up, not the top down.

I'm very anxious to try it out.

Ron

 

[Guy Miner]

That looks just like my oldest son's 308 BLR made in Belgium, with a steel receiver.

It shoots well. The trigger isn't great, but it's okay. Really nice rifle. The current BLR magazines don't fit it.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

Most welcome gift, without a doubt.

 

[JD338]

Very nice rifle and a great wife!

JD338

 

[Blkram]

Very nice gift from a loving wife!
From the magazine shape, it does not appear to be a pre-81, but a newer manufacture BLR (so spare magazines should not be difficult to find). If old enough, it will still have the steel receiver (of which it appears to be). You can check the s/n to verify.
Still, a great rifle that should serve you well!

 

[NYDAN]

Excellent! That was very nice of your wife. I am sure you will enjoy it very much.

 

[SJB358]

Very cool gift. Those BLRs are really cool rifles and seem like they usually shoot great.

 

[salmonchaser]

One of my great regrets was not buying one years ago. They are a great rifle. Looking forward to your reports.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Nice rifle and nicer of your wife to buy it for you. Those rings are older ones that had screws from the bottom. Worked but kind of a pain to mount scope. Better looks than function, just me.
Dan.

 

[rjm158]

Very nice gift from a loving wife!
From the magazine shape, it does not appear to be a pre-81, but a newer manufacture BLR (so spare magazines should not be difficult to find). If old enough, it will still have the steel receiver (of which it appears to be). You can check the s/n to verify.
Still, a great rifle that should serve you well!

Blkram, you are 100% right. I was going off what the dealer told me, but when I looked at the box, it was not a pre-81. In researching the serial number I found it was made in 1981, the first year of the revamped version.

Ron

 

[Blkram]

If I can't have the pre-81, I prefer the steel receiver version (like yours) to the newer alloy Lightweights...but that's just my preference. They just feel better to me.
And of these, those I have owned or played with in 308 and 358 Win have all shot acceptably well with factory ammo, and even very well with preferred handloads.
I would love to hear how your 308 shoots the Federal 175 gr Terminal Ascent ammo...

And I am still on the lookout for one in 257 Roberts!