Browning BLRs

[cobblestone]

Need some opinions about Brownings BLR. My oldest son is 10 yrs old and is left handed and thinks he wants his first big game rifle to be a lever action. Really like the the looks of this rifle but nobody carries these anywhere close to handle one. Thinking if he was to get one it would be chambered in 308 or 270wsm. Also what are your opinions of the take down model. Thanks.

 

[DrMike]

I like the BLRs. I've owned one chambered in .358 and shot quite a few representing a variety of cartridges. They tend to shoot quite accurately and carry easily. The take down model is quite handy, and they appear to maintain their zero despite being taken down. I wouldn't hesitate to get a BLR for my grandchildren. I might, however, choose a lighter kicking cartridge for their first rifle--perhaps a 7mm-08 Rem or a 270 Win.

 

[Kodiak]

For the most part, they are nicely made. I have used them in .243 on mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of small animals. They take to hand-loads pretty well. I think I've even seen them in 7MM mag., IIRC.

 

[JD338]

I played with one in 308 Win. Worked up a load for a friends BLR that was topped off with a Vari-X III 2.5-8x36mm and it was a sweet handling rifle. Not a bad shooter either.


JD338

 

[375hh1973]

I bought one 3 years ago. I really wanted a light handy option different than all of my heavy belted mag bolt guns, without sacrificing accuracy. I found a gun shop not too far away that had some of the mossy oak/stainless SHOT show versions. I got a .308 although I was torn between that and a .358. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 on it and couldnt be more pleased. Very accurate, easy to carry, etc.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I like mine alot. I'm finding it hard to reach for any other rifle during big game season. She carries easily and shoulders without thought.

I recommend getting one with a short-action cartridge though. I feel the lever throw when chambered in a long-action isn't as smooth or easy.

 

[SJB358]

I have the Browning BLR is a 358 Win. Great rifle, plenty accurate, but I think the triggers could use a little help. They are usually pretty heavy and slightly creepy. If you don't mind little trigger work, I could see it being an excellent rifle. I would like another one. Scotty

 

[Polaris]

The one I fired balances, handles and shoots a lot like my vintage M99 .300 sav., that is very good. The action seemed a lot slicker.

Would make a handy, effective deer getter and would be different than what most people carry, a bonus in my book. If I didn't have the M99, that would be my lever gun. Don't know the caliber availability in the model you're looking at, but .308 or 7mm08 if they make it would be a good start. I'd stay clear of the long action rounds in a lever gun.

 

[gerry]

I really like the BLR too, mine is a pistol grip gun that was rebored to 260 Rem, it handles great and is accurate. Like mentioned above I would get a short actioned gun in 7mm-08 and not look back.

 

[cobblestone]

Thanks for all the replies. I definitely want a shot action caliber. Also as far as caliber is concerned, my son is pretty big for his age and has already shot my 243 with full loads and my 06' with youth loads which he used to take his first deer this year with. That is why I am looking at the 308 or 270wsm. Thank you all once again.

 

[257 Ackley]

I will echo what some of the others have said and what you seem to have decided on; short action/non-magnum caliber. I don't think your son can realize the full potential of the 270WSM caliber with this rifle, therefore the other short action calibers would be a better choice. You didn't mention what type of terrain you hunt deer in, but a 308 caliber will work well on the edge of a field or in the thick stuff. My son (a lefty) took his first deer with a BLR in .308 caliber; a nice buck I had just pushed out of a swamp that was making tracks across a field with several other deer. The 150 grain bullets are perfect for most applications, but you can always load up some 180's if he is sitting in the middle of a thick woods.

This son has decided he now wants my .358 BLR for deer hunting in the thick woods we hunt in. Good thing there are a couple other options in the safe for me to use :lol: .

 

[Kodiak]

A lady-hunter I know uses her .308 BLR for every-thing from porcupines to bull elk and gets along just fine when using 165 gr. bullets. A very good middle-of-the-road caliber and load. There are plenty of heavier factory loads available, just about anywhere you shop.

 

[Guy Miner]

Your son is very young, only ten, and the .308 is more than enough cartridge for hunting. It can be loaded down yet still be very effective. Look at the little 125 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip as one route to a mild-kicking deer hunting load. You don't have to load it up hot at all either. Hodgdon has some mild-kicking loads listed:

Hodgdon® H4895® REDUCED RIFLE LOADS for Youth Hunting, Informal Target and Plinking

Hodgdon Powder Company developed the following reduced loads for use on deer and similarly sized game animals. The bullets chosen were originally designed for single shot pistols and their lower velocities. These rifle loads have been developed to closely approximate those pistol velocities, resulting in similar performance on game animals. Thus,
producing loads effective to 200 yards with minimal recoil.

125 GR. NOS BT .308" 2.800" 38.0 2592 31,600 CUP

Here's a link to the web page for those reduced loads:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Redu ... 0Loads.pdf

The BLR is a great little rifle. Dad got one 30+ years ago and now my oldest son shoots it - but I still sneak out with it now and then. Ours has a pretty mushy trigger pull. Always has. I hear that can be fixed, but none of us ever bothered, we just shot it and tagged game.

Good little rifle! I'd think your son would be bursting with joy to hunt and shoot with that nice a rifle.

Regards, Guy

 

[Polaris]

My wife shoot a .308. We started with IMR 4759 and 150 grain bullets. Recoil was very light and ballistics similar to 30-30 win with heavier bullets. Another low-recoil option with a heavier bullet. they expanded well and dumped deer nicely to 100 yards. Now she wouldn't dream of shooting the starter loads, shoots full power 150 gr loads with ease. I was big for my age and had no problem slinging full bore .308 at age 12 so long as the range sessions were somewhat brief so as not to develop a flinch.

 

[35 Whelen]

They sure are popular around here especially in .358 Win, grab one and stick a reciever sight on it and you have a great snowy day gun and perfect brush gun for about anything.

 

[rick smith]

Hunted with one in 308 for over 10 years. Killed deer and hogs, shot very well, handled easily from a tree stand and gave a quick follow up shot if needed. I used a 4x scope on it since most of my hunting at that time was in the woods.Rick.

 

[BK]

A buddy of mime bought one in .300 WinMag, and I couldn't believe the difference in feel from the short action BLRs I have played with in the past. No way would I get one in anything other than a short action. I was looking at the .358s until I stumbled upon my Ruger Hawkeye. If I were to buy a BLR now, it would be a tossup between a 7-08, .308, .358, or .450 Marlin (if the .450 is on a short action, I don't know for sure) with the Marlin and .308 being most likely.

If Nolan turns out to be left-handed, I would probably look at a .243 or 7-08.

 

[SJB358]

A buddy of mime bought one in .300 WinMag, and I couldn't believe the difference in feel from the short action BLRs I have played with in the past. No way would I get one in anything other than a short action. I was looking at the .358s until I stumbled upon my Ruger Hawkeye. If I were to buy a BLR now, it would be a tossup between a 7-08, .308, .358, or .450 Marlin (if the .450 is on a short action, I don't know for sure) with the Marlin and .308 being most likely.

If Nolan turns out to be left-handed, I would probably look at a .243 or 7-08.

That 450 BLR was a good looking option for me as well Kurt. I found a Guide Rifle in 45-70 first though, but the BLR set up is rock solid and an awesome handling package. Scotty