The Browning BLR

[schmidty3]

Are the triggers THAT bad? It almost sounds like a double action pistol trigger….

Mine has to be 8-9#

Notable unmodified guns that have better triggers...

Ruger 77 boat paddle
M1 garand
Ar-15s with milspec junky triggers

When I was a kid I didnt notice. Now its criminally bad. Also that 308 rocks me pretty good.

Lovely to carry
Cant really get inside of it to clean (fine flathead screws).
And ive had mag issues. Couldnt get the mag apart to clean, so i just bought a new one.

Accuracy was ok. I did shoot a deer at like 300 yards with it. Was way further then I thought it was.

 

[Texas270]

Mine has to be 8-9#

Notable unmodified guns that have better triggers...

Ruger 77 boat paddle
M1 garand
Ar-15s with milspec junky triggers

When I was a kid I didnt notice. Now its criminally bad. Also that 308 rocks me pretty good.

Lovely to carry
Cant really get inside of it to clean (fine flathead screws).
And ive had mag issues. Couldnt get the mag apart to clean, so i just bought a new one.

Accuracy was ok. I did shoot a deer at like 300 yards with it. Was way further then I thought it was.

That is terrible lol. Why is it so bad?

 

[schmidty3]

That is terrible lol. Why is it so bad?

Why am I not attracted to fat chick's?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Seems to be the one gun that most folks are scared to poke around inside of.

 

[schmidty3]

Seems to be the one gun that most folks are scared to poke around inside of.

Those old browning designs are kind of a mess. I would be a little scared to try to break into an auto 5 too. Disassembly was not part of the game plan with some of those brownings

 

[hand skills]

Timing the lever to the action can be a pain, but a trigger job does not require full disassembly.

Most people just accept fear and live with it

Doesn't have be to be thst way though...

 

[Texas270]

Would a Marlin 336 or something be a better option for a lever gun? I know they are totally different, but I’m looking to scratch that itch.

 

[Taudisio]

Would a Marlin 336 or something be a better option for a lever gun? I know they are totally different, but I’m looking to scratch that itch.

Your caliber choices are so limited, your range will not be based on the accuracy, it will be the velocity and expansion. Not to say it’s a bad thing, but it could be a hindrance.
As mentioned before, another similar option would be the Henry long ranger. I am not familiar with their aftermarket support, but it HAS to be better than browning is.

 

[onlybrowning]

Would a Marlin 336 or something be a better option for a lever gun? I know they are totally different, but I’m looking to scratch that itch.

Get both. They are very different.

 

[hand skills]

Would a Marlin 336 or something be a better option for a lever gun? I know they are totally different, but I’m looking to scratch that itch.

Only you can answer that question

If you want something with a soul, older (JM stamped) 336 or an older (pre 81', steel receiver) BLR have it.

The new ones not so much.

To me the Savage 99's feel the most 'alive' when it comes to shouldering/pointing

The Win 94 is undeniable as well, hard to beat as a carry/saddle gun as they are so slim and light.

All have their merits and shortcomings...

Tube magazines are fun, but limit bullet selection considerably, so BLR and Savage 99 may have an edge there. Just depends what you want to do with it

 

[onlybrowning]

Only you can answer that question

If you want something with a soul, older (JM stamped) 336 or an older (pre 81', steel receiver) BLR have it.

The new ones not so much.

To me the Savage 99's feel the most 'alive' when it comes to shouldering/pointing

The Win 94 is undeniable as well, hard to beat as a carry/saddle gun as they are so slim and light.

All have their merits and shortcomings...

Tube magazines are fun, but limit bullet selection considerably, so BLR and Savage 99 may have an edge there. Just depends what you want to do with it

Don’t forget the Winchester 88 as well, preferably in .284win!

 

[BlackHillsShooter]

Mine has a pretty brutal trigger and no clear path for remediation.

As much as I hate to say it. The Henry offering may be the play.

Same experience with my takedown .308.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I shot a 308 once
They are very nice guns but man the trigger is god awful and recoil was stiff

 

[Kyguy]

I had an original BLR in .308 for a bit a few years ago. I bought it on Gunbroker, and it came out of PA, so it had a great trigger for a BLR, right around 4lbs. It shot well, was 1.5" or less with multiple factory loads, and it shot a couple into honest 1" groups. It still had the original pad on the stock and it was hard as a brick, so it was a bit brutal to shoot. I sold it after a few months.

I recently bought a Henry Long Ranger in 6.5 Creedmoor, and I can tell you that I think it's absolutely a better rifle, compared to the old BLR. I can't compare it to new ones. The barrel is free floated, the trigger is 3lbs and probably about as good as a lever action trigger can get. Putting a Ranger Point sear and spring in it might might it a bit better. It's a 1.25" gun with a few different factory loads and has shot groups as small as 3/4". I've got it for sale in classifieds ONLY because the 14" LOP is just too long for me in winter hunting clothes and because it's got a long bolt throw, I can't really cut it shorter without punching myself in the nose with the bolt. If I could get it down to a 13" LOP, it would always have a home.

Henry customer service is pretty good as well.

 

[KenLee]

They make em in a 22-250 and I need one.

Hope that helps

They are hell with 60 gr Partitions

 

[Wrench]

Don’t forget the Winchester 88 as well, preferably in .284win!

I have a BLR in 284win.

 

[KenLee]

I had an original BLR in .308 for a bit a few years ago. I bought it on Gunbroker, and it came out of PA, so it had a great trigger for a BLR, right around 4lbs. It shot well, was 1.5" or less with multiple factory loads, and it shot a couple into honest 1" groups. It still had the original pad on the stock and it was hard as a brick, so it was a bit brutal to shoot. I sold it after a few months.

I recently bought a Henry Long Ranger in 6.5 Creedmoor, and I can tell you that I think it's absolutely a better rifle, compared to the old BLR. I can't compare it to new ones. The barrel is free floated, the trigger is 3lbs and probably about as good as a lever action trigger can get. Putting a Ranger Point sear and spring in it might might it a bit better. It's a 1.25" gun with a few different factory loads and has shot groups as small as 3/4". I've got it for sale in classifieds ONLY because the 14" LOP is just too long for me in winter hunting clothes and because it's got a long bolt throw, I can't really cut it shorter without punching myself in the nose with the bolt. If I could get it down to a 13" LOP, it would always have a home.

Henry customer service is pretty good as well.

"Henry is a better rifle", then proceeds to tell us its so bad he can't use it without blinding himself. There's a limbsaver direct fit pad for BLR.

 

[KenLee]

Mine has to be 8-9#

Notable unmodified guns that have better triggers...

Ruger 77 boat paddle
M1 garand
Ar-15s with milspec junky triggers

When I was a kid I didnt notice. Now its criminally bad. Also that 308 rocks me pretty good.

Lovely to carry
Cant really get inside of it to clean (fine flathead screws).
And ive had mag issues. Couldnt get the mag apart to clean, so i just bought a new one.

Accuracy was ok. I did shoot a deer at like 300 yards with it. Was way further then I thought it was.

Trigger feels like my micro midas BPS, which is fine to me.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Had one in 308. Early 1990s, straight stock. Would shoot Hornady light magnums, worse kicking rifle I've ever shot. Would rattle my teeth. My 416 rem mag was a pussycat compared to it. (300 Wby, 358 STA, 458 Lott, no problem). 6 lb trigger, MOA accuracy, easy to carry. But damn, did I mention it kicked? I flinch just typing it.

 

[Kyguy]

"Henry is a better rifle", then proceeds to tell us its so bad he can't use it without blinding himself. There's a limbsaver direct fit pad for BLR.

That's got NOTHING to do with the mechanics of the rifle or the accuracy of the rifle. Mechanically and accuracy, it IS a better rifle than the original BLR I had. I said I would keep it if I could cut it. That's really got nothing to do with the rifle itself. And since you're being a smart ass, I will be to. I said it would hit my nose, not blind me. Jesus.