The Browning BLR

[Steve300xcw]

They are hell with 60 gr Partitions

I dont think I'd gunbroker one. But if I ever find one in a shop. Its probly coming home

 

[ddd-shooter]

What does Rokslide think of these?

I handled a takedown model in .30-06 and fell in love.

Break my heart or support a future financial mistake. Give it to me straight!

Hunting out east I bought one for my wife. She loves it. Carries great and most shots for us are under 100. Trigger is a little heavy but it’s not THAT bad. For me anyway

 

[KenLee]

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.

You ever been smacked hard in the nose and still been able to see decently ?
Bet you weren't saying Jesus then.
To me, the Henrys feel like turds and I like the feel of BLRs. I can shoot the BLRs better in real hunting situations.

 

[KenLee]

I dont think I'd gunbroker one. But if I ever find one in a shop. Its probly coming home

I bought my pistol grip 22-250 about 8 years ago. You could buy BLRs then for $600 out the door. Bought a camo 300wsm about 6 yrs ago. 7 in between. Wish id bought a couple more 7mm-08 BLR for family/kid/grandkid.

 

[Kyguy]

You ever been smacked hard in the nose and still been able to see decently ?
Bet you weren't saying Jesus then.
To me, the Henrys feel like turds and I like the feel of BLRs. I can shoot the BLRs better in real hunting situations.

Seriously are you really being that dense tonight? I didn't say it would it smack me hard. I just said it would hit my nose. I guess I should have said "touch" instead of hit.

How many long rangers have you shot? I'm curious. Two other people I know who currently have both BLR's and Henry Long Rangers say they like the Henry better too. Everyone has a preference. Glad you're happy with the BLR.

 

[Mangata]

Had one for a few years. Sold it to buy XLR chassis.
Heavy trigger as others have reported.
I think lever guns are great but the BLR never was able to break into my hunting rotation.

 

[Shraggs]

On balance, I absolutely love mine! They are not without flaws especially the trigger and difficult to add a suppressor. In the mountains, you have a light, short quick handling rifle capable of remarkable accuracy - if you can get the trigger done. Neil did mine many years ago and it’s 4 lbs with a lot of travel. Carson Bachelder in traverse city mi also does them.

I’m older and grew up with levers so I’m familiar with them. Overall I’d reach for one of my tikkas but situationally like in timber I’ll grab the blr. I particularly like the dual hammer safety. A lever in and of itself is not a range limiting factor especially since these are made for a scope. Ie, if you bought a 308 with in a 20” barrel then its potential is just that.

Mine is a 358 Winchester and I’ve probably got 700 rounds on it. Except for couple summers ago after working on Forms and the Kraft drills with 223 tikka and then attempting them with the 358 Blr and my groups opened up to 3.5”. This gun has averaged 1.25” 10/8 shot groups. It was me…. Hand-loads are a bit aggressive and it’s capable past 400 yards. Recoil is very lively. My Winchester 94 is also a mid bore in 32 special. Years ago I favored them for the greater tissue damage they do/did - today bullets have come a long ways and a tmk in a small bore on balance is a great choice if not better.

I personally would not want a blr in a long action or magnum. Much of the appeal is fast follow up shots if lever practiced especially standing and heavy recoil negates that. A 243 especially if browning had an 8 twist would be the ticket. If 10 twist either 95 nosier ballistic tip or handloads with the 95 tmk would be a close second choice. 3rd choice would be the 6.5 creed with plenty of ammo choices and a step up in range potential and last would be a good ole 308. A takedown version makes a cool and easy to pack truck go anywhere gun.

I do hope in the next year mine will be wearing a shot 2 hunt 2-8 Thlr scope…. She’s volunteering for tests!

 

[alecvg]

I had one in .22/250, I always liked it, but never shot consistent. Ended up selling it to a friend to fund a Kimber.

 

[KenLee]

Seriously are you really being that dense tonight? I didn't say it would it smack me hard. I just said it would hit my nose. I guess I should have said "touch" instead of hit.

How many long rangers have you shot? I'm curious. Two other people I know who currently have both BLR's and Henry Long Rangers say they like the Henry better too. Everyone has a preference. Glad you're happy with the BLR.

243, 223, 308 in Henry

 

[4th_point]

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.

I'm not a lever collector, and never hunt with them. However, I still think some are handy-dandy and are just really cool pieces of history, like the 336, 94, 92, etc. I have owned a few 336 20".

Had one BLR curved grip L/A 22". It was recent production, with very good fit and finish. Just a really well made rifle with beautiful wood stock. Action was good too.

I just never warmed up to the BLR, or found an application where its features would be a benefit, and it sat in my safe for several years. I sold it unfired.

I'd suggest handling both versions of the BLR, the Take Down and the Curved Grip. I don't care for the CG version, but suspect that I'd like the TD in terms of just handling.

Then decide if a lever actuated bolt action and detachable mag are useful for your application.

If you want to get a levergun just for the hell of it, then maybe look at an old school tube fed rifle with non-rotating bolt. Even just 22LR to scratch the itch?

 

[4th_point]

My stainless BLR with curved grip had a ~3.5 pound trigger pull. I was surprised when I measured it, as I thought it was easily 2x heavier. Nothing crisp about that trigger! Very rough.

I also measured a BAR MK3 and it was ~5.5 pounds, but felt like 1/2 the weight of the BLR.

 

[mitchellmountain]

Have/soon to be had a 358 win with a pistol grip. Good gun, have had it for a few years but heading out this week on a trade. Mine shot around 1.5 moa with hand loads. I try to like other lever guns than my old savage 99 but I just can’t. You won’t regret owning one, they are slick but just didn’t quite do it for me.