Browning lever action .243

S

sks

New member
I am strongly considering this rifle as a new acquisition to my collection of firearms. Lever action rifles are a personal favorite of mine, Browning is a quality firearm and I like the .243 caliber. So it seems like I "need" this rifle. :)

Any of you have this rifle? Does anyone else make a lever action .243 other than Browning? Comments? Suggestions? Good or Bad?

Thanks in advance,

sks
 
Probably the most accurate lever action ever made due to the way the bolt locks up. It's like a lever-activated bolt-action rifle, really. The box magazine also allows the use of pointed bullets.

My Minister had one in .308 when I used to hunt/shoot with him, and some of the groups that he would turn in with that rifle were truly outstanding.

The only drawback to the BLR is that the lever/bolt connection is via a rack and pinion gear, meaning that primary extraction isn't best. That's usually not a problem, though.

I have, however, seen two BLRs with stripped/broken rack & pinion gears, apparently from the owners shooting ammo that wouldn't extract, so they got tought on them and tried to force or kick the guns open.

All in all, though, it's a great rifle.
 
Sako made (dunno if they still do) one too....see them on gunsamerica every now and again....do a search for finnwolf & 243
 
Somewhere back in the Dark Ages I messed with one in .308; enjoyed it. Sold it to a buddy who collected a fair number of deer with it. IIRC, I had no trouble shooting inside 1-1/2", any old time; five-shot groups.

FWIW, Art
 
i own a lot of lever guns and the Browning BLR is my favorite.
the 3 variations are the pre '81 BLR.the model 81 BLR and the BLR lightning (post '93 i think)
i dont know the difference between the latter 2 but the pre '81 has a thinner reciver and uses a rounded box magazine vs. the psudofloorplate flat bottom mags on the 81 and lightning.
i own a pre 81 in 308 that was my first deer rifle and i have hunted w/ it since i was 16. it was made in '80 (the last year of the production for that model). as a note not i nor anyone who has hunted with it has shot a deer that did not die on the spot it stood. great track record.
i also own an '81 in 243 that i have yet to fire. i'm thinking of scopeing it and killing a deer this year w/ it.
the use of a box detatchable box mag is what makes the gun so handy for stand hunting. you can drop the mag jack the round out of the chamber and your empty and safe. another big plus is the use of pointed bullets.
get a pre'81 if you can find one but get a BLR for sure. i have heard that the pre '81's in 358 win had feed ing problems but i have only heard it once.
the fellow who says he has seen or heard of extraction problems is a minority. i have never heard of this before reading his post. my 308 has NEVER failed to fire, feed, extract or eject and w/ authority i might add.
 
What a coincidence! I just bought one yesterday. :D I'll let you know how it shoots when I get a scope on it.

David
 
Thanks for the positive response on the BLR. I have never even handled one but hope to remedy that soon. Maybe my friend will allow me to "borrow" his for a couple of days. :)

Halffast - please do keep us informed.

sks
 
The BLRs are fine rifles I have been using them for years along with several friends and relatives. I have never seen any extraction problems with any of them. It is true I had one in 358win in the pre 81 model with the rounded clip. The clip is not designed right for 358win cal. but works fine with 308s. The best rifle of the bunch is in my opinion the 81 model with the flat bottomed clips but before they come out with the fold down hammers. However I have a friend that has a 81 model with the fold down hammer and is very happy with his. I own an 81 model without the fold down hammer. MY brother in law has the pre-81 model with the rounded clip and is happy with his but I had a 358win in the pre-81 model once and that is why I know about the feeding problems with the 358 in that model and It is not the only one that has had this problem. However I beleive that the 81 model would be fine in 358. The model 81 clip design change was an improvement over the pre-81 models. I do not have any real experience with the new Lightening models to comment other than the fact that I prefer the older models better because they are all steel and I like the way they handle better, but that is just my personal opinion.
 
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