Browning Lever Rifle (BLR)

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kcub

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I've always wanted one but never have. My mother had a Savage 99 in .243; it was between 1 - 2 inch @ 100 yard accurate. How does the BLR compare?

What is the most accurate caliber?

What is your favorite caliber and why?

What is the best scope (considering hammer operation)?

Would one in .338 or .358 be a decent gun for moose?

I also like the Browning single shots with hammers, reproduction Winchester high wall and low walls. Any skinny on them also welcome.
 
BLRs have been made in several "flavors" over the years. Most accurate are the standard pistol grip non-takedown models. Next are the "model 81" version with the straight grip. What hinders (or has the potential to hinder) those for accuracy is the barrel band. For looks though, I think those model 81's are some of the most beautiful rifles ever made.

Then comes the takedown models. Any takedown rifle has the potential for degraded accuracy - just the nature of the beast.

For scopes, pick one to match the caliber you choose (which itself should be chosen based on your particular shooting needs). Don't try to choose a caliber simply because you think it may be more accurate than the next. Choose the caliber because it is best at doing the job you need it to do.
 
I inherited my Dad's last deer rifle, a BLR in .308 Win. I doubt my Dad ever took a deer with it, because the one time I had it out to the range, it was shooting several feet to the side at 100yds.

It turned out that the scope was incorrectly mounted, and by the time I realized that, and remounted the scope, time and ammo had run low, so while I got it on paper, and close to center, I didn't do any grouping.

this particular rifle kicked me harder than my other .308s, most likely due to the way the stock fits me.

Trigger pull was ...meh... long, heavy and not very crisp. This is probably the biggest factor in these guns not shooting all that well. But well enough for minute of deer and moose should be something fairly easily done.

There is NO "most accurate caliber". There are only accurate rifles, and less accurate rifles, as individuals.

Hammer operation with a scope? I have used hammer extensions on Marlins, with great success. Some put the extension on the right side, I prefer it on the left. I don't have one on the BLR, simply because I don't use it. If I did, I think I would put one on it.

The repro single shots are generally fine guns, but have a couple of drawbacks. Mostly the stocks. Stock design, if faithful to the originals will not be well suited to using a scope (too low a comb).

And what might be the most important, shape and fit, particularly the butt. While it might be historically accurate, a skinny (narrow) buttplate, especially the crescent style is not as comfortable to shoot and manage recoil. Not a big deal in a light caliber, but a major one for me in a heavy caliber.

Trust me, nothing will teach you respect for the .45-70 black powder level load like a light rifle, with a narrow, curved butt with (sharp) points on it, top and bottom!
:rolleyes:
 
Both great, informative posts to consider. Thanks!

Did they ever make a .260 Remington in the BLR? I'd have a tough time passing that up! I know they made a 7-08 and I'm not a big fan of the .243 but no doubt it would be a pleasant shooter. Perhaps it is better with today's bullets than it used to be (a somewhat marginal caliber for deer IMO).
 
I once sighted in a BLR in .308 for a friend. About 1.5 MOA. Favorable impression, overall.

Since I've had some two dozen DRT Bambi kills with a .243, I'd figure the BLR in that cartridge would be a good thing for a deer hunter. :)
 
My 1885 in 45-70 is good for at least 1". It's been a good provider and I like factory 300 gr Barnes.That's a keeper for sure !! :D
 
My brother experienced jams with his 308 BLR, so much that he sold the rifle about 30 years ago. I'm not sure what kind of jam problem he had, but I believe it could have been a failure to feed --- Though it could have been the type of ammunition that he was using.
 
BLR thoughts

I own a BLR 81 straight grip in 358 Win with a Leupold 1.75-6 scope in medium rings. It leaves about 3/4 inch between hammer and scope. Plenty of room for me to comfortably work the hammer. Maybe with thick winter gloves it could be a problem, but I have other rifles............
The trigger is the worst part of the rifle, probably 5-6 lb pull, which makes getting bughole accuracy nearly impossible, be happy with 1 1/2"-2 1/2" groups at 100 yards. This is not a target gun, it is a pure hunting rifle and excels at its mission, killing game out to 300 yards (358 Win). I wouldn't want one in a long action caliber, kinda defeats the purpose of the gun IMO. 243, 7-08, 308, 338 Fed and 358 Win would be ideal choices in the BLR. The barrels are skinny and short, the forend wood is thin, both of which combine to make it difficult to be consistent. A firm grip on the forend pulling straight back into the shoulder will reap good groups. Feeding can be a problem from the DBM because the feed ramp starts 1/4" above where the nose of the bullet sits. After going through four magaxines a light went off in my peabrain and I used hand tools to extend the feed ramp. Solved my feeding problems. I highly recommend the BLR for what it is, a fast action hunting rifle.
 
BLR's are both an aggravation and blessing. I don't like the fact they can't be cleaned from the chamber. To take it apart is a problem, in that the timing will be off if you don't know what you are doing. The take down model would help with that. Mine is very accurate, and on the bench I can do very well. I do have to concentrate the inferior trigger pull, which was a problem as far as I was concerned taking the gun on an elk hunt. I've killed several deer with it, and one as far as 400 yards. Mine is an 06, which many folks tend to stay away from. I get an easy 2900fps with a 165gr., and a new load with 180gr. bullet and Superformance powder going nearly the same velocity. Its got a very tight chamber and needs small based dies for reloading. Its never failed to cycle, and looks great. A bit too shiny for my tastes.

Its quick to follow up with, and adequate for my deer hunting. I bought a Savage for my elk, thinking I wanted a little less flash, with a bolt. Browning BLR's are really a bolt action with a lever attached. I've considered getting 223 and a 243. Both shorter, and smaller guns, and perhaps a bit better up in a tree. My 06 is fine for me as its stock fits perfectly.
 
I have one of the original BLRs in .358 Win. and with selected handholds will hover very near the one inch mark. I did tinker with the barrel band and forearm to get it to shoot that good so the forearm has a slight rattle. I haven't done anything about that as I retired it along with my other rifles in .358 after I got a .35 Whelen.
On the Browning single shot trifles, I only have one, a B78. The trigger could stand improvement but even with it like it is, it will hover in the one inch range as well with factory ammo. This one is a 30-06. It's a bit on the heavy side but I like it anyway. It outshoots my Ruger #1 30-06 by a large margin.
Paul B.
 
For Moose, I'd actually point you towards another lever, the Marlin 338MX or MXLR in .338-Marlin Express :)

Or perhaps an 1895 Marlin in .450 :)

Either way, the Lever-revolution ammo is Awesome :cool:
 
My friend owns one. Even after having it tuned by a specialist in the model, he still feels that the trigger is sub par. Myself, I don't feel that a trigger on a rifle must be as smooth as a baby's butt; I can work well with less than perfect triggers. Other than the trigger, he likes it, and uses it quite frequently to hunt.

This guy is beyond wealthy. He has a top notch, high grade browning that he has had tuned by a top notch smith. He can have anything that he wants, and trust me, he has a collection that I envy. Still, he chooses a BLR to hunt with. Does that mean anything to you?
 
I have a pistol-grip, non-takedown BLR in 243Win. It will hold 1" or less for 3 shots with the ammo it likes. I have a Leupy 3-9x40 VX-II on it, mounted as low as physically possible. I don't use nor really want a hammer extension, though I admit that with the scope mounted this low, it's pretty tight getting a thumb in there to slowly lower the hammer to the safety notch.

I love the gun, but sadly it has only ever 'come along with' on hunting trips as a backup rifle in case... Well I don't know in case of what...
:)
 
Good friend has a 308 and it shoots 1 MOA at 100 with Rem Green Box 150 Corelokts. Killed two last year at about 80 yards. Complete penetration and DRT. If I hadn't stumbled across a Scout Squad, that's what I'd bought.
 
My sister-in-law has a BLR and it fits her nicely as she is a "lefty." It's very accurate; she has taken pronghorn antelope well beyond 200 yards. Although the trigger is less than ideal, it can be mastered with a little practice.

Jack
 
I have an early BLR in 308. Love the gun, used it for 28 years deer hunting in Wisconsin. Lots of venison harvested with that rifle. I had a scope on it for one season and then took it off, as I thought it messed up the lines and the balance of the rifle. Iron sights have been fine for the shots I have had in the woods. I worked up a nice load using a 150gr Partition that it really likes.

I would feel good using it for elk now that I'm in Colorado but I have a 300WSM that I like for that.
 
I own multiple hunting rifles in pretty much all common calibers. For the last 20+ years I've more often than not reached for my BLR in 308 when heading out for the hunt. I like the compact design for tree stand hunting. Killed many whitetail over the years. It's become like an old friend or comfortable pair of boots.
 
OP, I have no experience with the BLR.

I have shot and eyeballed a few of the single shot replicas made in Italy. Those which I have shot seemed ok to me. I have noticed that there is a wide range of fit and finish quality on these rifles, such that I would have to handle one before deciding that was the example for me. There is a Pedersoli 1885 at a gun shop here in Arvada that intrigued me, but the fit of the fore end to the receiver was shameful, and they wanted nearly $2k for that rifle. The single set trigger was operable, but the trigger shoe was far too wide in my opinion.

The one that has my interest now is the Uberti clone with DST (not really double sets) and pistol grip stock.

If money were no object I would concentrate my search on an original US made High Wall, as, while the initial price is higher, it is a better rifle than the clones, and most likely one would be able to sell it for what one paid for it, provided it has been cared for and not abused. I had an 1888 vintage 45-70 that I traded for a 1905 schuetzen, and both examples were built to a quality level I haven't seen in any reproductions.

Lastly there are some Cody and C Sharps rifles which I have seen which I would love to have, quality on par with original Winchesters. However, generally speaking, the prices are more than I am willing to spend.
 
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