[Rustle in the bushes]

Ive only reloaded for bolt actions up till this point but Im pretty interested in picking one of these up. I hear that the action is pretty strong and can handle decent loads. Im interested in the 308 and wondering if theres any tricky things to it that I wouldnt be used to reloading for bolt guns.

Can I neck size only or will the lever action not close up like a bolt?
do I need to crimp after seatiing my bullets due to the lever action picking them up and pushing them around?

[MMCSRET]

I load for and use a BLR 81 in 243, the only thing I decided to change was to use small base dies. Maybe the case life will be shorter, by one loading, maybe. I like the rifle and I like the hand loads. My gun is 22 years old and has never had a factory round thru it. I bought it new.

[rcmodel]

No different than any other .308 with the exception of you may need to use a small base sizing die.

Brownings tight chambers was one of the guns the small base die was intended for.

No need to crimp for the BLR's box magazine, anymore then for a bolt action if you have the correct case neck tension.

rc

[Shimitup]

I load .358 for my BLR81 same as I load for my Rem700. I'm not using small base dies for mine. Be nice if you had a friend to loan you a standard die to see if it worked before you buy. I'm not so sure about neck sizing, I don't believe you have near the leverage to cam in or extract a case as a bolt gun. I set my dies to bump the shoulder back on my fired cases a few thousandths.

[Certaindeaf]

I had a BLR in .243.. used small base dies.. they worked well.

[Jdillon]

I have Belgian BLR in 308 that I bought as a teenager in the early 1970's. I have shot mostly reloads through it and never had any feeding issues when FL sized. It is a very strong action but wouldn't push it too far. Measure your fire formed brass and bump the shoulder .003-.005 and you should be fine. Check a few dummy cases for chambering. If still tight, you may want to go to a small base die.

For many years was my favorite hunting rifle and taken quite a few deer and elk in NM and CO with it. Great light rifle when humping in the mountains at altitude and shoots better than I can.

[2DREZQ]

I've been reloading for the BLR .308 for over 20 years. I have always used the Lee small base dies. It is a fun rifle, and will usually give you excellent accuracy. One "drawback" is the short magazine (at least in my pre-81) doesn't allow you to seat the bullet as close to the lands as other rifles, unless you are single-loading.

The load mine likes the best is 46.5gr of WW748 behind a Nosler 150gr Ballistic Tip. 2763 fps 3/4" @ 100 yards Many deer have proven in an effective load in a great rifle.

Oh, as an aside, I just replaced my BLR with one of similar vintage. I hope the person who felt he needed the rifle worse than I did shoots himself in the foot.