A Winchester 70 for a BLR?

[coondogger]

I have a Winchester model 70 in .30-06. I'm thinking of selling it and replacing it with a Browning BLR in .243 which I saw in my local gun store. I liked the balance and feel of the BLR, and it's a very comfortable caliber which will work fine on whitetails. Does this sound like a good trade?

 

[ford8nr]

What year / model Winchester do you have and which BLR is it. At face value it doesn't seem like a bad trade.

 

[witchhunter]

You know when you pick up a rifle if it is gonna work for you. I do. Throw it up a couple of times and you will know. Don't pay too much attention to what WE think....it's your gun. We all have our favorites, calibers and action s. Someone might say one is worth more or less, but the choice is yours.

 

[jmr40]

Need to know a lot more about your Winchester. When made, exact model, caliber etc. Unless your current rifle is a real dog I wouldn't do it primarily because I'm not a fan of the BLR.

 

[Speedo66]

Seems like a fair trade. If the BLR is made in Belgium, add points. If your Mdl 70 is pre-64, deduct points.

BLR is light, short, accurate, and a great woods gun. .243 is a very nice chambering in that gun. I have one in .308, and it's a pleasure to shoot. It depends what your primary use for it will be.

 

[coondogger]

JMR40, the Winchester is not a dog; I just don't find the caliber enjoyable to shoot. Sighting it in is not something I've ever looked forward to, for instance. Whereas, a rifle in .308 or .243, is something I'll enjoy using. The rifle's primary use, for me, is hunting, not hunching over a bench. And that involves kneeling, prone, or offhand shooting -- uses the BLR is probably handier than the Winchester for.

 

[jmr40]

And that is a valid point. But Winchesters are all over the place as to value etc. You never told us anything about the rifle including caliber. You could be trading a $10,000 rifle for a $500 rifle. Or it could be worth less than $300. There is simply no way for anyone to give meaningful advice without more info.

 

[coondogger]

OK, here's an update. My local gun shop gave me $300 for the Winchester. And I bought a new Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I've taken it to the range and couldn't be happier with it. Practically no recoil and it seems its accuracy is only limited by my tired old eyes. I'd like to mount a scope on it. Any suggestions for scopes that would go well with this gun?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Hey, if you traded a gun you didn't enjoy shooting for one that you do enjoy shooting that's a good trade IMO. Your .30-30 will kill any deer that walks too.

As far as a scope, I wouldn't go power happy. A 2-7 is perfect for the .30-30 IMO.

Here's a great one for less than $200
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...fle-scope-2-7x-33mm-wide-duplex-reticle-matte

If you want to drop the price a little less than that, here's a good one for $139
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/360157/redfield-revenge-rifle-scope-2-7x-34mm-4-plex-reticle-matte

I would go with something like those.

 

[rodregier]

Steel or aluminum receiver BLR? Magazines very hard to find and very expensive for the older steel receiver version of the BLR.

Did you try the trigger of the BLR? Biggest complaint I read about the BLR's are the poor factory triggers. There are a *few* gunsmiths who are competent to rework the BLR trigger, but that would have to be factored into the value equation if it needs rework.

 

[Speedo66]

I bought a new Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I've taken it to the range and couldn't be happier with it. Practically no recoil and it seems its accuracy is only limited by my tired old eyes. I'd like to mount a scope on it. Any suggestions for scopes that would go well with this gun?

I've got a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 on my BLR. Nice scope, and it's size doesn't overwhelm the rifle.

Good luck with your new rifle!

 

[Abel]

OK, here's an update. My local gun shop gave me $300 for the Winchester. And I bought a new Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I've taken it to the range and couldn't be happier with it. Practically no recoil and it seems its accuracy is only limited by my tired old eyes. I'd like to mount a scope on it. Any suggestions for scopes that would go well with this gun?

You were trading good for the BLR. I don't really consider the 336 for the M70 quite as even, but if your happy, I'm happy.