Browning BLR Availability Question

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JayBeeKay

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I made the decision that I want a BLR, and after trying out a few... The one I REALLY want is one that is listed on the Browning website as a 'Current Production' model - Yet it is on back order by all the sellers and distributors, apparently (haven't spoken with any dist)
So - This model is the Stainless '81 Takedown model chambered in .358 Winchester
I already have a couple BLRs in other chamberings. But I'm wondering if anyone has any inside info on when this model will be back in production?
I have been shopping for one for the past 8 months and in an earlier message someone said that they are expected to be in production in Jan 2020 - But so far - nothing

Thanks - Any info highly appreciated
 
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They may only ship so many each year, they may not have gotten this year's in yet. I've had my eye on the same gun.

Long shot, thruway sporting goods in Walden ny near me had one. Maybe give them a call and see if they still have it. 845) 778-1400

Oh and welcome to THR.
 
That is pretty normal for Browning (and other companies using the lean production method). It is a fairly low volume model, so it isn't in production on a regular schedule. They won't start production until there are enough orders placed by their distributors. You could try calling Browning, but in my experience the CS reps probably don't have the answer.
 
Thanks for the info - I tried calling Thruway and they don't have one any more.
I have the the .358 in the std blued model, and the Stainless takedown in .308 and I've been wishing I could marry the two and breed them, but I'm going to have to wait and buy one.
I'll call Browning on Monday and let them know there's a demand. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I do like the feel of the pistol grip stock and the forend on that style is broader and rounder.
At some point if The .358 I want comes to me, I'm going to try swapping some wood.

The takedown is MUCH easier to clean
 

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I Emailed Browning about 5 days ago and I got a message back saying that the .358 SS Takedown BLR should be arriving at the distributors in May.
Should anyone be interested
 
At my first range session with that gun, after firing about 20 rounds of Speer 180 JSPs over 44 gr of 4895, I tried out some 158 JSP handgun bullets over 28 gr of 4227 and they fed without any hang ups. Unlike when I was trying them at home. So that's a nice surprise.
 
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JayBeeKay said:
At my first range session with that gun, after firing about 20 rounds of Speer 180 JSPs over 44 gr of 4895, I tried out some 158 JSP handgun bullets over 28 gr of 4227 and they fed without any hang ups. Unlike when I was trying them at home. So that's a nice surprise.
Click to expand...

So you got it?

We need some pics man!
 
I didn't get the stainless takedown that my OP was referring to
But I have had this .358 for a few months and finally ordered brass and found a clear weekend day, to give it a try.
Just to clear up any confusion.

The 158 gr bullet is loaded over 28.6 gr 4227 - Decent light load
The 180 gr Speer is loaded over 44 gr 4895 - Nice - Not max
Target Zeroing in my scope... Not show worthy but you know how it is


IMG_20200224_121013.jpg IMG_20200224_121047.jpg

Chrono testing coming up, weather permitting
I am going to order some Berry's plated 158 gr for light plinking... 11 cents / bullet :)
Feeding was acceptable with those 158 JSP but I wasn't totally confident as I was getting a LOT of failure to feed jams, when I was testing them out at home.
But then when I got to the range - No hang-ups

I have a .308 BLR too - I like shooting the .358 a little more than the .308

Please feel free to share info on similar loads
I'll post more, as things develop
Thanks for the data on your earlier thread (Nature Boy) - That got me started
 
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Nature Boy said:
So you got it?

We need some pics man!
Click to expand...

Here's something that may be of interest:
I had feeding issues using jacketed handgun bullets, when I tested it out at home and I was also noticing that somehow my casings and the bullet jackets were getting some pretty deep scratches in them, so I deburred the edges of the magazine with a thin diamond file (from Harbor Freight) And I think that corrected the feeding issues with the 158 gr bullets, as well as the scratches.
But in the process, I was looking at the .308 magazines that I have and I couldn't find any visible difference between the .308 mags and the .358.
So I measured them at every point I could, using a caliper that's accurate to .001" and there wasn't and difference. So I will try using a .308 magazine with my .358, just to find out for sure, the next range session.
If that works, I may buy a 'Lucky 13' 10 round magazine and find out if that works on my .358. They sell those for the .308 BLR.
That should be an interesting upgrade if it works!!
 
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I too am a .358 fan.
However, my greatest angst is with the ridiculous trigger pull on the BLR ‘81.
A gunsmith recommended on this forum wants about $150 to do a trigger job. Add in ~$100 shipping and, you get the idea...

re: loads
I got mediocre accuracy until I stumbled across Ken Waters “pet loads” and an article circa 2002 in HANDLOADER magazine.

H4895 at 48.0gr in Winchester brass with the Hornady 200gr PtSpt seated out to 2.850” proved to be the trick. Groups tightened to ~1moa (3-shots). Probably as good as it gets in a BLR. Chrono’s right at 2,500fps.

Some day I’ll get around to trying the 225gr Sierra GK and 225gr Nosler AccuBond.

added; I bought my BLR from best friends widow. Got 3 magazines!
btw, MidwayUSA has Hornady 200gr Blems for $31.49/100
 
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GooseGestapo said:
I too am a .358 fan.
However, my greatest angst is with the ridiculous trigger pull on the BLR ‘81.
A gunsmith recommended on this forum wants about $150 to do a trigger job. Add in ~$100 shipping and, you get the idea...

re: loads
I got mediocre accuracy until I stumbled across Ken Waters “pet loads” and an article circa 2002 in HANDLOADER magazine.

H4895 at 48.0gr in Winchester with the Hornady 200gr PtSpt seated out to 2.850” proved to be the trick. Groups tightened to ~1moa (3-shots). Probably as good as it gets in a BLR. Chrono’s right at 2,500fps.

Some day I’ll get around to trying the 225gr Sierra GK and 225gr Nosler AccuBond.

added; I bought my BLR from best friends widow. Got 3 magazines!
btw, MidwayUSA has Hornady 200gr Blems for $31.49/100
Click to expand...

Yeah - The trigger's awful on the BLR. I had some extra $ a few months ago and I bought 3 BLRs just to find out what I like best.
They all have a bad trigger, just like everyone says.
I'm going to teach myself how to do a trigger job, because the cost of having a 'Smith' do it is prohibitive.
The trigger group can be removed without removing the bolt, so that's a good thing.
I have done trigger jobs, and I'm working my way up into more complex triggers, where the trigger operates a separate lever that the sear is located on.
I have a Contender that is that way - and I got it right, after some headaches.
I'm sure that my groups will improve with a better trigger.

Thanks for the load data - I have 2 lb of 4895
I'll try to grab up some of those Hornady 200 gr before they're gone.
If I come up with a good, inexpensive play load using handgun bullets that feed well, I'll post in the future.
 
Elkins45 said:
I have a blue 358 but it’s never seen a jacketed bullet. One of those takedown guns would be sweet!
Click to expand...

I'd like to hear more on that - Much appreciated

I'm playing around with my Blued BLR so I'll be ready when the .358 Takedowns come out
 
JayBeeKay said:
I'd like to hear more on that - Much appreciated

I'm playing around with my Blued BLR so I'll be ready when the .358 Takedowns come out
Click to expand...

I’m a big cast bullet shooter. My typical load for 358 is a NOE 225 grain hollow point or a 200 grain RCBS. The RCBS bullet is a fantastic shooter in every 35 caliber rifle I’ve tried it in.

The NOE bullet is this one:

360-249-HP_GC_V2.jpg 360-249-HP_GC_V2_Sketch.jpg
 
Nature Boy said:
I’m a .358 win fan
Click to expand...

Me too. Mine is chambered in a Savage Model 99. Used to have a Winchester Model 88 chambered in .358; a rifle I liked a lot but had a really bad trigger pull (mushy?) that couldn't be remedied.
To add: I think it's difficult to make good triggers that stay with the lever throw.
 
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