Browning BLR Lever Rifle - Questions, Poll and Photos

[Rexster]

As one who did not grow up dreaming of '92 and '94 Winchesters, but who always liked the Savage 99, just never got around to owning one, when I bought my .308 BLR Lightning in 1997, I liked it just fine, and when I started shooing it, grew to love it right quickly. It handles like a dream, and makes me look like I know something about shooting. It is the Winchester '94 that feels weird to me, and tubular magazines have no "cool" factor for me.

FWIW, yes, I did grow up watching Westerns, but it was the single-shot rifles that appealed to me. I recently started acquiring Marlin 1894C lever rifles, mostly for the utility factor, as we have quite a few .357 revolvers.

In late 2009, i acquired a Takedown BLR, in .308. It is D&T'ed for a forward-mounted scout scope, as well as for a standard scope. I look forward to acquiring a Leupold Scout Scope as soon as I can afford one. I think this one is going to be fun.

 

[CornCod]

I think a BLR in .223 would be a blast as a range toy. The idea of firing a modern cartridge out of a lever-action appeals to me.

 

[HenryD]

I have a newer BLR Lightweight '81 in 30-06 with the 22" barrel and I find it very handy and comfortable to shoulder and shoot. The 22" barrel makes it quick for me to maneuver. It shares ammo with my IHC Garand with it's 24" barrel which is also very handy but a bit slower to maneuver.

 

[unlearned69]

HenryD, you brought up an excellent point. For those wanting levers in calibers that match their bolt rifles, these are great. My Mauser is the same caliber as my BLR, and they even shoot the same type of ammo equally well.

 

[Bill_Rights]

A wild-ass idea (or a rich man's pipe dream)

Zeke, HenryD and unlearned69,

I agree, great idea to have chambering commonality with my other .308Win rifles! But earlier speedo66 said

No help with the .358, don't really know anything about it except it's based on the .308 case, and they use the same mag in the Browning.

That got me thinking that, since the .358 and .308 mags are the same, maybe the BLR in .358Win could swap barrels with a BLR barrel in .308Win. Actually, on the Browning web site, they show BLRs that "takedown" into two pieces, and obviously the chamber goes with the barrel (duh!). I wonder if all you need to change to change barrels/chambering would be the front section of the takedown, i.e., the barrel and forestock?
Here are the pics of one of the takedown models:





I do believe it would work! But how would you buy such a setup? Do you think the latch/takedown lock would work between the .308 and .358? Or would they be hand-matched rifle-by-rifle? Well anyway, I guess it would be a factory special order, unless they really were interchangable and I ordered two rifles, one in each chambering. The cost might be a wash....

 

[scchokedaddy]

blr

had one several years ago, dang purty thing BUT triogger was crap neither gunsmith nor Browning could fix{ take out slack and or creep} sold gun because of this. was sold 2 more times in 6 months, now resides as safe queen, in all her beauty. thinking maybe one day I might try to get her back and let her sit in my safe lol

 

[rodensouth]

Have the BL-22 and like it very much. Little too much take up on trigger due to design.

 

[zombie1210]

Old thread, but I figured I would add to it instead of starting a new one.

Here's my takedown in 300 WSM.

 

[Furncliff]

I gave my wife a Browning BL .22 . It's a nice, compact, light rifle. It's a bit on the small side but it's very accurate and fun to shoot. I seem to have failure to chamber issues with it. I haven't had it to the smith yet. Probably should.

 

[jmr40]

I think they make good rifles, they just don't appeal to me. If I want a levergun I'd rather have a traditional Marlin or Winchester. I've found that a bolt gun will do anything one of the Brownings will do, and do it better, for less money.

 

[zombie1210]

For us lefties, it's a great option. A levergun that locks up just like a bolt action. Quick follow up shots in an easy carrying package.

AND...variety is the spice of life.

 

[CoRoMo]

I just got a .270 BLR stainless. Happy.

 

[zombie1210]

This one is a non takedown 7mm mag.

 

[RichS]

Browning BLR .223

Hi, all. I'm new to this forum; I've been researching info on the Browning .223 BLR. I've got several larger caliber rifles- Enfield .303 British ("jungle carbine"), SKS, Winchester 1894 .30-30 (1921 model) and so on. Mostly I like to go target shooting/plinking, but the ammo for all except the SKS is pretty expensive these days. I really like the Winchester .30-30; fun to shoot, but again expensive (about $1 a round!) so I was looking for something other than a .22 to have fun with. Looked at Henry .22 magnums but the rifle felt more like a BB gun then a real rifle (way light!) and I didn't much care for the cast alloy reciever either...then I ran across the Browning lever action .223/5.56 NATO rifle! In short, a pretty effective round (standard USA/NATO military, so must be worth something!) plus being such a common round costs about the same as 7.62 x 39 (SKS/AK), 9mm parabellum (which of course is a pistol round and I can't have an UZI anyway...) and the .22 magnum...all are around $.19 to $.21 per round, in other words 1/5 the cost of larger caliber ammo!

So now having found a nice, reasonably priced .223 BLR- 1990 steel reciever, iron sights, nice condition, I've got enough ammo now & an extra mag for it.

Much data is available on other caliber BLR's but not too much on the .223 online.

So here's my question: any advice on using .223 vs. 5.56 NATO ammo...are both OK in the BLR, due to its bolt-like action (I know about higher chamber pressures in the military ammo), which (reasonably priced, not match quality) round to use (.223 rem vs. 5.56 NATO), if a scope is to be used, which is most recommended/what does anyone have experience with, and so on? In short, any user experience with the .223, especially the earlier steel reciever versions, would be very much appreciated!

I do not reload, I just use factory ammo.

My thanks for your advice.

 

[scramasax]

My favorite lever action rifle is a rotary mag Savage 99, good lines,balance,accuracy in .308.

I like the features of the BLR but hate the looks. The main reason I would buy one is the take down feature. The box magazine is conveient and you can get different caliber forends.

Cheers,

ts

 

[pikid89]

I had a Japanese BLR Lightning that was my first rifle I got when I was about 14...I loved that thing but my dad wasn't a hung fan i guess and he sold it...I killed a few deer and hogs with it.

 

[natman]

I'd consider one if they made a .357 magnum version. I'd like Stainless Steel model with the Black/grey laminate stock.

Until then, nope...

The BLR is designed to handle rifle rounds with spitzers. The 357 Magnum is neither a rifle round nor does it normally come with spitzer bullets. An 1892 would be a much better choice if you want to shoot 357.

 

[leeroy71]

Great post!
Tho I do not own a BLR, I would by one in a hot minute. My Dad has one in 7mm rem mag. The sucker is heavy as crap but what a shooter. I find it shoulders easy and handles well. But that is always subjective. And like I said HEAVY!

All said, its a great gun. Can't go wrong with BLR.

 

[T.R.]

My wife is a lefty and hunts with her custom BLR. It's a well balanced rifle and shoots amazing accuracy. We sent the rifle to Michigan for MagnaPorting which eliminated muzzle jump. Yet blueing was not marred at all. No addit'l muzzle blast at all. MagnaPorting is the BEST!

Browning BLR is a keeper!!

TR

 

[Ole Humpback]

a) Anyone have a BLR (any chambering) and want to comment?

I and my dad do. My BLR is in 257 Roberts and his is in 358 Win. By far, they are the best lever guns out there. Dad has a pre-64 Model 94 and we both agree, the M94 is great, but the BLR is the M94 taken to the next level.

b) Trigger feel/function?

Like any other Browning trigger, its a bit heavy. Then again, it goes bang each time you pull the trigger too.

c) Any downside to trigger moving with the lever (advantage: supposed to prevent pinching of fingers during operation of the lever)?

No downside that I've noticed in the last 9yrs of ownership.

d) Note the rack-and-pinion drive for the bolt: Is that OK? Overkill? Slow to operate? Subject to debris jamming?

My dad & I both agree that is what makes the BLR far better than the M94. There is no slop in the action at all. I've never had debris issues with my BLR, then again, I keep it clean. Operation rate is the same as any other lever rifle I've shot (Marlin, Winchester, Henry).

e) Is the detachable box magazine on lever rifle offered by any company other than Browning? Why isn't it really popular? You can use spire-point bullets with it and not need Hornady Leverevolution. But, capacity is no greater than traditional tube magazine.

AFAIK, no one sells a DBM for a BLR other than Browning. I don't know why it never caught on. I use the DBM to carry multiple loadings on a single trip. 3 mags, each with a different bullet & load. Covers pretty much anything you can think of.

f) What do you think of the Win .358 cartridge? Availability? Ammo price? Hand load-ability?

The 358 Win is pretty mild in an off the shelf name brand ammo. Not many choices out there for Winchester, Federal, Remington brand ammo, but the rounds are decent for factory loads, good for anything inside 200yds and very similar to a 30-30 for ballistics. My dad bought some handloads from Conley Precision Cartridge, and they pack a serious punch. 250gr SP at 2400fps & 3200lbs/ft. All the power of a 405 Win with ballistics out to 400yds that mimic a 257 Roberts. Its a long range heavy hitter with the right loads. My dad is recoil sensitive, and with those CPC loads there will be significant muzzle jump, so he had a recoil pad & muzzle brake fitted.

To minimize recoil, get the pistol grip stock & a recoil pad. The muzzle brake is deafening with ear plugs and the muzzle blast will give you headaches over periods of prolonged shooting.

 

[northwoods99]

I have 3 BLR's. I have a 243 with the older style of magazine. I have a .358 and my favorite is the .284. My son hunted with the 243 until I got him a Model 99 Savage this year in 250 savage. He like the balance in the Savage better. The .358 is a great brush gun, but the .284 has a lot faster and flatter shooting bullter. The .284 is nice if your reload, but the ammo is pricey off the shelf.

 

[Kleanbore]

My favorite lever action rifle is a rotary mag Savage 99, good lines,balance,accuracy in .308.

I like the features of the BLR but hate the looks. The main reason I would buy one is the take down feature. The box magazine is conveient and you can get different caliber forends.

My sentiments exactly. I like the .250 Savage, also.

 

[bergmen]

Browning made the more recent BLRs with "machined air-craft grade aluminum" receivers.

Minor nit (against Browning, not you). There is no such thing as "aircraft grade aluminum". It does not exist.

Dan

 

[Germster]

I love those BLR, but don't own one. I do own a 336, Win 94, Win 71, Savage 99.

Short action BLRs are better than the long action rifles. A 308 is all the rifle you will ever need. I have a friend to who takes one to Africa and kills everything, other than really big game, that walks.

Scope? Not me, if I wanted a PU gun. Watch out, as other guys will want your rifle too.

 

[Purgatory]

This one is a non takedown 7mm mag.

Wow, that's an excellent camo job, Zombie.

That 'HAS' to be custom, right?

Very nice.