Browning Hi-Power becomes a BLR

[Pistolpositive]

When it comes to long guns, I prefer lever's and bolts. I have an AR (Sig M400) the wife gave me for Christmas several years ago and really enjoy shooting it, but it's not my favorite. One of my Henrys (just 22s), or my Marlin 1894 (38/357) will be the first I grab when it am thinking of long gun plinking. I have a 30-30 Winchester 1894 from the late 50s but ammo is hard to find and pricey. I even have (another yule gift from my wife) a Remington Model 81 in 35 but it doesn't see much action.
I learned of magazine fed levers a few years ago and started kind of looking for one. I stumbled on one by chance and I do mean by chance.
I had finally got my CMP 1911 and I sent it to a non-preferred FFL by accident. Good shop, but if it had gone to my shooting sports center, there would be no FFL charge.
In any event was there picking up the Remington Rand 1911 and noticed what looked like a BLR on the shelf. Better yet, it was in 30-06 (same caliber as my primary hunting rifle - my dad's model 70). Being a breakdown was an interesting idea. Considered it and left with my CMP 1911.
Later that day in an unrelated transaction, a friend called and said he wanted to buy my Browning Hi-Power Practical. Never really liked it. Shot my CZ SP01 Tactical a lot better (as my 40s go). Trigger on the hi-power, even after being worked, barely had a reset.
Anyway took about half the proceeds from that sell and went back and bought the BLR - he wanted $450.
So don't know much about the BLRs and even less about the take-down variety. Haven't shot it yet and being a 30-06, it probably won't be shot much. I have read they are not very good target rifles, but I am not a "precision" shooter. Just enjoy throwing lead down range and seeing if I can make a hole close to where I want. For precision, I am playing with a CZ 457 Match Target Rifle.
So there's my story of turning one browning into another browning.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

If it shoots good, I'd say $450 is a sweet deal.

BTW, here's a photo of the tactified BLR from one of the Jesse Stone TV movies Benefit of the Doubt :

 

[Chevelle SS]

Nice, not really familiar with the BLR, but it does look good.

 

[Nature Boy]

I would have kept the Hi Power and found a way to swing the BLR, but I already have both so maybe my perspective is a little different. I’m an accumulator and have a hard time letting anything go.

 

[VA27]

Several years ago I picked up a 22-250 BLR. With Remington factory 55gr Corelok it shot consistently under an inch at 100yds. Give it a chance.

 

[Pistolpositive]

I would have kept the Hi Power and found a way to swing the BLR, but I already have both so maybe my perspective is a little different. I’m an accumulator and have a hard time letting anything go.

Even with the trigger work and magazine safety removal, I never liked the trigger on the hi-power. I actually lost money on it - sold it for $1k, the price I paid - but forgot about the trigger work. I am wanting to handle Springfield's version, the SE35. I accumulate as well, but at my age and seeing that my gathering of guns is not that interesting to potential inheritors, I don't mind dropping a gun to fund another.

 

[czhen]

Sadly are hard to get in 308 and costly. Because I could cure my needs for a M70 Alaskan 30.06 or 308 (iron sight mandatory to enter the lineup)

 

[Pistolpositive]

Wondering about a scope for this gun. Not sure how being a take down impacts it. My take down 10/22 is open sights and fun to shoot (up to about 50 yards). Just no clue what this gun will shoot like. Hope to find out soon.

 

[Pistolpositive]

Bought an inexpensive scope with not terrible reviews and found where someone in another forum had used it on the BLR as well. The Browning scope base and the Weaver rings cost more than the scope at $83 ($50 amazon).. But the NCStar 2-7x32e had pretty good eye relief at nearly 11 inches, a lighted reticle (mine is not overpowering at low power) and the 2-7 was probably about max reasonable magnification for this application.
Looking forward to getting it sighted in.

 

[Pistolpositive]

Shot my BLR this weekend. A lightweight 30-06 is not one to be fired a lot. After 19 rounds, the 22 caliber CZ Match Target Rifle was a real joy. My bore sighting effort was pretty good. Got it on paper. Wasted a few rounds not making drastic enough adjustments. Did not take the gun out over 50 yards, which might be about as far as i can accurately shoot my setup with my eyes. But will give it a shot at a 100 next time. Discovered the fold-down trigger safety feature in half-cock while sitting at the table. Neat feature.

 

[jyo]

I've owned a non-takedown, steel-framed BLR in .308 since the late 80s---my only "real" hunting rifle---used to shoot wild pigs on friend's private farm as pests---mounted a Leupold 1.5-5X scope (still there---works great) in Warne QD rings---everything still solid... Don't hunt much anymore, most of my old hunting buddies have died off ---oh well---really great rifle though...

 

[Pistolpositive]

I've owned a non-takedown, steel-framed BLR in .308 since the late 80s---my only "real" hunting rifle---used to shoot wild pigs on friend's private farm as pests---mounted a Leupold 1.5-5X scope (still there---works great) in Warne QD rings---everything still solid... Don't hunt much anymore, most of my old hunting buddies have died off ---oh well---really great rifle though...

My hunting is very limited. Very limited. This setup is not a reasonable option for plinking in my mind. However, after a friend showed me the right way to cook backstrap, might have to rethink my hunting. Just not sure I would be using this 30-06 on our little Texas Hill Country deer. My Marlin 1894c 357/38 would probably be a better option. If it was legal, would use m 22 WMR Henry.

 

[GerryER]

I have the BLR in .223 and put a 3-9x40 scope on it with a Weaver tip-off mount. I have a 30-30 Marlin with a 4x scope on the same Weaver tip-off mount. I had to do some minor modifications to the mount to fit it to the BLR, but being able to tip the scope to the side and use the iron sights in thick woods makes it rather nice. I was looking for a BLR in 30-06 or .223; never could find a 30-06 but came across the .223 so jumped on it. The BLR locks up just like a bolt action, where the lugs lock into the back end of the barrel (receiver) so they are pretty accurate. Get some 110 gn 30-06 ammo (~3100 fps muzzle velocity), and you can handle the smaller game without punishing yourself. Enjoy your BLR; I love mine.

 

[Pistolpositive]

I have the BLR in .223 and put a 3-9x40 scope on it with a Weaver tip-off mount. I have a 30-30 Marlin with a 4x scope on the same Weaver tip-off mount. I had to do some minor modifications to the mount to fit it to the BLR, but being able to tip the scope to the side and use the iron sights in thick woods makes it rather nice. I was looking for a BLR in 30-06 or .223; never could find a 30-06 but came across the .223 so jumped on it. The BLR locks up just like a bolt action, where the lugs lock into the back end of the barrel (receiver) so they are pretty accurate. Get some 110 gn 30-06 ammo (~3100 fps muzzle velocity), and you can handle the smaller game without punishing yourself. Enjoy your BLR; I love mine.

Thanks for the suggestion and enjoy your BLR. I started searching for reduced recoil 30-06 ammo and see there are some options.

 

[9x56MS]

Wondering about a scope for this gun. Not sure how being a take down impacts it. My take down 10/22 is open sights and fun to shoot (up to about 50 yards). Just no clue what this gun will shoot like. Hope to find out soon.

I have a BLR takedown in 358 winchester. When I bought it the trigger was a horrendous 9 lb pull. Sent it to Neil Jones in Erie PA and he got it down to 3.5 pounds smooth and breaks like glass. With factory ammo it is a solid 1.5 MOA shooter. With my hand loads it is a .75 MOA shooter. The only consideration to keep in mind when scoping is keep the front bell 32 mm or smaller otherwise there will not be enough clearance to separate the half’s. Or you can order the scout rail and mount a scope on the front half problem solved. Great rifles but the spare magazines are pricy. Good luck with yours. They are great hunting rifles.

 

[Pistolpositive]

I have a BLR takedown in 358 winchester. When I bought it the trigger was a horrendous 9 lb pull. Sent it to Neil Jones in Erie PA and he got it down to 3.5 pounds smooth and breaks like glass. With factory ammo it is a solid 1.5 MOA shooter. With my hand loads it is a .75 MOA shooter. The only consideration to keep in mind when scoping is keep the front bell 32 mm or smaller otherwise there will not be enough clearance to separate the half’s. Or you can order the scout rail and mount a scope on the front half problem solved. Great rifles but the spare magazines are pricy. Good luck with yours. They are great hunting rifles.

I am using the scout rail sold by Browning for my model and my objective lense is 32mm and just barely clears the barrel (think the lense cap barely fits). I can't imagine that accuracy you are talking about with this scope and my eyes, except at maybe 50 yards. Still, good to read what our guns are capable of in other's hands