Provisioning BLR in .308 Win w/Scout optic+irons

[rodregier]

I'm posting this to hopefully save at least one other person the time and money I spent getting the correct front sight height sorted out.

If you want to install the Browning Scout mount on a BLR *and* want a backup iron sight capability, here are the SKU's you'll need for one of the better iron sight systems plus a forward mounted optic. A taller front sight is needed to to work with the taller rear, and it also permits an unobscured
sight line between the rear and the front *over* the Scout rail.
All my testing was done with a 2013 production stainless takedown BLR chambered in .308 Win.
(#034015118)
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=015
I would presume that the barrel exterior is similar dimensions for the .223 Rem and the other .308 parent cartridge chambering variants (.243, 7mm08), which would determine the required
sight height.


1 - Browning Scout mount - short action - #12327 (.308 or .223)

1 - Set Leupold QRW "low" rings matte - #49853

1 - Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Duplex matte - #58810

Brownells:

1 - 962-564-380WB - Williams Rifle Fire Sight red 450N

1 - 962-027-250WB - Williams .250 Riser Block

1 - 962-100-750WB - Williams WGRS BAR (rear)

1 - 962-000-082WB - Williams 1/4" WGOS Slide/Ghost Ring

1 - 962-050-000WB - Williams front sight pusher (optional tool).

Configuration update:

Remove Browning rear barrel-mounted iron sight assembly

Install Browning Scout mount rail on barrel (I blue Loctite'd the screws)

Install Williams WGRS rear sight at the back of the receiver close to the hammer.

Replace included Williams rear peep insert with WGOS Slide/Ghost Ring

Remove Browning Williams Fire Sight (Red) factory .410 front sight.
(This is where the Sight Pusher is handy)

Install front .250 riser block (I blue Loctite'd the set screw)

Install front .450 sight (I blue Loctite'd the set screw)
(Sight pusher again)

n.b. total front sight height now .700 above dovetail slot.

\\

I used a rear butt stock pack along with the .500 plus .250 foam spacers from Beartooth comb raising kit to ensure better comb height for the taller irons and optic for fast target acquisition. The stock pack can be used for spare ammunition storage and handy tools too.

Secured the foam spacers with tape, and covered them with the stock pack.

Eagle or Tac-Ops stock pack will do the trick.

http://www.tacticalworks.com/Tactical-Operations-Ammo-Cheek-Pad.html - #TOPS1

http://www.eagleindustries.com/products/detail.aspx?id=91 - #350000

http://www.amazon.com/Beartooth-Stock-Comb-Raising-Kit/dp/B002L9JQ4E

Test on range for 50 meter zero for irons and optic, adjust rear windage and elevation for a zero.

Optic have to be removed to access the iron sights. That's fast with the QRW mounts.

BLR tool kit:

Broken shell extractor for chambering (Brownells 080-000-530WB for .308 Win)
Rapid Rod kit (Brownells 002-110-000WB )
.500 nylon brush (chamber, chunky bore cleaning)
.308 bronze brush
cotton patches

Stubby driver with driver bit storage

Driver bits - 3/16 slotted
.120 slotted (Brownells 080-120-120WB)
Wiha 74033 Slotted Power Bit 2.5mm (Amazon and others)
T-15 Torx
2mm hex

 

[ECVMatt]

Sounds awesome, do you have any pictures?

 

[MattShlock]

Yes, I need pics please Sir. I suppose I presumed I'd pull the scope off if the iron sights became necessary as backup. I thought you CAN leave them on with the Scout Mount but it appears not, so, is there a replacement rear sight to put on the receiver and leave there that won't interfere with the scope?

And what scope Diameter is maximum? I'm guessing about 32mm... But I'd want a decent LER low-to-moderate (say 2-7x) power silver colored one...

And which Browning did you specifically get? Thinking of one of the stainless laminates myself... Maybe even the 18" barreled one. Thoughts!?

 

[rodregier]

Just sent off the receiver to a Canadian gunsmith for a trigger job.

I'll post some pictures when it gets back, which will be at least a few weeks.

The weak point of the BLR's (past and present) is that most come from the factory with terrible triggers. Current spec is 4.5 lbs. Mine was 8.8 :-(

Since a trigger is a "fitted" part to adjust the weight, I had zero confidence that the Canadian warranty depot would give me a result better than what I sent them.

 

[MattShlock]

Smart move. Remlin got me. I weighed a trigger and they told me it was out of spec and to send it NOT to the factory service center becasue it would take months but to a well-known factory AUTHORIZED service center company. They said the gun was 1/10 lb. under new spacs and held my gun hostage until I paid them for the "warranty" repair!

 

[rodregier]

photos

 

[rodregier]

overall photo

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Very nice. Would it be possible for you to take one more measurement? How high does the center of the rear peep sit off of the receiver?

 

[rodregier]

I'll have a look and post it here.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Thanks

 

[rodregier]

I would put the requested measurement at around 0.525".

That is with the rear aligned for a 50yd zero for the front.

The height can be varied some since the rear peep is mounted into a carrier that rides in the rear ramped base.

 

[Deog]

Great info to pass along. Love my blr lightweight 81 in .243. she is a tack driver. .308 stainless takedown is on my list.

 

[henschman]

That is too friggin cool! What was total cost? How bout the weight specs?

 

[rodregier]

I'm reluctant to add up all the costs :-(

My Canadian pricing for many of the SKUs is going to be different that the US pricing even factoring in currency conversion. We talk about "cost of doing business in Canada" pricing for many products, where an item tht might sell for say $100 in the US will sell for say $125 in Canada (converted to equal currency). Reflective of the smaller Canadian marketplace and the costs associated with import paperwork and increased transport cost, esp for items that pass thru the US even if they weren't manufactured there.

Weight I'll give you:

All up with all the bolt-ons incl scope, scope cover, provisioned stock pack and 4 rounds in a magazine is 4.3Kg (9.5 lbs). Factory spec for the empty naked rifle with factory irons is 2.95Kg (6.5 lbs)

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=015


The stock-pack along with foam spacers lets me raise the comb to the correct height for the irons and the optic, so it makes a virtue out of a possible liability. The convenience factor of having a firearm-specific tool kit packaged with it is not to be discounted. Ditto for a folding cleaning rod and a broken shell extractor if you reload.

 

[henschman]

Regardless of cost, you have a truly one-of-a-kind rifle in a great setup. Great job.

None of your pics show the stock pack. I'd be interested to see one of the whole rifle showing the pack too.

 

[itsa pain]

Beautiful job Rod. You have made a very practical easy to stow and real close to an all around gun you can create. If you can like to see some results at maybe 100 yds or so.

 

[rodregier]

overall view picture as requested.

 

[henschman]

Your rifle is a real thing of beauty... thanks for sharing.

 

[rodregier]

Appreciate the kind words henschman. After decades at the game, I'm finally understanding what I want to see when setting up a "new to me" rifle. Sights, trigger and comb height to create natural cheek-weld/eye alignment with the sights are early on the list. I have a stock pack and a Beartooth Comb Raising kit on several of my rifles.

I'm very impressed with the accuracy of the BLR. I can't demonstrate it's full potential with a 2.5X optic, but the accuracy trends I'm seeing are very gratifying.

I'm using a reduced recoil .308 Win handload of a 130g HP (Speer #2005) with H4895 for a velocity of around 2700 ft/sec. (Recoil is a bit heavy using the BLR with full-power factory .308 Win ammunition when firing a number of rounds in a range practice session.)

 

[chicharrones]

overall view picture as requested.

Very nice set up!