UtahIrishman
05-26-2009, 11:42 PM
BLR-Browning Lever Rifle:
I bought this rifle three years ago for $800.00 from Cabela’s and have enjoyed it immensely every time I take it out and shoot it. Here is a rundown on this fine rifle including some of its drawbacks.
The BLR comes in a number of caliber's ranging from 22-250 up to 450 Marlin. I originally chose the .308 because of the availability of surplus military ammo for it (or so I thought). They are light rifles averaging 6 ½ pounds and ideal for hunting. Suggested retail price is $839.00
Unlike other lever action rifles, except for the Savage 99 which has been discontinued, the BLR uses a detachable magazine instead of a tube feed. The short action BLR magazines will take four rounds plus one in the chamber while the long action will take three rounds plus one. It is also very well balanced.
My original thought when buying this rifle was that I would only have one rifle. And if I could still only choose one rifle this is the rifle I would choose. To me it combines most of the characteristics of what a good scout rifle should be; it’s light, yet accurate and powerful. If I had to, I could carry this rifle all day.
When first shooting this rifle I was surprised by both the recoil and the noise. It is a very loud. Even other shooters have commented on how loud it is. And once I got used to the recoil it's become manageable. A large part of the recoil problem was my inexperience in shooting a heavy rifle.
So I took this rifle to an Apple Seed Shoot to learn how to shoot it. And I learned a lot about shooting and the limitations and also some surprises as well about my BLR.
I shot over 200 rounds in one day with this rifle at the Apple Seed Shoot. Never thought I'd be doing that and yet every thing went fine and I learned an incredible amount about shooting rifles.
At the Apple Seed Shoot I also learned some of the limitations of this rifle. It is definitely no battle rifle. It's biggest drawback for this kind of shooting is the small magazines. Most people were shooting FALS and AR's with 20 round magazines. Yet the rifle held its own and by the end of the day the rifle was shooting 5 MOA at 200 yards with iron sights and factory ammo.
For self defense it is an excellent scout type rifle.
Factory Ammo
I've used two main types of ammo in the BLR. First is Georgia Arms 147 Grain FMJ-BT and the second has been PMC 147 Grain FMJ-BT. The rifle has done well with both and I've never had a jam or lockup with either one. I’ve averaged between 4 and 5 MOA using factory ammo.
I did run into a problem with military surplus ammo. The head spacing on the BLR is too tight to accept 7.62 NATO ammo. I've tested Portuguese and several others and it consistently jams and in some cases the chamber would not close at all.
Hand Loads
So far I've tested with two different loads. The first was a 165 grain FMJ using 40 grains of AA2460. If anything my results were less than spectacular. The PMC was giving more consistent results than this. This load was also jamming on me, but I believe that was my inexperience as a reloader and nothing to do with the rifle.
Secondly I have tried Hornady BTSP 150 grain bullet with 39 grains of AA2460 with much better results. So far my best group has been 2.5 MOA with iron sights. I'm still refining this load but it is looking good.
Conclusions
I am quite pleased with my rifle. If I had to do it again I would consider a Savage 99 instead only because of the cost (assuming I could find one). It is an expensive rifle but that to me is the only drawback to a fine piece of workmanship. It is an excellent all around scout type hunting rifle with superb balance.
A BLR in any caliber would be a fine addition to anyone's collection.
Pictures to follow.
I bought this rifle three years ago for $800.00 from Cabela’s and have enjoyed it immensely every time I take it out and shoot it. Here is a rundown on this fine rifle including some of its drawbacks.
The BLR comes in a number of caliber's ranging from 22-250 up to 450 Marlin. I originally chose the .308 because of the availability of surplus military ammo for it (or so I thought). They are light rifles averaging 6 ½ pounds and ideal for hunting. Suggested retail price is $839.00
Unlike other lever action rifles, except for the Savage 99 which has been discontinued, the BLR uses a detachable magazine instead of a tube feed. The short action BLR magazines will take four rounds plus one in the chamber while the long action will take three rounds plus one. It is also very well balanced.
My original thought when buying this rifle was that I would only have one rifle. And if I could still only choose one rifle this is the rifle I would choose. To me it combines most of the characteristics of what a good scout rifle should be; it’s light, yet accurate and powerful. If I had to, I could carry this rifle all day.
When first shooting this rifle I was surprised by both the recoil and the noise. It is a very loud. Even other shooters have commented on how loud it is. And once I got used to the recoil it's become manageable. A large part of the recoil problem was my inexperience in shooting a heavy rifle.
So I took this rifle to an Apple Seed Shoot to learn how to shoot it. And I learned a lot about shooting and the limitations and also some surprises as well about my BLR.
I shot over 200 rounds in one day with this rifle at the Apple Seed Shoot. Never thought I'd be doing that and yet every thing went fine and I learned an incredible amount about shooting rifles.
At the Apple Seed Shoot I also learned some of the limitations of this rifle. It is definitely no battle rifle. It's biggest drawback for this kind of shooting is the small magazines. Most people were shooting FALS and AR's with 20 round magazines. Yet the rifle held its own and by the end of the day the rifle was shooting 5 MOA at 200 yards with iron sights and factory ammo.
For self defense it is an excellent scout type rifle.
Factory Ammo
I've used two main types of ammo in the BLR. First is Georgia Arms 147 Grain FMJ-BT and the second has been PMC 147 Grain FMJ-BT. The rifle has done well with both and I've never had a jam or lockup with either one. I’ve averaged between 4 and 5 MOA using factory ammo.
I did run into a problem with military surplus ammo. The head spacing on the BLR is too tight to accept 7.62 NATO ammo. I've tested Portuguese and several others and it consistently jams and in some cases the chamber would not close at all.
Hand Loads
So far I've tested with two different loads. The first was a 165 grain FMJ using 40 grains of AA2460. If anything my results were less than spectacular. The PMC was giving more consistent results than this. This load was also jamming on me, but I believe that was my inexperience as a reloader and nothing to do with the rifle.
Secondly I have tried Hornady BTSP 150 grain bullet with 39 grains of AA2460 with much better results. So far my best group has been 2.5 MOA with iron sights. I'm still refining this load but it is looking good.
Conclusions
I am quite pleased with my rifle. If I had to do it again I would consider a Savage 99 instead only because of the cost (assuming I could find one). It is an expensive rifle but that to me is the only drawback to a fine piece of workmanship. It is an excellent all around scout type hunting rifle with superb balance.
A BLR in any caliber would be a fine addition to anyone's collection.
Pictures to follow.