Browning BLR?

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Nickb1075

New member
Well guys I am looking for some info on the Browning BLR. My gun shop has a stainless/walnut one in 7mm-08 pistol grip. I was just curious what people think of this gun. I really like the way it handles but haven't heard to much about the newer ones with the alloy receiver. Are they accurate? How do they hold up? I have heard that the older model 81 were known to be accurate but again not much info out there on the new ones. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks
Nick
 
I have a BLR chambered in .284 Win. It is an alloy reciever, made in 1991.

I fired a 7 shot group, at 100 yards, (just using up some older loads) that measured 1 1/4". I went on to my new load, but didn't get serious about firing a group, as it was getting late in the day. I did zero it at 100, though.

I am well pleased with the accuracy of this rifle. The 20" barrel on this one costs me a bit of velocity, but I'm primarily a woods hunter, so not too big a deal.
 
I gave one a try in 22-250 but found that medium
hand loads often gave me extraction problems.
Later a fellow shooter advized that traces of
resizing lube gummed up the chamber of his auto rifle
causing much the same problem.
If you do give one a try I would recommend you wash
your brass after resizing to remove all traces of lube.

P.S. Assuming your a reloader......or just buy new ammo
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I had an old steel frame BLR 81 in .358 Win, I only shot handloads, all were under 1.5" and the ones it liked were 3/4" @ 100yds. I got rid of mine for the reasons BigMo stated. Mine never acted up, but I kept seeing it being more common so I traded it for a new Hawkeye .358 Win that shoots just as good.
 
After this BLR 81 22-250 was restored it still shot just over MOA with handloads. I have never tried the alloy model yet.

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My neighbor has a BLR in .243 that I reload for, I have a BLR in .358 that shoots reloads of course. Both will shoot in the arena of 1 1/4". The difference is that my rifle will do so off hand or off a rest. The neighbor's rifle shoots well off hand but not well off and sandbag rest. He is happy as a lark with it so I have not chased down the reason why. Both have alloy receivers.

The design is great, strong, accurate and very smooth.

SodakJim, that really is a terrific looking rifle!
 
I had a BLR in .243 for many years and finally sold it. It would shoot sub-minute, but I never liked the trigger even after having it worked a little. Overall, a very good rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: Bearcat 74I had an old steel frame BLR 81 in .358 Win, I only shot handloads, all were under 1.5" and the ones it liked were 3/4" @ 100yds. I got rid of mine for the reasons BigMo stated. Mine never acted up, but I kept seeing it being more common so I traded it for a new Hawkeye .358 Win that shoots just as good.

I did the same thing for the exact same rifle, my 358 Hawkeye shoots under an inch at 100 yds.
 
I do not like the fit/feel of BLR's nor there looks. Nor their triggers. Most of the problems with them are due to the gears. Have seen them chipped off and also locked up....
 
I have the older BLR 81' short action steel receiver rifle in .308 and so does my dad. All we ever shoot is my handloads and we have never had any issues with them at all. Both have been very accurate and completely reliable. I can't get warmed up to the long action alloy receiver models. Probably good guns, just don't do anything for me.
 


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