Newbie question about Browning BLR .243

fundadore

fundadore

New member
I'm glad I found you guys and gals! I've already won a bet by searching archives and found similar posts about my subject http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubb...page=0#52487131

Subject: sons guns deer coyote

I "currently" have a Browning Abolt SS 300WSM with a Leupold VXIII 50mm that is just too much for my son and way too much for coyote, if you want any hide. I've pretty much determined that the .243 can be loaded about 1000 ways to give pelt rounds and deer thumping rounds. Am I right so far?

Now I am stuck on barrel length and diameter (weight) and what action would be the best for accuracy (lever, semi auto, bolt).

My 300 is a 400 yd proven killer. I'd like my new gun to have similar results. budget $1700.

Any thoughts would be great! Thanks.

psssssst. I really like the BLR /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

fred d.
 
you're going to have a really tough time beating the bolt for accuracy. if i was trying to shoot out to 300 yards or more, i'd want a bolt. if i was an AR fan, i'd get one of them. all other things aside, you really have to pick what you like.

if you really like that BLR, you should get it. but if you're wanting ultimate accuracy, go with a bolt.
 
Thanks schloss, I agree that the bolt would be the all around best for accuracy.......I guess a more specific follow up question would be if the Browning action in the BLR is advanced enough to rival the bolt?

Is the action on an AR advanced to rival a bolt?

Is a 20 inch barrel with a .243 retarted?
 
For honest 300 - 400 yard shots I'd go with a good bolt gun. It's not that the accuracy of the BLR can't compare favorably with the bolt, it is the trigger that will hold you back on true long range precision shooting. I have two Browning BAR's (.30-06 & .243) and one older steel frame BLR (.308), and they are very accurate with loads they like. However, the triggers aren't in the same class as a good well adjusted bolt guns trigger is. For called coyotes within 150 - 200 yards, not such a big deal. Double that range and everything becomes a player, and a light, crisp, trigger is a major player in successful hits at those ranges from field positions.
 
i'm sure that browning will say that it rivals the bolt. i've never shot a BLR. remington says that their pump rivals the bolt for accuracy, though, and i have found plenty of evidence that says the accuracy is not there.

i seriously doubt that it will rival the bolt, but again, i've never been around them.
 
An off-the-shelf Browning A-Bolt (or any other bolt) will likely outshoot a "stock" AR-15.

I just handled that BLR in .243 at lunchtime today and it's one sweet rifle. However, I don't think I would even put a scope on it, it's so sleek....kinda like puttin' shoulder pads on a Colt's cheerleader. If I wanted a 200+ yard gun, I'd stick with a bolt...200 yards and under, I'd be all over that BLR.
 
Stay with the Browning.........In my opinion there is no other rifle except maybe Kimber or a Steyr. I have a new BLR lighting that I bought last year in a .270 and its sweet. I also have 4 BARS and 3 A-bolts. In my opinion if they money is there get a BAR safari or shorttrac with a leupold Varmit or Burris Black Diamond scope. You cant go wrong shooting a .243 with Hornady 58 gr. V Maxs for yotes or cats. There is my two-cents on the topic
 
Funadore if you get real serious about it Private Message me and Ill give you all my pro and cons with the BLR, BAR, and A-bolts in my experience
 
The BLR is a bolt gun, just with a lever. I own one in 7mm-08 and another in .358 Winchester and they are fine rifles. The trigger issue is valid in my mind. The triggers on the BLR's are not exactly like the triggers on the 700's, 70's, M77's, et al. Out to about 200 yards no difference, beyond that, it's all in the touch. The only shortcoming I see in the BLR is barrel length. Just an old guy's opinion.
 
Quote:
Funadore if you get real serious about it Private Message me and Ill give you all my pro and cons with the BLR, BAR, and A-bolts in my experience



Why not share the knowledge on the open forum? I'm sure we could all benefit from knowing the pro's and con's of each of the rifles. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I, for one, would absolutely LOVE to hear why ANY Browning centerfire rifle is worth beans compared to other makes/models at the same or even lower prices......."It's not the accuracy of the BLR that will hold you back compared to a bolt, but the trigger......." That's funny. But the one about the BLR bein' a bolt gun with a lever is even funnier......I'm all ears....2MG
 
Quote:
......."It's not the accuracy of the BLR that will hold you back compared to a bolt, but the trigger......." That's funny.



Please expand on how this is so entertaining, oh wise one... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

Quote:
I, for one, would absolutely LOVE to hear why ANY Browning centerfire rifle is worth beans compared to other makes/models at the same or even lower prices......



Want to compare a Remington or Ruger semi-auto to a Browning BAR? Do you really want to go there? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I'll admit that the BAR is better than any Remmy or Ruger semi-auto, and worth the higher price. I've had several people bring over their "jammed" Remmy semi-autos. They are junk for sure. Still don't like semi-autos for huntin'. Would love to hear why the other 2 compare favorably to other lever and bolt guns....Would you like to tell me why a BLR with the sweetest trigger on earth would compare favorably to a bolt gun in the accuracy dept?
 
Good, one down, one to go... You see, it's like this. Group size is measured by the holes in the paper, not by what gun they were fired from. So, with that said, a cloverleaf is a cloverleaf...

307673.jpg
 
Bravo, that's one group from one gun. I do that at 200yds regularly with an assortment of bolt guns. Wanna answer the question now, or was it too technical?
 
Well, maybe it is too technical for a hillbilly like myself. But I'm a shooter and I'll give it a shot... It still seems to me that a 1 MOA group is a 1 MOA group, regardless of what it's fired from. Bolt, pump, semi-auto, doesn't matter does it? BTW, that isn't just one group and one gun. That rifle will do that consistently. It will also shoot several of my handloads nearly as well. That sorta pains me to admit that I can't outshoot that factory load with my own handloads. But dang it, I'm really close to doing it. My 06' BAR will do nearly as well, and my old steel frame BLR .308 shoots right along with the 06' BAR. There is a collection of fellows here that have BAR .243's that will shoot as well as mine also. Pruson and LDHunter are two right off the top of my head. You shoot a lot of cloverleaf groups with lightweight sporters and mid-power scopes? And at 200 yards? That's cool, I'm in awe. Post some pic's...
 
GC--you're still not answering the question. And it is still one rifle. And there are a lot of Hillbillys that can shoot. What is it about the BLR that makes its accuracy compare favorably to a bolt rifle? That's the question......And by the way, yes, I regularly shoot groups that small with a variety of rifles, most of them bolt actions. The only levergun I own (and I own many) that will do that cosistently is a 1957 Win 88 in 308. If ever there was a gun that felt like a bolt gun with a lever, that is it. The Sako Finnwolf is also close. Those are damn good groups you shot for a lever gun, good shootin'. But I happen to know that most won't do that, and the ones that will, are usually NOT BLR's. I've several leverguns that will hold 1.25" or better also, a couple of Marlins and a Sav99. All of this actually has nothing to do with why I don't like BLR's though...Don't save my targets either, unless they are specifically for load development purposes at the time. After that they go in the trash. I, and those that know me, have been "impressed" by enough small groups. The only one I still have is a Birchwood Casey "shoot and see" prarie dog target. It is pasted in the garage to remind my friend Tim (a police trained marksman) not to bet beers with me at the range. I hit the prarie dog in the middle of the eye on the first shot at 200yds. The eye is about the size of the end of a pencil eraser. Kept it just to give him chit, you know, for laughs.---2MG
 


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