Browning BLR 81 and ammo

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got me an older Browning BLR lever action chambered in .308...I love .308s, got several in bolt action including an old favorite Remington 788 and Ruger Model 77, bolt actions of course and couple AR10s and an M1A, I use 150 grain bullets in these but got several hundred rounds of 180 grain Remington Core Loks on hand. Anyone out there have this model rifle and how do 180 grain bullets perform in this rifle? appreciate any input. This particular rifle was made in Japan.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Can't speak for the 180gr, but an acquaintance had one in .308. We used Win748 and 150's for 2,900fps. Gun had difficulty extracting with published max loads. We backed off 2.0gr. Function normal, accuracy better.

I have a BLR '81 in .358win. It wants bullets seated out 2.835" (w/Hornady 200gr), max to fit magazine over 48.0gr H4895 1.0gr below sticky extraction. Seating bullets out took 100yd 3-shot groups from 2"+ to 1"+/-.
It's a hunting rifle... a very, very good one.
I did however replace factory 1"+ hard recoil pad with a Boyd's 1/2" pad. Did wonders for fit and handling. Lightened rifle nearly a pound. IMO recoil of .358 isn't that bad.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I plan on using it hunting hogs while walking, so the lever action is a good deal for that. Also plan to leave it unscoped, I have a Ruger .44 mag carbine and Ruger M77 in .44 mag, but the .308 gives me more range. Also magazine allows for the more pointed ammo like the Hornady type.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

They are well made guns. All I ever shot in mine were 150 gr. & the did just fine. If you ever reload you will need small base dies. My friend got a round stuck in his .243 4 decades ago & by the time he got it out he had broken one of the gears & Browning sold him the part, but he never got it timed right & had to send it to Browning.

 

[Nature Boy]

Like goose, I have a BLR in 358win. I'd love to have one in .308 and .243 and (fill in the blank with any short action round)

I'm a BLR fan

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

the only lever actions I own is a couple old Model 94s in 30-30 and I love .308s...just couldn't pass this one up. Guess I will have to experiment with different factory loads since I don't reload.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Only other caliber BLR I would consider is a .257Roberts. And only if I could get Browning to make the trigger decent. My only complaint against the BLR is the trigger. It's HEAVY with a lot of CREEEEEP. Amost like a double action revolver.

 

[cdb1]

I would like a BLR in 7mm-08. The triggers do suck but there are a few gunsmiths who do very good work on them.

Since each rifle is an individual there is no way of knowing if 180 grain bullets will work well or not.

 

[lastofthebreed]

I just got my hands on a BLR in 7 MM Mag. Took it to the range yesterday and, man, does that thing shoot! I ran some factory 150 gr ammo thru it to get the scope close and then fired some of my 139 gr reloads. I got a 3/4 inch 5 shot group at 100 yds with my first 5 shots! Let the barrel cool and shot another 1 inch group with the next 5 shots. Gonna keep this one. I have one in 7/08 that won't quite do that well.