I've got a bunch of rifles, but the lever-actions are my favorite.
Acccuracy is where you find it. My Marlin (and a "Marlington") aren't bench-rest target rifles and neither are any of my bolt-actions. The l/a's hold their own for accuracy. In fact, several of the l/a's will outshoot most of the b/a's, some by a wide margin.
My reason for liking the l/a's has to do with the fact that I'm right handed but have a left dominant eye. I shoot rifles and shotguns left handed. The l/a's besides some single shots are the best "ambidextrous" actions available. I'm not a fan of the AR's. I've got, had several. Just don't like the ergonomics of the "modern rifles". That and I don't "need" more than 5-6 rounds for hunting. Even encounters with dangerous game don't allow time for more than a couple of rounds. So, you need a quick handling POWERFUL rifle for dangerous game. Humans included, so, I prefered a shotgun for that 'application'... but I digress...
Getting to the BLR, I too have one. No, it's not as accurate as some others, but it's a .358wcf, not known for accuracy for several reasons.
1. It's got a LOOOONG throat. You can't get a bullet seated short enough to fit the magazine to touch the rifling. However, with a load it "likes", it is near MOA for 3-shots. Entirely adequate for it's purposes. I won't take it elk hunting in open terrain, but, for what I'd use it for, it's excellent. Lack of factory ammo is it's limiting trait. But, I handload so options are excellent. Besides, there isn't much a 200gr Hornady PtSpt at 2,500fps won't take.
2. It has a poor trigger. Feels like a 'mile' of creep. Weight isn't the issue. Just lots and lots of creep before it releases.
3. Mines a "steel" reciever. However, it's not heavy. Removing the "block" of rubber they called a recoil pad and installing a Boyds 1/2" pad removed close to 1/2lb and shortened the pull length to under 14". With a Leupold Vari-X II 2x-7x it weighs under 8lbs. Any lighter and it'd be obnoxious for recoil. It now handles beautifully.
Mine's killed drt every deer I directed it at. It was the original owners "most favorite" rifle of the over 50 he owned at his death. It's among my favorites.
One day I'm going to get a heavy "rifle" cast bullet mould for it. However, I've got too many other rifles to make that a priority. Besides, the Marlin .338ME just has everything all over this rifle/cart. Accuracy, ease of "fixing" the triggers, long range ballisitics, good and inexpensive cast bullet moulds (Lee)...
I don't like the new ones with aluminum recievers....
re; cast bullets. Just enough H4895 or Acc#5744 to make an RCBS 200gr FNGC to run 1,850-2,000fps.
