Remington 7600 vs the BLR in 35 caliber

[TexasEd]

I am looking at the Steel frame BLR in 358 win. and the Remington 7600 in 35 Whelen. Is there any great advantages from one gun to another relative to the shooting platform - lever vs pump. As far as caliber goes pro's and con's of each? Thanks for the help. Deer Elk and Boar in the picture. Thick wood hunting shots 250 and under.

 

[natman]

I'm not quite sure what a "shoot platform" is. The 358 is to the 35 Whelen what the 308 is to the 30-06; a shorter version with roughly 100 fps less velocity.

Either will work splendidly at reasonable ranges for deer and pigs or even elk or black bear. I'd pick the gun you like best.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've dealt with both platforms and I feel the Remington has vastly superior ergonomics and "pointability" vs the BLR I found the BLR to be very awkward handling. The BLR is a rifle I would love to like but everytime I pick one up and shoulder it I'm reminded why I don't own one.

Also in my experience the Remington is a great deal more accurate as well due to it's 100% free floated to the reciever bbl. I had a 35w 7600 and I dearly regret selling that rifle

 

[SwampWolf]

I've got a Savage 99 chambered in .358 Winchester and I can tell you whitetails don't travel far after being hit with a well-placed 200 grain Silvertip. Between your two choices, I'd opt for the Remington in .35 Whelen- I think they handle better than the Browning and cost less too. And whether it matters to you, no lever-action rifle will come close to delivering a follow-up shot as fast as a pump, assuming the operator of either have equal experience in using one.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've owned a Remington M760 in .35Rem. I somewhat regret trading, but I got a firearm that I shot a national record with, so, it was worth it.

I too agree with Krocus; but I don't like the ergonimics of EITHER.

The forend of the Remington is so far foward, the you have to reach out to hold it. Also, although my .35Rem was extrealy accurate (under MOA with loads it liked, often shooting 3-shot clusters with all shot touching), but it was noisey to hunt with. The forend had enough movement that you had to carefully hold it if manuvering in a stand for a shot. I had more than one deer alert to the forend rattling at just the wrong moment........

I shoot rifles and shotguns lefthanded, so, I find the safetys problematic on actions such as the 742's and 760's. I much prefer leveractions, but detest the blocky and unbalanced feel of a scoped BLR.

What I'm getting to, is that I believe the rifle you're looking for is the new Marlin .338 Express. It offers nearly the ballistics of the .35Whelen with the superior ergonimics of the Marlin leveraction. I've got three Marlins, a .30/30, a .35Rem, and a .45/70. The Marlin .338 will probably make #4, if and when I find one........
However, I've very,very fond of the .35Remington. I handload it with 200gr Remington Corlokts at 2,300fps. It shoots adequately flat for up to 200yd shots. I've taken deer out to 200yds with it, and it flattens them very satisfactorily.

Like another poster stated the .35Whelen is just a bit more cartridge than the .358. That stated however, a deceased friend of mine had a BLR in .358, and of the 100 or so guns he had at his death, the BLR was his favorite "woods" gun. His however, was one of the first built, and looked and felt a bit different than the new ones. It too,though handled like a lead pipe stuck on a 2x4 with a scope mounted too high......
Maybe it's just the rifle for you, though. Only you can decide........