Browning's BLR: a better lever rifle

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2005 by Dave Anderson

In the early 1960s, it seemed every adult male in the little Saskatchewan farming community in which I grew up did at least some hunting. There were maybe a dozen real enthusiasts who always got their deer, even went on hunting trips after antelope, moose, bear and elk. Sometimes they would let a hunting-crazy kid tag along on local deer hunts. Almost to a man these experienced hunters used lever-action rifles. The old guys (i.e., 30 and up) used Savage 99s, mostly in .300 Savage, though I recall at least one .250 Savage.

The younger generation swore by the new Winchester 88 in .308 Win. All the rifles wore scopes, usually 2 1/2X or 4X Weavers. It was years before I saw a scope that wasn't a Weaver.

What made these rifles so popular? Tradition, certainly, but also reliability in temperatures, which ranged from 10 to -40, and speed of fire. The preferred method of hunting ("pushing bush") meant most deer were shot on the run, and the combination of fairly powerful cartridges and last follow-up shots helped correct the occasional bad shot.

The handsome Sako Finnwolf lever action was made for a few years but never became very popular, likely due to its hefty price tag. I've only seen one used in the field. Wish I had one, they sure were pretty.

Almost Forgotten

Lever action rifles chambered for .308-class cartridges mostly didn't survive the swing to magnum cartridges and bolt actions. Hunters became enamored with long-range shooting and forgot the virtues of easy packing, fast-handling rifles. Fortunately there is still one rifle in this class, and it's a good one, the Browning BLR. Judging from the variety of models in the catalog, the number I see on dealer shelves and feedback from dealers, the BLR is doing very well.

I first started reading rumors of the new BLR in the late '60s, but production didn't really get into gear until around 1971 or '72. Original BLRs had a steel receiver and straight-grip stock.

They are slick, handsome and handy rifles. I've never known an owner who didn't like his BLR, and I've seen the neat little rifles in some unlikely places. I recall visiting a small farm bordering the northern Saskatchewan forest where a middle-aged couple scratched out a modest living with a bit of farming, some gardening, hunting, and trapping. Their little cabin had no electricity or running water; most of their possessions were old and worn, but in a place of honor on the wall was a bright, gleaming, lovingly cared for BLR.

A friend kindly loaned me his dad's old .308 BLR, bought around 1972 and fitted with a 4X Redfield Widefield scope. It's a sweet hunting rifle. In fact, I tried to buy it. "Sure, I'll sell it to you," my friend said, "About the time you sell me your dad's rifle." Guess he had me there.

I arranged to have a current-production BLR Lightning consigned for testing. It has a pistol-grip stock and is chambered for the .358 Win cartridge. I'll have more to say about the cartridge in a future column after I've had a chance to try some more reloads. For now I'll just say the .358 is one of those rounds no one seems to appreciate except those who have actually tried it.

It's a pleasure to see Browning has maintained the quality standards of the BLR. Fit and finish of the current model is excellent, certainly equal to the 1972 model. The action operates reliably and with a feel of oil-slick precision. The trigger pull is a heavy but consistent five pounds, six ounces, with smooth take-up and slight overtravel.

The Lightning's receiver is made from high-grade aluminum to save weight. This has no effect on the strength of the action as the rotating bolt head locks directly into the barrel. I'm a bit prejudiced against aluminum receivers; on some '60s era guns the color and appearance of the receiver didn't remotely match that of the barrel.

Browning has done an outstanding job of matching receiver and barrel. The receiver looks and feels solid and durable. After handling and shooting the rifle a while I had no further concerns about the receiver material.

The stock wood is handsomely grained, well fitted and nicely checkered. It has a very effective recoil pad. The pistol grip version is fitted with sling swivel studs. I'm not crazy about shiny, reflective stock finishes, even tough, durable ones as on the Browning. Evidently it is what most of the public wants or Browning wouldn't keep using it.

The detachable box magazine locks securely in place and fits flush with the bottom of the receiver. I fitted the BLR with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 scope using Bums Z-rings and Weaver bases. There's adequate clearance under the scope to manipulate the hammer.

The lone factory load is the 200-grain Winchester Silvertip. Rated at 2,490 feet per second, on an 85-degree day the ammunition averaged 2,511 fps from the BLR's 20" barrel. Ten three-shot groups averaged 1 1/2" with the worst group being 2 1/8" and the best group 3/4".

The BLR .358 is light, compact, fast handling, powerful, reliable and accurate. It's a very useful rifle for a lot of hunting situations. Currently the BLR is offered in both short and long actions and in 14 cartridges, including .450 Marlin, all the WSM cartridges (22" barrels), even 7mm Rem and .300 Win Magnums (24" barrels).