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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 13, 2013 22:30:39 GMT -5
Still shopping around for my gift from the future mrs. Originally, I thought shotgun but I have not found one that fits just right. I am also beginning to think a big game rifle just feels more special in your hands than a small game shotgun. So my next thing I'm kicking around is a new Browning BLR 81. It's very hard to see these in person as no one has these on the shelves. Someone online offered to meet up with me in the next month or so to let me handle his, so perhaps that will work out. I think I recall having handled a used pistol grip BLR before at a store a few years ago and really wasn't impressed with the lines. The 81 straight grip model looks to be much better judging from pictures online. I guess some questions: 1. How do they shoot group wise (factory ammo)? This one has a barrel band on it. Also, I heard these thin barrels can string potentially string the 3rd shot. Would going with a standard cartridge verses a magnum help in that regard? 2. I heard the triggers tend to be crisp but heavy at around 6-7 pounds (though supposed to be around 4) and that not much can be done about it. I've heard many gunsmiths will either not touch this gun or will ruin it if they do; but good gunsmiths can do some polishing to get the pull down into the 4-5lb range if needed. Does any of this sound right? 3. How would you rate this gun (or any newer blr I suppose)? I know they are not as popular as they used to be and some people are upset about them doing away with the steel models. Is this a solid quality gun worth the $850 price tag that can be handed down? Thanks www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=006
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Post by jmarriott on Dec 14, 2013 5:36:05 GMT -5
I like lever action rifles so this is a biased response but blr's rock. I have a pre 81 steel 308 shoots as well as my browning Abolt 308 the trigger is not as good as the Abolt. I prefer the straight grip with smaller recoil rounds mainly for the looks. One thing about any lever action rifle in long action is the very large stroke of the lever to feed rounds so short action is what I prefer. I did not like the stroke on a 7mm mag version I shot compaired to my 308. You can now get them in a take down version with a scout Mount also. If you place a BLR on the line with an ABolt you will get the same groups or very close. The trigger can be fixed and arts gun shop is a perfect place to send it. He worked on Brownings for years and those triggers can be a bit tricky but I am sure twomoons s can do it also. You have a box mAg so you do t have to worry about flat nose bullets. You have fine fit and finish of the made in japan Brownings. Shine like a new car after a wax job. I have not had much problem with stringing but any thin barrel with a barrel band can string rounds as they heat up. My old ruger mini 14 strung anything up after 3 shots but it is more noticeable with an auto. I have not shot the BLR fast enough to see. While you are looking around if you find a 308 pre 81 mag under 100 Dollars buy it for me. Those mags are hard to find and most run close to 200 For the mag alone. The 81's mag are around 60 each. I have one other 308 lever that is a bit more accurate and has a pistol grip but they do not make them anymore.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 15, 2013 15:32:27 GMT -5
I should have known you'd have one! I'll look for the magazines. They are going for well over $200 on Ebay right now. I'll keep an eye out though. I'm not sure why, but I bought a Kane Gun Chap for a gun I don't even own They seem pretty rare so I thought I better grab it as I'm heavily leaning towards this gun. Can always resell it. Are the front sights useful? Or is it a case of setting them once and using them only in an emergency? And I'm hearing some people refer to the trigger as being almost 2-stage (which makes me cringe a little) in that slack needs to be drawn up. I can't imagine that being the case with this rifle though. Thoughts on how the trigger operates?
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Post by jmarriott on Dec 16, 2013 19:27:51 GMT -5
The trigger moves with the lever. I would not call it two stage but I would not call it crisp. Mine went to Art before I shot it much. Now it is better and breaks crisp but is a bit heavy still for benchrest shooting in the field it is fine. Without a pull gauge I would say 5-6 pounds. Factory is was a bit creepy did not break crisp. The irons are buckhorn and they are just like my bl-22. My eyes now require scopes as they no longer focus the front and rear plus target. Smaller than the marlins. I have a vortex diamondback 2-7 on it now. I prefer the low power scopes for field work. The savage 99 is near prefection I just think it a bit ugly. It will out group most 308's and that trigger is sweet just as it came from the factory. I have the same amount of cash in each and don't get to us them here in Indiana for deer. No real rifle rounds here. The savage has vastly increased in value the browning has also since it is pre 81 model. I got the 336 sc 35 rem, the BLR and the savage 99 from the same guy all at the same time. The 336 is the only one now without a scope it just wears peeps. If I trim the brass to 1.8 inches I can use the 35 rem for deer.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Jun 26, 2014 21:47:11 GMT -5
To pull this thread back up again, I am still looking at this rifle and time is winding down on my freedom!
I am going out of town this weekend and will be near Bass Pro headquarters in Springfield MO. I called and as of right now they have 1 blr81 in a 7mm-08; so at least I can look at it provided it isn't sold. Although a 7mm-08 shoots flatter, I think I'm sold on 308win since it can shoot the 180's and a couple hot loads are on the market as well. So if I like it I'll order one from Buds or Gunbroker.
One other question though, the 81 model does not have sling studs on it. Uncle Mikes makes sling mounts where the front screws into the existing forarm bracket. However, I'd have to have a gunsmith drill into the buttstock to mount the other sling stud. I see pictures online of owners doing this. With the thick gloss finish this gun has, is there a chance that finish will flake off beyond the hole when drilled?
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Post by dovehunter on Jun 27, 2014 9:08:34 GMT -5
They're ugly!
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Jun 27, 2014 19:02:57 GMT -5
Yes they are!
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Post by jimh on Jun 30, 2014 18:13:44 GMT -5
Red, lay a layer of good masking tape of the area prior to drilling. Have the stock in a vice and use a drill press. Or send it out somewhere and have it done. If you use good bits there should be no issue with chipping the finish. If you use some old rusted dull bit though, all bets are off.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Jun 30, 2014 22:13:32 GMT -5
Well I drove 4 hours to Bass Pro to look at their model 81. I was satisfied with the overall quality but several people there felt the high luster finish was prone to chipping. So left the new gun counter still confused and wishing they had the pistol grip version to compare (which is already set for a sling). When I was leaving, I noticed their "fine gun room". Low and behold, they had a Medallion model with the pistol grip! Aside from a very crappy recoil pad (the spongy kind that gets stuck to your clothing instead of sliding into proper position), the gun looked and handled perfectly. The Medallion series is a bit too much money, but I do believe I will be ordering a blued pistol grip BLR. Well worth the trip!!!
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Post by jmarriott on Jul 4, 2014 6:16:24 GMT -5
Will the finish flank off no. Could it be flaked off sure I have seen it done. I used the bl-22 a lot and it has the exact finish and it is all still on it. My Sa-22 does not see near as much use and finish is perfect. Sure I don't use them as much as you will but you would have to be really rough with them for any finish to flake off. Dad user auto 5 has flaked where it is dinged but that is an older Belgium version and not the same finish at all.there is the standard the medallion and gold medallion with at least grade I grade II and grad III finishes. The wood on the upper grades is fantastic and they get the milled engraving on them. Prices go way up.
The marlin with marshield finish does flake off. Little dings blister the finish and it pops off. I have used stripper and light sanding then either tung oil or stain and poly to refinish. I think Jim did his Mountie and it was mar shield finish.
Red they also make a take down version I have heard good things about just never shot one.
Overall you will not be disappointed in fit and finish of and Japanesse made browning. Easy to unload com paired to a marlin or Winchester tube gun. Easy to scope up and accurate as the Abolt. The majority of lever actions now seem to be sold to left handed shooters of old farts like me who grew up on cowboy movies. I personally have always used levers and pump shotguns.
The gun genie from davidsons often has special runs of browning guns.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Jul 4, 2014 8:30:29 GMT -5
My dad's 336 must have the marshield finish as it's been flaking for years.
Davison's does not have the gun in stock, but Bud's has it for $819 and free shipping. So out the door for $845 is the best deal going. Locally the best price I can find out the door would be about 100 dollars more.
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Post by Jack on Jul 5, 2014 8:21:27 GMT -5
I don't think the Browning finish is prone to flaking, any more than any other finish. As far as sling swivels, that's an easy install - until you #@%& it up. Recoil pad install is the same way. Unless you have some skills as a woodworker and own a drill press, pay a gunsmith to do it. Not a very expensive job, and a lot cheaper than paying to have your errors corrected.
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