Browning BLR - Need some feedback
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Topic: Browning BLR - Need some feedback
Posted By: 788Fan
Subject: Browning BLR - Need some feedback
Date Posted: 23 December 2014 at 06:24
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One of the local purveyors of fine shooting irons has a BLR in 450 Marlin. The last time I hunted with my dad he was having a hard time shoving the shells into his 30-30 Winchester 94AE through the loading gate. I was thinking that I could re-arm him with a BLR or Savage 99C with a removable box magazine. At 84, I'll do just about anything to keep him in the woods. He prefers a levergun to any of the other actions. I'd probably not reload for 450 Marlin. Any ideas how heavy the recoil would be in a BLR with factory ammo, something in the 300 grain range? As always, thanks in advance for any advice or counsel. Merry Christmas! John aka 788Fan ------------- "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special." Stephen Hawking 1942-2018 |
Replies:
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 23 December 2014 at 08:31
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friend has a 450 marlin lever gun...much recoil. really not fit for most 84 year olds. it is a 45-70 loaded to P+ pressure.
The BLR and 99 both had detachable mag models. I'm thinking a single shot in 243 win might be just the ticket; smaller over all length than the lever repeaters. a ruger #1 or #3 (30-40 krag) or the Browning/win 1885 lever single would all work, And they have the simplicity of the 94 lever, but are easier to load. Great to see him still out there hunting; probably has something to do with having a nice son. |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 23 December 2014 at 09:14
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788Fan;
Yeah, I think you, and most particularly he, would be much better off trying a lighter recoiling caliber. There's a couple of websites that can calculate recoil energy & I believe that any of them would figure that that combination would be a shoulder-thumper of the first order. I'd certainly think the BLR would be available in 7mm-08 just as an alternative thought. 900F P.S. For the sake of sheer curiosity, I went to Bud's on-line gun shop. Therein, they are offering the BLR in 7mm-08 for $813.00. 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 23 December 2014 at 10:01
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Try to find ammo! Good luck! ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 23 December 2014 at 14:10
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D;
I never have trouble finding ammo. That's because I'm either stocked up, as in the case of rimfire, or I roll my own. In fact I go beyond the Boy Scouts motto, for I am pre-pared, com-pared, and re-paired! 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: tj3006
Date Posted: 24 December 2014 at 01:09
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How about the same rifle in .308 ?
Kicks harder than a 30/30 but not hard , to my 55 yeard old shoulder. Don,t forget the 88 winchester, but its rather large and clumsy. I have one in .308 i would sell. a 99c should work too. Not many around though. But a 450 marlin for a 84 year old is not in my mind a good idea. My 45/70 hand loads are serious thumpers. Of course a 7mm08 260 or 243 are good too , but .308 is one of the best huntin rounds out there for a lever gun. ...tj3006 ------------- Freedom 1st tj3006 |
Posted By: Tikkabuck
Date Posted: 24 December 2014 at 02:45
Heck of a gift,but wrong caliber for us older fellas. These guns are some of the sweetest lever guns there are,in the smaller calibers . My take on the 99's are ,I have one in .308 kicks like a mule,mostly because of the stock design,my Tikka 7mag kicks less .  I love my 88 ,in .308 . I will still always have my Finnwolf at the top of the lever gun list .
------------- God,Mother,Country,and Hot Rods. Done with political crap.LOL |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 27 December 2014 at 18:00
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the BLR-81 I have in 7mm-08 is very easy on my shoulder and
any others too. Hits as hard as a .308 at the terminal end but not at the shoulder end. Shop for one new or used. A very good deer cartridge too and ammo is easy to find. ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: MtElkHunter
Date Posted: 29 December 2014 at 07:56
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One member of my family is a lefty and she does not like bolt guns so she got a BLR in a 308. The gun works well and I can say I would have no problems using it. ------------- SW Montana |
Posted By: Ranch 13
Date Posted: 29 January 2015 at 12:08
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Late to the party on this one.
But if at all possible find him one of the steel receiver 81 models in 7mm08 or 308. ------------- The most expensive bullet there is isn't worth a plug nickel if it don't go where its supposed to. |
Posted By: Muleskinner
Date Posted: 31 January 2015 at 07:09
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I had a BLR once in 308. It was accurate like a bolt action rifle. The scope was easily added too, something some leverguns can't do well. Almost too purdy to hunt with, however. It was also a thumper. I'd get the old guy one in 7-08. ------------- Mule |
Posted By: stinky
Date Posted: 01 February 2015 at 16:28
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BLRs kick, a-lot, and a lot more than a bolt gun does. Felt recoil w/a a 7-08 BLR and reduced load is more than a .270 bolt-gun loaded w/150s for elk. I shot one and then immediately switched to the other (that is the Reader's Digest version). Felt recoil in a my friend's ex's .308 BLR has been reported to me as being more than in his .30-06 Winchester M70. If you are sold on a lever. Get a .243 BLR, or a .243 Savage M-99. The old guys bones will be much happier....or, if you can find one, a 7-30 Waters M94 (which you mentioned that he had trouble loading). ------------- John 14:6 |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 01 February 2015 at 16:34
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can't agree with the BLR kicks HARD...mine is a 7mm-08 and
a non issue when shooting at targets off bench and never feel at all when shooting at game off the hindlegs. Can't think of any good reason anyone would think otherwise. ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: Ranch 13
Date Posted: 01 February 2015 at 16:35
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Never heard this stuff about BLR's kicking more
This gal doesn't seem to think so, she's been shooting one for about 20 years, now.. Couple of her girl friends have them as well. 
 ------------- The most expensive bullet there is isn't worth a plug nickel if it don't go where its supposed to. |
Posted By: 788Fan
Date Posted: 03 February 2015 at 01:19
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Just an update. I looked at 3 BLRs. The 450 Marlin which started this whole thread is a monster. Massive rifle. There was a 7 Mag and a 308 as well. The 308 was interesting but I'm going to keep looking for either a 7-08 or a 99C in .300 Savage I think. For any of the 'smiths following this thread, I noticed that the Henry's don't have loading gates and that the cartridges are loaded through a port in the magazine tube like a tube fed .22. Is anyone modifying Winchesters for this feed option? It might be an option and not require changing to a new gun for the old man. Thoughts? John (788Fan) ------------- "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special." Stephen Hawking 1942-2018 |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 03 February 2015 at 02:02
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78 that conversion seems like a good idea. Seems to me very possible. the existing tube might need to be changed to a larger diameter to house the inner tube, but should work. mag capacity would be reduced, but 3 in the mag would seem plenty.
in your quest for a 99 don't overlook one in 303 savage, a decent deer cartridge. |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 03 February 2015 at 17:50
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Just buy the Henry..simpler..the .22's are well made and
shoot great... ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: stinky
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 01:53
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OK, there may be some confusion on my post. I did not mean to suggest that a 7-08 BLR would kick like a magnum, it will kick like a .308. Here is what I know... Way back when my daughter was in high school, I'd broke her in on a .30-30. I got her a 7-08 BLR. We went to the range and I shot it w/factory 139s and set the zero. I then switched to some 120s that I'd loaded for my daughter to shoot. They were loaded light, I don't remember the specifics, but at the time I was loading a lot of stuff using Unique. I was using data from a Lyman manual for lead bullets and I bet that it was in the 2,200 fps area. But, I know for sure that it was 2,500 fps or less. I did not notice anything about the recoil, and if you shoot magnums, then you won't notice the recoil and will think that it is a pop-gun. After I finished w/it, I handed it over to her and went to my .270 w/a hot 150s that I'd loaded for elk. After about 5 shots, she says that it kicks....I think that, "I hadn't noticed." So, I switch back to the BLR...yep, it kicks a-lot more than my Mauser bolt gun...BTW, I was comparing the light 120s against my 150s at 2,800. Then, I tried the factory 139s...they kick even more. My friend that came to the same conclusion...he used to shoot a M70 in '06. He now shoots a M70 in .300 H&H. His ex's BLR was in .308 (a caliber that he used to de-test) and I assume that he came to his conclusion in the same way that I did (in a side-by-side comparison). If not, it came from years of experience shooting his '06, working up a load. So, I've since sold that mule. I now have a .243 and the same ole .30-30 for the kids and a.270 (all bolt guns) is on the horizon. ------------- John 14:6 |
Posted By: Ranch 13
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 04:59
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My wife shoots 165's in her blr. One of our lady friends with a 308 blr shoots Remington factory 180's in hers... ------------- The most expensive bullet there is isn't worth a plug nickel if it don't go where its supposed to. |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 07:44
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788. been thinking. Not sure how old your dad is? But, I can tell you aging is NOT reversible. My fingers get worse every year. If you get dad a new gun, I'd think ahead maybe 5-7 years. Even the tube feed will be cumbersome, box mags aren't much better.
As we age we need to adjust. I'd get him a single shot, hammerless. that means either a Ruger #1 or a T/C encore. Hammer guns are dangerous for the young and the old. also I like my safety as my brain got older, one less thing to worry about. Also I'd get him a smaller lighter cartridge, 243, 260, 250savage or 257 Roberts. all good deer cartridges. Maybe a leupold 1-4x var-2 scope. My dad died in 1957, but if he was alive this is what I'd get him for his birthday. Time to make the 94 an heirloom. Just further thoughts |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 13:46
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Some good points bear..the hammer business with stiff
fingers from cold or medical can be an issue...now about the getting older part, I wouldn't know about that yet so down the road a lot of years from now when I start to get old I will remember your sage advice. ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 14:52
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IBD. one day you will wake up and discover you are old.
prepare now. |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 04 February 2015 at 15:37
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Fellers;
I dunno! I once bought a year's calendar, took all the pages off 'cept for December 31. Every day I'd tape the next one on, in exact order too! 'Cause that way I wasn't gettin' any older, I was makin' time go backwards and gettin' younger! An' they wanted to put me in the "old folks" home!! Luckily, I have escaped! Don't tell anyone, neither. 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 05 February 2015 at 03:42
| that was a home...but not the 'old folks' home!!! |
Posted By: 788Fan
Date Posted: 05 February 2015 at 07:36
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For 84, he's doing pretty well. Other than not being too good in the cold anymore, his biggest issue is his legs. He's had the arteries cleaned out a couple of times already. We've made some changes, moved tree stands to places that are shorter walks as he can get his truck closer and built a ground blind. We tried the single shot thing a few years back. He didn't like the fumble of trying to reload in a hurry. Not that it's an issue, he's still a marksman and has never needed more than one shot. We'll see how this plays out. If I can find a BLR or 99, I'll have him give it a try. Thanks, John
------------- "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special." Stephen Hawking 1942-2018 |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 05 February 2015 at 09:19
| great to hear he is out hunting. |
Posted By: tj3006
Date Posted: 01 March 2015 at 13:07
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I am somewhat surprised to hear of a 7mm08 kicking.
Something to consider is the stock. The blr comes in either strait or pistol grip. But a 7mm08 is awfully light on the shoulder. The .308 is not much worse. If you get really lucky you might find a blr in .257 Roberts. Not many made but sure would fit your old pops purpose...tj3006 ------------- Freedom 1st tj3006 |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 01 March 2015 at 13:18
| the 99 in 250-3000 is also a good fit. |
Posted By: 788Fan
Date Posted: 02 November 2015 at 13:07
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So, here's where I wound up. I skulked the LGSs for a while and found a BLR in .308 Win. Off to my 'smith to have the barrel bobbed at 18" and the LOP shortened to 13 1/2" The scope is a Tasco Titan 1.5X6X42. The 30mm tube will give better light transmission as sunset approaches. We hunt together mostly in the afternoons. I couldn't afford a higher end scope at this point, especially one with a 30mm tube.
I sighted it in with Hornady Custom Lite low recoil loads. It's a 125 grain spitzer.
I'm pretty happy with it. The bottom two holes in the target are at 50 yds. The top 3 at 100. I was smashing clay pigeons left over from the trap guys in the 150 range with no hold over.
Dad is happy. He took it in the woods this afternoon. Nothing to shoot at though. 
------------- "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special." Stephen Hawking 1942-2018 |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 02 November 2015 at 17:53
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Good for him....keeps him in the game...good for you to get
him set up again with a gun he can handle. I finally put a scope (4x Weaver, new model) on my BLR in 7mm-08 cuz I had one laying around and my eyes and iron's don't do so good anymore. Still carries well too. Oh, added a sling to help with walk in/out. ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 02 November 2015 at 21:23
| Sounds like you got him a nice combo. Now need to get some fur in front of it. |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 03 November 2015 at 04:38
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Fella's;
So, shall we start a grass-roots ground-swell public opinion movement for a government sponsored wildlife remedial program to supply viagra to deer? Gotta get those population numbers up! Man's got a new gun and no targets!! 900F------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 07 November 2015 at 00:31
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Just makes them harder to hit CB Nice job on making the accommodations for a progressing hunter. J ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: tj3006
Date Posted: 07 November 2015 at 09:30
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That should do well, but i bet a regular 150 grain
load would be fairly light on him too ! ...tj3006 ------------- Freedom 1st tj3006 |