Anyone have a Browning BLR in 300 WSM

[madman4570]

Thinking about grabing a new one of these guys?

[CowboyTutt]

Madman, I say go for it. If memory serves, that is one of the most powerful cartridges in a levergun available today. At 60-63 thousand MAP, I don't think there is another levergun action on the planet that could withstand that operating pressure. The only caveat would be that the recoil in a lightweight BLR will be quite snappy!!! I went with the 358 Winchester myself in my own BLR. I wanted the ability to run a heavier bullet weight.

-Tutt

[CowboyTutt]

How about the 325 WSM instead?

http://www.browning.com/products/catalo ... &f3=&msrp=

-Tutt

[madman4570]

How about the 325 WSM instead?

http://www.browning.com/products/catalo ... &f3=&msrp=

-Tutt

Yep, another possibilty.
What was really weird was I shot the 300 WSM in the BLR and it did not kick bad at all ?
Why my XTR Win 70 in 300 Win mag kicks much more I just can't figure out?
The 300 WSM in the BLR felt like my 7mm Rem in my Win M70

I will look into that 325 WSM further.
Thank You Sir

[CowboyTutt]

No thanks needed my friend! I'm always thrilled to help another man spend his money on firearms or a Harley Davidson motor upgrade!!! I like my 358 Win BLR a whole lot. The trigger that Mic put on it is simply amazing, and the gun is sick accurate (although Mic did alter the barrel bands and some other things!) That being said, the 325 WSM would probably be my choice if I had to do it over again. Its supposed to be a very accurate cartridge.

As to recoil, well, that's always a personal thing. I'm a tad masochistic myself....

-Tutt

[BenT]

I got rid of my BLR in 300 WSM. It just wasn't that pleasant to shoot. The 308 is just the right recoil in the BLR for me. A few months ago Zanders was trying to move BLR's in 325 WSM and 270 WSM for about $100 less than the other calibers. I took a look in the current Zanders flyer and they have takedown BLR in 325WSM for $699 wholesale.

[CowboyTutt]

I've heard similar using the 300 Win Mag in a bolt action. Short sharp recoil. The same person thought his 375 H&H bolt gun was less painful to shoot because its more of a long push. -Tutt

[CowboyTutt]

Here's a really cool pic of the inner action and locking lug design of the BLR Lightweight '81. The bolt locks into lugs cut into the steel barrel itself, so even though the receiver is made of aluminum, the lockup on these rifles is extremely strong. Setting cartridge head space however, becomes a problem as you have to re-machine the locking lugs in the barrel. Not so easy. The barrels are also "Individually machined, precision button-rifled, heat-treated chromoly steel. Crowned muzzle. Barrels are triple checked for interior finish, straightness and air-gauged for uniformity." Wow.

blr-gear-mech.jpg

Getting a good trigger on the BLR LW '81 floating trigger design is not so easy either. Mic tinkered mine to death as a favor to me. We NP3 plated the internals but the tolerances were so tight he had to hand fit everything afterwards. After that, he really hasn't wanted to work on any more of them. The trigger is the best one in my collection with the possible exception of my 454 Puma that Mic re-built for me. That rifle also has an incredible trigger. When I compare them, I am hard pressed to decide which is better but I have to give the slight nod to the BLR.

Very few people know this, but Mic McPherson has seen plans/schematics from John Browning himself that appears to be a front-locking levergun. The patents have expired, so anyone could actually make one of these. Wouldn't a front-locking lever gun designed by John Browning himself be a dream come true??? It would be both authentic AND strong!

-Tutt

[madman4570]

Here's a really cool pic of the inner action and locking lug design of the BLR Lightweight '81. The bolt locks into lugs cut into the steel barrel itself, so even though the receiver is made of aluminum, the lockup on these rifles is extremely strong. Setting cartridge head space however, becomes a problem as you have to re-machine the locking lugs in the barrel. Not so easy. The barrels are also "Individually machined, precision button-rifled, heat-treated chromoly steel. Crowned muzzle. Barrels are triple checked for interior finish, straightness and air-gauged for uniformity." Wow.

blr-gear-mech.jpg

Getting a good trigger on the BLR LW '81 floating trigger design is not so easy either. Mic tinkered mine to death as a favor to me. We NP3 plated the internals but the tolerances were so tight he had to hand fit everything afterwards. After that, he really hasn't wanted to work on any more of them. The trigger is the best one in my collection with the possible exception of my 454 Puma that Mic re-built for me. That rifle also has an incredible trigger. When I compare them, I am hard pressed to decide which is better but I have to give the slight nod to the BLR.

Very few people know this, but Mic McPherson has seen plans/schematics from John Browning himself that appears to be a front-locking levergun. The patents have expired, so anyone could actually make one of these. Wouldn't a front-locking lever gun designed by John Browning himself be a dream come true??? It would be both authentic AND strong!

-Tutt

Great info, Thanks!

[Old Time Hunter]

Thanks for the picture Tutt, have always wanted to see the inside of the BLR. Just never got around to it.

My suspicions have been validated, it is a gear driven M95 Steyr bolt assembly.

[86er]

Just get the 325 WSM and call it a day....

[Blaine]

.358

[CowboyTutt]

Old Time Hunter, I'm no expert on bolt actions but that makes sense.

86er, I tend to agree that the 325 WSM or 358 Win would be the way to go. But all 3 cartridges (300 WSM, 325 WSM and 358 Win) are all very accurate.

One of the things I like about the 358 is that I can use premium 308 cases from Lapua and Norma. These cases are made so uniform that it saves me a lot of time with case prep because they don't need much. So you easily get a match grade case with little effort.

Add a good handload and your done.

Madman, do you handload? I don't remember. 358 Win loaded ammo is VERY scarce so the 325 or 300 WSM might be better if looking for factory loads.

Really any of these cartridges can get the job done well, I just prefer using heavier bullets myself.

Cool thread!

-Tutt

[arjunky]

If for some reason you get the 300wsm, I'm pretty sure I know someone with dies and brass
Byron