Accuracy of BLR .308 Lever Action
Question:
I have purchased a new Browning .308 Lightning Lever Action Rifle that Browning boasts is as accurate as a bolt action because of the locking lugs used. Is this true? Has anyone done any long range shooting with this rifle? I just picked up some Hornady Match Moly Coated .308 BTHP 168 Gr.(80973) and Remington .308 178 gr. Extended Range ammo(ER308WB). Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
: I have purchased a new Browning .308 Lightning Lever Action Rifle that : Browning boasts is as accurate as a bolt action because of the locking lugs : used. : Is this true? : Has anyone done any long range shooting with this rifle? : I just picked up some Hornady Match Moly Coated .308 BTHP 168 Gr.(80973) and : Remington .308 178 gr. Extended Range ammo(ER308WB). With reloads I’ve got mine under an inch at 100 yards, plenty accurate for wiat I use it for walking around in the thick brush. Not only the locking lugs, but it’s got a full free floating barrel. samg Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
: Not only the locking : lugs, but it’s got a full free floating barrel. Sam, I’m not so sure about the free floating barrel on a BLR. Mine (.308) has a barrel band on the front end that certainly prevents any floating of the barrel. As far as accuracy goes, a .308 BLR is probably one of the most accurate of the lever actions (the Win M88 and Sako Finnwolf being in roughly the same class). Nevertheless, a BLR is a light rifle, and with the new alloy receivers is even lighter than older BLRs or BLR-81s. In my opinion Browning seems to have yet to make a firearm with a decent trigger (no creep) and when you combine the power of the .308 with a small light rifle such as the BLR, it can be more difficult to shoot accurately compared to a standard bolt action. Mine easily breaks the 1.5" mark with most loads. I’ve not worked with it extensively but I suspect it has good potential to do even better. I believe the BLR (in .308) represents the pinacle of lever action rifle design and makes for a very handy and capable rifle with uncommon accuracy. Regards, Rick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
: : Not only the locking : : lugs, but it’s got a full free floating barrel. : Sam, : I’m not so sure about the free floating barrel on a BLR. Mine (.308) : has a barrel band on the front end that certainly prevents any : floating of the barrel. : As far as accuracy goes, a .308 BLR is probably one of the most : accurate of the lever actions (the Win M88 and Sako Finnwolf being in : roughly the same class). Nevertheless, a BLR is a light rifle, and : with the new alloy receivers is even lighter than older BLRs or : BLR-81s. In my opinion Browning seems to have yet to make a firearm with a : decent trigger (no creep) and when you combine the power of the .308 : with a small light rifle such as the BLR, it can be more difficult to : shoot accurately compared to a standard bolt action. : Mine easily breaks the 1.5" mark with most loads. I’ve not worked : with it extensively but I suspect it has good potential to do even : better. I believe the BLR (in .308) represents the pinacle of lever : action rifle design and makes for a very handy and capable rifle with : uncommon accuracy. : Regards, : Rick Mine is a BLR-81 model. And when it was first introduced it was in the American Rifleman, and the NRA author stated that the band is for looks only, and doesn’t apply any pressure to the barrel. samg Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
