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Browning 308 BAR or BLR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 13:22
taz_gerstman View Drop Down
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 Good afternoon everyone. I just love collecting rifles and yes I do use them for deer hunting. My main hunting cartridge is a 308. I cant decide between the browning blr or bar. I have yet to shoot either one but all of the reviews I have read say both are outstanding. Has anyone here had any experience with either one of these especially the newer models? Pros vs Cons  Thanks
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 14:28
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The con to both is they're difficult to take apart and put back together. That and Browning not having a warranty.

If you like the BLR, you might like the Henry version, too. Henry at least has a reputation for customer service. 
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 17:29
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Hunted for years with an older BAR 30.06. I loved that gun and I am sorry I sold it. It carried nicely in the field and the accuracy was very good. Because of the gas action the recoil was quite low and reliability was 100%.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 19:18
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I have BARs in 30-06 (with BOSS) and .243 (without BOSS).  Both are great hunting rifles, reliable, ACCURATE.
As urbaneruralite says... disassembly/reassembly not recommended.  The manual says if you have to disassemble further than removing the stock, send back to Browning... fortunately, I've never had a need to do anything but clean and shoot...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 21:22
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I have taken my 7mm BAR completely apart a few times. A bit time consuming but if u are a bit mechanicaly skilled its done easy enough.

I have enjoyed mine as well. Great guns
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2018 at 23:26
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We've owned two different BLRs in .308.  Both were handy, accurate, and of excellent quality.  They are nearly perfect deer rifles for normal hunting ranges (no more than 300 yards).

The only improvement I would make is a lighter trigger.

If you are into long range shooting, this is not your rifle.  If you are a regular hunter, though, it is an excellent choice.    
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2018 at 03:16
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Always thought the takedown BLR looked a really handy idea...
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2018 at 09:19
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I know two people who owned the BLR.  In those two samples they shot 4 to 5 inch groups at 100.  Not that great.  But for a closer range deer gun that would work okay. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2018 at 10:49
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Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

I know two people who owned the BLR.  In those two samples they shot 4 to 5 inch groups at 100.  Not that great.  But for a closer range deer gun that would work okay. 











Damn, that would be enough to cross the BLR off the list.

My grandfather used a BAR in 7mm mag when hunting out of state, like everyone has said, great shooter, tad heavy for me where we hunt.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2018 at 15:05
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I just don't like the way the BLR looks. I would have hung a fake tube under the barrel just to make it look better. 
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2018 at 17:54
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I've shot a couple of BLRs and both grouped quite well for a levergun.  Just under 2MOA with factory ammo, I think.

I liked the handling of that rifle enough to put one in 300WSM on my wishlist.  I am a sucker for leverguns, so I plan to get the takedown version.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2018 at 09:14
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 A lever gun in 300WSM would be fun..... make a heck of a woods gun too!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2018 at 10:18
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"...4 to 5 inch groups at 100"????

Our two BLR's shot 1 1/2" 3-shot groups with 150 grain Winchesters.

Brian Pearce wrote up the BLR .308 in the latest Rifle magazine (September 2018).
He reported 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups  for eight out of nine factory loads and handloads.  (The 9th was 1.65 inches.)

Stan Trzoniec reported groups of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.25 inches with .308 factory loads in the Winter 2009 Rifle magazine.

Ken Kempa reviewed this rifle (takedown version) in .30-06 in the February 2008 Guns & Ammo magazine.  He listed 14 handloads hovering around 1".  He also listed nine factory loads.  Seven were less than 1 1/2 inches.  The other two were 1.56 and 1.61 inches.

Greg Rodriguez reviewed the BLR takedown in .300 WSM in the October 2007 American Hunter.  His groups before takedown were .98, 1.60, and 1.46 inches.  Three shot accuracy was 2.1 inches if broken down after each shot.

The NRA requires 5-shot groups.  They tested the takedown BLR .308 in the December 2010 American Rifleman.  With 5 shots (unlikely in hunting) they reported groups of 2.62, 2.63, and 2.81 inches.  "In addition, we found no appreciable change in point of impact when comparing groups fired before and after disassembly and reassembly of the gun."

Hope this gives you all a better perspective of BLR .308 accuracy as reported by a number of different reputable sources.

One last thought.  The .308 is a shorter and handier rifle than the BLR in .30-06 and other longer  cartridges.  Your choice is a matter of personal preference, of course.  


    
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2018 at 10:44
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Can't change what I saw.  Also note I said 2 samples, that in now way qualifies the entire range of those guns as inaccurate.  Just those 2 samples.  It simply means they are not all guaranteed as super accurate rifles. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2018 at 11:35
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Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

Can't change what I saw.  Also note I said 2 samples, that in now way qualifies the entire range of those guns as inaccurate.  Just those 2 samples.  It simply means they are not all guaranteed as super accurate rifles. 








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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2018 at 18:52
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i have a BAR in 30-06 and its my go-to Deer rifle!  I had a .308 (lent to my father and his wife didn't give it back to me when he died suddenly) I also had a .243 that was my Son's rifle and he wanted a 30-06, so traded the 243 for an A-Bolt in 30-06.

my BAR is plenty accurate for deer hunting or Elk hunting.  I would highly recommend one.

A BLR has been on my wish list for a long time... but I want it in a traditional Lever caliber.. like 300 Savage! but a .308 would be excellent too.
take em!
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