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Browning 308 BAR or BLR |
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taz_gerstman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/14/2017 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Posted: August/06/2018 at 13:22 |
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
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urbaneruralite
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 479 |
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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.
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Online Points: 9042 |
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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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Doug
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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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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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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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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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." |
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Longhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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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.
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Always thought the takedown BLR looked a really handy idea...
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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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.
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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." |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Damn, that would be enough to cross the BLR off the list. |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Lockjaw
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/17/2016 Location: Chelsea Status: Offline Points: 434 |
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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.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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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. ILya
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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A lever gun in 300WSM would be fun..... make a heck of a woods gun too!
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Longhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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"...4 to 5 inch groups at 100"???? 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. |
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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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.
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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." |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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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.
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take em!
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