PRICE CHECK - Browning BLR

[t.r.]

I located a Belgium made Browning BLR in .308 with Weaver mounts/rings and Bushnell 1.5 - 4.5X scope. Stock has professionally installed sling stud and recoil pad. Hammer spur extension included. Condition:

- two shallow scratches in steel receiver
- average wear on walnut stocks with zero cracks or gouges
- my impression is used but not abused

They're asking $545. plus tax.

Please provide input. Thank you.

TR

[pwl44m]

I would say fully it is well worth that. Don't sleep toooo long, it will get away (I know of what I speak)
PErry

[Les Staley]

Brace yourself for problems unless you are an advanced handloader.. small base dies... set back dies (sizeing die trimmed back ten thousandths to set back the shoulder to sub-saami specs..((dangerous if you have another 308)) ) I had an early Belgium one and sold it as it was too much trouble.. no camming power in the action.. there are other leverguns that don't give so many problems... Do what you want,, you could get a good one with no problems, but those early ones had more than their fair share of snafus. Les

[geobru]

Brace yourself for problems unless you are an advanced handloader.. small base dies... set back dies (sizeing die trimmed back ten thousandths to set back the shoulder to sub-saami specs..((dangerous if you have another 308)) ) I had an early Belgium one and sold it as it was too much trouble.. no camming power in the action.. there are other leverguns that don't give so many problems... Do what you want,, you could get a good one with no problems, but those early ones had more than their fair share of snafus. Les

Looks like Les had a bad experience with his gun, which is really unfortunate Most people who have these rifles like them, but apparently there are some that have had problems. I haven't heard negative comments like Les's about the Belgian made guns before. It will be interesting to see if others have had similar experiences with the early guns.

Based on my experience with an early 70's Japanese made BLR, sounds like a good deal. I have had no problems reloading with standard 308 dies and it is a tack driver.

If you buy it and later decide that that particular gun is too tempermental for your taste, you shouldn't have any trouble getting your money back out of it. Most people who have these rifles like them.

JMHO

[Tycer]

It's worth that. Magazines are no longer produced and the NOS is depleted. Prices range between $75 and $200 depending on how patient you are. Most sell for $200.

[Les Staley]

sorry to come off like a wet blanket... but my problems with that 308 Belguim gun were real.. I felt bad about selling it to anyone... but had a straight talk with the young guy that bought it, and it he was gonna use factory ammo...(even some factory would not chamber).. got $550 for it a couple of years back.. bought a Jap model BLR in 358 win. at that same show.. for $625.. no problems.. runs well. I would sure try it out with some dummy rounds or with the owners permisson, some factory ammo before I bought it.. open the bolt and run a loaded round into the chamber fully with your pinky and while holding the rifle verticle, the round should gravity out behind your finger... just a suggestion.. I'll never own another... Les

[pipehand]

That sounds like a great deal. Same as I paid for my recent acquisition only mine was minus the scope and rings and mounts. I had heard all the stories about small base sizing dies, but this 1970 model accepts fired brass unsized from my Winchester model 70. Try to but a new one with optics for the same price!

[t.r.]

I decided agianst buying this BLR. But here is where the rifle is located if someone else is interested:

Mussers Outdoors
438 N. Reading Rd.
Ephrata, PA 17522

717 738 4800

Closed Sunday & Monday.

TR

[Old Savage]

I would just say I think the Japanese and Belgians are somewhat different animals.

[M. M. Wright]

As I've stated on this forum many times, I have bought, scoped, sighted in and passed on 7 BLRs. (Still 4 more of them the safe.) I must say that some of them have had tight chambers. My old Belgian .308 has just been worn so much that it accepts my handloads with no problem. I recently bought one from a forum member who was having problems with the action sticking closed after firing, (Belgian made .308 with the oil finished stock). It did this with my loads too. I polished the chamber and finally dropped the charge by 3 grains. Empties fall out of the chamber easily now. I had to trim the sizing die (C&H) a few thousandths in order to get my loads to chamber in all BLRs, including a couple of Japanese manufacture. Switched to RCBS dies and adjusted them down just touching the shell holder and had no more trouble. Maybe the dies? I even slugged the barrel and it miked .308 just like it should. The load was what Hogdon suggested for a starting load for .308 with H4895 and a 150 grain bullet. The bullets are Nosler solid base which mike .308. R-P brass, freshly trimmed and sized. No high pressure signs on the primers so what's up?

I really like the BLR and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Great guns, very accurate and hold their zero very well from year to year.