Want to buy a new browning BLR

[Spike edward]

I want to buy a new browning pistol grip BLR stainless 30-06 for next year’s hunting season, but can’t find one. My question is will browning be stocking shelves in the near future? Or if my best bet is to prepay to order one at a local gun shop?

[fishnguy]

I would buy a bolt action for my first rifle.

Edit: what type of hunting are you planning to do?

Edit 2: I somehow read it as you first hunting season, now I see that it may not be. Disregard if it isn’t the case.

[Dean2]

Call Bashaw sports, Prophet River, Ellwood Epps and P and D. One of them will likely have it. Bashaw shows BLRs in stock, just not on 06 as does Epps. If no one has it I would get Clay at Prophet River to order one in, his estimates for delivery dates are usually pretty close. He shows BLRs as stock arriving soon.

[fishnguy]

Cabela’s in Calgary shows to have at least one in stock, but it isn’t stainless:

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/9761/browning-blr-lightweight-lever-action-rifle-w-pistol-grip

The only new BLR that I see to be in stock in the country.

Edit: and it isn’t 30-06… Damn, I am slow today. Sorry, op.

[Spike edward]

I would buy a bolt action for my first rifle.

Edit: what type of hunting are you planning to do?

Edit 2: I somehow read it as you first hunting season, now I see that it may not be. Disregard if it isn’t the case.
I have a 30-30 Winchester and a 303 long branch, I hunted for moose in Newfoundland for years, but nothing in Alberta. Haven’t hunted in 10 years. Hunted last year south of grande Prairie. Anything I could get a general tag for. Mostly bush hunting, power lines and pipeline trails. I know a bolt is probably a option, but I am a lefty and I probably read to many western novels as a young man.

[Dick284]

I have a 30-30 Winchester and a 303 long branch, I hunted for moose in Newfoundland for years, but nothing in Alberta. Haven’t hunted in 10 years. Hunted last year south of grande Prairie. Anything I could get a general tag for. Mostly bush hunting, power lines and pipeline trails. I know a bolt is probably a option, but I am a lefty and I probably read to many western novels as a young man.

There are lots of lefthand bolts, and ambidextrous type actions beyond the BLR out there. You should investigate those options too. Yes I’m a left handed shooter.

[Spike edward]

I actually bought a hand gun from prophet river, founded them great to deal with. I saw the one 30-06 BLR that is Canada. It is a gold medallion priced at 2000 dollars almost. Was hoping to get the stainless for around 1500 dollars.

[sns2]

Buddy, me thinks you need a bolt action.

[Spike edward]

I have looked a little into left handed bolt, can get a pretty nice bolt gun for the money I am willing to pay for sure and a lot of choices. Kind of got my heart set on the BLR, but I will look into bolt action some more for sure

[sns2]

I have looked a little into left handed bolt, can get a pretty nice bolt gun for the money I am willing to pay for sure and a lot of choices. Kind of got my heart set on the BLR, but I will look into bolt action some more for sure

Spike, other than making you feel like Festus off Gunsmoke, levers really do nothing better than a bolt action. Like nothing. They have shtty triggers, and they are hard to work on too. BTW, I hunted with a BLR for 15 years.

[Dean2]

I am a lefty and I like levers too. I have always been able to get my levers to shoot MOA or better, with load development and a little tuning. I have one 45-70 that will do 1/2 MOA and my old BLR in 308 would do .75 regularly with hand loads. It would hold just over an inch with Factory Federal Fusion. They don't have to shoot better than that for wacking moose and elk. That said, there are some pretty good deals on LH bolt guns on AO and CGN the past few days if you want to expand your search.

The LH CZ 30-06 that SNS2 found for Tire Bob, new gun, at P and D was a real nice piece too, and 600 bucks cheaper than a new BLR.

[catnthehat]

I have limited experience with the BLR,, the ones I have shot were pretty danged accurate, but I have been contacted over the years by several people who wished to have them worked on, and I just don't.

I have a friend who picked one up and was able too take it apart and put it back together again with no issues, I think he is the only one I have ever heard doo that- I can tar down a B78 however with no problem and many people hate the danged things!
One thing that has been mentioned, they are really pricey!
Cat

[Dean2]

I have limited experience with the BLR,, the ones I have shot were pretty danged accurate, but I have been contacted over the years by several people who wished to have them worked on, and I just don't.

I have a friend who picked one up and was able too take it apart and put it back together again with no issues, I think he is the only one I have ever heard doo that- I can tar down a B78 however with no problem and many people hate the danged things!
One thing that has been mentioned, they are really pricey!
Cat

I took the ones I had apart a few times, did a couple of the triggers. They are NOT an easy thing to tear down. FPS Plus here on AO is a gunsmith. He works on them and he even works on the new models.

[fps plus]

If you want a BLR buy a BLR !

[Smokinyotes]

With so many good bolt actions out there I’m not sure why anyone would want a lever unless you have been watching Yellowstone and want to look like John Dutton.

I find lever guns a pain to clean, cleaning from the muzzle pushing everything into the action.

[Spike edward]

Never watched Yellowstone, don’t watch fiction anymore, except for the news. I will admit old shows like gun smoke, the rifle man and all the Clint Eastwood western movies that I watch years ago is influencing my decision. But I always say if you don’t buy what you want, you are wasting your money. Going to be hard to find I think.

[Drewski Canuck]

Having a Browning Lightning BLR in 7 Rem Mag, the thing about the BLR is that the eye is always on the scope and the finger is always on the trigger.

Bolts don't do that.

A quick second shot with a BLR is the beauty of the thing.

That being said, my BLR is too nice to hunt with and we use Remington 7600's in 30.06. Very adequate for hunting accuracy which is all I care about.

Thing about the 7600 Pump action 30.06 is your eye is always on the scope and your finger is always on the trigger, just like the BLR.

Funny thing though, I rarely follow up with a second shot so maybe its not that important after all.

Drewski

[sns2]

LH CZ 557 in 308 at P&D.

That is a gorgeous gun that would be in my safe if it were right handed. There is nothing better about a BLR than any part of a beautiful rifle like this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/b6f1eaf7450521983d3e5c834c4d45d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/a6e129219478354ae610c93dfbf91101.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/6b68cad95ce339c2c139c75fa3d9c847.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/3dd384f7d913b37cec61e6c28c25f7f5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/19a797bd8da4a6e12f933846f0f8280b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/5eff8de4f7006229c6f680c51327c045.jpg

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[elkhunter11]

Having a Browning Lightning BLR in 7 Rem Mag, the thing about the BLR is that the eye is always on the scope and the finger is always on the trigger.

Bolts don't do that.

A quick second shot with a BLR is the beauty of the thing.

That being said, my BLR is too nice to hunt with and we use Remington 7600's in 30.06. Very adequate for hunting accuracy which is all I care about.

Thing about the 7600 Pump action 30.06 is your eye is always on the scope and your finger is always on the trigger, just like the BLR.

Funny thing though, I rarely follow up with a second shot so maybe its not that important after all.

Drewski

Unfortunately, due to the recoil of big game cartridges, the crosshairs don't remain on the target as you fire multiple shots. An experienced bolt action shooter keeps the rifle shouldered, and cycles the bolt as he recovers from the recoil,and gets the crosshairs back on target. You don't see a lot of pump or lever action rifles, being used by dangerous game guides, but you do see a lot of bolt actions, and if rapid follow up shots weren't possible with a bolt action, that wouldn't be the case.

[sns2]

I love the looks of a lever. Just not the cleaning, the triggers, and finding a gunsmith to work on it if need be.

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[catnthehat]

One of the biggest advantages to lever rifles is their slim profile for saddle scabbards or racks in SxS's, etc.
I don't buy into thd quick follow up shot theory for z bolt gun because tge fastest is a double rifle.
Personally I have never worried about multiple shots on animal unless bears , then it was a double for me .....
Cat

[Dean2]

Guys. He didn't ask to get talked out of a BLR. I know most of you and you have all bought guns just beause you wanted one. I can't tell you how many hundreds of time I did it too. Guns are REALLY easy to resell if you ever want to.

If a guy has an itch, let's help him scratch it by helping him locate a stainless BLR in 30-06.

[catnthehat]

Guys. He didn't ask to get talked out of a BLR. I know most of you and you have all bought guns just beause you wanted one. I can't tell you how many hundreds of time I did it too. Guns are REALLY easy to resell if you ever want to.

If a guy has an itch, let's help him scratch it by helping him locate a stainless BLR in 30-06.
Exactly!
I know some guys look at the stuff I shoot and just scratch their heads.....
Cat

[sns2]

You two fun killers

[tranq78]

Never watched Yellowstone, don’t watch fiction anymore, except for the news. I will admit old shows like gun smoke, the rifle man and all the Clint Eastwood western movies that I watch years ago is influencing my decision. But I always say if you don’t buy what you want, you are wasting your money. Going to be hard to find I think.

Good for you, get a BLR.

Fyi there are 3 Leupolds for sale on just the first page of this site's optics buy&sell. I'm sure there are more on the older pages.

My youngest used his lawn and snow shovelling money to get a lever 45/70 when he was 12. I took him to buy the last one at Wholesale Sports when they were closing.

Levers are fun to shoot. Enjoy your search, the journey is part of the entertaiment.

I'm a leftie too. I don't pack a gun during hunts as my kids carry rifles and I push bush. My kids have issued an ultimatum for me to get my WIN so I will be packing a gun in 2022. They find an unarmed hunter embarrassing.

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[JD848]

Guys. He didn't ask to get talked out of a BLR. I know most of you and you have all bought guns just beause you wanted one. I can't tell you how many hundreds of time I did it too. Guns are REALLY easy to resell if you ever want to.

If a guy has an itch, let's help him scratch it by helping him locate a stainless BLR in 30-06.

I guess so, the guys should buy what he wants. If he realizes it's not his thing then sell it and move on. Hell if you don't try it ,it will bug you till you want one, I will also look around for a 3006 ss .

JD

[58thecat]

If you want a BLR buy a BLR !


Exactly!


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[Savage Bacon]

LH CZ 557 in 308 at P&D.

That is a gorgeous gun that would be in my safe if it were right handed. There is nothing better about a BLR than any part of a beautiful rifle like this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/b6f1eaf7450521983d3e5c834c4d45d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/a6e129219478354ae610c93dfbf91101.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/6b68cad95ce339c2c139c75fa3d9c847.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/3dd384f7d913b37cec61e6c28c25f7f5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/19a797bd8da4a6e12f933846f0f8280b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/5eff8de4f7006229c6f680c51327c045.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 6 using TapatalkJeez stop posting this stuff. One day I'll push my limits bringing home just one more, and the boss will kill me. I'm right handed. [emoji28]

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[fishnguy]

I bought gold medallion BLR as my first rifle. Kept hunting with borrowed bolt guns still until I bought my own. One problem being the medallion is “too nice” to take to the bush which is where I spend most of my hunting time. Another was it took forever to set up properly with a scope due to not being able to find the correct bases and whatnot. I actually got sold two different sets by the “pro” shops (one here and one in Ontario) that never matched the rifle (one set was installed and it would not shoot worth poop, lol; we could not figure out what the heck was going on). Then I got more clue myself and found proper hardware. Another “problem” is cleaning - an unnecessary pain in the butt. And so on.

I recently wanted to pick up another lever, but it wouldn’t be a BLR. Couldn’t find any I was interested in. There are a couple available at the local Canadian Tire, but those are also “fancy” levers worth around and over $2K, which is not what I want. There are way better rifles available at that price point.

This is not the way of talking anyone out of it, just the “process” I went through. If you want one, buy one. I tried looking yesterday trying to help you out to no avail (well, aside from the wrong calibers I posted yesterday, lol).

It looks like at this point, the way to go is to put a deposit down (it appears most need as high as 100% and 50% refund in case of cancellation). Or just wait and hope for one to pop somewhere. Posting an ISO thread here and the gun nuts might be another way to go.

Good luck!

[catnthehat]

I bought gold medallion BLR as my first rifle. Kept hunting with borrowed bolt guns still until I bought my own. One problem being the medallion is “too nice” to take to the bush which is where I spend most of my hunting time.
Cat
No such thing as a gun that is too pretty to hunt with!:sHa_shakeshout:
https://i.imgur.com/mHZtO28.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/y1q9z5l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DEFxcCO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1Obifh1.jpg

[fishnguy]

Those are nice guns, indeed, Cat.

I always found the finish on the gold medallion to be “sketchy” though and seems it wouldn’t be reparable if damaged.

P. S. Also, there is no way I can tie a rifle to my pack like that and be able through my kind of bush, haha. I’d get stuck somewhere :)

[Bushleague]

LH CZ 557 in 308 at P&D.

That is a gorgeous gun that would be in my safe if it were right handed. There is nothing better about a BLR than any part of a beautiful rifle like this.

Jeebus Cripes fellas, its apparently not the guy's first rodeo... and he wants a friggin' BLR!! I'd bet that there are far less practical purchases in 99% of the gun safes out there, so I dont really get the direction this thread is going myself.

Now, just my humble opinion, but if I were going to get myself a BLR it would definitely be a short action. Having handled both, I far prefer the way the short action with the 20" BBL handles/feels. IMO lever guns should feel like lever guns, even when they arent really lever guns. If you were to broaden you're search to include .308 and 7-08 calibers you might find you have more options.

[Snort]

My advice would be to have the dealer of your choice contact Browning and get an ETA for one. There is no inventory at the Montreal warehouse.
The last Browning that I enquired about was going to be roughly 9 months delivery.

[fishnguy]

Now, just my humble opinion, but if I were going to get myself a BLR it would definitely be a short action. Having handled both, I far prefer the way the short action with the 20" BBL handles/feels. IMO lever guns should feel like lever guns, even when they arent really lever guns. If you were to broaden you're search to include .308 and 7-08 calibers you might find you have more options.
I surely share this sentiment as well.

I haven’t found any in short action either, aside from blued .308 at… I think it was Abbotsford’s Cabela’s. But I was obviously tired and confused yesterday, lol, as it can be seen from my first couple of posts in this thread.

[Dick284]

My advice would be to have the dealer of your choice contact Browning and get an ETA for one. There is no inventory at the Montreal warehouse.
The last Browning that I enquired about was going to be roughly 9 months delivery.

When I worked at a gun shoppe there was no contacting Browning and no one knew an ETA on anything. You book a rifle when the sales rep came calling, and you got pricing at that time, since the BLR’s are hit and miss, very few get put in on the booking order, and then the orders simply trickled in on a hap hazard basis. Browning was the absolute worst one to deal with on this item.

If his heart is set on a BLR and it’s the doldrums season between peak buying time and putting in a booking order by shoppe’s, I’d suggest the OP just get hold of a Browning dealer and place an order and be patient.

There’s all sorts of supply chain issues these days, and his timing is at the ultimate worst point in the cycle to begin with, so, ask, book, pay whatever for a deposit, and wait for the call.
Or.
Explore other options and models.

[sns2]

The OP posted that he couldn’t find one. Do any of you guys know when they are coming in? Remember, he wants steel, pistol grip, and in 30-06

And he said he’s a lefty, a common reason people buy levers.

So if I feel like offering himself something else to think about, as he may not be able to find what he’s looking for anyhow, I will do so. Last time I checked, I didn’t have to ask permission for that.

Furthermore, how many threads have we seen in the last number of months where guys are looking for gunsmiths to work on BLRs?

I’m not trying to be a jerk to him or derail his thread, just trying to give him something to think about.

[Bushleague]

I surely share this sentiment as well.

I haven’t found any in short action either, aside from blued .308 at… I think it was Abbotsford’s Cabela’s. But I was obviously tired and confused yesterday, lol, as it can be seen from my first couple of posts in this thread.

It might be a good idea to contact some of the less known gun shops, I know that for quite a few years the Dapp service station had a stainless BLR in .308, I think Slave Lake Honda had a blued one in 7-08 last time I was in there, the Kinuso Mercantile has them sometimes. They might not be exactly what you are looking for, and I cant guarantee those particular rifles are still there, but I think calling those types of places might be one's best bet.

Basically, just Google "Gun Stores Whitecourt" etc and start making some phone calls.

[tracker]

I'm a lefty and have hunted exclusively with BLRs for years. I've taken Pronghorn, Moose and Mule/White Tail at ranges between 400 to 15 yards. I have a stainless take down in 30-06 and white gold medallion in 270 wsm and get MOA performance from both. I absolutely love hunting with those rifles. If it's the rifle you're looking for, my bet is you'll love hunting with them too.

I bought my short action from The Gun Dealer in Macadam NB. I see they have a 30-06 and 7mm-08 in stock but neither are stainless unfortunately.

[Ken3134]

Guys. He didn't ask to get talked out of a BLR. I know most of you and you have all bought guns just beause you wanted one. I can't tell you how many hundreds of time I did it too. Guns are REALLY easy to resell if you ever want to.

If a guy has an itch, let's help him scratch it by helping him locate a stainless BLR in 30-06.

Lol, exactly!
I own and very much like my BLR 81 in 7mm-08. I grew up with a Winchester model 88 so have a fondness for lever actions, my BLR is more accurate than that old model 88. I like the short actions myself. As far as a lightening quick follow up shot that’s not a reality in my opinion unless it’s like in the westerns shooting from the hip! Certainly they are a high quality gun, and not a bad investment or poor choice. If that’s what the op wants to buy he should go ahead and buy it. I love mine don’t see ever getting rid of it.

Ken

[Spike edward]

I like thank everyone for their input, I gained a lot of information about the gun and how to purchase. Any advice is much appreciated.

[Spike edward]

I like to update you guys on my search. I change my mind and order a left handed browning x bolt medallion in 30-06 from latulippe in Quebec. Should arrive in a few days. Excited. Thanks everyone for the advice. Now I have figure out what scope to put on it . Probably go optic’s forum and ask some questions. Thanks

[sns2]

I like to update you guys on my search. I change my mind and order a left handed browning x bolt medallion in 30-06 from latulippe in Quebec. Should arrive in a few days. Excited. Thanks everyone for the advice. Now I have figure out what scope to put on it . Probably go optic’s forum and ask some questions. Thanks

Spikester, I think you made yourself an excellent decision that you will be happy with in the long run. Just my thoughts.

I would say if you start a thread about a scope for it, be sure to tell us your style of hunting and budget.

[Dean2]

Glad u found a gun you like. Long ways from a BLR but there really is no such thing as a gun I ever regretted buying. There are quite a few I regret not buying. 😁

There are a ton of recent threads on which scope to buy. Read those and u won't need to do much other research. Pretty much boils down to Leupold or Swaro.

[sns2]

Spike,

Now that you have your X Bolt on the way, spend another $20 plus shipping for this trigger spring. It really does make a difference. You can thank me later:)

https://store.theshootingcentre.com/mcarbo-browning-x-bolt-trigger-spring-kit/

[esher]

On brownings website it says the blr is discontinued.

[fishnguy]

^ Maybe some models (like medallion, perhaps), but they definitely aren’t discontinued. Currently in production:

https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr.html


OP, thanks for the update. More often than not (way more often) people just disappear. I have a x-bolt in .243. A solid rifle and mine didn’t need any work on the trigger either (the blr, on the other hand, was pretty stiff).

[elkhunter11]

Spike,

Now that you have your X Bolt on the way, spend another $20 plus shipping for this trigger spring. It really does make a difference. You can thank me later:)

https://store.theshootingcentre.com/mcarbo-browning-x-bolt-trigger-spring-kit/

That spring addresses the largest flaw with the X- Bolt.

[Hunt4Ever]

Spike,

Now that you have your X Bolt on the way, spend another $20 plus shipping for this trigger spring. It really does make a difference. You can thank me later:)

https://store.theshootingcentre.com/mcarbo-browning-x-bolt-trigger-spring-kit/

Couldn’t agree more

[sns2]

Jeebus Cripes fellas, its apparently not the guy's first rodeo... and he wants a friggin' BLR!! I'd bet that there are far less practical purchases in 99% of the gun safes out there, so I dont really get the direction this thread is going myself.

Interesting outcome. Funny how that works.