I am thinking now of keeping the BLR in .358 that I was going to sell and have it rebarreled or relined to a smaller caliber. The quickest route might be to send it back to Browning and have a .243 barrel installed, or possibly order a .243 barrel and have a gunsmith put it on. I also know barrels can have a liner installed but I don't know much about this procedure. I am also tempted to look at a .260 option but as Browning does not offer a BLR in that caliber it is likely to be a more difficult and expensive endeavor, right? Thoughts?

The barrel liner industry is more or less set up to deal with shot-out .22s and the like. Normally, the bore is drilled out, then a new liner is epoxied or silver-soldered in, then chambered, etc.

Now, a modern centerfire running at 50,000CUP or so.... hmmm, that's a horse of a different color. I think I'd be a bit cautious about that.

Suspect that having the factory rebarrel it will be the quickest and possibly cheapest route.

Anyway, don't the BLRs lock up via a barrel extension into the receiver? If so..... that'd be a tough rebarrel job, for the average gunsmith.

John,

Two routes I'd look at. The first would be to put a notice on the forums around that you'd look to trade your .358 Win BLR (a VERY desirable caliber in this gun) for a .243 BLR. I bet there are several folks who'd be willing to pay the shipping both ways and the transfer fees for that opportunity! BLR's in .358 have been in VERY short supply for years, and many really like the caliber/rifle combination.

Barring a trade, the next best bet is as Mike has suggested, and simply send it to Browning customer service and have them rebarrel it. Much faster and cheaper, plus they deal with these guns on a daily basis... it will get done right the first time.

FWIW, my two cents.

God bless,

John,

Thinking of abandoning the 35s? ....... Tsk, tsk, tsk.

The proper answer to this question is to get you another BLR, and a reckon a 24 caliber might be a good idea, as it would make an excellent companion piece for the big gun.

Hunt with your 35 this year, and shoot something with it using a decent bullet, and then, if you still want to get shed of it, I expect you will have many offers, and I could always use two.

I personally don't have much use for 24's, but do see the utility of 260, and up. Probably better than a 260 would be a 7-08, 308 possibly, 338-08, better still maybe(?) but the winner and still champ in my mind needs no further introduction.

Let me know if I can help you out.

Steve

Steve -

I presently own BLRs in 7-08, 300WSM, and .358. I don't plan on totally abandoning the 35s because I will always keep my 35Rem Marlin. As you well know, the .358 is one heckuva cartridge but I don't know that it really gives me that much more than what I get out of my 1895G with hot loads. The .358 BLR was a gift from a Christian friend I have yet to meet in person. The Lord had him send me the rifle a year ago and it opened up a communication between us that has been very rewarding. He has since become an integral part of our Internet ministry. So, with his permission, we are trying to see what can best be done with this rifle and still retain the blessing.

john