Does anyone know if it is possible to rebarrel a Browning BLR??? That is, would a "typical" gunsmith be willing to take on the project? I have a line on a straight stocked '81 in .358Win....but MAN, the barrel is pretty rank. Literally pitted. If I can get it cheap enough, I was thinking of making a project gun out of it and in the process, getting it rebarelled in .338 Federal. Why Browning doesn't offer that caliber is a mystery to me; seems ideal for the BLR platform.
artee
The BLR is a little different bird. If the barrel is ugly a good gunsmith can sand it down and reblue it making it look pretty good. But a regular gunsmith can't rebarrel a BLR . The bolt locks into the end of the barrel not the receiver. If you check out Browning's website to buy a replacement barrel , they only sell them mated to a receiver minus internal parts.
Yes I would like a BLR in 338 fed . I think it would help that cartridge sales alot. But I think the 338MX is going to be the way I will have to go to get a 33 cal levergun.
The older BLR's prior to the 81 had the bolt lock into the end of the receiver. There is gunsmiths that will rebarrel BLR's but the price would not be economical. www.levergunscommunity.com had this question asked with some gunsmith responses in the last couple months . So doing a search over there might answer more questions.
Yes I would like a BLR in 338 fed . I think it would help that cartridge sales alot. But I think the 338MX is going to be the way I will have to go to get a 33 cal levergun.
The older BLR's prior to the 81 had the bolt lock into the end of the receiver. There is gunsmiths that will rebarrel BLR's but the price would not be economical. www.levergunscommunity.com had this question asked with some gunsmith responses in the last couple months . So doing a search over there might answer more questions.
Thanks, Ben!
It was good to get a reality check on what was really involved in the idea, that is a great link you provided. I think I'll walk away from this one. BTW, the bore was the issue on the BLR I was looking at, I can deal with cosmetic/bluing issues. I may just settle for a new one in .358Win, but that is a handloads only situation, as I know of no commercial rounds available at this time.
It was good to get a reality check on what was really involved in the idea, that is a great link you provided. I think I'll walk away from this one. BTW, the bore was the issue on the BLR I was looking at, I can deal with cosmetic/bluing issues. I may just settle for a new one in .358Win, but that is a handloads only situation, as I know of no commercial rounds available at this time.
The 81 BLR is easy to re-barrel as the bolt locks up in the receiver. It should cost you about a third of the cost of a new one. I've had mine re-barrelled to .308, .358, .243 and .25 Souper. All feed through the magazines, the Federal will be a no-brainer.
BLR in 25-06?
A BLR in 25-06 would be cool but Browning never made one and it would be expensive to have one rebarreled.
However, you could get close with a BLR in .257 Roberts (+P) which was made for several years but they are scarce and fairly expensive. I found two for sale:
One at gunbroker.com for $750 in about 90% condition (search for 130124047) and a much nicer one at gunsamerica.com for $800 (search 909465848).
Browning made them in the short action with a 20" barrel so .257(+P) velocity will probably be 300-350 fps less than a 24" barreled 25-06.
Another way to get "real close" to a 25-06 BLR is to buy a used BLR in 22-250 or .243 and have it re-bored and re-chambered to the wildcat 25 WSM (not WSSM). Or start with a BLR in .257 Roberts and have it re-bored to 25 WSM.
Any way you go you will have $1100 to $1200 invested in the project. GO FOR IT, OR, buy a new or used BLR in 7mm-08 and GO HUNTING.
A BLR in 25-06 would be cool but Browning never made one and it would be expensive to have one rebarreled.
However, you could get close with a BLR in .257 Roberts (+P) which was made for several years but they are scarce and fairly expensive. I found two for sale:
One at gunbroker.com for $750 in about 90% condition (search for 130124047) and a much nicer one at gunsamerica.com for $800 (search 909465848).
Browning made them in the short action with a 20" barrel so .257(+P) velocity will probably be 300-350 fps less than a 24" barreled 25-06.
Another way to get "real close" to a 25-06 BLR is to buy a used BLR in 22-250 or .243 and have it re-bored and re-chambered to the wildcat 25 WSM (not WSSM). Or start with a BLR in .257 Roberts and have it re-bored to 25 WSM.
Any way you go you will have $1100 to $1200 invested in the project. GO FOR IT, OR, buy a new or used BLR in 7mm-08 and GO HUNTING.
Your .25-06 would require the "long" action, and they handle like a grubbing hoe. Whichever cartridge you prefer, remember that it must be based on a cartridge case for which a BLR magazine already exists. Attempting to alter box magazines to cartridges that they were not specifically designed for is a loosing proposition. I would also be leary of gunsmiths that would claim they can make altered magazines feed perfectly every time. I'd find a .243, .257 or 7-08, sight it in and just go hunting, except, I've always thought a .260 Rem might be perfect in a BLR...
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