Thread: Browning BLR in .223

Got a mate who's hell bent on buying one of these.

Any one got anything good (or bad) to say about them, as in accuracy and reliability. This is a new one he's looking at so I'm guessing its a Japanese Miroku, not the original "Browning". I know they've been around for years in the shorter .243 and .308, but never actually handled one

To start with there is almost no such thing as an original Browning. the BLRs were made for a short time by FN then have been made ever since by Miroku. All Browning Firearms are made under contract.

I have a 308 stainless pistol grip non-takedown, and before that a 308 Lighting. It shoots accurate enough for me and has never given any problems. I would buy another one which should say something.
Triggers by reputation can be average but can be improved.

I think what gets forgotten with these is they by design are not a long range platform. If 300+m is your regular thing then buy a bolt action (I know you asked about 223 but this is in general). Inside this range if you want an easy carry compact carbine with the fastest follow-up up shot we are now allowed then go for it.

I love shooting BLR, have used three in recent times, a new Jap made .223 Rem and an older .300 Win Mag and mine which is a new-ish Jap made .308 Win.

If your mate has not used one much before, then the one thing that he needs to know is that the rifle is designed to be shot offhand. It is a carry rifle for use with a low power optic, red dot or open sights, for close-up stalking. It also makes for a great truck or quad gun.

Fast target acquisition, fast reloading, quick shot strings of 4 or 5 shots. Sure you can shoot a BLR prone, but it is not ideal. Yes it will shoot a longer range deer but they aren’t the pinnacle of accuracy these rifles. I use mine with open sites for close range stalking at which it excels.

The thing your mate needs to understand is that the .223 is a 1:12” twist, so he is bullet weight limited to about 55-60 grains unless he can find some of the old school semi points that were around 62-64gr. It will shoot the Belmont 55gr no problem and that bullet is okay for goats but a bit sketchy for reds unless you are very precise and on the money. I’ve always thought that the .243 Win is the ideal cartridge for this rifle for general-purpose wandering about type shooting.

Great rifles and a lot of fun.

Thanks for the advise. I'll end up reloading his cases anyway so the old 55gr will be just fine.
He's got a Henry in .22 Mag that he's looking to trade , but for some very weird reason, just loves lever actions

i wouldnt go near a henry rimfire, made of pot metal softer than soap.
even the "brass" ones

Yeah the only reason I have not added a 223 blr to the rack is the 1.12 twist, they make their X-bolts in faster twists so why not the blr?.
Yes levers are very addictive. You get a blr as your main hunting rifle, then you need a lever .22 to practice the same manual at arms, then you come across a cool 30-30 trapper to take pig hunting with the bro inlaw........... by this time any bolt action is only good for staking tomatoes.

i could possibly part with my unfired ( yet 10 shot compliant.............thanks horseface) blr-22
grade 3 gun with nickel plate receiver and octagonal barrel.
$1500