Browning BLR Lightning(pistol grip) in 30-06

oldelkhunter · 06-19-2006, 11:12 AM

Past months Rifle magazine had a writeup on Browning BLR and the gun featured in this writeup is the Lightning with Pistol Grip.. It also has a schnable foreend and the trigger pull was I believe 4 lbs on the model they tested. I would love to have one of these in 30-06 as well and if it comes with a 4lb trigger that would be icing on the cake. I have the 308 model which is light in my opinion 6 1/2 lbs but I really like the looks of that pistol grip model. Anyone have one of these in 30-06?

HuntAway · 06-19-2006, 05:04 PM

I recently got one in 300 win mag. Although I have no idea what the trigger pull is, I find it crisp. It is a pleasure to shoot. No where near the recoil I thought it would have. I just put a 2x7x32 Bushnell 3200 Elite on it but have yet to get out and sight it in. The iron sights were bang on out of the box.
My opinion; Great looking gun. Handles recoil nicely. Cycling , I find it a bit more labourious than say a Win 94 and the jury is still out on the travelling trigger. Old habit with the 94 is to pull my trigger finger out when cycling the action, so I don't see that changing any time soon. Drop mag is great. Everything is nice and tight except the mag seems to rattle just a bit. As a lefty, the empties fly far enough not to be a bother. Lastly, it's a bit disconcerting, when you cycle the action and are keeping your head down on the sights. The bolt throw seems to be coming right at your eye and is very visible with the long action 300. That will take a bit of getting used to.
Overall on a scale of 1-10, I'd give them a 8.

James B · 06-19-2006, 06:50 PM

I shot one in 450 Marlin. I shot it ONCE. That was plenty. I loved the old Browning Levers but just have no use for the lightweights. Just my opinion though. they are a pretty darn good gun. Never tried the 30-06 but I loved the one I had in 7mm-08

oldelkhunter · 06-20-2006, 06:21 AM

450 in that rifle would not be my first choice and either for that matter would any of the magnums. I have the 308 model and have had 3 of them so far and all had felt good,shot good and recoil was very tolerable. I think 06 is about as far as I would go with one though.

James B · 06-20-2006, 01:54 PM

Yes I think your right. I shot one in 7 Mag once too, not real pleasant.

HuntAway · 06-20-2006, 02:11 PM

Mine is 7 lb 12 oz (I think) and another 11 oz with the scope. So it really isn't a light rifle. I think / feelmy mod 700 in 270 win with the hard butt plate kicks harder(sharper).The recoil pad is very good (don't know what type it is) and brings you back on line quickly. Now, that being said, I wouldn't go out in a T-shirt and fire off a 100 rnds with it either. I like to shoot with my hunting clothes including my coat, so I get a good feel for my firearm.
I don't ever recall feeling any recoil when shooting at moose or deer. Funny how it just disappears.