Browning lever action 308 questions

TUK101 · 11-11-2007, 05:08 PM

I saw one of these today and it struck my eye. It was a carbine, having probably only a 20 inch barrel but was in pretty nice shape for its age. Up until now I have never even heard of a browning lever action, so I am wanting to know how good of a gun this is and if it would be worth buying for the $499 asking price? I really like the 308 round and have been looking for a lever action in that round. Or would I be better off picking up the Savage version of it?

liquidorange · 11-11-2007, 05:15 PM

i think you can get a brand new one for that price. i havent bought one but came close a couple times. great finish and feel.

stalkingbear · 11-11-2007, 05:31 PM

The browning bLr is THE FINEST current production lever rifle. As long as you get it worth the money,you can't go wrong with one of them. Try www.galleryofguns.com search for cheapest local price

oldelkhunter · 11-11-2007, 06:49 PM

They are in the 600 dollar range depending on the store you are shopping.. The GanderMountain I was just in had them from 678 to 800+ new. 499 is a steal on that gun. If you plan on shooting pointed bullets and at more then woods ranges it is the gun. It also is very accurate

TUK101 · 11-11-2007, 08:27 PM

Thank you for the replies. That gun just "fealt" right to me when I picked it up. I love leverguns, they are easy to pack, shoulder quick and well and are just awesome to hunt with. The 308 cartridge also helps me in the fact that I dont need a different gun for deer hunting and one for elk hunting. I am going to look at it again and see if it is really what I want.

HEAD0001 · 11-11-2007, 11:14 PM

For me a levergun is a fast handling woods rifle. I prefer the larger and slower caliber's and bullet's. I do not consider a lever gun a long distance rifle unless you go to a Sharp's.

I have owned some BLR'S and BAR'S, and they are a fine short range woods rifle, but I do not consider them to be longer distance all purpose rifle's. I never could achieve the accuracy of a good bolt in one of them. I also find them to be a bit heavy, and awkward handling as compared to a good Winchester or Marlin lever.

The 308 cartridge is a fine cartridge and capable of incredible accuracy. IMO you will be disappointed if longer range accuracy is what you are wanting to achieve. I know you have a Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum. IMO that rifle is abetter choice for fast handling and woods shooting. If you want a longer range more accurate rifle then go to a bolt.

If you want a long range lever gun then go to a Sharp's. Do you cast?? If you cast then pour a bunch of bullet's and practice. I am pretty sure you like to shoot.

There is nothing like spending an afternoon sending 405 grain pills down range from one ofthesebaby's. And it is also very satisfying to kill a deer with a rifle like this, and with bullet's you cast yourself. Tom.

jaybird2 · 11-12-2007, 06:21 AM

I just got one 2 weeks ago and i love it. I got the new style with pistol grip,it shoots very well as good as most bolt actions and the 308 caliber is still one of the best allaround calibers if not the best in my opion

TUK101 · 11-12-2007, 12:14 PM

HEAD0001, thanks for your reply. The thing is, I already have a nice bolt gun in 270 that shoots very accurate at long range. The problem that I have with it is that after 2 shoulder surgeries and some bad discs in my neck and back it just kicks my hind end to pack for very long. So maybe the 308 browning levergun would help, or maybe it is just me hoping for a magic cure, lol. But regardless the gun did speak to me when I picked it up and that is why I am asking questions about it to you guys.

stalkingbear · 11-12-2007, 12:35 PM

Ya can't go wrong with the bLr.

HEAD0001 · 11-13-2007, 01:20 AM

I know what you mean, I have had them talk to me also. I have a good friend who had both shoulders operated on. We set up an Encore for him. We put a 260 Remington together for him. We found out(through experimenting) that the thumbhole stock on the Encore allowed a lot of the recoil to be absorbed by his hand. We also ported the barrel, and went with a long(28) heavy barrel. The rifle is a real *****cat to shoot. I was amazed how much recoil your hand can absorb with the thumbhole stock. You might want to try to shoot one. Tom.