Browning BLR question.

[James B]

I was looking around at Scheels today and came across a new or just like new BLR in 358 Winchester. I have been watching for one to shore up my middle to heavy caliber arsenal. Not wanting to go to the Magnums, the 358 seemed a good choice. I can't find that caliber in Brownings catalog. Did they discontinue that caliber or did I just miss it. It will be a while before I can pick it up as I was spread a little thin. I put it on thier 10 month layaway. What is available for factory ammo?

[Vapodog]

James, I once bought a new rifle that was six years old.....sometimes they sit in a warehouse when there's not a great call for them. The .358 surprises me however....I'd think that hummer would sell instantly...

The only factory ammo available is the 200 grain silvertip from Winchester as far as I know.

[Rick Teal]

Browning offered the BLR in .358 last year. I'm surprised you couldn't find it on their web site. I guess it didn't sell as well as I thought it would.

[Superpig]

Doing an internet search I only came up with the Winchester 200 gr. Silvertip as mentioned. If you handload you can make this rifle as deadly as Thor's hammer.

[James B]

The rifle had a tag that was the same as the new rifles. It showed no sign of use except a little shinny spot on the top of the hammer. They were just closing so I didn't have time to check into it any further. I will go back and check it out but I think it was most likely a last years model. Anyway I didn't want it to get away so I lawed it away. Thanks for the replies. I quess I better find some brass and dies. I like the idea of being able to shoot the 357 pistol bullets in it for plinking and small game as suggested in the new Speer manual. Hornady has a very good variety of 357-358 bullets to choose from. I would think that the 225 grain Nosler Partition would work well for deer and elk.

[.358]

I can help you with this one as I have several. Browning does lit it in their new lightweight version and they are available. But the old model with steel reciever and flat clip is best. I've had them all and the old BLR81 is much faster and more accurate. I any many friends use the .358 a lot for bear, elk, moose etc.I have personally shot 17 bear with the .358 alone. The only factory load available is the 200 grn silvertip and its a good one. But you really should reload the .358 to get the most out og it. you can drive a .250 speer out of the short barrel @2350 and the .225's at 2460 or the 200 hornady at over 2500.
You did good by putting it in lay away. It is a fine hunting rifle and caliber.

[James B]

358. Thanks for the info. I have only had one Browning BLR. That was quite a few years ago and it was a 7mm-08. I had a little trouble with reloads in that one. It shot factory loads fine and If I reloaded new brass it worked good once. After that I had to load them down a little or I would have trouble extracting them. I got a small base sizer die and that helped a little but shortened case life buy a good bit. I am looking forward to trying it out. My main use for it will be mule deer hunting and Black Bear. I am going on a moose hunt in the near future but won't have it picked up by then. I quess I wwill use my Pump 30-06 or 45-70.

[Quilly]

i would pick up the BLR in 358win cause there will always be people looking for a gun in 358win. fine round for deer and moose up to 250yds.
is that true they no longer are offering it in there BLR line?? i would be rather suprised since i know lots of people looking to get one of those in that caliber.

[eldeguello]

BLR's have been made off-and-on in .358. I had one of the "first model" BLR's in .358. It was extremely accurate, and would handle loads as hot as any bolt-action rifle! I really liked it, but it was just too powerful for a whitetal rifle!