Hi all. I'm looking to purchase a new rifle in 7mm-08 and wanted some opinions from owners experienced with the guns I am considering. I've been bowhunting the past 10 years but would like to get back into rifle hunting some. I will be hunting deer and coyote in woods and open areas. I like the look of the BLR lever action and was wondering if accuracy, reliability, etc... was comprimised in the lever gun verses the bolt. Also if anyone has personal pros and cons of each I would be interested to hear them. I have not ruled out the manufactures either so strong opinions on other brands would be appreciated. Thanks for the advice.

I would go with a Browning A-Bolt due to better accuracy. I had a friend who owned a BLR, and it had the worst trigger I ever felt, and finding someone to fix it is almost impossible. Good luck.

An A-Bolt will serve you well. It's got a smooth bolt and you won't smack, pinch, or stove your fingers on the scope when cycling the action. Triggers aren't too bad for a factory trigger and they're easily adjustable(tension) with the turn of a screw. I have a Micro Medallion in 257 Roberts....it's short, light and accurate. I'm thinking of trading a Mod. 70 in 7mm Rem Mag for a Micro Hunter in 7mm WSM or maybe even a 300 WSM. I have never had a problem with any of my Brownings, and will continue to buy them.

As for the BLR, I have no experience with then at all. I've heard guys tell me they're great rifles, but that's about it.

I would go Abolt because of the horrible trigger on the BLR..even with this horrible trigger though they shoot extremely well. I find that in comparable calibers the recoil effect is far greater with the BLR and they don't feel as well as some abolts in the handling department.