Browning Mod 81 BLR (.358 Win)
Kim du Toit
April 17, 2003
11:00 PM CDT
More than one Reader has written to me, asking why I haven’t featured the excellent Browning lever-action rifles (BLR) in the GGP before.
Maybe it’s because I only ever fired one as a lad (it belonged to a friend’s uncle), and it nearly took my shoulder off. But that’s no reason to ignore it now. Here it is, the Model 81 BLR in the manly caliber of .358 Win, with a 20” barrel:
Because the Browning lever rifles use an internal stacked (and removable) magazine rather than a tube, they are able to chamber pointed bullets (unlike, say, Marlin or Winchester)—cartridges with pointed bullets can’t be loaded end-to-end, because of the danger that the point will ignite the primer of the cartridge in front, creating the interesting phenomenon known as “slam-fire”, wherein each cartridge fires the one in front of it. I’ve never actually witnessed one, but people who have say it’s a fairly impressive, albeit harrowing experience.
Anyway, the Browning BLR is an excellent rifle, was released in 1971, withdrawn in about 1985, and has recently been re-released with its original stock shape, and in more calibers withal (see link for a list). The lever has a shorter “throw” (about 60 degrees) than the traditional WinMar levers (about 90 degrees), which means the rifle can be cycled somewhat quicker.
The older BLR receiver was made of steel, the re-released version of aluminum. That makes the newer one lighter, but many older gun geeks query the receiver’s strength, especially for the magnum cartridges.
As with many rifles, opinions vary about its accuracy—some claim it’s the bee’s knees, others claim not to be able to trust it past 100 yards. Can’t say, because I haven’t fired one in forever (as I noted earlier). The barrel looks a tad skinny, though, so I bet that accuracy fluctuates once the barrel is hot.
For the Mod 81, the most popular caliber sold was the .308 Win—not surprising, given that this is the most popular caliber on the market. Secondhand, they fetch anywhere from $450 to $650, depending on condition and caliber (the .358 Win was less popular, hence they fetch a slightly higher price).
New, the Mod 81 will set you back about $750.
A quick note about the .358 Winchester cartridge. This cartridge will handle almost any game short of the “biggies” (Canadian grizzly, Cape buffalo, and the pachyderms). Other than those, the big old .358 will just pound the game down. At the rifle geek BBs, guys speak of the .358 in tones of reverence bordering on idolatry. I think they’re idiots. It’s a bone-crusher, at both ends of the rifle.
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