Any Comments on Browning Mod 81 BLR?
 

I have a friend who's got a line on a used Browning Model 81 BLR in 7mm-08. He's looking for a long-range deer rifle. I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08 round, but from what I read it sounds as if it would fit the bill. I also checked three different online suppliers, and they all had several varieties of this ammo in stock.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any recommendations anyone may have on the rifle and/or the round itself that I could pass along.

Re: Any Comments on Browning Mod 81 BLR?
 

I do not think of the BLR as a long-range rifle nor of the 7mm-08 when I think of long-range cartridges, but a BLR in 7mm-08 will do the job on deer at 300 yards if the shooter can do his or her part. That being said there are better choices for a long-range rifle. The BLR has the following issues:

1) While set up for a scope mounting, the buttstock is not optimal for that due to the old west styling. Combined with the lever action, it takes some practice to get off a quick second shot.

2) The walnut stock is finished, usually, in high gloss polyurethane. Walnut and high gloss are not my favorite combo for hunting. I do use one rifle with the combo, and it shows the wear from it.

3) The BLR is expensive for the accuracy it provides. I much rather have a synthetic-stocked Remington 700 or a walnut-stocked Browning A-Bolt (if Browning styling is a want) for a deer rifle. Less money, more accuracy, easier to use.

4) The 7mm-08 will take deer just fine. It is a popular round, and it is easy to find. That being said I prefer the parent cartridge .308 Win. The 7mm-08 is the .308 necked down by about 0.62 mm. I like to neck down a bit more and run a .243 Win when I want less recoil. In fact, I have a Browning 1885 in .243 Win that I use for the small deer here in Alabama. That said, every deer it has taken was less than 50 yards away from me. I have also never needed a second shot with it, which is good as it is a single-shot. Talk about a slow second shot. :)

If you want factory ammo, there is plenty of good deer ammo in 7mm-08.