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Improving a Browning BLR?

Fly Doctor
A quick question for you smithies out there...

Can a Browning BLR Model 81 in the standard .257 Roberts caliber be changed to a .257 Ackley Improved without complications?

I have an old, custom Remington Model 722 (bolt) in .257 Ackley Improved that is used for antelope and blacktail deer, and for which I handload. It's a trusty, highly accurate gun that I picked up on GB while living in Wyoming. However, I find myself also wanting the improved caliber in an open-sighted, lever action (e.g., the BLR) more suited to rapid, close encounters in heavy brush cover common in the mountainous blacktail country in which I now reside, yet still able to "reach out and touch something" across wide mountain meadows and steep creek canyons when the occasion arises... And all with handloads I've already developed for the caliber.

Does anyone know if there are any problems associated with improving a lever action as opposed to a bolt action?

Much obliged for your input,
The Fly Doctor
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    I am thinking that all it is going to require is a chamber reamer, and possibly a couple minor modifications to your magazine to accomodate the Improved cartridge profile. That should work oud just dandy for you.

    Best
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  • Jorge
    Welcome to the boards, Fly Doctor.

    I can see from your profile, you build fly rods. Myself, I've built a few hundred IGFA off shore trolling rods.

    Glad to see another fellow custom rod builder posting at GunBroker.
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  • nononsense
    Fly Doctor,

    Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

    I will be one of the first to admit a deep appreciation of the Improved version of the .257 Roberts cartridge. Like the .250 Savage, it can demonstrate some very nice gains from the shape change.

    You need to consider the fact that the barrel will need to set back at least one thread in order to cut the improved chamber correctly. This then has an impact on the escutcheon that is cut into the barrel which holds the forearm in place.

    Feeding shouldn't be a big problem since the BLR uses a drop box magazine system. There will be some adjustments to the feed ramp and some touch up to the geometry because of the sharper and wider shoulder.

    Without knowing your barrel length, my suggestion is this. Skip this one for the BLR. The gains will not be so significant that it warrants the additional work due to the limited barrel length. The shorter barrels negate the increase in powder capacity. The best gains would be a shift in the variety of powders but that's about it.

    The standard .257 Roberts, when loaded properly for the game and environment, will perform just fine.

    Best.
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  • MMOMEQ-55
    Welcone to the forum Fly Doctor. I don't make flyrods but I use several here in the Mts of NC/SC. I also own a Rem 700 in 257. great round as it is. I couldn't see the little gain would be worth it. I have killed everything from hogs to deer to black bear with a 257. I also use it to kill groundhogs up in Pa. when I go visit my kids.

    Psycho Didn't know you were a rod builder. I myself make very long rods for surf fishing on the coast here in SC. I build 12' to 15' casting rods for slinging 8 ounces out past the sandbars. Never build any IGFA rods myself. Rod building and reloading are my way of calming my nerves. Cheaper than going to a shrink.
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  • Fly Doctor
    Thanks for the input, guys!
    Still thinkin' on it...
    [:D]
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