I'm a big fan of Henry rifles and the company. So PLEASE chamber the 338 !! This is semi-fancy wood with attractive grain and figure. Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to
Lol! This is a HUNTING rifle. Turns out Shannon was right. It weighs 7 lbs and has an over all length of 40.5". This is because of the higher pressures produced by the 5.56 cartridge & also slight differences in the throat length and angles of each. When I asked the gun desk experts at Cabelas why, they told me; thats what I should expect since the gun only came out a few months ago. Armed with new prescription shooting glasses, I can again use aperture sights comfortably to about 100 yards, open sights somewhat less. Not everything needs to be an AR-15 and use Pmags. When I dress Western, nothing beats the classic good looks of my Smith & Wesson (S&W) 586 .357 revolver. Already got a Henry 45-70 (all weather) after your last review. Opinions please and thanks. I learned from a Marlin 1895 that the straight stocks just dont work for me. Except for custom gun manufacturers, Henrys customer service puts everyone else to shame. The typically small ejection port of most autoloading and side-ejection lever actions makes getting a cartridge into the chamber difficult. Since the Creedmoor is so similar to the 6.5X55, it should be a, Henry Long Ranger Disassembly versus Browning BLR, https://www.henryusa.com/own-a-henrye-long-ranger/, http://http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?293211-Bubba-w-a-45-70-is-a-bonafied-straight-shooter. Underwood Ammunition is always extremely well made, very powerful, effective, and second to none. Additional classy touches include a fluted bolt left in the white, gold finished aluminum trigger, steel sling swivel studs and a solid black recoil pad. Mechanically, the Long Ranger worked great, though ejection seemed a little weak. My 30 year old 336c Marlin 3030 with birch furniture is nicer than this gun, even uncheckered lol. I have a Browning BLR Lightweight in .308 and love that rifle. The less crap you have sticking out, the less chance of your rifle getting hung up on something when working through the brush. If you make a 308 detachable magazine rifle that doesnt fit an AR-10 magazine you are doing it wrong. That stock includes a quality recoil pad and sling studs. Regardless of action type, any .308 Winchester is suitable for most North American hunting, and a BLR in a fast-stepping magnum will do whatever a bolt-action magnum will do. Another difference is that the Long Rangers magazine seats flush with the bottom of the receiver. The M88, although Winchesters fourth best-selling lever action, is getting hard to find and Sako lever actions are scarce. For more information: www.henryrifles.com. Beautifully made and very accurate, the BHA is a bear-proof guide gun. Its also among few lever actions Id consider fully adequate for African buffalo, provided you stoke it with proper bullets. The BLR is offered with a straight and curved lever and in takedown and also stainless models so it has more options so the BLR is the winner. I probably accommodate to different stock shapes more readily than the average shooter. The Browning BLR and Henry Long Ranger rifles are engineered to bypass the pressure limitations of traditional lever action designs. One round in the chamber and four in the mag of a quick shooting lever action rifle is serious medicine for any big game . With their front locking bolts, the BLR and Long Ranger are as intrinsically accurate as comparable autoloading, falling block and bolt action hunting rifles. Their price is close so I'm wondering about accuracy. We will continue to do that, expand the line and be a one-stop source for anything lever. The magazine didnt fit flush and rattled really bad. Any thoughts on (1) how to proceed with smoothing my action? A very thorough review. A bolt thatschromed steel with a six-lug rotary head. Our editors have hand-picked these essential pieces of gear to make you a more successful hunter when you hit the game trails this season. I bought the long ranger. No plans on the pistol grip though. The Henry may be more "practical," but the Browning's finish is prettier and very durable. Obviously not a lever gun fan. With their smooth receivers and no bolt handle sticking out the side, these lever actions are more comfortable to carry in the hand, or slung over the shoulder, than a bolt action or autoloading rifle. Henry Repeating Arms Co. AR-7 Magazine .22 LR 8 Rounds Steel Black HS-15. You have entered an incorrect email address! The BLR uses a detachable box magazine. getting a second magazine for the Henry is next to imposable . I have 2 pros and one con. I sold it. First I suggest looking into Lehigh Defenses Controlled Chaos Bullet design if you never have. Sometimes a bore is rough and that causes it to foul quickly. There is only an inconsequential $5.04 difference in their 2017 MSRPs. If you need fast follow-up shots on sounders of running pigs, this rifle will do it. Not everything needs to be an AR-15, have a Costa Grip friendly handguard, and use Pmags. Seen the 223 for even less. I would consider none of these a 300-yard shooter. This is a box fed lever gun as well. Im hoping to eventually see 7mm-08 on the roster, too. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. The .308 Winchester is widely considered to be an accurate cartridge. It also has less creep (almost none) before release. However, as with power and range, adequate accuracy depends on what you need. The inexpensive and commonly available Federal Premium 168grain SMK cartridge scored an extremely consistent 1 group after fully 10 five-round groups. They already have some of their guns suppressor ready. 3. So glad to have someone make a truly hunters rifle agian. Keep in mind that there are no flies on the .308 Winchester (or the old .300 Savage). Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder. That is simply not the case because these 2 cartridges are not identical twins, and it is rarely good for a gun specifically chambered in .223 Remington to be fed 5.56 ammo. So I have stopped getting semi autos because apparently they sneak of and commit crimes when Im not looking, I purchases a Marlin 45-70 dart 1895 and love it. If you truly have a rough action , contact Mr. Imperato at Henry and Im sure they will make it right. Gear up as your favorite Delsin Rowe Vest. When in the back country, that makes a big difference The Henry trigger stays on the reciever when the lever is cycled why the BLR has a trigger attached to the lever. As a complete greenie, I think this rifle would be the best all around for the only one I will ever own to go deer and wild boar hunting in Georgia. Classic Browning Light Twelve Auto-5 Review: Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun. Of course, yourbodys geometry will determine how you set the gun. The Model 99s internal rotary magazine improved upon the standard tubular magazine used on earlier lever guns. In modern, versatile cartridges, the BLR and Henry .308 are almost the only answer in new rifles and the used-gun rack provides more solutions. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. These are completely different "feeling" guns. In close cover shots are often fast and presentations arent always perfect. Wow thats expensive, Ill buy 2 bolt guns instead The companyfigured they could make money selling a good product that customers wanted. Publisher of Petersen's HUNTING magazine, Kevin Steele is at the Steiner Optics booth with Alberto Corbetta to discuss the Predator 4 and Predator 8. Henry makes a .243 in one main rifle, The Long Ranger. Practical accuracy (the ease of shooting a rifle accurately) is more important in a hunting rifle than intrinsic (mechanical) accuracy. Another point to ponder. Theres no front sight and the barrel isnt cut for one. All clip feed levers have this issue because they depress the cartridge feeder spring when operating the bolt. Although its often used, the .30-30 is not an ideal elk cartridge. On the model I received, the shoulder stock fit is perfect, but the fore-end to end cap fit isnt. It functioned well, however, because the trigger traveled with the lever, the trigger pull was very heavy (7+ lbs) and not really very suitable for accuracy while hunting. The Henry Big Boy centerfire lever-action rifles. Think about the bullets acting as a firing pin for the cartridge iahesd of it. Can a peep go on this without fooling around with the front sight? Tired of the tacticool crap. I looked it over very well and excellent craftsmanship never came to mind, not when comparing to the wood of other similar priced satin walnut firearms. This is because the BLR hammer is a two-piece design and the upper part, including the striking face of the hammer, rotates down to clear the firing pin if forced forward by a blow on the hammer. Both are handsome, but neither is as trim as, for example, a Winchester Model 94 carbine. Id use it more, but the top-eject 1886 action is iron sights only, so I have to be careful where I take it. I believe that both the Lehigh Defense Company and Underwood Ammunition Company have been producing some of the most significant breakthroughs in ammunition design and loadings to date. Calibers like the .300 Savage and .250-300 Savage brought new speed, and longer hunting ranges to the lever gun market, though the Savage 99 was produced in cool calibers from .22 High Power through .375 Winchester. Scope Selection for Precision Rifles: 5 Questions to Ask Before Buying. I have had several blrs without a single issue. Unlike many lever-actions with stocks originally designed for iron sights that position your head too low to center your eye in a scope, the comb of the Long Ranger was designed from the start to not only look good, but also properly position your eye even when using a solid cheek weld. Not good for lefties. Time didnt allow a thorough testing of several different loads to further diagnose the stringing so I simply pushed a patch wetted with Hoppes Elite Bore Cleaner followed by a dry patch between groups. the gunsmith I used to live back-to-back with had to clean the underbolt rack of a BLR 308 he'd sold a couple years before. Its handy in the brush, but can reach way out there down power line cuts and into the fields when you need to. Barrel lengths include 20- and 22-inches, and all barrels are free-floated. Great Review, thank you. They wont have sights or spare magazines available until March unfortunately. I then cleaned the entire rifle, and tried the round again, with the exact same results. So, is there a market for a BLR with no iron sights, that costs more? Prolonged sitting by an open fire would be a bad idea but sitting next to a wood burning stove with a heat shield while you warm your feet and your coffee wont affect it at all. Id clean it from the muzzle rather than attempt to take it apart and get the gears aligned again on its rack & pinion system. Mag cannot be any larger or the lever wont cycle. These are completely different "feeling" guns. For those of you who preferiron sights, Henry makes a version with sights included. Receiver: Matte Black Aluminum Barrel: Blued Steel, Round Profile Bolt: 6-Lug Rotating. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I checked to make sure everything on the Long Ranger was tight, and then cleaned the bore. Although this comparison is based on short action, blued steel, solid frame carbines chambered for .308 Winchester, the BLR Lightweight is also available with a long (.30-06 length) action and in stainless, rather than blued, steel. Its a hunting rifle, not a tactical bullet hose. Hard to find one in stock, anywhere. Aesthetics are a personal matter. Ive lost a good 1911, a very nice Henry lever gun, and have been convinced to convert her AR to wooden furniture. Since I wrote this article I keep finding myself taking this gun hunting over many others. I took two days to do the accuracy testing, and I took whatever time it took to pull the trigger. The .500 S&W is hell on wheels in a revolver and gains velocity in a carbine-length barrel. The Long Ranger lever gun wasas reliable as any bolt action rifle Ive ever shot. The Long Rangers stock geometry works for a scoped gun thats meant to be hunted. In the world of lever-actions, there are five that reach across all categories. I want a Henry in .223 to go nicely with my CZ 527M in 7.62x39mm. I am reasonably familiar with both rifles, having used and reviewed both of them. What i said was true. Youll like the trigger on the Henry Long Ranger. The Long Ranger stock has a slightly longer length of pull (1/4") and a lot more pitch down, although the drop at comb feels similar. Similarly, the BLR needs a glove loop lever. Ive been looking for a sighted 308 Long Ranger for a couple of months now and cant find one anywhere unless you want to spend an extra 600 bucks for a special edition model which I wouldnt dare take hunting anyway. market of gun buyers who arent interested in polymer wonders. The guy from lane gave me a mag load of his match grade 308s and it seemed to be fine. Instead of a traditional lifter system, like on most lever guns, the Long Ranger strips cartridges from the top of the box magazine just like a bolt-action rifle. The Long Rangers bluing is well executed, the checkering is both functional and appealing, and the wood is far better than I would expect at this price range. It is fitted with a generous butt pad to help recoil. This also allows the receiver to be made of lightweight aluminum alloy, reducing the weight of the rifle, since the receiver merely holds the operating parts and is not a factor in the operating strength of the action. I run a patch with Shooters Choice twice a day thru the bore until the green color is gone. Although that accuracy from the bench is great, this Long Rangersreal joy is from other positions common in the field. and .30-06) and WSM Magnum calibers come with 22" barrels, while the 7mm Rem. A lot of manufacturers throw Made in America around a little recklessly or get around it with phrases such as Assembled in America. Not Henry. I like the idea of a 308 in lever action and the look of this gun. The stock wood on the Henry is also much better than what Ive seen with the blr. It turns out that the 22 long rifle doesn't need to be built like a .460 Weatherby and that the pot metal/advanced lightweight alloy will last much longer than 99.923% of shooters need it to. It seems the overwhelming majority really like the Long Ranger. I don't have a protractor, but I would estimate lever throws in the 60-70 degree range. Both rifles use two-piece stocks with a butt that terminates in a functional recoil pad. From my experience and others. Of course, these are different rifles from different manufacturers that are made in different countries and none of their parts are interchangeable. Lastly for 5.56 NATO weapons they sell cartridges they have made with Hornadys V-Max bullet design in both 50 and 55 grain weights. this is a fine gun. My Henry just got back from the shop as I sent it in to get the lever adjusted. Sure, you could buy two Ruger Americans, Savage Axis etc. they pay for shipping both ways which is really nice. How easy (or hard) is it to clean, i.e. I owned a Browning BLR in 308 Winchester. Some of us just like our guns like that. To me, thats silly. You can spend less for better results. The lever throw of both rifles is less than 90 degrees. I already own a Henry Single Shot in 45-70 and I have one of their little .22 AR-7 survival rifles. With proper bullets I suppose we could make an argument for lever actions in .44 Magnum and so forth, but the real shortage in lever actions is versatile, general-purpose cartridges. The workmanship is excellent, I shot over 100 rounds and saw no change in bullet grouping, amazing. The stock has a straight wrist, though Imperato says Henry is evaluating the possibility of introducing a pistol-grip version. This may be a great rifle but it is awfully expensive. The BLR is the hands down winner. The Long Ranger's trigger is definitely superior. The BLR's checkering is applied to the grip and fore end in four panels. Last year, Henry Repeating Arms entered the long-range lever gun business by introducing its Long Ranger rifle chambered in .223 Rem., .243 Win. Right now, the lever-action is once again hot. ), I know of only two current production lever action rifles intended for use with modern high intensity cartridges (.243 Win., .308 Win., etc.). Next, you'll notice the unique bolt design. Even if struck by a sledge hammer blow, the hammer cannot hit the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way back. Yeah, me too. Because their bolts lock at the head, case stretch in minimized in the BLR and Long Ranger. There were no pressure signs on the brass or primer. But to be perfectly clear, 250 rounds went into the gun, 250 rounds went out the barrel, and all of them fired well. All Winchester 1894s have been Angle-Eject and drilled and tapped for mounts since 1982. The Henry 6.5 Creedmoor Long Ranger carries a price tag of $1,066. I had the trigger worked a bit, but it still was a bit heavy. Oh and and can I rent the clown, I think some of my fellow Canadians at xmetal need a Bass slap for tarnishing our reputation of being the only country no one is scared of or worse confirming it by making ammo while drinking Labatt 50. Sometimes a fast second shot saves the day! I guess its the same, if you dont look after your gun, it wont look after you. More seriously, though, theres a real danger it would become hers in short order; shes a woodworker as well as a shooter. You probably know that firearms chambered in 5.56 NATO can also fire .223 Remington ammunition safely. Both stocks fit me fine and my eye lines up correctly with a scope mounted in low or medium height rings when I bring the rifles to my shoulder. After hundreds of rounds while off work for months the trigger still goes creep creep creep bang and it shoots dependable 3.5 to 4 inch groups at one hundred. I love the Long Ranger, but I would definitely recommend going into a store and holding them. This one is different. As it was in the 1890s, its the American deer hunter who makes or breaks sporting rifles. I couldnt disagree with you more. Please note: The .450 Marlin is not more powerful than a .45-70 loaded to the gillsbut the .450 Marlin cannot be chambered in a .45-70 rifle. My daughter has one of mine now in 243. Looks good though. Overall * * * * * OK, I have never had the time or money to hunt or even own a rifle. I dont think "lever action" goes with "good trigger". More than just a play on words, this little. Otherwise I really like it, my gunsmith is going to ream and polish it out for me. In fast action, the bolts about a thumbs width from my nose if I keep a good cheek-stock weld. One of the criticisms Ive seen of the Long Ranger is that while it comes ready for scope mounting, it does not come with iron sights. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The gun shoulders naturally while the generous rubber recoil pad soaks up kick and has enough grip to keep the gun on your shoulder for fast follow-up shots on big, tough bucks. It was the first successful repeating action, and in the 160 years of repeating rifles, almost all lever-action designs have been American. For an old-school hunting experience, seek out either a new or used Winchester 94 and relive past hunting days. The Big Horn Armory M89 Spike Driver, chambered to .500 S&W, is another big-bore lever action. We lost some great designs, including the Savage 99 and Winchester 88, and sales of traditional lever guns were slipping. And I will have to get my son one as well as he has always admired my savage . Unfortunately, both of these cartridges were almost lost to Marlins changes in ownership and manufacturing facilities. Itsreleased viaa black, flush-fit round button. The key to this is a rotating head, multiple-lug, recessed face bolt that locks into the barrel breech when the bolt is cycled into battery. All Rights Reserved, You Want a Practical Lever Gun? Have a 45-70 marlin but its only good with handloads . The Henry receiver is longer than the Browning receiver, but lightly shallower and not quite as wide. Six rotating lugs engage a barrel extension in the last inch of lever travel providing a level of lock-up equal to many bolt-actions. With Cabelas Points and gift cards in excess of $500, I think I may own one of these soon. Theres something for every taste in the Big Boy lineup, with blued steel, silver, color case hardened, and high polish brass receiver options.