Browning Lever Action in .22-250

[LDSILLS]

Anyone have any experience with Browning Lever Actions.

I have considered a .22-250 lever for canine calling. In fact as I have a .17HMR Henry Varmint Express. Its my trap line tool and is a workhorse, very beat up and scarred for sure. (but no rust yet!Hahah) However, even a 20 grain is a tad light for body shots on a yote. Last time I took one with it it was 50-120yards out and it took 3-20 grainers in the body to cause it to slow down and finally quite. But what a fast rifle from the shoulder. I have used ARs and of course its not near as fast as the Henry. But something about moving a round to the chamber and then regaining the target seems to be my thing. Must be from my youth shooting rabbits on the run with my uncles Marlin lever action open sites.

Anyway any comments would be a good thing on the Browning Lever.

Thanks,

Larry

[J.Baker]

I wouldn't recommend the Browning BLR if that's what you're looking at. They are good shooting guns from what I've heard, but the triggers on them are generally horrible and very few gunsmiths are experienced enough with them to do a good trigger job from what I've read. One guy that always popped up was a gunsmith over in PA, but I couldn't tell you his name now. The other thing with the Brownings is that the whole trigger group is attached to the lever which is a bit odd - and probably why the triggers were rubbish.

If you can find one, the Henry Long Ranger's are super accurate and have a great trigger right out of the box. They don't make them in .22-250, but they do make them in .223 (again, IF you can find one). I had one in .308 Win and it would shoot most factory hunting loads into 1/2 to 3/4" groups at 100 yards. Trigger was nice and crisp breaking at just over 3lbs. Detachable box magazine also means you can shoot pointy bullets and quickly load/unload when entering/exiting the vehicle. In terms of function and appearance it's very similar to the Browning BLR (by design), but the trigger group actually stays with the action when working the lever on the Henry.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/the-long-ranger/

Henry also just came out with their new "Lever Action Supreme which is available in .223 as well. I kinda like the 'hump back' look of the receiver on these, and they have a pistol grip stock rather than the straight grip on the Long Ranger above. Haven't handled or shot one, but if they're making them to the same quality they are their other models I'm sure they probably shoot just as well to. This one features a higher capacity mag as well if that's something that interests you. Personally I prefer the flush mag on the Long Ranger but your mileage may vary.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/leve...supreme-rifle/


If you have money to burn, I did see a minty looking Savage 99 in .22-250 for sale on Guns International earlier today. IIRC the price was $3500 as it's a pretty rare chambering for a 99.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=102974159

[LDSILLS]

Money to burn? Surely you jest! With a dozen eggs at $12.00? Heck I now it cost 3 dollars just to have 3 egg breakfast!

Good info on the Henry .223 but I am set on a .22-250. But as you said nothing wrong with Henrys, as I have said my trapping work gun is a Henry 17hmr. Such a good fit it will, off hand, smoke a badger at 80 yards.

I have been down the .223 route shooting coyotes. In 'my" experience they are good to about 180yards and thats it. Sold I sold my AR and went back to using my old standby, Rem 700 BDL bolt in .22-250.