Blr 325
I've had a 325 BLR since they first came out. It is a walnut, stainless, pistol grip model. A 3x9 Burris Short Mag scope in Warne rings and bases is mounted to it. (This scope was chosen because it is the only scope in its magnification range that could be mounted low without disrupting the rear sight, which, when equipped, I like to leave in place and sight in incase of scope damage in remote locales.) Overall, I am exceedingly pleased with this gun/scope combination. It is a very well built, nicely finished, lightweight, accurate, and quick pointing gun that wields nearly 2 tons of energy. I have found it to be a great combination of penetration/trajectory/gun weight/design for the long treks and often times oblique angle shots you encounter hunting elk where they spend their daylight hours during public land rifle seasons where I hunt in Colorado: Remote Timber. Far from the traditional "brush gun" chamberings available in other levers, if you step clear of the timber and find game several hundred yards off, you also have a cartridge/gun combination capable of making shots farther than I would feel comfortable taking.
For accuracy, if I do my part, I consistently get 1"-1.5" 3 shot, 100yd groups. The best load I've tried so far is the 220grn Power Point Winchester factory load. I also tried the 200 grn Accubond load; accuracy with these was around 2.5”. I have not yet hand loaded for this gun, as the Power Points provide more than acceptable accuracy and good terminal performance, and I have over 20 boxes of them as a result of compulsive behavior and a good deal. If I weren’t satisfied with this load, I’d either work up some handloads, or I’d probably try some of the Double Tap 200grn Barnes TSX loads.
Though recoil is a highly subjective construct, recoil with a 325 BLR would likely be considered significant by most; it is a powerful round in a light gun. However, to me, it is not as severe as I had originally thought it would be. To combat the heavy recoil, any range session includes the use of a PAST auxiliary shoulder pad. These are available in various thicknesses, and they substantially cut down on recoil.
Unencumbered by Rube Goldberg safeties, smooth, and able to load pointed bullets from a box magazine, there is a lot to love about BLR’s. About the only thing I'd change about them would be the trigger, which is typically a touch heavy for my tastes. However, I will say that the triggers can be grown accustom to; the three I own (450 Marlin, 358win) are all capable of shooting tight groups with ammo they like. And, the triggers do seem to get better with use and judicious application of CLP.
