Picked up a 1975 308 BLR, my first high power rifle. I was a 20 ga bird hunter and a trapper growing up. My boys are growing up and I wanted a deer rifle. I prefer nice quality, collectible guns, and I just loved the feel, look, and butter-smooth action of this lever. Knew next to nothing about it when I bought it, but knew from blue book that it was worth about what I paid. Looks like this gun may have been re-blued. It has a matte black finish and I understand they were mfg with gloss finish. Anyone know? The barrel indicates Japan mfg and the s/n ends in "K57", which I have found means 1975, despite browning's page. The trigger is also black (perhaps also blued). I understand the trigger was gold after Belgian mfg, or around 1978. I may repost this on BLR area. I may eventually add optics. Probably a red dot, as scopes are just kinda wrong on a lever action and get in the way of the hammer. I am finding progressive lenses make iron sight shooting not much fun. An 8 inch group at 50 yards wasn't the gun's fault, I'm sure. I ordered a pair of "double-D" glasses. If that doesn't improve my sight picture, optics it will be. So, what sort of bases fit this rifle? The top of the receiver is curved and has a pattern of parallel ridge lines running its length. There are two screws aft and two forward. If I go with a red dot mounted up front, can they typically mount to a single weaver style base (about an inch or so long)?
Very nice. Weaver makes a 2-piece base (#54 or #25) to accomodate rings rings from a number of different manufacturers. These mounts have a curved base to accomodate the BLR's receiver. The #54 base has a groove in the center which allows you to sight down the groove in order to use the iron sights if you need to go to them as a backup. I have old style Weaver rings with the knurled thumbscrews which allow me to remove them but I may upgrade someday to a fancier set of QD rings from Leupold or Warne. (Warne also makes a low-mount base that is Weaver-style in design only it's steel.)
Thanks, Setters4life. I had the 54s in my e-shopping cart, but something I read indicated the 25&54 might be for a flat receiver. Thanks for the confirmation. I made the order and will see how it goes.
I have the #25's on mine. Base is low enough and the groove is sufficient for me to see the iron sights if I have to swap over to them. I found this pick on the internet: #25 on the left, #54 on the right.
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