Browning BL-22 plinker

[North Country Gal]

Again, thanks, folks.

With my arthritis, I sometimes have difficulty cocking that short throw lever without taking the BL-22 off my shoulder. Plenty easy to cock with the gun off my shoulder, though.

As mentioned, trigger pull on the BL-22 runs a bit on the high side, so always check before buying one. The Browning SA-22 semi auto tends to have better triggers, but, of course, it won't cycle CBs. Assuming you can shoot small, light rifles and get around a trigger on the heavy side, both of these small 22 rifles may surprise you with the accuracy, especially the SA-22.

[Jdl447]

A little BL22 eye candy.

IMG_2278.jpeg (895.14 KiB) Viewed 1753 times

[bandit1250]

Very nice Browning for a very nice lady. One thing for sure Joanie will wring out every bit of accuracy that is in that little carbine. Nice gun to find in a shop. We will all be waiting to see how it shoots with some good target grade ammo.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, bandit. Hope to put the BL-22 through a 50 yard workout, soon.

[daytime dave]

For those who supported it, I made a new subforum in range reports. Daily plinking.

Good idea.

[North Country Gal]

That's great, Dave. Much appreciated.

[markiver54]

Thanks Dave. My next plinking, (given where I live) will probably be air gun plinking.

[North Country Gal]

A little BL22 eye candy.

IMG_2278.jpeg

Hey, another BL-22 fan! Love it. Cool old scope. Is that an old Bushnell? Looks familiar.

[Jdl447]

The scope is a Bushnell it came on the rifle.

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[North Country Gal]

That's what I thought it was, a Bushnell 4x Custom, rail mount and all. Those were considered one of the best rimfire scopes in their day. Have put them on several 22s over the years. Neat little scopes, perfect for a BL-22.

[daytime dave]

A little BL22 eye candy.

IMG_2278.jpeg

Hey, another BL-22 fan! Love it. Cool old scope. Is that an old Bushnell? Looks familiar.

I agree, a very handsome rifle.

[BigAl52]

Whats a Browning BL-22 grade ii made in 1972 worth says it has a short throw lever.

[North Country Gal]

Early BL-22s usually bring a bit more than later versions, supposedly because they can have better triggers, but I wouldn't count on that. BL-22s are known for having heavy triggers, so be sure to check.

Grade II just means checkered stock and the engraving on the receiver. Usually adds about $75 to the resale value. All BL-22s have the short throw lever. It's part of the design. That's standard.

Assuming good condition, it's getting hard to find a nice minty used BL-22 for much less than $600, now. New is running over $900 for Grade II, just under $900 for Grade I. And it is hard to find used BL-22s in mint condition because they're such fun guns to shoot and get shot a lot. Then, too, that hard shiny stock finish that Browning uses makes scratches really stand out. We grabbed ours because the stock was as new in the box without any scratches. I prefer the plain non-checkered Grade I, anyway.

[BigAl52]

Early BL-22s usually bring a bit more than later versions, supposedly because they can have better triggers, but I wouldn't count on that. BL-22s are known for having heavy triggers, so be sure to check.

Grade II just means checkered stock and the engraving on the receiver. Usually adds about $75 to the resale value. All BL-22s have the short throw lever. It's part of the design. That's standard.

Assuming good condition, it's getting hard to find a nice minty used BL-22 for much less than $600, now. New is running over $900 for Grade II, just under $900 for Grade I. And it is hard to find used BL-22s in mint condition because they're such fun guns to shoot and get shot a lot. Then, too, that hard shiny stock finish that Browning uses makes scratches really stand out. We grabbed ours because the stock was as new in the box without any scratches. I prefer the plain non-checkered Grade I, anyway.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1035375324 this one is at my local shop Joanie. Was just curious

[North Country Gal]

That $700 for a starting bid is a little stiff. Just a couple of bids and it'll be pushing new for a price. Keep in mind that the BL-22 has always been made by Miroku, right from the very first one in 1969. There never was a Belgium version, unlike some other Browning 22s, so there's no premium for being made in Belgium.