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The Best There Is

LIGHTNING BLR & LIGHTWEIGHT 81 BLR LEVER ACTION RIFLES

O W N E R S M A N U A L

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SERVICE OR REPAIR

If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service Center. Contact your Browning sporting goods dealer or call our Service Department for the address of the Service Center nearest you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our own Service Department. For technical questions about your firearm or service, contact: Browning Service Department One Browning Place Arnold, Missouri 63010-9406 Phone 1-800-322-4626 Canadian Customers call or write: Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee, 5583 Chemin St-Franois St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6 Phone: (514) 333-7261 When returning your firearm for servicing, you must do the following: 1. Be sure it is completely unloaded. 2. Package it securely in a cardboard container. 3. Enclose a letter with your firearm that clearly describes the trouble experienced and the repairs desired. 4. If convenient, send a copy of the letter to us separately. 5. Never return ammunition with your firearm. It is against postal and most commerce regulations. If you have any questions about this manual or about any other Browning products, call or write our Consumer Information Department: Browning Consumer Information One Browning Place Morgan Utah 84050 Phone: (801) 876-2711

browning.com

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THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A BROWNING BLR LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
The Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR utilize the most modern design of any lever action rifle, with an advanced rack-and-pinion lever system and strong rotary bolt locking design. And with its detachable box magazine, you can safely shoot ballistically superior pointed bullets. The Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR incorporate Brownings traditional quality and craftsmanship, coupled with the finest materials and modern manufacturing methods. With a reasonable amount of care, your Lightning BLR or Lightweight 81 BLR should give you many years of dependable, enjoyable service. Please feel free to write us immediately if you have any observations regarding its performance and operation.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIREARMS SAFETY
As a gun owner, you accept a set of responsibilities of the most demanding nature. How seriously you carry out these responsibilities can mean the difference between life and death. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all times handle this rifle with intense respect for its power and potential danger.
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.
1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Do this even though you are certain the gun is unloaded. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition. 2 THIS RIFLES HALF-COCK NOTCH IS SIMPLY A HAMMER POSITION THAT MAY CATCH A HAMMER THAT SLIPS FROM YOUR THUMB WHILE COCKING (PROVIDING THE TRIGGER IS NOT DEPRESSED). It should not be taken as an assurance it will be caught all the time. You should never trust the half-cock hammer position to function as a safety. An excessive, abusive pull on the trigger could still cause the hammer to fall. Also, while the half-cock notch may frequently catch a hammer that slips from your thumb while cocking the rifle (provided the trigger is not depressed), the half-cock notch is NOT a safety and should not be relied upon to always catch the hammer. No guarantee can be made that the half-cock notch will prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. When the hammer is in the full cocked position, the inertia firing pin is positioned to the rear until it is struck by a forcible blow from the forward motion of the hammer. 3 THE FOLDED-HAMMER POSITION OF THE HAMMER IS ONLY AN EXTRA MEASURE OF SAFETY. It is designed to put your rifle in a SAFER status. However, like any mechanical device, it can sometimes be

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, LOWER THE LEVER TO OPEN THE ACTION. THEN, CHECK THAT NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY.
After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely empty, and with the action open, look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as described in Cleaning Suggestions later in this manual. Before the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compounds in the action/chamber areas. 9 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARM WHEN NOT IN USE. Your responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your gun and ammunition separately well beyond the reach of children. Take all precautions to ensure that your gun does not get into untrained, inexperienced or unwelcomed hands. 10 USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. The Browning Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR are available in many different calibers. It is important to use the correct ammunition for your particular rifle. The proper caliber for your rifle is inscribed on the right side of the barrel. You can safely shoot ballistically superior pointed bullets, since the Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR have a box magazine and not a tubular one.
The barrel and action of this rifle have been made with substantial

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safety margins over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. However, Browning assumes no liability for accidents which occur through the use of cartridges that have nonstandard dimensions or that develop pressures in excess of the commercially available ammunition that has been loaded in accordance with industry standards established by SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute).
BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.
If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired, fully unload your firearms chamber, feed mechanism, and magazine. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that an obstruction does not remain in the barrel. Completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. 11 MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION OR CLEANING A FIREARM. Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury. 12 DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! Treat every gun with the respect you give a loaded gun, even when you are certain the gun is unloaded. 13 KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT. 14 AVOID UNORTHODOX AIMING STANCES. When a round is cycled, the rear end of the bolt could strike a shooter in the face and cause injury, with your head placed too far forward on the stock. Conform to standard shooting styles. 15 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Particularly when theres not much light and visibility is poor. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects. 16 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARMS CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING

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OTHER OBSTACLES. Refer to page 13 of this instruction booklet for instructions on unloading your firearm. Never place any firearm on or against a fence, tree, car, or other similar objects.
17 WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to the sound of gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief) between the scope and your eye when firing a scoped firearm. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning your gun to keep springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from coming in contact with your eyes. 18 DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE IT TO ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGE. This can occur even with the hammer in the half-cock position with the hammer folded forward. 19 IF YOUR FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge. If the primer is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use. 20 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND AROUND OTHERS. Dont be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 21 BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is completely unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition.

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22 EDUCATE AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS. Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses. 23 NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING. Your vision and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe for you and for others. 24 READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS, in this instruction book, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning firearm. Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used. 25 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING. Your gun is a mechanical device which will not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection, adjustment, and service. Browning firearms should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or by Brownings service facility in Arnold, Missouri. Browning cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered because of unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of Browning firearms. 26 BROWNING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON FIREARMS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED. Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modifications of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to Brownings refusal of service on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER OR PARTS OF THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS.

BE CAREFUL!

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FIGURE 1

Safety Operating Handle Rib Barrel
Muzzle Receiver Trigger Forearm Magazine Cap Carrier Release Button
B R O W N I N G N O M E N C L AT U R E
In conventional gun terminology the position and movement of gun parts are described as they occur with the gun horizontal and in normal firing position. The muzzle is forward or front, the butt stock is rearward or rear, the trigger is downward or underneath, and the sights are upward or on top. When the lever is closed or parallel to the stock grip the bolt is closed or locked; when the lever is down the bolt is open or unlocked. For general nomenclature, refer to Figure 1.

SERIAL NUMBER

The serial number of your rifle can be found on the right side of the receiver, toward the rear.

INITIAL CLEANING

BEFORE THE FIRST FIRING, CLEAN THE ANTI-RUST COMPOUND, from the barrel and the inside of the receiver with a clean rag (as much as is possible without disassembling the receiver). Use a light gun oil such as Browning Oil. See Cleaning Suggestions on page 15.

CARTRIDGE CAPACITY

SHORT ACTION CALIBERS One (1) in the chamber, four (4) in the magazine. Except, 284 Win., 300 WSM, 270 WSM and 7mm WSM each of which holds three (3) in the magazine and 223 Rem. which holds five (5) in the magazine

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LONG ACTION , STANDARD CALIBERS One (1) in the chamber, four (4) in the magazine. LONG ACTION, MAGNUM CALIBERS One (1) in the chamber, three (3) in the magazine.
O P E R AT I O N O F T H E H A M M E R
Like most lever action rifles with exposed hammers, the Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR do not have a separate manual safety. However, the Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR have the folding hammer feature (Figure 2) which provides an added measure of safety when the hammer is at half-cock. The exposed hammer itself can be an excellent indicator of the safety status of the rifle.

FIGURE 2

Folding Hammer Feature
The Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR folding hammer has four basic positions: the full-cock, the half-cock, the folded hammer position, and the dropped or fired position. An explanation of each position follows. FULL COCK POSITION The hammer is all the way to the rear (Figure 3). At this point, any pull or any force on the trigger could allow FIGURE 3 the hammer to fall and fire the rifle. There are two ways by which the hammer can be placed in this position. First, every time the lever is cycled, the rearward movement of the bolt will cock the hammer to this position. Second, the hammer may also be manually placed at full-cock by pulling it rearward with the thumb until it engages the full-cock notch. Be sure to keep

Full Cock Position

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your finger off the trigger while cocking the hammer. HALF-COCK POSITION

FIGURE 4

This rifles half-cock notch is simply a hammer position (Figure 4) that may catch a hammer that slips from your thumb while cocking (providing the trigger is not depressed). It should not be taken as an assurance it will be caught ALL the time. No Half-Cock Position guarantee can be made that the half-cock notch will prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. (Refer Safety Warning Number 2.) MOVING FROM FULL-COCK TO HALF-COCK In order to move the hammer from full-cock to half-cock position, you must first place your thumb on the hammer to restrict its forward movement. The trigger is then depressed to release the hammer from the full-cock notch.
AS SOON AS INITIAL FORWARD TRAVEL OF THE HAMMER HAS MOVED PAST THE FULL-COCK POSITION, IMMEDIATELY REMOVE YOUR FINGER FROM THE TRIGGER. BE CAREFUL: IF THE TRIGGER REMAINS DEPRESSED, THE HALF-COCK NOTCH WILL NOT CATCH THE HAMMER SHOULD IT ACCIDENTALLY SLIP DURING THIS OPERATION. THE HAMMER WOULD CONTINUE PAST THE HALF-COCK POSITION TO THE DROPPED OR FIRED POSITION AND THE FIGURE 5 GUN COULD DISCHARGE.
PRACTICE LOWERING THE HAMMER A wise practice to follow is to place the thumb extended over the hammer with the point of the thumb just over the V between the hammer and the firing pin so that it can act as a cushion against accidental hammer fall, and at the same time, ease the hammer into the half-cock

Lowering the Hammer

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notch (Figure 5). When a scope is mounted on the rifle, it is necessary to insert the point of the thumb more from the side. A little practice with an empty rifle will enable a person to become adept at using the thumb in either manner. If a cartridge has been chambered in anticipation of an imminent shot, the hammer should be carefully lowered to the half-cock position and the folding hammer rotated forward. Remember, when a shot is no longer imminent, unload the chamber of your rifle by operating the lever downward. With the lever still in the downward position, remove the magazine from the rifle, inspect the chamber to make sure all cartridges have been FIGURE 6 removed from the rifle. Return the lever to the closed position, re-insert the magazine and return the hammer to the half cock, folded down position. FOLDED HAMMER POSITION An additional feature on the Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR, the folding hammer feature (Figure 6) further protects against accidental discharge of your firearm. Folding-hammer feature rotates forward for additional safety. This fold-down position removes the possibility of the hammer coming in contact with the firing pin if the hammer is accidentally struck.

NOTE: THE HAMMER IN THE HALF-COCK POSITION WITH THE HAMMER FOLDED FORWARD IS MERELY AN AID TO SAFE HANDLING OF YOUR RIFLE. ALWAYS HANDLE YOUR RIFLE AS THOUGH IT WERE LOADED.

FIGURE 7

ENGAGING THE FOLDING HAMMER In the half-cock position, the upper portion of the hammer can be rotated forward with the thumb, to position the hammer against the rear of the bolt, without coming in contact with the rear of the firing pin. This
Dropped or Fired Position

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fold-down feature puts the hammer in a safer position, but this position should not be considered a safety. DROPPED OR FIRED POSITION This is the position of the hammer after a round is fired. However, it is not a recommended carrying position (Figure 7). PREFERRED CARRYING POSITION For maximum safety, you should never chamber a cartridge until a shot is imminent. The half-cock position with the hammer folded forward is the recommended position of the hammer during handling and storage.
G E N E R A L O P E R AT I N G P R O C E D U R E S

LOADING

THROUGHOUT THE LOADING PROCESS MAKE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

FIGURE 8

1 Be sure that the chamber is empty and the hammer is lowered to the half-cock position with the hammer folded forward. 2 Detach the magazine by pulling down on the magazine release button with the index finger (Figure 8). The magazine will slide easily from its recess. 3 To load the MAGAZINE: Cartridges are loaded by pressing them downward until they are retained by the rim of the magazine. Insert cartridges into the detachable box magazine. The correct caliber is inscribed on the right side of the barrel. 4 With the bolt closed and the hammer in the folded-down hammer position, reinsert the loaded magazine into the rifle. A sharp, metallic click will indicate that the magazine is fully inserted and engaged with the magazine latch.
Pull down to release magazine

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5 To load a cartridge in the CHAMBER: With the rifle pointed in a safe direction, a cartridge can be chambered by cycling the lever. Then, carefully lower the hammer to the half-cock, fold-down position after chambering the cartridge. Afterwards, whenever desired, you can quickly and easily thumb back the hammer to the firing, full-cock position. At full-cock, any pull on the trigger will allow the hammer to fall and fire the rifle. For maximum safety, you should never chamber a cartridge until a shot is imminent. UNLOADING 1 Remove the cartridge in the chamber by operating the lever downward. 2 With the lever still in the down position, remove the magazine from the rifle. 3 The chamber should then be inspected to make sure all cartridges have been removed from the rifle. 4 Cartridges in the magazine may be removed by stripping them out with the thumb. AMMUNITION Carefully select your ammunition. Because your Lightning BLR or Lightweight 81 BLR uses a box style magazine and not a tubular magazine, pointed Spitzer-style bullets can be used. Again, the Lightning BLR and Lightweight 81 BLR are available in many different calibers. It is important to use the correct ammunition for your particular rifle. You should check the right side of your barrel for the caliber of your model. See section on Loading for magazine capacities. LEVER ACTION FIRING: 1 With a round in the chamber, you need only to thumb the hammer rearward to its full-cock position to make the rifle ready for firing. Otherwise, cycling the lever to place a round in the chamber will also leave the hammer in the full-cock (ready-to-fire) position. 13

The correct procedure for cleaning your rifle is as follows: 1 Be certain the chamber and magazine are completely unloaded, the lever is down, and the ejection port is open. Again, to unload your rifle, eject any live round in the chamber by operating the lever downward. Remove the magazine and unload it by pushing forward on the base of each round until it clears the retaining rims. 2 Using a rifle cleaning rod with tip and patch large enough for a snug fit in the bore, insert rod and patch in barrel and run back and forth several times. Caution should be exercised to ensure that the cleaning rod or handle does not strike the crown of the muzzle, as damage to this area can adversely affect the accuracy of the rifle. 3 Inspect the chamber and bore for powder fouling. A normal amount of powder residue can be expected and is not serious. Residue can usually be removed by repeating step 2, using a patch saturated with

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nitro-solvent. If, or when, fouling should become heavy, it can be removed with a brass bore brush. Dip the brush in nitro-solvent and scrub the chamber and bore until the fouling is removed. To prevent brass bristles from breaking off, the brush should be pushed completely through the bore before being withdrawn. 4 To maintain the utmost accuracy of your rifle it is recommended you clean the bore with a copper solvent. Modern cartridge jackets are made mainly of copper and zinc. Residues from copper and zinc stick to the barrel and require more frequent cleaning. Swab the bore of your rifle with a good copper solvent using the manufacturers recommended procedure. 5 After fouling has been removed, the bore should be wiped dry. Then, pass a slightly oiled patch through the bore for preservation. A fine, light gun oil like Browning Oil is recommended. Make sure there are no obstructions, cleaning patches, or other obstacles left in the bore. 6 Wipe all exposed metal surfaces with an oiled cloth, making sure to wipe gun clean of all finger marks. Finger marks should be removed because they provide a place where moisture can accumulate. Ordinary good judgement will, of course, indicate that the metal of the gun should receive a light film of oil any time the gun has been exposed to adverse weather or handling. 7 The wood surfaces of your rifle can also be wiped lightly with Browning Oil, or you can apply a quality wood or furniture polish to the stock and forearm. Using one of these methods (not both), will enhance the beauty and durability of your rifle. CLEANING THE MAGAZINE Depending on how often you shoot, it is helpful to disassemble the box magazine for cleaning. You may want to check your magazine for cleaning after every 50 to 100 rounds. To clean the magazine, remove the detachable box magazine from the rifle. Slide the magazine bottom plate out to the rear. The magazine spring and follower can then be easily removed for inspection. Wipe off any dirt or residue then apply a very thin coat of oil and wipe clean again. Too much oil

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will only serve to collect oil and dirt. To reassemble, reinsert the spring and follower, then slide the bottom plate back into position. FURTHER DISASSEMBLY
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR LIGHTNING BLR OR LIGHTWEIGHT 81 BLR APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN THIS MANUAL.
This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You may permanently mar it by attempting to disassemble the inner mechanism assemblies. If further disassembly for service or cleaning is required, take your gun to a Browning recommended Service Center or a competent gunsmith, or send it to our Arnold, Missouri Service Facility as explained under Service or Repair. browning.com
You Are Responsible For Firearms Safety As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can mean the difference between life and death. Failure to follow any of these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and/or possible serious injury or death to yourself and others. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all times handle any firearm with intense respect for its power and potential danger.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.
1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, even though you are certain that the rifle is unloaded. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition. 2. NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR RIFLE'S MECHANICAL "SAFETY" DEVICE. The word "safety" describes a gun's trigger block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. These mechanical devices are designed to place your gun in a SAFER status. No guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the "safety" is in the "on safe" position. See "Operations of the Safety" for instructions on operation of YOUR gun's "safety."
LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A "SAFETY" CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Mechanical "safeties" merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your rifle's muzzle in an unsafe direction. While it is a good idea to "test" your rifle's mechanical "safeties" periodically for proper function, NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR RIFLE IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE

DIRECTION

Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun's mechanical "safety devices -- it starts there. Always treat your rifle with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. 3. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE, ALWAYS OPEN THE
ACTION IMMEDIATELY, VISUALLY CHECK YOUR RIFLE'S CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND MAGAZINE.

Make certain they do not inadvertently contain any ammunition. Always keep the chamber empty and "safety" in the "on safe" position unless shooting is imminent. 4. DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR RIFLE LOADED, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD, GUN CASE, OR

OTHER CONTAINER.

5. HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS, and may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following rules should always be observed by you and those you hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is being taken up to and down from the stand. Always make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is being taken up to or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even with the safety in the "on safe" position.
6. BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS, for the safety of both your gun and yourself. Mud, snow, and an infinite variety of other obstructions may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It takes only one small obstruction to cause dangerously increased pressures that can ruin (swell or rupture) the finest rifle barrels.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY. PLACE THE "SAFETY" IN THE "ON SAFE" POSITION.
Look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as described in "Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions." Before the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compound in the action/chamber areas. 7. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO "UNLOADING THE RIFLE"
FOR AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TO UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE PROPERLY.
As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Store your gun and ammunition separately -- well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your rifle does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. 8. USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. The barrel and action of this rifle have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. Nevertheless, Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions which develop pressures in excess of commercially available ammunition with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).

If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge s fired, DO NOT LOAD ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER. Open the action and remove all cartridges from the magazine, chamber and action areas. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that an obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to yourself and others.
MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION OR CLEANING A FIREARM.
Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury. 9. DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER -- THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE

EMPTY!

Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded. 10. KEEP FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING, LOADING, UNTIL YOU

ARE READY TO SHOOT.

11. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard object. 12. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE'S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A
TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES.
Refer to "Unloading The Rifle" for instructions on the unloading of your rifle. Never place your loaded rifle on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object. 13. WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief) between the scope and your eye when firing a scoped rifle or shotgun. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning your shotgun to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvent or other agents from contacting your eyes. 14. DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping any firearm. 15. IF YOUR RIFLE FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge. If the primer is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use. 16. BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND

OTHERS.

Don't be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 17. BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition. 18. TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY -ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.
Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrolling in hunting/shooting safety courses. 19. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR

DURING SHOOTING.

Your vision and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to others.
20. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in this instruction book, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning gun. Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used. 21. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE -- AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING. Your rifle is a mechanical device which will not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection, adjustment and service. Browning firearms should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or by Browning's service facility in Arnold, Missouri. Browning cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered or caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of Browning firearms. 22. BROWNING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON FIREARMS THAT HAVE
BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.
Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modification of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to Browning's refusal of service on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR PARTS OF THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS.
BROWNING.COM BROWNING US: Morgan, Utah 84050-9326 BROWNING CANADA: Browning Canada Sports Ltd/Ltee,St-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1W6 BROWNING INTL: Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, B-4040 Herstal, Belgium

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