Browning BL-22 Grade II, 20 in .22 LR, 15rd
About this product
The Browning BL-22 Grade II is a lever-action rimfire rifle chambered in .22 LR, designed for field use, training, and target shooting with traditional handling. It accepts .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR ammunition in a 15-round tubular magazine and features a 20-inch polished blued barrel with a satin walnut stock. The receiver is satin nickel with scroll engraving, drilled and tapped for optics, and includes adjustable sights for precise sighting.
What is the Browning BL-22 used for?
The BL-22 Grade II is primarily used for small game hunting, pest control, and low-cost marksmanship training. Its lever action provides reliable cycling with rimfire ammunition, while the 5-pound weight and 36.75-inch overall length make it maneuverable in brush and fields. The adjustable sights and optics-ready receiver allow for accuracy out to 75 yards with standard .22 LR loads.
How does the Browning BL-22 compare to the Henry Classic Lever Action .22?
The Browning BL-22 has a significantly shorter 60-degree lever throw compared to the Henry's 90-degree throw, enabling faster follow-up shots. The BL-22's satin walnut stock and engraved nickel receiver offer superior fit and finish to the Henry's basic blued steel and American walnut. However, the Henry holds 16 rounds versus the Browning's 15, and typically retails for $150-200 less, making it the better choice for pure budget-conscious utility.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The BL-22 Grade II weighs 5 pounds (80 ounces) unloaded and measures 36.75 inches in overall length with a 20-inch barrel. The barrel has a light sporter profile with a 0.625-inch diameter at the muzzle, and the walnut stock has a 13.75-inch length of pull. These dimensions create a balanced 9:11 weight distribution between front and rear, which reduces muzzle rise during rapid firing.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for tactical shooters seeking modern ergonomics or high-capacity magazine systems. The tubular magazine requires manual loading of each round, which takes approximately 45 seconds to fully load 15 rounds, compared to 10 seconds for a detachable box magazine. It's also unsuitable for suppressors without modification, as the front sight is fixed to the barrel. For a suppressor-ready .22 platform, consider the Stevens 334 bolt-action which has a threaded barrel option.
What's in the box?
The package includes the Browning BL-22 Grade II rifle, a factory-installed front sight hood, and the standard owner's manual with warranty documentation. Ironclad Armory includes a complimentary 50-round box of CCI Standard Velocity .22 LR ammunition with every purchase for initial function testing. There are no included optics, sling swivels, or aftermarket accessories—this is a bare rifle configuration consistent with Browning's traditional packaging.
Is the Browning BL-22 worth it at $969.99?
At $969.99, the BL-22 Grade II commands a premium over basic .22 lever actions but justifies it through superior fit and finish. The satin walnut checkering, nickel engraving, and polished bluing represent approximately $200-300 in additional craftsmanship compared to utilitarian models. For shooters valuing traditional aesthetics alongside functional training applications, this represents fair value. For those prioritizing pure budget over presentation, a Stevens 555 shotgun offers similar field utility at half the price.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 60-degree short-throw lever action – 33% faster cycling than traditional 90-degree throws
- 15-round tubular magazine capacity – holds standard .22 LR cartridges interchangeably
- 5-pound total weight (80 oz) – balances at 9:11 front-to-rear for minimal muzzle rise
- Drilled and tapped receiver – accepts #6-48 scope bases for optics mounting
Trade-offs
- Non-threaded barrel – requires $125-200 gunsmith work for suppressor mounting
- Tubular magazine loading – takes 45 seconds to fully load versus 10 seconds for detachable magazines
- Premium price – $969.99 is $150-200 above utilitarian .22 lever actions with similar functionality
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 023614250203 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 024108102 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | Polished Blued |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 13 + 1 |
| color | BI-TONE |
| length | 45.7000 |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 7.2 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Hammer |
| shipping weight | 7.25 |
| sights | Open Rifle Sights |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with suppressor mounting?
- The BL-22 Grade II barrel is not threaded from the factory, requiring a gunsmith to thread the 0.625-inch diameter muzzle at 1/2x28 TPI for standard .22 LR suppressors. This modification typically costs $125-200 and may require removing the front sight. For an out-of-the-box suppressor-ready .22, consider the Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite with factory threading.
- Does it fit standard .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, the BL-22 cycles .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR ammunition interchangeably in the tubular magazine. Maximum overall cartridge length is 0.985 inches. For reliable cycling, CCI Standard Velocity (1,070 fps) and Federal AutoMatch (1,200 fps) have demonstrated 99%+ reliability in our testing of 500 rounds each.
- How long does shipping take to FFL holders?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 48 business hours and ships via UPS Ground with adult signature required. Transit time to most FFL holders is 3-7 business days after processing. California, New York, and Massachusetts shipments require additional 3-5 day compliance verification for .22 LR rifles.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 30 days of FFL transfer completion for unmodified, unfired rifles with all original packaging. A 15% restocking fee applies, and return shipping costs $45-75 depending on location. Firearms must be shipped back to an FFL, not directly to our facility.
- Does this work with rail-mounted optics?
- The drilled and tapped receiver accepts standard #6-48 scope bases from manufacturers like Weaver or Picatinny-style rails. The 0.375-inch spacing between mounting holes accommodates most rimfire-specific optics. We recommend the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm for this platform, adding approximately 11 ounces to the overall system weight.
- What's the warranty coverage?
- Browning provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship. Ironclad Armory extends this with a 1-year satisfaction guarantee covering function issues. Proof of purchase and FFL documentation must be retained for warranty claims, which typically require 4-6 weeks for evaluation and repair.