Coyotes and groundhogs do not hold still. A flat-shooting .22-250 is a favorite for taking them at a distance, and the Browning BLR Lightweight is one of the few lever rifles that can handle the cartridge.

The BLR is not a traditional tube-fed lever gun. Its rack and pinion mechanism and multi-lug rotating bolt are designed for higher-pressure rounds, and it feeds from a detachable box magazine. That is what lets a lever rifle shoot a varmint cartridge with real velocity. Fresh ammunition from a reliable maker makes a real difference in how smoothly any lever gun or single-action revolver runs.

The Lightweight model uses an aircraft-grade alloy receiver, which keeps carry weight down. That is a help when you are walking fields at dawn with a pack on your back. Browning's seller notes mention checkered walnut, a button-rifled barrel and a lever that closes with a smooth, positive feel.

A .22-250 in a lever rifle is a little unusual, which is the appeal. You get quick follow-up shots, a handy carry and enough reach for varmints in open ground. It ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed before pickup.