I have 2 BLR Takedown 81 lightweight leverguns with the straight stock & barrel band.........308 Winchester & 450 Marlin.
I haven't ranged the 450 Marlin yet but the 308 is dead on accurate (with factory Nosler 165 grain Accubond ammo) with a Leupold 2-7x33mm scope mounted on Warne QD mounts.
I mounted the 450 BLR the same way.
I set my guns up for survival applications & do not remove sighting options (ie. the factory iron sights) in case the scope gets busted or becomes defective when I'm way back in the sticks.
I can remove the scope in seconds and use the iron sights if necessary.
It was an easy choice between the Winchester (Miroku made) model 94 short gun in 450 Marlin & the BLR (also made by Miroku of Japan).
Several things were in the BLRs favor........it was $600 cheaper than the 94, it didn't have a redundant tang safety like the 94, it wasn't ported like the 94, it had a stronger action (lever actuated bolt action) than the 94, it didn't have a freeze-up prone rebounding hammer linkage like the 94.
The quality and fit & finish of the BLR & 94 were the same Miroku high quality.
I love my Marlin Guide Guns but the BLR is just a bit higher class (and higher priced) gun.........superb workmanship, dependability & funtionality right out of the box.