Blaser R8 In Large Calibers

[Fastrig]

I would second that. I have a receiver and stock designed for "semi-weight" barrels which are fairly heavy. With the steel receiver, even the .300 makes it a fairly stout rifle. I hardly ever use it. My Sporter weight rifle with classic stock handles "sporter" profile barrels up through .375 creating a light quick rifle that is a joy to carry and shoot in any caliber.

Hi Red Leg,

Looking for your opinion on a R8. I've been toying with a 404J but Blaser doesn't make that caliber and I've also been thinking about your advise on the 375 H&H as an alternative. I like the Success or the new Ultimate variants of the R8, love those types of stocks over a traditional stock, but they are only chambered up to the 375 H&H. Was thinking of going with a safari set but after reading your posts here I'm wondering if that is just going to be wasted money on a big bore barrel, i.e. 416, I might use two or three times in my life and the 300 win mag isn't something I'd use all that much either. Would think the 375 H&H could be used pretty much across the board with proper loads, i.e. light for PG, heavy for DG, big bears, etc. I plan on one buff hunt at some point, but that's pretty much it. Would like to go after a leopard as well someday but the 375 H&H is plenty for that. Am I missing something in this equation?

 

[Inline6]

But $123 is still high even if it was the rings and base combined! There's no way a ring and base set should be $400.00. Not sure why they charge so much, perhaps they figure if you're willing to pay big bucks for the rifle, what's another $400?
I paid $160 for a set of stainless Sako Optilock rings and bases. I thought that was bad enough!

Many people in the tactical world pay that for a mount.

 

[Red Leg]

Hi Red Leg,

Looking for your opinion on a R8. I've been toying with a 404J but Blaser doesn't make that caliber and I've also been thinking about your advise on the 375 H&H as an alternative. I like the Success or the new Ultimate variants of the R8, love those types of stocks over a traditional stock, but they are only chambered up to the 375 H&H. Was thinking of going with a safari set but after reading your posts here I'm wondering if that is just going to be wasted money on a big bore barrel, i.e. 416, I might use two or three times in my life and the 300 win mag isn't something I'd use all that much either. Would think the 375 H&H could be used pretty much across the board with proper loads, i.e. light for PG, heavy for DG, big bears, etc. I plan on one buff hunt at some point, but that's pretty much it. Would like to go after a leopard as well someday but the 375 H&H is plenty for that. Am I missing something in this equation?

You describe my personal evolution almost exactly. I currently own a magnificent .404, a supremely accurate double in 500/416, a .450 3 1/4, a .470, and several 9.3x62's and 74 R's. I have killed four bull buffalo. All were taken with one of my .375's. My buffalo hunts always include plains game - large and small. Having done it a couple of times, I no longer have any interest in schlepping two or more rifles through international travel. The .375 is the quintessential one rifle battery. In a Blaser R8, it is a particularly transportable one rifle battery. And forget the light, medium, heavy calculation. A 300 gr A-Frame or TSX works on everything - big or small / near or far. I can cleanly take any PG animal as far as any PH will let me shoot with such a load, and thread it through a tiny window to a buff's shoulder at 25 meters. For a client, it is the perfect choice.

Also, those four buffalo took a total of six shots - two of which were insurance. No animal went more than 25-30 meters.

 

[Red Leg]

Looks like the going price for ring/mount combinations at Eurooptics is $452.00.

I prefer the rail mounted scopes on Blasers for these reasons:
1- They have a very clean look.
2- They eliminate scope cant by design.

My experience with Blasers and their QD scope mounts is that they do return to zero.
Scopes with QD mounts fit all R8, R93, K95, B95/B97 & BD14 barrels, sometimes needing tensioning from one barrel to another and sometimes not.

I am not sure I exactly understand what you mean by "tensioning". However, I, and most people who use the Blaser R8, dedicate a scope to a particular barrel. I have never ever reassembled a rifle and scope and had to make any sort of scope adjustment - assuming my ammunition arrived. I would never move a scope between barrels. Theoretically, one could record the "click" difference, but it is asking for a mess when arriving at the hunting destination.

 

[HWL]

Having done it a couple of times, I no longer have any interest in schlepping two or more rifles through international travel.

What exactly is the difference between "schlepping" one or three rifles through international travel?

Isn't paperwork quite the same?

Ok, the size of the case,.... but does it really matter?




HWL

 

[Red Leg]

What exactly is the difference between "schlepping" one or three rifles through international travel?

Isn't paperwork quite the same?

Ok, the size of the case,.... but does it really matter?




HWL

To me it does - a lot - just saying.

 

[HWL]

To me it does - a lot - just saying.

..you need a gun bearer,...from the beginning!



HWL

 

[Red Leg]

True! But that sort of reeks of some sort of "privilege."

 

[bruce moulds]

I keep seeing blaser r8 riles with a thumbhole stock.
this seems counter intuitive when you understand the strong point of the action is faster repeat shots.
a thumbhole stock makes for slower shots.
maybe it all balances out to be about the same as a normal turnbolt.
the other thing with the thumbhole is the angle of the pistol grip.
set up for prone shooting rather than offhand where the elbow should be encouraged to a fairly high position.
what kind of shooting is a large calibre rifle really meant for?
bruce.

 

[BigSteve57]

I am not sure I exactly understand what you mean by "tensioning". However, I, and most people who use the Blaser R8, dedicate a scope to a particular barrel. I have never ever reassembled a rifle and scope and had to make any sort of scope adjustment - assuming my ammunition arrived. I would never move a scope between barrels. Theoretically, one could record the "click" difference, but it is asking for a mess when arriving at the hunting destination.

The question was directed to Red Leg but I'm hoping it's OK if I mention my experience. I'm interested in hearing Red Leg's thoughts too.

I have 2 barrels (.375 H&H & .300 WM) and 2 scopes (Zeiss 1.5-6x rail mount & Zeiss 4-16x ring mount) . I dedicate a scope to each barrel; the 1.5-6x with the .375 H&H and the 4-16x with the .300 WM. I did swap scopes between barrels to see if it would work and the scopes interchanged for me with no problem. I did not attempt to find zeroes between them as I dedicate the scopes to the barrel. Oh I guess I COULD interchange them if I HAD to for some reason.

I'm going to guess that the "tensioning" reference is for the need to tighten the mount using the six-triangle screw on the opposite side of the release lever. I did this to one of the two release levers on each of my scopes as one release lever on each was noticeably firmer to tighten on the barrel. The tightening was the tiniest fraction of a turn but the front and rear release levers now tighten with the same amount of firmness on each barrel. I only did this once when I first mounted the scope to their respective barrels. Again, swapping scopes & barrels did not require any readjustment.

 

[Fastrig]

You describe my personal evolution almost exactly. I currently own a magnificent .404, a supremely accurate double in 500/416, a .450 3 1/4, a .470, and several 9.3x62's and 74 R's. I have killed four bull buffalo. All were taken with one of my .375's. My buffalo hunts always include plains game - large and small. Having done it a couple of times, I no longer have any interest in schlepping two or more rifles through international travel. The .375 is the quintessential one rifle battery. In a Blaser R8, it is a particularly transportable one rifle battery. And forget the light, medium, heavy calculation. A 300 gr A-Frame or TSX works on everything - big or small / near or far. I can cleanly take any PG animal as far as any PH will let me shoot with such a load, and thread it through a tiny window to a buff's shoulder at 25 meters. For a client, it is the perfect choice.

Also, those four buffalo took a total of six shots - two of which were insurance. No animal went more than 25-30 meters.

Thanks mucho....kind of what I was gathering from reading through you posts, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Think I'll scrap the 404J and go with a Blaser Success Individual 375 H&H, may even go a little crazy and get some of the engraving options done. I'm looking at the semi-weighted, non-fluted barrel with their quick acquisition sights option, threaded for their muzzle break (removable with the cap when hunting). From your experience is this a good selection? Will probably add the kick stop option to the stock as I understand it helps balance the rifle even more, and a little less felt recoil always is appreciated. I'm waiting to see if the new R8 Ultimate variant are going to be released in the States. If they are, I might go that route as those offer the adjustable comb and three butt options.

Another question, did you choose their illuminated Zeiss scope option and quick release mount that integrates with the rifle's safety system? If so, what's you option of their optics? Blase is apparently now offering a 1-7x24 scope with a 30 mm tube, which seems a better match than the 1-4x24 they originally were selling. Not sure why 1-7 instead of 1-8, but that's what the website says. Thanks!!

 

[Fastrig]

I keep seeing blaser r8 riles with a thumbhole stock.
this seems counter intuitive when you understand the strong point of the action is faster repeat shots.
a thumbhole stock makes for slower shots.
maybe it all balances out to be about the same as a normal turnbolt.
the other thing with the thumbhole is the angle of the pistol grip.
set up for prone shooting rather than offhand where the elbow should be encouraged to a fairly high position.
what kind of shooting is a large calibre rifle really meant for?
bruce.

Have the Mauser M12 Max 9.3x62 which is a thumb hole stock configuration and for me it's the best drawing and shooting rifle, from any position, I've ever owned. I've shouldered the R8 with the thumb hole stock (Success models), and it's even better than the Mauser, which I didn't think was possible. You can't get anything over a 375 H&H with the thumb hole stock from Blaser though, I already asked. I'm becoming somewhat of a convert to the thumb hole/tactical/precision style stocks over the traditional hunting type stocks as I find they draw better, are more controllable, and often have adjustment options for LOP and comb height. Looking at restocking a couple of my existing rifles with Boyds At-One or At-One Thumb Hole stocks. Just my two cents.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

They are very , very enviable. I saw a .500 Jeffery model up for Sale once and regret NOT snagging it I love German guns . First class Craftsmanship

 

[dchamp]

I am not sure I exactly understand what you mean by "tensioning". However, I, and most people who use the Blaser R8, dedicate a scope to a particular barrel. I have never ever reassembled a rifle and scope and had to make any sort of scope adjustment - assuming my ammunition arrived. I would never move a scope between barrels. Theoretically, one could record the "click" difference, but it is asking for a mess when arriving at the hunting destination.

I hope I did not give the impression that I was advocating the swapping of scopes and barrels. I agree dedicating a scope and barrel is good practice. I was only saying that their mounts will work with all of their rifle barrels in their various platforms. Although if by chance you needed to swap a scope, for whatever reason, then it is a very easy matter to do.

By tensioning I mean, adjusting the screws opposite the tensioning/locking levers. I will say, that there is no need for excessive force in tensioning the mount to the barrel. A firm but comfortable tensioning of the locking levers is how I would describe it.

I sometimes will mount a certain scope on a barrel for load development that I have no intention of using for field use. More often than not I will need to tension/adjust the mount but on occasion mount adjustment will not be necessary. Zeroing is a different thing and is basically load dependent.

 

[Newboomer]

I'm not familiar with Blaser at all except what I've read. One guy in one of my FTW courses had one and he seemed to be having problems. He said it was a new gun and he wasn't all that used to it. It seemed to shoot well when he could figure out how to run it.

Has anyone had or heard of the bolt coming back on a shooter? I remember reading somewhere that it has happened and really injured the guy. That kind of freaked me and killed my interest in Blaser. No pun intended. This was years ago so maybe that incident was isolated to a faulty part or a double charged round in an old model.

 

[Fastrig]

I'm not familiar with Blaser at all except what I've read. One guy in one of my FTW courses had one and he seemed to be having problems. He said it was a new gun and he wasn't all that used to it. It seemed to shoot well when he could figure out how to run it.

Has anyone had or heard of the bolt coming back on a shooter? I remember reading somewhere that it has happened and really injured the guy. That kind of freaked me and killed my interest in Blaser. No pun intended. This was years ago so maybe that incident was isolated to a faulty part or a double charged round in an old model.

Haven’t heard or read about any issues with the R8, and I’ve been researching them quite a bit because it will be an expensive purchase if I buy one. I have read that you need to spend time with the R8 as the bolt action isn’t what most folks are used to, so that might be why the gentleman was having difficulties. It’s a straight pull and we are all used to a lift and pull action, can see where would cause a new owner issues from nothing more than muscle memory. We tend to be critters of habit and it looks like the R8 requires that we break old habits and learn new ones with their actions. Those would be my observations at least.

 

[bruce moulds]

fastrig,
what do you mean by "drawing" the rifle.?
bruce.

 

[Fastrig]

fastrig,
what do you mean by "drawing" the rifle.?
bruce.

Pulling a rifle to a shooting position quickly, ready for a shot with open sights. With my M12 Max the rifle hits my shoulder and I’m in an aligned position with the sights almost immediately, the Blaser R8 I shouldered was the same without the almost part, i.e. it drew to a perfect firing position immediately.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks mucho....kind of what I was gathering from reading through you posts, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Think I'll scrap the 404J and go with a Blaser Success Individual 375 H&H, may even go a little crazy and get some of the engraving options done. I'm looking at the semi-weighted, non-fluted barrel with their quick acquisition sights option, threaded for their muzzle break (removable with the cap when hunting). From your experience is this a good selection? Will probably add the kick stop option to the stock as I understand it helps balance the rifle even more, and a little less felt recoil always is appreciated. I'm waiting to see if the new R8 Ultimate variant are going to be released in the States. If they are, I might go that route as those offer the adjustable comb and three butt options.

Another question, did you choose their illuminated Zeiss scope option and quick release mount that integrates with the rifle's safety system? If so, what's you option of their optics? Blase is apparently now offering a 1-7x24 scope with a 30 mm tube, which seems a better match than the 1-4x24 they originally were selling. Not sure why 1-7 instead of 1-8, but that's what the website says. Thanks!!

So, the configuration you picked is not my preference, but that matters not a wit. How a rifle feels is purely and totally subjective. As I mentioned earlier, on a rifle that is carried a lot and shot relatively little, I prefer as light as I can manage effectively. My .375 in normal "African" configuration has the alloy receiver, sporter weight barrel, and classic sporter stock. A .375 with the handling characteristics of an '06. Perfect for my subjective solution. As others have noted, they prefer a heavy rifle and have no issues carrying it. Neither is right or wrong / better or worse. I will simply say that you will own the most accurate and usable production rifle being built today however you configure it.

 

[Fastrig]

So, the configuration you picked is not my preference, but that matters not a wit. How a rifle feels is purely and totally subjective. As I mentioned earlier, on a rifle that is carried a lot and shot relatively little, I prefer as light as I can manage effectively. My .375 in normal "African" configuration has the alloy receiver, sporter weight barrel, and classic sporter stock. A .375 with the handling characteristics of an '06. Perfect for my subjective solution. As others have noted, they prefer a heavy rifle and have no issues carrying it. Neither is right or wrong / better or worse. I will simply say that you will own the most accurate and usable production rifle being built today however you configure it.

Thanks!! Did you go with the Zeiss/Blaser illuminated scope option? I’ll take a look at the sporter barrels as well.