Blaser rifles

[matt85]

still hunting for a rifle for my dad, weve given up on a custom rifle since its too short of notice. now we are looking at Blaser rifles such as the R93 and the R8. left handed rifles in 30-06 are available on gunbroker.

what are your thoughts on these rifles?

thanks
-matt

 

[richteb]

If you want to go down the path of switch barrel, do your self a favour and get Mauser MO3 rather then a Blaser. Built on a double square bridge mauser action that are about 100 times stronger (and safer) then a blaser.

 

[matt85]

wouldnt mind looking at Mauser rifles, could you tell me where I can find a left hand model in 30-06? unfortunately special orders are no good unless they can guarantee delivery by May of next year.

the gun will only ever use factory 30-06 ammunition and i doubt the switch barrel function is needed. my dad just wants a very nice left handed 30-06 and its proving difficult to find.

-matt

 

[TokkieM]

You are heading in the right direction, two great rifles. The Blaser and Mauser are about as good as a factory rifle you can get. Best is for your Dad to try both, Blaser takes some getting use too, you should have no problem with the Mauser, you just need to find a left hand action, bolt face and barrel can be switched out to any caliber within the action size. If you say find a 308 in left hand you just need to switch barrel and mabe boltface with the dealer.

 

[bassasdaindia]

If you want to go down the path of switch barrel, do your self a favour and get Mauser MO3 rather then a Blaser. Built on a double square bridge mauser action that are about 100 times stronger (and safer) then a blaser.

I agree with this Matt

 

[richteb]

wouldnt mind looking at Mauser rifles, could you tell me where I can find a left hand model in 30-06? unfortunately special orders are no good unless they can guarantee delivery by May of next year.

the gun will only ever use factory 30-06 ammunition and i doubt the switch barrel function is needed. my dad just wants a very nice left handed 30-06 and its proving difficult to find.

-matt

Matt,
Check out the Mauser website for USA dealers. Also may be worth looking at the Mauser M12 if switch barrel isn't a priority.

 

[richteb]

Mauser MO3 extreme 30-06 & 375 H & H

 

[TokkieM]

If you dont have your mind set on those two you may also want to have a look at a Sako85.

 

[matt85]

If you dont have your mind set on those two you may also want to have a look at a Sako85.

my dads first choice was a Sako 85 but we are unable to find a left handed 30-06.

Check out the Mauser website for USA dealers. Also may be worth looking at the Mauser M12 if switch barrel isn't a priority.

found places to buy them but no luck on a left hand model. the Mauser website doesn't even mention making a left handed model which isn't promising.

I sent eurooptic.com a email asking about left handed Mauser rifles (either the M12 or M03). they carry all the Mauser rifles so they should know if they exist.

-matt

 

[Red Leg]

Matt, I am a huge Blaser fan. I would recommend the R8 of the two. It incorporates a few improvements, but then again, you might find a steal on a 93. The Blaser scope mounting system is fabulous, and I can almost guarantee you it will be a sub-moa rifle with the right load. My friend Tony has been sponsored by them for years, and has used them extensively all over Africa on everything from dik-dik to elephant. I personally use a S-2 a good bit and just dragged one through the Zambezi Delta with great success. He will take a day or two to get use to the cocker / de-cocker rather than a traditional safety. It is a little harder to engage, but no issue once the muscle memory kicks in.

 

[richteb]

Matt,
This is a page from the Mauser MO3 catalog

 

[Grumulkin]

I'm sure the Mauser is a fine rifle and very strong. The implication that a Blaser is unsafe is a bit erroneus. Tests have been done with overloads on various rifles and compared so some other well known brands, the R 93 did pretty well.

The only Mauser I've had was a military surplus 7x57 Mauser I got at Montgomery Ward for, I believe, well less than $20. The barrel was pitted and the sights weren't that good. I'm sure they've come a LONG way since then. I do have a couple of Blaser R 93 rifles and can highly recommend them. Right out of the box, they'll feed slick as snot and the trigger is excellent. For me, accuracy has been excellent except in one barrel that was replaced with a new one by Blaser. When you remove the barrel and scope, you can easily get the rifle and a handgun in a gun case that complies with airline specifications for standard baggage. Removing and remounting the scope doesn't change the point of impact.

Despite all their excellent qualities, there are some things I don't like about Blaser. Except for their 223 Remington barrels, all of their .224 barrels have a stupidly slow twist rate of 1:14. Also, instead of having the sling swivel stud on the bottom of the forend where it can be used with a bipod, they have it on the end; if you don't use a bipod that's no big deal. If you get one with iron sights, the stock doesn't make my eye naturally align with them; maybe your face is different. Also, Blaser has stopped production of the R 93 and support of the R 93 will be ending as well if it hasn't already. I have an issue with a company that sells an expensive item and then abandons its customers.

If I were buying a Blaser now, it would be an R 8; it should be another 15 years anyway before Blaser comes up with a new model. I'm quite satisfied with my R 93s which should last me until I die.

By the way, I believe the prices of a major purveyor on gunbroker.com are a bit high. You might try priceing a Blaser or Mauser at Eurooptic.

 

[matt85]

By the way, I believe the prices of a major purveyor on gunbroker.com are a bit high. You might try priceing a Blaser or Mauser at Eurooptic.

I just caught that while looking at eurooptic.com. I have done a fair bit of business with eurooptic.com and so has my dad, they are a stand up company.

im not overly concerned with the strength of the Blaser rifles because this rifle will not be shooting hand loads.

Blaser has stopped production of the R 93 and support of the R 93 will be ending as well if it hasn't already.

this is good to know, thank you. if he decides he likes the Blaser then ill advise him to buy an R8.

-matt

 

[CAustin]

The Ruger American comes left handed bolt action in 30-06. It's in stock and not expensive. Looks very much like the Mouser shown above. Just Google Ruger and go to their web site and click on bolt action then left handed rifles.

 

[James.Grage]

http://montanarifleco.com/

Matt checkout the ASR, very good out of the box and you can find them in left hand and many different calibers.
Should find and have in a month.

 

[Grady]

I just caught that while looking at eurooptic.com. I have done a fair bit of business with eurooptic.com and so has my dad, they are a stand up company.

im not overly concerned with the strength of the Blaser rifles because this rifle will not be shooting hand loads.



this is good to know, thank you. if he decides he likes the Blaser then ill advise him to buy an R8.

-matt

Matt,
I also own a Blaser R-93 with 5 different barrels (22-250, 264 Win Mag, 30-06, 300RUM, 375 H&H). While Grumlikin is correct that Blaser has stopped manufacturing the R-93, they do continue to support the rifles. In fact, Blaser USA is based in San Antonio TX. I have taken my rifle there for a once over since I purchased the original rifle used (with the 30-06 and 300RUM barrel) and the service was free of charge. I also took my 375 barrel to them and they installed iron sights on it, again free of charge. The guys at Blaser USA are good gunsmiths and I have no problem recommending them.
There are may good rifles out there, and you will not go wrong with the Blaser or the Mauser. Take a look at Mad Dog Guns in Phoenix. He is the largest supplier of R93's in the US. Also, the R8 is a great rifle. You will probably be able to find a 93 in the used market cheaper than the R8. Take a look at BlaserBuds.com (another discussion fourm) that should give you additional information.
The nice thing about the Blaser, is that with a few additional accessories you will also be able to use the rifle (I assume you are right handed).

 

[matt85]

The Ruger American comes left handed bolt action in 30-06. It's in stock and not expensive. Looks very much like the Mouser shown above. Just Google Ruger and go to their web site and click on bolt action then left handed rifles.

we aren't really looking for a basic service rifle. I put the Ruger in the same group as my Tikka T3 Hunter, its an inexpensive tool meant to be used and abused. he doesn't hunt a lot so a basic service rifle (Tikka and Ruger) isn't what he wants. my dad is looking for a rifle that will look very nice with his trophies but still perform very well in the field. ive seen outstanding custom Ruger's but we don't have time for a custom build.

http://montanarifleco.com/

Matt checkout the ASR, very good out of the box and you can find them in left hand and many different calibers.
Should find and have in a month.

I am not impressed with Montana Rifle Co. at the moment. I bought a 505 Gibbs a while back from them and it came with tons of problems. see my thread in the 375 and up section.

-matt

 

[TokkieM]

Have you checked on Sauer 202 rifles? Another German rifle a cut above the rest.

 

[Red Leg]

Had not thought of that, but the Sauer 202 is built in a left hand variant. I bought a 202 for my son in .375 which he loves. It is wonderfully accurate, elegant rifle. Not sure about finding an '06, but there is a southpaw 7 mag on Guns International (Cabelas). Good luck with your search!
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Sa...t-Handed-in-7mm-Rem-Mag-.cfm?gun_id=100487942

 

[Dinsdale]

Took a R93 in 30-06 to Namibia this past May......

Owned maybe a dozen calibers and have 6(?) barrels at the moment.

You'll get strong reactions either way to them; frankly the PH/ outfitter I used didn't like them and repeatedly told me it would misfire. (Took a couple Oryx/Zebra/Springbok/some smaller animals).

Now I have added a what type of rifle is OK to my outfitter question research list......I'll just move on if they don't like Blaser. Outfitters are a dime a dozen, I'm keeping my rifle.

3rd time to Africa and I'm still waiting for a misfire either there or anywhere else and it has more than a few airline miles on it.LOL