Mauser 98 vs Blaser R8

[Tex .416]

Looking to purchase either 2 Mauser 98 experts in .375 H&H and .308 win or Blaser R8 Kilombero with a .375 H&H barrel and .308 win barrel. Which would you choose and why and which would be more durable.

At that price point, a few others to consider are the Heym Martini, Dumoulin, and also there are lots of beautiful customs for that price or less in .375, .30-06, and .308.

R8 has two points against it for me. After 50+ years of using a bolt action, in a high stress situation I question whether my brain will default to trying to lift the bolt handle up rather than back. Also, I do not trust the straight pull design for safety in the event of a catastrophic failure. Its predecessor model, the R93, had some horrible failures reported in this forum and elsewhere. Supposedly the design flaws were corrected and thus became the R8.

 

[roklok]

The only rifle that I have truly had fail me while hunting (let's leave scopes out of the discussion) was an FN Mauser in .375. Upon cycling the bolt, I ended up with it in one hand and the rifle in another. Fortunately, the target was an expiring oryx rather than an inbound wounded buffalo. In more than 10 years of use and multiple trips to Africa, the R8 has been totally reliable.

I would be interested in hearing more about this. Was it an FN with a true M98 style bolt stop or one of the later style bolt stop as used on the FN produced Brownings ? What exactly failed to cause the bolt stop to be ineffective ?

 

[Russ16]

Both will serve you well.

My answer is less logical if always rather have tie rifles than one rifle with two different barrels.

I went down Thai road with multi barrel shotgun sets and came to the same conclusion—I’d rather have two guns.

I understand the convenience of traveling with multiple barrels in a compact case or the gun broken down. Multi barre sets just don’t appeal to me.

 

[BeeMaa]

There is a sporter R8 with very nice wood at my local store. Reasonably priced.

BeeMaa you left out “ Best factory iron sights”

View attachment 665197View attachment 665198

I’ll add it to the list.

 

[BeeMaa]

At that price point, a few others to consider are the Heym Martini, Dumoulin, and also there are lots of beautiful customs for that price or less in .375, .30-06, and .308.

R8 has two points against it for me. After 50+ years of using a bolt action, in a high stress situation I question whether my brain will default to trying to lift the bolt handle up rather than back. Also, I do not trust the straight pull design for safety in the event of a catastrophic failure. Its predecessor model, the R93, had some horrible failures reported in this forum and elsewhere. Supposedly the design flaws were corrected and thus became the R8.

FYI - I had nearly 45 years hunting with traditional bolt action rifles before switching to a Blaser R8. After a few dry fire sessions, I was good. Don’t underestimate an old dog learning new tricks.

As for the reliability, I’ve yet to see first hand definitive evidence of a failure that was not caused by operator error regardless of the kind of action. Every failure I’ve seen can trace its origin to poor maintenance and/or inadequate training. Take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you.

 

[rookhawk]

Looking to purchase either 2 Mauser 98 experts in .375 H&H and .308 win or Blaser R8 Kilombero with a .375 H&H barrel and .308 win barrel. Which would you choose and why and which would be more durable.

Neither would be my preference.

Long term, a used modern mauser doesn't hold its value even though its a wonderful gun. For about the same money from the same manufacturer, you can get a mauser 98 finished by Rigby. Those hold most of their value because the MSRPs continue to climb and there is a strong secondary market.

The R8 is technological. When they invent the R9 or whatever they call the next one, they'll be as irrelevant as the predecessor, the R93 is today. The aesthetic leaves something to be desired and its restorability isn't much with all the polymer, plastic, and carbon. But a Rigby on a mauser action that is oil finished? Well cared for and restored occasionally, you can see what they look like after about 100 years of service.

Just my take.

 

[John Wasmuth]

The only rifle that I have truly had fail me while hunting (let's leave scopes out of the discussion) was an FN Mauser in .375. Upon cycling the bolt, I ended up with it in one hand and the rifle in another. Fortunately, the target was an expiring oryx rather than an inbound wounded buffalo. In more than 10 years of use and multiple trips to Africa, the R8 has been totally reliable.

How in the world did this happen? Did the bolt stop break?

 

[meigsbucks]

I own both and lean towards the R8:bandwagon for most of the reasons @One Day denotes. I still use Mausers and think it just comes down to personal preference. For me, the only real downside to the R8 is cost of the rifle and components.
I own five barrels for the R8 but won’t be ditching other rifles in its favor. For me, they can coexist on any hunt.

 

[rookhawk]

Mauser 98 Expert:

from US$14,457.00

Rigby Highland Stalker:

from $15,995.00

 

[Red Leg]

I would be interested in hearing more about this. Was it an FN with a true M98 style bolt stop or one of the later style bolt stop as used on the FN produced Brownings ? What exactly failed to cause the bolt stop to be ineffective ?

How in the world did this happen? Did the bolt stop break?

It is a custom rifle built on the FN action with the double hinged bolt release. It will not tolerate a hint of dust in the release mechanism.

 

[dogcat1]

Depends on what you are hunting. I have both guns in many calibers.
I prefer the Blaser R8 as it is very accurate and simple.
I like the Mauser 98/Model 70 because I have used it on dangerous game.

After shooting both a lot, I would not hesitate to use either on any hunt in Africa or the world.

 

[K-man]

Well 50 replies in 6 hours. Think you may have struck a chord with these members. Both guns are tools to be used and both calibers you have listed will work great. The R8 will travel easier and will be easier to add calibers later as you see fit.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What's the fun in hunting with one gun and a bunch of different barrels?

 

[Red Leg]

I think there are essentially two approaches to evaluating firearms. One is from an investment perspective and the other is a value in use perspective.

I have no patience with the former. If I wish to buy an appreciating asset, I'll look at gold, real estate, or obviously, stocks. I purchase a firearm for the confidence and joy it gives me in its use. I am fairly certain that I will be totally unconcerned what its value may be in a hundred years.

It is a bit like the difference between a Colt Gold Cup and Glock G41. The former is classic, and in pristine condition, will appreciate in value. The big Glock is a handgun for all weathers that will take you safely through the years while the Gold Cup sits in the safe.

And as I noted earlier, I also hunt with some very fine firearms. My favorite deer rifle is a Bailey Bradshaw 7x65R, and I'll be tumbling driven pheasants in a couple of weeks with a century-old immaculate James MacNaughton 12 bore. I have hunted Zambia with my Rigby .275. But as @One Day... sadly but accurately reports, Denys Finch Hatten truly has left the continent. Oh we play make believe in tents on a game ranch - though carefully equipped with ensuite flushing toilets and freshly made beds with mattresses rather than cots and canvas tubs - much of the hunting experience is also somewhat contrived. Should using a rifle that replicates that environment as well be important as part of the experience, by all means purchase one.

For me, ease of travel, accuracy, and reliability have, over time, moved far up the hierarchy of needs list. For almost all situations and all weathers, the R8, like the big Glock, answers those requirements perfectly.

 

[One Day...]

I think there are essentially two approaches to evaluating firearms. One is from an investment perspective and the other is a value in use perspective.

I have no patience with the former. If I wish to buy an appreciating asset, I'll look at gold, real estate, or obviously, stocks. I purchase a firearm for the confidence and joy it gives me in its use. I am fairly certain that I will be totally unconcerned what its value may be in a hundred years.

It is a bit like the difference between a Colt Gold Cup and Glock G41. The former is classic, and in pristine condition, will appreciate in value. The big Glock is a handgun for all weathers that will take you safely through the years while the Gold Cup sits in the safe.

And as I noted earlier, I also hunt with some very fine firearms. My favorite deer rifle is a Bailey Bradshaw 7x65R, and I'll be tumbling driven pheasants in a couple of weeks with a century-old immaculate James MacNaughton 12 bore. I have hunted Zambia with my Rigby .275. But as @One Day... sadly but accurately reports, Denys Finch Hatten truly has left the continent. Oh we play make believe in tents on a game ranch - though carefully equipped with ensuite flushing toilets and freshly made beds with mattresses rather than cots and canvas tubs - much of the hunting experience is also somewhat contrived. Should using a rifle that replicates that environment as well be important as part of the experience, by all means purchase one.

For me, ease of travel, accuracy, and reliability have, over time, moved far up the hierarchy of needs list. For almost all situations and all weathers, the R8, like the big Glock, answers those requirements perfectly.

Amen to that!

And its GrandPa G21 seats in my night stand...

while the Les Baer resides in the safe...

Come to think of it, I can't even remember the last time I shot the Les Baer...

 

[CoElkHunter]

Kind of difficult for me personally to answer this question as I don’t know anybody locally who owns an R8. In fact, I’ll ask, but I bet most don’t know what a R8 is. There’s only one LGS here that even has a few of them. I would want to shoot one a bit before plunking down a fairly large sum of money for ME for an R8 or any firearm. But I’m not opposed to checking the R8 out.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Amen to that!

And its GrandPa G21 seats in my night stand...

View attachment 665235

while the Les Baer resides in the safe...

View attachment 665234

Come to think of it, I can't even remember the last time I shot the Les Baer...

Sell the Les Baer and buy a Glock 40 10mm. LOL

 

[Safari Dave]

One vote for the Mauser 98.

 

[Throwback]

mauser [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]] is my vote (my handle is throwback), but i would not get one in [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]], probably a [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]].[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji6] instead to keep it classic.
like youve heard though, imo you cant go wrong with either choice.
you did ask about “durability”, blaser w a synthetic stock will prevail but how durable do you mean? if alaska in the saltwater, thats one thing, but good wood stock rifles well taken care of can endure a lot. hell, buy one mauser in [emoji[emoji6]][emoji6] and one blaser. cheers

 

[krish]

Mauser 98 Magnum