Blaser ideal Africa 2 barrel set

[jlb1036]

I would recommend the 375 HH with a 300 win mag
Or a 458 Lott with a 300 win mag

 

[Hunting Hitman]

I would recommend the 375 HH with a 300 win mag
Or a 458 Lott with a 300 win mag

Now you’re talking!

458 Lott and a 300 Win Mag is the perfect Africa combo.

HH

 

[NW James]

Lots of good options have already been discussed. You have to ask yourself how much you’re going to be shooting this large bore versus a regular caliber.
Personally, I would get a Standard R8 and have a custom barrel made in 19mm configuration as long as time allows(last time it took 6 months).
Another option is to purchase an additional forearm made for the 22mm barrel. Takes a minute to switch out if you go that route.

HH

I’d be aware that while having a spare 22 mm forearm as Hunting Hitman earlier suggested is a great idea, they are nearly impossible to find now. Blaser USA informed me last summer that a separate forearm is no longer available from them. I asked for a custom order and was turned down. Too many people had complained about wood not matching their buttstock.

 

[Green Chile]

I would recommend the 375 HH with a 300 win mag

Exactly my approach with my coming R8, plus adding the .22 rimfire conversion.

What hard case is recommended for a multi-barrel setup?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
AND
.300 Winchester Magnum

 

[Rickmt]

I have 375hh and 7mm magnum, my son has 375 hh and 300 win mag.

 

[BeeMaa]

Exactly my approach with my coming R8, plus adding the .22 rimfire conversion.

What hard case is recommended for a multi-barrel setup?

Pelican 1700, without foam. Order PE foam from Amazon and cut to shape.

The Blaser branded Pelican case was discontinued years ago and cost up to $600. A regular Pelican 1700 and DIY PE foam should be much less expensive.

To save a little more money you can check eBay. They usually have lightly used 1700’s for much cheaper than the new price. Just keep an eye on the shipping costs.

 

[Challer]

Out of my price range unfortunately:>)))

The used maket is full of great deals on Blasers.

 

[Challer]

According to Blaser R8 caliber chart, if you choose a Safari rifle, you cant choose 30-06 or 300WSM. But is it realy true?

Nope

 

[K95]

Pelican 1700, without foam. Order PE foam from Amazon and cut to shape.

The Blaser branded Pelican case was discontinued years ago and cost up to $600. A regular Pelican 1700 and DIY PE foam should be much less expensive.

To save a little more money you can check eBay. They usually have lightly used 1700’s for much cheaper than the new price. Just keep an eye on the shipping costs.

Another caliber that I have and is an excellent all round cartridge for any game , anywhere, is the 340 Weatherby. Shoots as flat as the 7 mm mag and hits as hard as the 375 mag.

 

[Mike Wachtel]

Fantastic info and experience on display on this thread, thanks to all! When considering selling/trading 4 memorable rifles, all wood stocks, all with Leupold scopes, keeping my .223 semi auto, and going with the Blaser platform, I was hoping to have it all; a .22 rimfire for plinking and small game, a .223 for varmints, (and to compliment my AR .223), as my "ranch rifle" to ride along in the Ranger on the property, and a big bore, (.416 Rem Mag or larger) for a future cape Buffalo hunt.

It looks like I need to go with the Safari Kilombero and get special small bore and rimfire add on's. Cost is a consideration, but this will be my legacy set, so I'd plan to add upgrades.

I'm not enthused about wait times and availability that I'm seeing. Who is the "best" Blaser source to deal with in the US? I'm in Iowa. Mike.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Mike Wachtel - There are several good dealers out there. I’ve had excellent experiences with Van from Top Dog Guns Global, Euro Optic, Cove Creek Outfitters along with several others that escape my memory at the moment.

Two other great resources are BlaserBuds.com and right here on AH. You will find that these two places are great for saving a few bucks…or even several hundred. Do your research and make sure you know what you want and exactly what you’re getting.

As for caliber selection there are several schools of thought. My wife and I have chosen to stay in the same (MA) caliber group with 300WM and 375H&H. If we want something smaller at a later time it would probably be a 257WBY, also a MA cartridge. We also have a 22lr kit that we love.

Keep in mind the Kilombero timber stock comes with a steel receiver and kickstop in the buttstock. Not a bad thing for shooting the larger calibers but can be a real burden to carry for any length of time. Just keep in mind that ANY aluminum receiver with a synthetic stock is capable of handling any of the calibers offered.

Feel free to send me a PM if you want to discuss it in more detail. Best of luck with your journey.

 

[Tanks]

Personally I would not worry to much on what the PH recommends. There’s been far more buff shot with the 375 or 9.3 x 62 for that matter than any 416, and they are far more versatile. A bigger caliber is no substitute for shot placement.

A bigger caliber does NOT mean shot placement would not be present. However, a bigger caliber does give you more options on the type of shots one could take. I still don't get why people think bigger calibers and accuracy are mutually exclusive.

 

[CBH Australia]

I have 375hh and 7mm magnum, my son has 375 hh and 300 win mag.

I like the choices here as I was wondering if 7mmrem mag would come up as it has the same bolt face.

I'm glad @BeeMaa chimed in with his experience.

Wondering where Uncle Joe is as he is another authority In the Blaser and avid R8 user.

 

[K95]

A bigger caliber does NOT mean shot placement would not be present. However, a bigger caliber does give you more options on the type of shots one could take. I still don't get why people think bigger calibers and accuracy are mutually exclusive.

Bigger caliber’s can be and are just as accurate as smaller ones, only most people carn’t handle or shoot then as accurately as the smaller one . This maybe why PH’s always have a 375 or 30-06 caliber in camp.

 

[jcnelsn1]

Fantastic info and experience on display on this thread, thanks to all! When considering selling/trading 4 memorable rifles, all wood stocks, all with Leupold scopes, keeping my .223 semi auto, and going with the Blaser platform, I was hoping to have it all; a .22 rimfire for plinking and small game, a .223 for varmints, (and to compliment my AR .223), as my "ranch rifle" to ride along in the Ranger on the property, and a big bore, (.416 Rem Mag or larger) for a future cape Buffalo hunt.

It looks like I need to go with the Safari Kilombero and get special small bore and rimfire add on's. Cost is a consideration, but this will be my legacy set, so I'd plan to add upgrades.

I'm not enthused about wait times and availability that I'm seeing. Who is the "best" Blaser source to deal with in the US? I'm in Iowa. Mike.

In the past year I bought 2 professional success stocks, 3 scope mounts and .223, .300 win mag and .375 H&H barrels from Cove Creek. Their pricing was significantly better than some of the other sources mentioned. I would definitely at least get a quote from them

 

[Rickmt]

Want to save money and deal with nice people? Call ️ Cove Creek!

 

[dchamp]

I think it all depends on the game you’re after, the shooting distances you should be prepared for and your own personal preferences in calibers. A two rifle battery that includes Dangerous Game, I would go with the biggest caliber that I am thoroughly comfortable and confitent with, for me that would be the .416 Rem. For all other Plains Game I like the 8x68s, but that is a hand loaders proposition.

For a single rifle battery the .375H&H or 9.3x62 would be hard to beat IMHO.

 

[godwincp]

Do you put the Blaser case inside the pelican 1700 or cut foam in pelican for whatever you’re taking to Africa?

 

[BeeMaa]

Do you put the Blaser case inside the pelican 1700 or cut foam in pelican for whatever you’re taking to Africa?

These are the Blaser branded Pelican 1700 cases that have been discontinued...