Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[Red Leg]

Since this seems to be the go to R8 thread i would like to get some clarification. I spent about an hour on the phone today with euro optics. Fella named Derek, really helpful with all my questions. What I need to know is do I "have to have" the steel reciever to shoot the big cartridges like a 458 Lott for instance. I'm looking at getting one set up in 338 lapua or maybe a 300 win/375H&H combo that seems to be popular but I shoot a ton of lapua and would also like to be able to shoot the Lott in it. Do I need the $2000 more expensive steel reciever for that or will the normal R8 professional handle the big calibers too. He kept saying they reccomended it but then would say I mean if you're not gonna shoot it a bunch it probably wont hurt. Euro optics is 12hr away so I want to have a pretty solid plan before I drive up there

It's not needed for strength. It just ads weight to absorb recoil. But if you add a kick stop in the stock, it seems to me like you can get the weight up without needing the expensive steel receiver.

What @TOBY458 said

And Derek is good people. Don't be afraid to negotiate price with him.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Thanks fellas. All this is very helpful information, I believe with this knowledge I can put together the exact package that I want. I was very unhappy that it looked like i was going to have to go with the steel action which was much more expensive and also was not available with that snazzy thumbhole stock that I like so well. I figure if I am going to go nontraditional then I should go all the way. I believe I will get the R8 Longrange in 338 lapua and then an extra bolt in the .513 bolt face and eventually work my way into a 300 win, 375 h&h, and a 458Lott barrel as those are all calibers I currently have and hunt with in different rifles. If I don't have to pack that 20lb. 338 lapua Accuracy International of mine up another mountain ever again it will be worth the price of a blaser

 

[Foxi]

The color is correct to avoid an em bare assing racing stripe!!! Do they come in semi and safari sizes??

if you shoot a large caliber in any case

Here, friends are already asking you how many pairs of underpants you got as a gift, because you ordered an R 8.

 

[HWL]

You won't see it in America the way we do here, sitting on the edge of the Blaser Center's plate.
What really bothers me about the company is that they think they have to jump on every crap to get a few more euros and market share.
For a renowned gun manufacturer, I find some things downright ridiculous:
View attachment 383884



Blaser the underpants specialist,when you go on DG

Would like to see the set for females....



HWL

 

[dchamp]

Thanks fellas. All this is very helpful information, I believe with this knowledge I can put together the exact package that I want. I was very unhappy that it looked like i was going to have to go with the steel action which was much more expensive and also was not available with that snazzy thumbhole stock that I like so well. I figure if I am going to go nontraditional then I should go all the way. I believe I will get the R8 Longrange in 338 lapua and then an extra bolt in the .513 bolt face and eventually work my way into a 300 win, 375 h&h, and a 458Lott barrel as those are all calibers I currently have and hunt with in different rifles. If I don't have to pack that 20lb. 338 lapua Accuracy International of mine up another mountain ever again it will be worth the price of a blaser

I am not familiar with the R8 Longrange. I assume its barrel channel is appropriate for the semi weight barrel. Realize that the .338 Lapua barrel is a semi weight 19mm at the muzzle and the .458 Lott is a Safari weight 22mm at the muzzle. You will need to make sure the barrel channel in the stock is opened up to accommodate those barrel profiles.

 

[bowjijohn]

You won't see it in America the way we do here, sitting on the edge of the Blaser Center's plate.
What really bothers me about the company is that they think they have to jump on every crap to get a few more euros and market share.
For a renowned gun manufacturer, I find some things downright ridiculous:
View attachment 383884



Blaser the underpants specialist,when you go on DG

At least being almost brown - they are the right colour for DG

 

[mikecatt13]

Thanks fellas. All this is very helpful information, I believe with this knowledge I can put together the exact package that I want. I was very unhappy that it looked like i was going to have to go with the steel action which was much more expensive and also was not available with that snazzy thumbhole stock that I like so well. I figure if I am going to go nontraditional then I should go all the way. I believe I will get the R8 Longrange in 338 lapua and then an extra bolt in the .513 bolt face and eventually work my way into a 300 win, 375 h&h, and a 458Lott barrel as those are all calibers I currently have and hunt with in different rifles. If I don't have to pack that 20lb. 338 lapua Accuracy International of mine up another mountain ever again it will be worth the price of a blaser

Be sure to check a thumb hole will work. I was told they arent compatible with some of the larger calibers over .375. Dont know if it was a strength thing or a barrel channel (which can be opened). Again, accurate info can be hard to find so just verify. A Blaser specialist at Euro Optic or Cove Creek, mad dog guns, etc can give you the right answers

 

[BeeMaa]

The carrying of cartridges has been the topic of some debate for me.
In the past I've used a butt stock mounted synthetic pouch with elastic loops.
These pouches were not on DG rifles, but more of a "deer" rifle.
They also incorporated a cheek-pad riser to help align the eye with the scope.
They looked like this on my (now sold) Savage M16 300WSM Bear Hunter.

Something like this was not in the cards for a DG rifle.
I tried a Murray Leather buttstock shell holder with elastic loops.
Although it was a high quality product, in actual use, it's didn't work as planned.
I ended up selling this to another AH member.

What worked best for me was a belt mounted cartridge holder.
I used a Galco Safari 5 on my first safari and it worked, but not great.
I found the flap cumbersome and took it to my leathersmith for adjustments.
He trimmed off the top and bottom flap, sanded, stained and burnished it to match.
This worked great for me, mounted on the right side on my belt (I'm right handed).

Because it has worked so well, Mrs BeeMaa decided to give me a gift.
A Murray cartridge belt with leather loops showed up a couple of weeks ago.
I gave it a quick rub down with some leather conditioner and stacked it with 416RM ammo.
The fit and finish of this belt is amazing, I'm very happy with this piece of kit.

It holds 300WM, 375H&H and 416RM all with equal tension.
I'm sure it would do the same for any 375H&H based cartridge.
Cartridges are easy to pull out, but not loose at all.

The plan for the Safari 5 is for Mrs BeeMaa to use it.
I'd like her to have it on her belt, but only see her doing that on a DG hunt.
Otherwise, I can carry it for her...no big deal.
Either way, a few extra cartridges is a good thing.
And when we get in the bakkie, I can take it off and not have it sticking me in the side/back.

I was thinking of coloring in the base of my solids with a black Sharpie.
That way I'd know at a glance, which ones were softs vs. solids.
Has anyone else done something similar?

 

[Ravensview]

While I have not hunted Africa (yet), I have used a cartridge belt for my sharps 45/70 and have marked the bases of cartridges with a black marker for the loads that are black powder to distinguish them from smokeless loads, I try to not use both types at the same time and this marking system helps with that, that is a nice looking cartridge belt.

 

[BeeMaa]

There will be a new (used) R8 coming to my vault soon...
Found an aluminum receiver, synthetic stock 17mm barrel 375H&H.
I'll post some pictures when it arrives.

 

[Opposite Pole]

There will be a new (used) R8 coming to my vault soon...
Found an aluminum receiver, synthetic stock 17mm barrel 375H&H.
I'll post some pictures when it arrives.

It’s what I’ve got, mine is a thumbhole version. Enjoy!

 

[BeeMaa]

It’s what I’ve got, mine is a thumbhole version. Enjoy!

We shall see.
I believe it will weigh about 7.5# without a scope.
"Lively" may be a word used to describe a range session.
I'm looking forward to it.

Does the thumbhole stock weigh the same as regular synthetic stock?

 

[Opposite Pole]

We shall see.
I believe it will weigh about 7.5# without a scope.
"Lively" may be a word used to describe a range session.
I'm looking forward to it.

Does the thumbhole stock weigh the same as regular synthetic stock?

I think they are pretty close. I find recoil to be completely acceptable. In fact, I’ve taken the recoil reducer out as, for me, it’s not needed. I’m not saying it’s like a rimfire, and I wouldn’t necessarily want to shoot tens of rounds of the bench in one session, but it really is not too bad. If I were to buy the gun again, I’d stick with the same setup with a 17mm barrel.

 

[TOBY458]

We shall see.
I believe it will weigh about 7.5# without a scope.
"Lively" may be a word used to describe a range session.
I'm looking forward to it.

Does the thumbhole stock weigh the same as regular synthetic stock?

Mine weighs 7lbs 8oz without scope. I suspect yours will be the same. Recoil is not bad shooting from a standing position. Not sure how it will be from a bench.

 

[nomspc]

Assuming I get my air transport issues worked out, I’m heading to Limpopo for buffalo in May. I’m taking my Blaser R8 with an Elmer Laitala/Jim Brockman .404 Jeffery barrel, 23”, 14 twist, 17mm at the muzzle. I’ve had a correspondence going with Kevin Robertson, and he likes my ballistic plan. Since I no longer load, I’m dependent on factory and custom ammo. I looked at (pictured left to right) Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP & FMJ, Superior Barnes 400 TSX, Nosler 400 gr solids and the Hornady 400 DGX & DGS. I shot most of these past a Labradar chrono at 50 yard targets:

Averaged 3 shots each load, extreme spreads were low, about 80º F.

Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP - 2092 fps
Norma 450 gr Woodleigh FMJ - 2154 fps
Hornady 400 gr DGX - 2319 fps
Custom 400 gr Barnes TSX - 2263 fps

I’m going with the 450 Woodleigh SP for the first shot, follow ups with 400 TSX.

 

[BeeMaa]

Assuming I get my air transport issues worked out, I’m heading to Limpopo for buffalo in May. I’m taking my Blaser R8 with an Elmer Laitala/Jim Brockman .404 Jeffery barrel, 23”, 14 twist, 17mm at the muzzle. I’ve had a correspondence going with Kevin Robertson, and he likes my ballistic plan. Since I no longer load, I’m dependent on factory and custom ammo. I looked at (pictured left to right) Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP & FMJ, Superior Barnes 400 TSX, Nosler 400 gr solids and the Hornady 400 DGX & DGS. I shot most of these past a Labradar chrono at 50 yard targets:

Averaged 3 shots each load, extreme spreads were low, about 80º F.

Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP - 2092 fps
Norma 450 gr Woodleigh FMJ - 2154 fps
Hornady 400 gr DGX - 2319 fps
Custom 400 gr Barnes TSX - 2263 fps

I’m going with the 450 Woodleigh SP for the first shot, follow ups with 400 TSX.View attachment 389973View attachment 389975View attachment 389976View attachment 389977View attachment 389978View attachment 389979

Very nice shooting and I really like your rig.
How does your PH feel about you using a solid for a first shot?
Might want to discuss it with him.

I know several members here using softs exclusively for Buffalo.
If it were me (which it's not), I'd use the TSX.
Take some solids in case you need them, as directed by your PH.
Also good for use on the T10 to minimize damage to the hide.

That said...it's your hunt and as long as your PH is good with it, use what you want.

 

[nomspc]

Thanks; planning on using the Woodleigh Weldcore soft point for the first shot. My PH recommends expanding ammo on buffalo.

 

[TTundra]

Very nice shooting and I really like your rig.
How does your PH feel about you using a solid for a first shot?
Might want to discuss it with him.

Think he said he was using the SP woodleigh for the first shot, not the FMJ.

Edit: guess I was a little slow on the response

 

[BeeMaa]

@nomspc
Apologies, I misread your post.
Thought it said FMJ.

@TTundra
Appreciate the heads up.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Assuming I get my air transport issues worked out, I’m heading to Limpopo for buffalo in May. I’m taking my Blaser R8 with an Elmer Laitala/Jim Brockman .404 Jeffery barrel, 23”, 14 twist, 17mm at the muzzle. I’ve had a correspondence going with Kevin Robertson, and he likes my ballistic plan. Since I no longer load, I’m dependent on factory and custom ammo. I looked at (pictured left to right) Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP & FMJ, Superior Barnes 400 TSX, Nosler 400 gr solids and the Hornady 400 DGX & DGS. I shot most of these past a Labradar chrono at 50 yard targets:

Averaged 3 shots each load, extreme spreads were low, about 80º F.

Norma 450 gr Woodleigh SP - 2092 fps
Norma 450 gr Woodleigh FMJ - 2154 fps
Hornady 400 gr DGX - 2319 fps
Custom 400 gr Barnes TSX - 2263 fps

I’m going with the 450 Woodleigh SP for the first shot, follow ups with 400 TSX.View attachment 389973View attachment 389975

Which magazine insert are you using for the 404 J?
Is the bolt head the same as the RUM cartridges?
It appears the custom barrel works excellent!
Thanks!