Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[Opposite Pole]

What is the method of attachment between the stock and the recoil pad?
Meaning are they wood screws with plastic anchors OR machine screws with a metal insert sunk into the wood/synthetic?
Either way, the stock may need to be shortened to ~12.5 - 13 inches LOP.
I know she will like the rifle, it's a matter of fit...and for the price it should fit correctly without me having to make modifications.
From the specs I've seen there is no significant difference between the standard LOP and the one on the "Compact" & "Intuition".

Anyone out there make LOP modifications to the stock after purchase?

My pro success uses machine screws

 

[BeeMaa]

My pro success uses machine screws

Didn't think they would be using wood screws and plastic inserts on a $5K firearm, but you never know.
Thank you sir.

 

[Ed Lally]

Just returned from my third annual Safari in RSA and turned 74 the day I returned. I was only infected by Africa Safari Fever 2 years ago and who knows the number if their days, so I will return every year until I cannot. No DG this year but a variety of PG from Blue Wildebeest to Zebra all taken with my R8 Professional with a standard .375 H&H barrel. I have other barrels but none in classic African Calibers and wanted to be a bit of a traditionalist. The R8 preformed flawlessly as always and was a joy to shoot. On the way home one day, the PH stoped the land cruiser near the sight-in range and challenged us to hit the 10" steel targets at 317 yards. My 375 has a Leupold VX5HD 2-10X42 with a CDS dial and allowed me to hit the steel plates with two relatively rapid shots. I was reluctant to shoot as 317 yards is further than I have ever shot at anything and did not want to miss, but the scope/rifle combo with the excellent R8 trigger did the trick. Get an R8 mount an appropriate scope and have a lot of fun.

I saw a YouTube video of a cape buffalo hunter trying to turn the bolt of an R8 to put another bullet into his cape buffalo. He spent 2-3 long seconds before he remembered that he had an R8 and quickly reloaded and fired. If you have always been a turn bolt user, I would suggest buying a Browning T-Bolt with a laminated stock and heavy barrel in 22WMR as the action is almost identical to that of the R8 and you can shoot an awful lot, building muscle memory, for a very little money. It will surely help your muscles to do the right thing when your brain is flooded with adrenaline!!

 

[Philip Glass]

What is the method of attachment between the stock and the recoil pad?
Meaning are they wood screws with plastic anchors OR machine screws with a metal insert sunk into the wood/synthetic?
Either way, the stock may need to be shortened to ~12.5 - 13 inches LOP.
I know she will like the rifle, it's a matter of fit...and for the price it should fit correctly without me having to make modifications.
From the specs I've seen there is no significant difference between the standard LOP and the one on the "Compact" & "Intuition".

Anyone out there make LOP modifications to the stock after purchase?

The Pro Success is about 14.5” LOP out of the box and I need about 15.75”. Other models may vary on LOP. To add the spacers just take a small Phillips screwdriver and remove the screws to take off the recoil pad. There are no visible holes in the recoil pad so you just have to carefully find them. The spacers come with longer screws that tap right into the same holes. LOP is always an issue for me and usually a trip to the gunsmith $ and waiting but not with the Blaser!

 

[Philip Glass]

Just returned from my third annual Safari in RSA and turned 74 the day I returned. I was only infected by Africa Safari Fever 2 years ago and who knows the number if their days, so I will return every year until I cannot. No DG this year but a variety of PG from Blue Wildebeest to Zebra all taken with my R8 Professional with a standard .375 H&H barrel. I have other barrels but none in classic African Calibers and wanted to be a bit of a traditionalist. The R8 preformed flawlessly as always and was a joy to shoot. On the way home one day, the PH stoped the land cruiser near the sight-in range and challenged us to hit the 10" steel targets at 317 yards. My 375 has a Leupold VX5HD 2-10X42 with a CDS dial and allowed me to hit the steel plates with two relatively rapid shots. I was reluctant to shoot as 317 yards is further than I have ever shot at anything and did not want to miss, but the scope/rifle combo with the excellent R8 trigger did the trick. Get an R8 mount an appropriate scope and have a lot of fun.

I saw a YouTube video of a cape buffalo hunter trying to turn the bolt of an R8 to put another bullet into his cape buffalo. He spent 2-3 long seconds before he remembered that he had an R8 and quickly reloaded and fired. If you have always been a turn bolt user, I would suggest buying a Browning T-Bolt with a laminated stock and heavy barrel in 22WMR as the action is almost identical to that of the R8 and you can shoot an awful lot, building muscle memory, for a very little money. It will surely help your muscles to do the right thing when your brain is flooded with adrenaline!!

Very good point on muscle memory. Thanks.

 

[One Day...]

...I would suggest buying a Browning T-Bolt with a laminated stock and heavy barrel in 22WMR as the action is almost identical to that of the R8 and you can shoot an awful lot, building muscle memory, for a very little money. It will surely help your muscles to do the right thing when your brain is flooded with adrenaline!!

When I was looking at the R8, I had a .22 lr barrel, bolt & mag on my quote, for exactly this purpose.
Blaser sells their R8 .22 Rimfire Kit for $1,400, which is almost a bargain compared to their typical pricing.
I have never shot the R8 .22 lr conversion, but I would expect that it works just fine.

I had anticipated the issue reported by Ed Lally (that blasted analytical mind of mine again!) and I indeed agree with him: if one moves to an R8 after 20, 30, 40 years with turn bolts, one is likely to need some muscle memory re-education so that when reflex-mode takes over things go well

 

[Red Leg]

When I was looking at the R8, I had a .22 lr barrel, bolt & mag on my quote, for exactly this purpose.
Blaser sells their R8 .22 Rimfire Kit for $1,400, which is almost a bargain compared to their typical pricing.
I have never shot the R8 .22 lr conversion, but I would expect that it works just fine.

View attachment 308530

I had anticipated the issue reported by Ed Lally (that blasted analytical mind of mine again!) and I indeed agree with him: if one moves to an R8 after 20, 30, 40 years with turn bolts, one is likely to need some muscle memory re-education so that when reflex-mode takes over things go well

I think some people are affected by that potential more than others. I can pick up one of my shotguns, spend a day at the range and never once look or even be conscious of whether it is single trigger or two. I shoot a lot of conventional bolt actions along with my R8's and have never tried to lift a R8 or pull a '98. But, I can see where for others may it may be different. A .22 practice capability would, I presume, have value for those who may have an issue.

 

[One Day...]

I think some people are affected by that potential more than others. I can pick up one of my shotguns, spend a day at the range and never once look or even be conscious of whether it is single trigger or two. I shoot a lot of conventional bolt actions along with my R8's and have never tried to lift a R8 or pull a '98. But, I can see where for others may it may be different. A .22 practice capability would, I presume, have value for those who may have an issue.

One could make the point that a relaxing "day at the range" is mentally not the same as being stressed by a wounded cape buffalo, and that the untrained human brain may not operate identically under both circumstances...

One could also point out that plenty of research/studies/evidence in a lot of different fields, including in the US Army, show that when combat/stress/accidents/fright/etc. overwhelm people, thinking stops and training takes over...

One could further observe that this is a concept that is generally not challenged very much, and that it apparently applies to enough people for most military/police/fire fighting/first responding/etc. authorities to train extensively and continuously their personnel with the exact same equipment/procedures they will have to use in case of crisis. Apparently, "those who may have an issue" turn out to be most, or all, or enough people, when the "day at the range" turns into the 'day in the trenches'...

All of that to say that it is not a criticism of the R8 to note that the muscle memory it requires is different from that required for the operation of a turn bolt, and that it is indeed likely for most people, not just "those who may have an issue," to revert in case of crisis to whatever muscle-memory/reflex-mode they have built...

Come on, Red Leg, it does not seem controversial to agree that folks fight as they train, and to encourage folks who shoot a straight-pull bolt on DG to practice with a straight-pull bolt...

 

[TokkieM]

I live in a country where Blaser rifles are as common as M98's in Africa. The R8 has had its fair share of problems here, Mags not feeding or fitting properly, firing pins breaking and the occasional AD when the action is slammed closed, all of which Blaser is acutely aware. Here and there accuracy issues have come up as have some rifles that got replaced due to other issues.
As with anything else the more you make and sell the more issues will come up eventually. I have fired a few R93 and R8 rifles, they are fast, really fast, would I bet my life on one, no.
Rifles with small tolerance for dirt and grime are never going to be my first choice for DG hunting, that is not only Blaser but a few others too.
I am sure there are folks who have never had a problem with a Blaser, but problems do exist.
Price has never been a issue for us here when it comes to rifles even if they are expensive, so are some other pretty good guns,we also have a flood of used Blasers here.

 

[Red Leg]

One could make the point that a relaxing "day at the range" is mentally not the same as being stressed by a wounded cape buffalo, and that the untrained human brain may not operate identically under both circumstances...

One could also point out that plenty of research/studies/evidence in a lot of different fields, including in the US Army, show that when combat/stress/accidents/fright/etc. overwhelm people, thinking stops and training takes over...

One could further observe that this is a concept that is generally not challenged very much, and that it apparently applies to enough people for most military/police/fire fighting/first responding/etc. authorities to train extensively and continuously their personnel with the exact same equipment/procedures they will have to use in case of crisis. Apparently, "those who may have an issue" turn out to be most, or all, or enough people, when the "day at the range" turns into the 'day in the trenches'...

All of that to say that it is not a criticism of the R8 to note that the muscle memory it requires is different from that required for the operation of a turn bolt, and that it is indeed likely for most people, not just "those who may have an issue," to revert in case of crisis to whatever muscle-memory/reflex-mode they have built...

Come on, Red Leg, it does not seem controversial to agree that folks fight as they train, and to encourage folks who shoot a straight-pull bolt on DG to practice with a straight-pull bolt...

If you want to make an argument about this that's fine @One Day...

I simply said that it is not an issue for me, but that is, in part, because I have fired many thousands of rounds from SxS's and many hundreds from my R8's. I did not claim to be born with the ability to differentiate between double and single triggers or rifle actions. Obviously anyone would benefit from practice with a straight pull before heading afield. I do believe that is a bigger challenge for some than others. It was certainly true with any technical combat skill taught to the thousands of soldiers for whom I was responsible during my career. The challenge, at least in my Army and the units I commanded, was to make sure training was tailored rather than merely repetitive. Many got it - whatever "it" was - much quicker than others.

The double trigger boogaboo and the dreaded straight pull criticism are raised with monotonous regularity usually by people who have little experience with either. I will simply say, it has been a rare sight in my life to see anyone trying to lift an R8 bolt. I would also absolutely agree that extensive practice with any specific firearm that is about to be taken out after dangerous game is the epidemy of common sense.

 

[One Day...]

No Red Leg, I do not want to make it an argument, this is really of no interest to me.
I wish we could have cordial discussions about all this, but clearly anything relating to R8 is very sensitive.
In this specific example, you put the emphasis on people: some have an issue, some do not; some get it fast, some do not. You are missing my point entirely. I put the emphasis on events: low stress vs. high stress. When high stress neutralizes people's thinking abilities, it is irrelevant how their thinking abilities work in low stress; and it does not matter whether a person initially "gets it" slow or fast, because they just lost it. They fall back to reflex-mode, which they better have acquired through training. THAT was my point.
Signing off. Enjoy your R8, it is a nice rifle

PS: think you meant "epitome." Dang auto-correct! I too get nailed all the time

 

[BeeMaa]

Think I need to put you two in time out for a minute...

 

[BeeMaa]

The Pro Success is about 14.5” LOP out of the box and I need about 15.75”. Other models may vary on LOP. To add the spacers just take a small Phillips screwdriver and remove the screws to take off the recoil pad. There are no visible holes in the recoil pad so you just have to carefully find them. The spacers come with longer screws that tap right into the same holes. LOP is always an issue for me and usually a trip to the gunsmith $ and waiting but not with the Blaser!

I'm usually good with 14" LOP, but the wife could need something as short as 12.5" to 13".
Not sure they will do that, but we shall see.
Appreciate the info.

 

[BigSteve57]

If you find yourself trying to turn the bolt on an R8 then shoot it enough so that you stop.

 

[Philip Glass]

I live in a country where Blaser rifles are as common as M98's in Africa. The R8 has had its fair share of problems here, Mags not feeding or fitting properly, firing pins breaking and the occasional AD when the action is slammed closed, all of which Blaser is acutely aware. Here and there accuracy issues have come up as have some rifles that got replaced due to other issues.
As with anything else the more you make and sell the more issues will come up eventually. I have fired a few R93 and R8 rifles, they are fast, really fast, would I bet my life on one, no.
Rifles with small tolerance for dirt and grime are never going to be my first choice for DG hunting, that is not only Blaser but a few others too.
I am sure there are folks who have never had a problem with a Blaser, but problems do exist.
Price has never been a issue for us here when it comes to rifles even if they are expensive, so are some other pretty good guns,we also have a flood of used Blasers here.

There are virtually NO used R8’s in this country. This tells me there are virtually no problems with them, most of you guys are still lumping the R93 and R8 together and they are not the same guns.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

If you want to make an argument about this that's fine @One Day...

I simply said that it is not an issue for me, but that is, in part, because I have fired many thousands of rounds from SxS's and many hundreds from my R8's. I did not claim to be born with the ability to differentiate between double and single triggers or rifle actions. Obviously anyone would benefit from practice with a straight pull before heading afield. I do believe that is a bigger challenge for some than others. It was certainly true with any technical combat skill taught to the thousands of soldiers for whom I was responsible during my career. The challenge, at least in my Army and the units I commanded, was to make sure training was tailored rather than merely repetitive. Many got it - whatever "it" was - much quicker than others.

The double trigger boogaboo and the dreaded straight pull criticism are raised with monotonous regularity usually by people who have little experience with either. I will simply say, it has been a rare sight in my life to see anyone trying to lift an R8 bolt. I would also absolutely agree that extensive practice with any specific firearm that is about to be taken out after dangerous game is the epidemy of common sense.

Good points.

 

[Philip Glass]

It’s funny isn’t it. When I disparage a Remington 700 it’s because I’ve owned several and had terrible problems with them. You never, ever hear someone who has owned a Blaser R8 disparaging them. Only those who have never owned one.
Am I wrong?
But, but, but.......
Philip

 

[Opposite Pole]

It’s funny isn’t it. When I disparage a Remington 700 it’s because I’ve owned several and had terrible problems with them. You never, ever hear someone who has owned a Blaser R8 disparaging them. Only those who have never owned one.
Am I wrong?
But, but, but.......
Philip

Realistically speaking you can like or dislike Blaser R8s (like anything else) - to each his own, but I am yet to speak with someone with actual experience with the rifle who will say they are a poorly made product. They have proven to be reliable, they are accurate and they are quick to reload. Are they perfect? No. Is anything? No.

Many criticise plastic parts in a gun, R8s have plastic components. I don’t like them (except when I do), they somehow feel cheap to me. However, synthetic parts have proven their reliability in combat firearms (and racing cars, and aerospace industry and and and...) and if you look at the facts should not be a cause for concern as far as the rifle’s reliability is concerned. My R8 has a plastic magazine/trigger group. I don’t like the feel of it. That is until it gets cold and I can still pull the trigger with my bare hands without my finger freezing to it. And I’m talking cold, as in I walked across a lake to get to where I’m shooting from.

Many fear plastic triggers based on flexi, spongy feel of triggers in synthetic pistols such Glock. R8’s trigger is as different from Glock’s as Ellisa McCarthy is from Kate Moss.

I don’t baby my rifle. I’ve shot it in the tropics and in -30C. I’ve shot it in the dry and in the rain. After several thousand rounds through several barrels I can honestly say it is as reliable a gun as a hunter might want.

Don’t like the looks of it? I know I don’t. But I’m not planning to part with it either.

 

[One Day...]

It’s funny isn’t it. When I disparage a Remington 700 it’s because I’ve owned several and had terrible problems with them. You never, ever hear someone who has owned a Blaser R8 disparaging them. Only those who have never owned one.
Am I wrong?
But, but, but.......
Philip

I think that any objective reader would conclude that I did not "disparage" the R8 Philip, I said nothing negative about it. All I said was: the qualities with which the R8 is often endowed by its owners are actually far from unique, and, TO ME, it is consequently not worth the 100% ++ premium asked by Blaser. Objectively, this is not disparaging, and I do not really understand why this is triggering what impartial observers would likely qualify as fairly defensive reactions.

As to suggesting that it might be wise for a new R8 owner intent on DG hunting to practice and acquire a new muscle memory for this rifle, this too is not disparaging, and in the end everyone seems to agree. How could one not agree, right? I am just a bit baffled why this flared up into an "argument."

Regarding used R8 availability in the US, could one of the reasons why there are not a lot have to do with the fact that maybe not all that many new ones are/were sold? I do not know? I observe that Euro Optics is discounting fairly substantially their inventory (it may just be a marketing gimmick), but I am also observing that, more meaningfully, this barely used demo R8, has been offered by Euro Optics for almost a year on their website, and occasionally on Gun Broker and, I think, Guns International.

I actually made a $4,000 offer for it, but they declined it because they said that they paid Blaser more than that for it. As previously noted, synthetic fibers and steel pipes must be pretty expensive in Germany these days... From my point of view, $4,000 buys quite a number of very nice synthetic stocked rifles in the US...

I also notice that some Blaser S2 languish on stocking dealers' shelves despite what most would consider very, very attractive prices... I know Mad Dog Guns, they are located in Scottsdale AZ, not far from Flagstaff where I live. They have many R8 on Gun Broker that have been there for a long time...

None of this is a criticism, but it may contribute to explain why there are not a lot of used R8 on the market. R8 owners certainly seem to love them and keep them, and I likely would too, but, objectively, there may not be as many new ones sold as people might think. It would actually be interesting to know the numbers, but I doubt the importer would share these...

I really have nothing against the R8. As I said previously, I was "that close" to get one, and I would still likely get one if I found one in the price range that I think it rationally commands, which is, in MY analysis, about half the price asked by Blaser for the $,7000 Safari Pro and $2,000 second Selous barrel... I mean, what in a barrel, even with iron sights, can command $2,000?

None of that is disparaging, and I am perfectly happy for those who make a different cost/benefit analysis, and I really do not see why this should be conflictual

 

[Von S.]

It’s funny isn’t it. When I disparage a Remington 700 it’s because I’ve owned several and had terrible problems with them. You never, ever hear someone who has owned a Blaser R8 disparaging them. Only those who have never owned one.
Am I wrong?
But, but, but.......
Philip

No Phil

It really isn't funny, but as of yet I haven't seen anyone taking chops at the rifle. Of course if the owners of the r8 have childish egos and take any critiquing of this "different" rifle as personal pot shots then too bad.

I like all rifles, all calibers and all rounds...... the r8 included. But it like everything else on the planet might not be everything to all people.

Phil....I have seen people jam just about every weapon known to man kind. Mauser rifles included and have come to the realization that it's almost always operator error, but most people blame and continue to blame the weapon til the end of time.

We have people who throw the bad mouth on push feed / non mauser extractor rifles and say that they are not fit for dangerous game. So why no bad mouth on the r8? It's push feed and doesn't have a mauser type extractor.

So why is that? Some girls club bs?

It's all pretty laughable.