Blaser R8 in .500 Jeffery?

[colorado]

Shot with one last week- with the first shot my hand hit my nose with the recoil and it felt like I was in a bar fight! The second shot I held the rifle differently and managed the rifle jump better. It had a red dot site mounted and gave excellent accuracy. If you like big bores and the price is right buy one!

The recoil is a bit sporty until you get used to it lol

 

[TOBY458]

I currently have an R8 Luxus in route with a fluted Semiweight 375H&H barrel. I wonder if the 458 Lott or 500 J barrel will fit my forend? I've read on this forum that the Semiweight and Safari contour barrels are the same diameter at the end of the forend. Then the Semiweight barrel tapers from that point, and the Safari contour barrel remains at 22mm. Can someone verify if this is true or false?

 

[Paul Homsy]

I recently saw a used Blaser R8 for sale in .500 Jeffery and I seriously considered buying it. My concern with a rifle like this is that the .500 Jeffery is such a powerful cartridge and I have heard of so many problems with the bolt coming off of Blaser rifles and hitting the shooter in the face. Would any of you trust the Blaser R8 rifle to handle the .500 Jeffery cartridge? If so, it would make one hell of a fast shooting rifle for dangerous game.

The problems you mention have been addressed with the newer R8. I have one in several calibers, some quite heavy. Never had a problem. As a matter of fact, extraction is smoother, easier and requires less effort than the same exact loads shot in a regular bolt action. (hot loads)

 

[Paul Homsy]

I recently saw a used Blaser R8 for sale in .500 Jeffery and I seriously considered buying it. My concern with a rifle like this is that the .500 Jeffery is such a powerful cartridge and I have heard of so many problems with the bolt coming off of Blaser rifles and hitting the shooter in the face. Would any of you trust the Blaser R8 rifle to handle the .500 Jeffery cartridge? If so, it would make one hell of a fast shooting rifle for dangerous game.

Your concern is legitimate. There has been mishaps with the R93. I saw some photographs that would get anyone's attention.

 

[ve7poi]

Yup it can happen when trigger pulled before rifle fully closed and locked on a 93
R8 won’t fire till fully locked I have both and dry firing experiments turned this difference up. Not a big deal to me as I don’t work action with finger on or in trigger guard period