Blaser R8 Owner in USA

[Philip Glass]

Looking for opinions from people who have owned and shot one. I currently own multiple rifles (Benelli, Bergara, CZ) and was looking to get the latest Beretta BRX1 but during my research I got more intrigued by Blaser R8 as Beretta seems to be trying to copy that rifle. Granted there is not much need of a straight pull in for the type of hunting we do in USA or a reason to own such as expensive gun but I'm just dreaming about it.

Unlike in Europe, we in US of A have no restriction in owning multiple rifles so I keep going back and forth whether it is worth to own a "system" or just buy multiple rifles in any caliber I need. So would like to know owners opinion (specially in USA) if they think it is worth it or not.

The one I have priced out is the Luxus model (I'm a sucker for good quality wood stock) with 30.06 and 6.5 CM barrels and the cost is over 10K..... which is more than all my current guns combined

All I can say is life is totally different as an R8 owner. I understand that it is a very different mechanism and we all have to gain an understanding of how it works. Here are the highlights IMO.

1. The straight pull bolt is the fastest action of anything not semi auto.
2. the scope mounting system is the only one I trust to actually go back to zero every time.
3. It is the only gun I know of that has a detachable mag but can be made to be a top loader only for price of mind.
4. Obviously the versatility of changing calibers is key as well. You can go from 7mm Mag all the way up to .416 (somewhere there near the top of calibers) with no bolt head change. Only the mag insert needs to be changed for some calibers.
5. when combines with a Swaro Z8 you have the finest hunting system money can buy.

As a side note on calibers, if I had bought a .300 Win. Mag years ago I would have fewer guns and R8 barrels. There is little it can't do!

 

[Luminous Ham]

3. It is the only gun I know of that has a detachable mag but can be made to be a top loader only for price of mind.
4. Obviously the versatility of changing calibers is key as well. You can go from 7mm Mag all the way up to .416 (somewhere there near the top of calibers) with no bolt head change. Only the mag insert needs to be changed for some calibers.
5. when combines with a Swaro Z8 you have the finest hunting system money can buy.

As a side note on calibers, if I had bought a .300 Win. Mag years ago I would have fewer guns and R8 barrels. There is little it can't do!

Sorry, a few clarificiation in case somebody does not check themselves further:
Re 3: On mine, an R8 Ultimate, I do not not have to do anything for it to also be a top loader, which is somehow implied by '...can be made to be a top loader...' It comes like that.
Re 4: Yes, you can go from 7mm mag up to .417 with the magnum bolt head, but that does, as far as I understand not mean you can use all in between, only some of them. For example, the 9.3x62 and 8x57 and many others with diameters bigger than 7mm, can not use the same bolt head. Basically it is only the mag calibers that can use the mag bolt head. A full list is available here: https://www.blaser.de/fileadmin/med...eruebersichten/BLA_Caliber_Overview_EN_R8.pdf

 

[dchamp]

Actually, if memory serves me right, with a magnum bolt Blaser offers calibers from a .257Wby (lightest) to .458 Lott (heaviest).

 

[Philip Glass]

Sorry, a few clarificiation in case somebody does not check themselves further:
Re 3: On mine, an R8 Ultimate, I do not not have to do anything for it to also be a top loader, which is somehow implied by '...can be made to be a top loader...' It comes like that.
Re 4: Yes, you can go from 7mm mag up to .417 with the magnum bolt head, but that does, as far as I understand not mean you can use all in between, only some of them. For example, the 9.3x62 and 8x57 and many others with diameters bigger than 7mm, can not use the same bolt head. Basically it is only the mag calibers that can use the mag bolt head. A full list is available here: https://www.blaser.de/fileadmin/med...eruebersichten/BLA_Caliber_Overview_EN_R8.pdf

I just meant that the mag can be locked and then it is exclusively a top loader. Geez

 

[Philip Glass]

Actually, if memory serves me right, with a magnum bolt Blaser offers calibers from a .257Wby (lightest) to .458 Lott (heaviest).

That is what the chart says.

 

[Philip Glass]

We own 3 complete R8 rifles plus one more barrel.

Positive points...
Best factory trigger I've ever had at 2#. Magazine on top of trigger group shortening the rifle by 4". Quick takedown for easy travel. One stock fit for any caliber from 17HMR to 500J. QD scope mount. Mix and match as you please to find the right balance for you. Multiple barrel contours for the same caliber, further customizing your fit. Kickstop easily added to help with felt recoil. Timber, synthetic, thumbhole, adjustable...etc stocks available. Dealer support. Easy resale of most components you don't need along with good deals being found on the used market. Incredible accuracy with factory ammo. Incredibly reliable, I've shot thousands of rounds with no failures. Decocking safety mechanism that is arguably the safest in the industry. Scope mounted on the barrel for more consistent accuracy and return to zero. Do I need to mention how fast they reload?

Negative points...
Not cheap, but you will get what you pay for.

We sold all our other rifles and now only own the Blaser R8's. If you want to chat, send me a PM with your number. The R8 is pretty easy, but there are a few tricks to it.

Good point on accuracy. Tim Fallon at SAAM always says "the Blaser will eat any ammo you feed it!"

 

[ajamils]

Try some "Kramers Best Antique Improver".

Very gentle cleaner and makes marks like that disappear.

DB

Looks like a good product but damn it is expensive $29.99 for small bottle and $15 shipping

 

[BeeMaa]

Looks like a good product but damn it is expensive $29.99 for small bottle and $15 shipping

Welcome to the deep end of the pool.

 

[Daggaboy375]

It's a two lifetimes supply.

 

[ajamils]

It's a two lifetimes supply.

After seeing some videos online, I bought linseed oil but decided not to use it due to all the horrible stories of it catching fire.
As an alternative, I was looking at Birchwood Tru-Oil. Any experience with that?

 

[375Ruger416]

After seeing some videos online, I bought linseed oil but decided not to use it due to all the horrible stories of it catching fire.
As an alternative, I was looking at Birchwood Tru-Oil. Any experience with that?

Have you heard from Blaser or your dealer yet?

 

[ajamils]

Have you heard from Blaser or your dealer yet?

Blaser was not helpful. They said that they are "handling" marks which are not covered under warranty. Dealer offered to help get the scratches fixed and it will be "better than new", so I have shipped him the stock today.

I thought about not going that route as the the issue was negligible, but I know that it was would bother me every I pick the rifle, even though my wife couldn't until I pointed them her

I just hope it doesn't get any worse but I do have some comfort knowing that the dealer himself owns R8 Baroneese (and Professional Success) with grade 10 stock, which was in prestine condition, so he knows what he is talking about.

 

[TOBY458]

Blaser was not helpful. They said that they are "handling" marks which are not covered under warranty. Dealer offered to help get the scratches fixed and it will be "better than new", so I have shipped him the stock today.

I thought about not going that route as the the issue was negligible, but I know that it was would bother me every I pick the rifle, even though my wife couldn't until I pointed them her

I just hope it doesn't get any worse but I do have some comfort knowing that the dealer himself owns R8 Baroneese (and Professional Success) with grade 10 stock, which was in prestine condition, so he knows what he is talking about.

Any resolution to your stock issues?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

After seeing some videos online, I bought linseed oil but decided not to use it due to all the horrible stories of it catching fire.
As an alternative, I was looking at Birchwood Tru-Oil. Any experience with that?

Linseed oil generates heat as it oxidizes. If oily rags that are piled up or bunched up such that they insulate themselves, enough heat can build up to start a fire.

It’s not going to start a fire in the can or on the stock. Not that you are likely to use a bunch of rags repairing some scratches in the stock, but as long as you lay them out flat to dry completely before throwing them away they will not catch fire. Or wash them with detergent and water, they won’t catch fire.

 

[ajamils]

Any resolution to your stock issues?

Dealer took and got it refinished by a gunsmith that he uses. Looks better than new. There are still some minor scratches that you can see in certain light and angle.

 

[dchum]

Part of the appeal for 505 is that bolt and the new QD-mount but like you said, I don't see it very well supported here in USA. I am surprised how many sites sell Blaser parts and accessories and there are barely any for Sauer. In terms of support, another big plus for Blaser is that their head quarter in San Antonio is only 3 hours from my home.

I took my sauer to the Blaser HQ in San Antonio and they did some repair free of charge (it was faulty).

Fixed and called me. I live 15 mins from it. Nice people.

 

[dchum]

Geez, if I sold a bunch of rifles and got really practical with my R8, etc what could I do...lots more DG and bongo, LDE, etc. I sometimes get tempted to do that! I saw a cancellation combo hunt on an argali/ibex hunt recently that was painful to not jump on. There are some great deals sometimes.

I hope you do that. As much as I love drooling over your rifles I do love good hunt reports…

Go hunt the world!

 

[Inline6]

I took my sauer to the Blaser HQ in San Antonio and they did some repair free of charge (it was faulty).

Fixed and called me. I live 15 mins from it. Nice people.

Have had very good interactions with Blaser HQ in San Antonio. All I can say is they have been very good to me.

 

[dchum]

Have had very good interactions with Blaser HQ in San Antonio. All I can say is they have been very good to me.

Yep - a good interaction that has stuck with me.

Wish most Brands were like that…

 

[ajamils]

I took my sauer to the Blaser HQ in San Antonio and they did some repair free of charge (it was faulty).

Fixed and called me. I live 15 mins from it. Nice people.

Did you see any 505 there?