Blaser R8 Polymer 22mm forend question

[gzr]

Hi all,

Considering a Blaser R8 Professional Hunter with the polymer stock and 22mm barrel channel.

If I use it with a standard 17mm barrel, is the forend still stiff enough for target shooting using a bipod with the free-floated barrel?

Thanks

 

[TOBY458]

One of my stocks is set up for 22mm. Even with the 17mm barrels, it's still pretty stiff up front. The gap around the barrel is pretty big, but not that bad to look at. After all, it's a synthetic stock, so not pretty either way.

 

[meigsbucks]

I don’t have experience with a 22mm barrel channel, but the standard 17mm Professional stock is extremely stiff. I can’t see there being any issue.

 

[gzr]

Thanks, I forgot to mention using a bipod in my post (corrected now).

Thinking that the additional gap would be a cooling advantage for informal target shooting, as would the extra weight, but want to make sure the thing wouldn’t be flexing around on a bipod given the decreased thickness relative to a 17mm forend.

 

[TOBY458]

Thanks, I forgot to mention using a bipod in my post (corrected now).

Thinking that the additional gap would be a cooling advantage for informal target shooting, as would the extra weight, but want to make sure the thing wouldn’t be flexing around on a bipod given the decreased thickness relative to a 17mm forend.

Even with the large channel, there's still quite a bit of material left. I think you'll be fine.

 

[gzr]

Even with the large channel, there's still quite a bit of material left. I think you'll be fine.

Thanks. Now the question is whether it's worth the money to gain the weight and a .458 Lott option I'll likely never use, or if I should just buy a 16oz kickstop for a 17mm stock and be happy maxing out with .375H&H magnum.

 

[JanP]

The kickstops are all the same, but why use it if you do not need it?
As for the bipod, I have 3 polymer R8 stocks and use them for target shooting with bipods, never had an issue with flexibility.

 

[gzr]

The kickstops are all the same, but why use it if you do not need it?
As for the bipod, I have 3 polymer R8 stocks and use them for target shooting with bipods, never had an issue with flexibility.

Mostly to serve as a heavy stable platform for sighting in scopes on given barrels (especially the .375H&H) and to up the recoil tolerance when target shooting with .308/.30-06.

Good to hear that the forends are stiff enough.

 

[TOBY458]

Thanks. Now the question is whether it's worth the money to gain the weight and a .458 Lott option I'll likely never use, or if I should just buy a 16oz kickstop for a 17mm stock and be happy maxing out with .375H&H magnum.

Do like I did, and buy a stock in both configurations! You can get some decent deals on used stocks if you're patient, and keep an eye out for them.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thanks. Now the question is whether it's worth the money to gain the weight and a .458 Lott option I'll likely never use, or if I should just buy a 16oz kickstop for a 17mm stock and be happy maxing out with .375H&H magnum.

I had a Blaser Professional Hunter R8 in 416RM (only offered in 22mm profile) with the steel receiver and kickstop. With a Swaro Z8i scope, sling and ammo it weighed over 13 lbs. That rifle was sold to another member here because I didn't see myself hunting DG enough to really need a .400+ caliber.

My everyday rifle now is a Blaser R8 Professional (aluminum receiver, no kickstop) in 375H&H (17mm profile) and comes in at just over 10 lbs with ammo, sling and the same scope. The weight savings is the big key with long stalks and I'm still legal to hunt DG in any country.

Highly recommend getting 2 stocks if you want a 22mm profile and another 17mm as @TOBY458 suggested. For the used market BlaserBuds.com is a good source along with GB...and of course the members of AH always seem to have something to offer.