Blaser R8 - Steel or Aluminum Receiver in Pro Safari Rifle in .416 or .458?

[UpNorthMI]

My 416RM with a steel receiver, steel trigger group, 16 oz kickstop, Selous barrel, Swaro Z8i 1-8x24, sling and 4 rounds of ammo with was 9.48 Kg (over 13 lbs). This made the recoil tolerable, but turned it into a club I was unwilling to wield on a hunt.
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Thanks for your comments and weight photos. There is something slightly out on your calculation, 1Kg = 2.2 lbs. Your total weight is 5.98 Kg (from scale readings) approximately 13.1 lbs.

It was based on these prior comments from owners like yourself that I did not buy a steel receiver option as I wanted my total rifle to be no more than 12 lbs. I hope to shave a pound or so off your rifle weight based on the aluminum receiver. My regular scope and ring mounts look slightly lighter than your rail version, I will be using the old 30mm model Z8i 1-8 x 24. It will be interesting to see what the final weight is and how it handles recoil in .416 Rem mag. Another thought I had was that if I find it slightly too heavy and recoil is OK I may look to shoot it without the kick stop fitted as an option.

I was hunting with my Kreighoff big five double in .500/.416 NE recently and shot it a lot in just a light shirt, I never noticed the recoil while hunting. I'm anticipating the new Blaser R8 to be about the same weight as my double rifle and for the recoil to be similar or slightly less with a kick stop.

For now it's all theory, I will get out and shoot it and report back what I think about the rifle, my goal is to be able to shoot it comfortably and be able to put that straight pull action to use for confident quick follow up shots.

 

[375Ruger416]

Back locks the bolt and the trigger.
Middle locks the trigger but the bolt can be operated to clear the action.
Forward is fire.

This is used on several PF and CRF rifles, but none with a cocking device (Blaser R8, Beretta BRX, Browning Maral, Strasser RS14...etc) that I'm aware of.

Not

Right. What I’m wondering is why he said he wanted a rifle with a 3 position safety over a Blaser safety.

Not essential, just a preference. Would match my (current) favorite hunting rifle.

The balance of my new .416 seems initially really good out of the box, I went with the heavier Selous safari barrel to try and put some weight forward on the gun and requested the kick stop to give a little back weight and to use it to absorb some recoil, It will get mounted with a Swarovski Z8i 1-8 x 20. I'll put it on the scale and make some comment about how it shoots and where the point of balance is in the rifle. I do like the short overall length on the Blaser R8 as the magazine sits above the trigger.

I'm just waiting for some .416RM dies and factory ammo to arrive this week.

The tariff thing is not good but don't Blaser rifles come direct to Canada from Germany? Personally I feel that a 17mm barrel in .416 would be far too light but I was not able to see any of the Safari or Selous barrels in my area, I made my decision based on estimated component weights and tied a few boxes of bullets to my current R8 to get a rough feel of weight distribution. I worked with a dealer who gave me a great overall price and delivery took about 4 weeks to get everything in stock.

If only. Blaser rifles come to Texas to the NA distributor and then to Canada so since they transit the USA we pay a tariff for the privilege. Sprinkle some freedom dust on them on their way through please.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Beema,

There was no sleeping this evening without knowing all the real data and the difference between steel and aluminum in a safari caliber Blaser R8.

Based on my scales and quick calculations here were my findings:

My empty rifle with no scope was 9lbs 4.9 oz = 9.306 lbs (your steel version is 10.703 lbs).
My Swarovski 30mm tube Z8i 1-8x24 scope with QR ring mount and scope cover was 1 lb 10.3 oz = 1.644 lbs (your scope was 1.606 lbs).

My empty Aluminum rifle is 10.95 lbs (your steel version is 12.309 lbs). the difference between aluminum and steel is approximately 1.359 lbs.

Based on your scale 4 live rounds and a sling added .858 lb, my total field weight is 11.808 lbs (your steel version total field weight is 13.167 lbs).

That's a lot of numbers, I hope this data helps other hunters make their decisions when they look at all of the Blazer R8 options in a safari selous barrel.

My Krieghoff Big five double in .500/.416NE with RMR red dot weight in at 10.144 lbs unloaded with no sling.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thanks for your comments and weight photos. There is something slightly out on your calculation, 1Kg = 2.2 lbs. Your total weight is 5.98 Kg (from scale readings) approximately 13.1 lbs.

Sorry about the math, no excuses...other than alcohol.

I hope the 416RM works out for you.

 

[Muskox]

there has not been a 19mm R8 416 Rem barrel. I think there was one in the r93.

 

[godwincp]

Just received my J Sipp and sons barrel in 416 Remington magnum in 19 mm profile to be mounted on my R8 professional aluminum stock. After reading more recent positive reviews on J Sipp I decided to give them a chance. Communication was excellent and I’m very happy with the results. Barrel fits up perfectly and Blaser detachable scope mounts fit perfectly. After sighting in My first range session at 100 yds went fine. After a few adjustments my last three shots at about 1 1/2 moa. Used Hornady 400 gr dgx bonded so far. Trying to save my A frames till near the end before leaving in September.. more work to do but I think it’s going to be fine. It’s So hot I’m pretty limited to six or seven shots. Fine tune tomorrow

 

[375Ruger416]

Just received my J Sipp and sons barrel in 416 Remington magnum in 19 mm profile to be mounted on my R8 professional aluminum stock. After reading more recent positive reviews on J Sipp I decided to give them a chance. Communication was excellent and I’m very happy with the results. Barrel fits up perfectly and Blaser detachable scope mounts fit perfectly. After sighting in My first range session at 100 yds went fine. After a few adjustments my last three shots at about 1 1/2 moa. Used Hornady 400 gr dgx bonded so far. Trying to save my A frames till near the end before leaving in September.. more work to do but I think it’s going to be fine. It’s So hot I’m pretty limited to six or seven shots. Fine tune tomorrow

What barrel length did you go with? How do you find the rifle balances? It sounds like you’re not using a kick stop, is that correct?

And finally, what are you using for an optic and total weight of the gun?

 

[godwincp]

I went with a 23” barrel with a detachable radial muzzle brake. I won’t use brake for hunting. I do have the smaller kick stop installed. I have a Leupold VX 6 hd 1-6x24 with firedot duplex reticle. 10.8 pounds- unloaded on bathroom scale. I think it balances nicely on the sticks and is easy to shoot but I haven’t taken the brake off yet

 

[375Ruger416]

Thanks for the info. Just weighed my R8 professional aluminum, 375 H&H 25.6 inch barrel with sights, VX6 HD 1-6 with no kickstop and came in at 8 lb 14 oz.

I like the way it feels and points. Have been mulling adding a 416 RM barrel and kickstop.

 

[godwincp]

one of my other barrels is a 20 1/2” 375 fluted with sights and a Swarovski Z8 1.7-13.3 x42. Haven’t weighed it but it’s a joy to carry in the thick stuff. Really is all you need but, like you I wanted a
416 . The buff I killed in Nyakasanga last year with the 375 was just as dead!
I have a great Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby that shoots great but I’m just tired of lugging big and heavy gun cases around