Blaser Rifles

[TheoR8]

WOW! Can I submit my posts to you for suggestions prior to posting?
I'll try and make a few points that haven't already been made albeit without Red Leg's flair.

I think everyone here knows I'm a Blaser fan and I can't say enough about my Blaser.
My setup is a R8 Kilombero with safari grade .300 Win Mag and .375 H&H barrels.
I get sub-moa accuracy from a bench with both barrels using Zeiss Victory scopes. (yes I know they're not cheap)
I would suggest that you NOT get a superlight rifle in .375 H&H - get a Negrini sling that lets you carry the rifle on your back like a back pack. I'm not a fan of light rifles in anything 30-06 or over - that's just me.

One of the real obvious advantages of Blaser is the fact that the scope mounts on the barrel - I get return to zero. These rifles don't have a receiver like you're used to seeing on a traditional rotary bolt gun which is why this works.

Open sights come with the safari barrels which I insist upon having in case of any issues with the scope.
The modular system allows not only for the exchange of barrels, but as earlier posters said, LH & RH bolts.

Regarding the scope mounts. Blaser has a unique "saddle mount" so your scope mounts will work & interchange with Blaser barrels.

If you would like to use the scope(s) that you use on the Blaser with another rifle you can get what's called an "Innomount" that has the saddle mount milled into to a picatinny rail which bolts to your traditional rifle.
They make one that will fit my Browning rifles and I have considered them but have not tried them; height above bore might be an issue.
REF - this one is for a Remington: https://www.innogun-shop.de/jagd/ba...-picatinny-blaser-remington-mod.-700-sa?c=267

Try and get to a NRA or SCI show to see these rifles and get the Blaser folks to build you different rifle combinations while you watch. They did this for me at their booth at the 2012 NRA show in St Louis, MO and I was hooked.

My Blaser setup:

View attachment 277844

Hi Steve, Nice set-up mate. Just a quick question which barrel is what in that picture please, the reason I'm asking is because I want to buy a 300wm Safari barrel in the future for my R8 pro hunter, thanks.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Blasers are some of the best rifles in the world. The R8 model in particular .
I have fired a .375 HH Magnum one and seen another shooter with an R8 in .500 Jeffery. Never heard of any problems. Accurate , well balanced

 

[MMAL]

I just received the R8 Kilombero from Blaser. I got the safari .300 wm and .458 lott barrel as well as a 6.5 creedmoor. Shot it for the first time on Sat. and love the gun. I had an s2 in .500 NE but sold that for this gun. From the picture above Hoss, I would say the longer one is the .300 wm. The larger bores get shorter barrels. I shot well with all three calibers but I will tell you that I put 9 shots of the 6.5 creedmore into .576 inches off a bench at 100 yards. This was factory federal ammo with sierra matchking bullets. I will work up a handload with the gamekings for that one. The .300 wm liked the 180 TTSX bullets and the .458 lott I shot handloads of woodleighs and a-frames. Need to tighten that load up but was getting 1.3 inch groups. The gun is expensive but extremely fun and works great. The only problem I have now is, I am keeping this gun and my Kreighoff double in .500/416. I dont need all the other guns I have in my safe. If you can afford the gun, buy it you will not be disappointed.

 

[BigSteve57]

Hi Steve, Nice set-up mate. Just a quick question which barrel is what in that picture please, the reason I'm asking is because I want to buy a 300wm Safari barrel in the future for my R8 pro hunter, thanks.

The longer barrel is the 300 WM.

 

[BigSteve57]

I just realized that the sling I said I recommended in my earlier post was a Negrini sling. That will teach me to rely on my memory!
It was actually a Vero Vellini Double Sling. It is the most comfortable sling I have ever worn as the sling flexes when you walk. It makes carrying a heavy rifle like the R8 with a Safari Grade barrel and large scope a breeze. The quick-detach feature means you can get out of hte sling in a hurry if you have to. But I just wear the sling on my back only when I am "hoofing" a distance. Of course you can use it like a traditional sling too.
This sling is REALLY great as it frees up your hands for walking up/down hills where you might need to hold on to trees or use one hand to steady yourself on the ground.

https://www.vero-vellini.com/collec...ium-slings/products/vero-vellini-double-sling

 

[BigSteve57]

I just received the R8 Kilombero from Blaser. I got the safari .300 wm and .458 lott barrel as well as a 6.5 creedmoor. Shot it for the first time on Sat. and love the gun. I had an s2 in .500 NE but sold that for this gun. From the picture above Hoss, I would say the longer one is the .300 wm. The larger bores get shorter barrels. I shot well with all three calibers but I will tell you that I put 9 shots of the 6.5 creedmore into .576 inches off a bench at 100 yards. This was factory federal ammo with sierra matchking bullets. I will work up a handload with the gamekings for that one. The .300 wm liked the 180 TTSX bullets and the .458 lott I shot handloads of woodleighs and a-frames. Need to tighten that load up but was getting 1.3 inch groups. The gun is expensive but extremely fun and works great. The only problem I have now is, I am keeping this gun and my Kreighoff double in .500/416. I dont need all the other guns I have in my safe. If you can afford the gun, buy it you will not be disappointed.

OUTSTANDING!!!

 

[TheoR8]

The longer barrel is the 300 WM.

Thank you, looks like I may have to order one.

 

[Rimbaud]

Dear All - I am in the process of building and pricing a Blaser, and would appreciate any advice from the community as the process thus far feels a bit like buying a car, which is to say not that fun. I do not have a dealer near me - despite living in a major metropolitan area. I've spoken w Blaser, and two dealers, and I am surprised that the process for a reasonably high-end item is this chunky. Thanks for the input.

 

[Red Leg]

Dear All - I am in the process of building and pricing a Blaser, and would appreciate any advice from the community as the process thus far feels a bit like buying a car, which is to say not that fun. I do not have a dealer near me - despite living in a major metropolitan area. I've spoken w Blaser, and two dealers, and I am surprised that the process for a reasonably high-end item is this chunky. Thanks for the input.

I have used the folks at Europtic extensively - great people and prices. They will discuss wants and options and offer worthwhile advice. They will not try to sell you the most expensive combination in the catalogue.

You need to decide what heavy caliber you want. For instance, the standard sporter contours which create the lightest rifles go through .375. A forearm tailored for those barrels will not accept heavier profiles. If you get semi-weight configuration, it will handle those and the leaner sporter profiles (albeit with a bit of a gap in the forearm). I personally like the standard/sporter profile and lighter rifle a bit more than the semi (I have both), but the semi is more versatile.

Have fun with the purchase!

 

[Rimbaud]

I have used the folks at Europtic extensively - great people and prices. They will discuss wants and options and offer worthwhile advice. They will not try to sell you the most expensive combination in the catalogue.

You need to decide what heavy caliber you want. For instance, the standard sporter contours which create the lightest rifles go through .375. A forearm tailored for those barrels will not accept heavier profiles. If you get semi-weight configuration, it will handle those and the leaner sporter profiles (albeit with a bit of a gap in the forearm). I personally like the standard/sporter profile and lighter rifle a bit more than the semi (I have both), but the semi is more versatile.

Have fun with the purchase!

Thanks for the dialogue on this over the past year. Your well-reasoned endorsement has resonated with me and I will follow up with Europtic. I am thinking I will start w the 308 Win, 375 HH barrel on synthetic stock as I shoot LH and my buy is RH. Thanks again for the advice, and time.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks for the dialogue on this over the past year. Your well-reasoned endorsement has resonated with me and I will follow up with Europtic. I am thinking I will start w the 308 Win, 375 HH barrel on synthetic stock as I shoot LH and my buy is RH. Thanks again for the advice, and time.

Great choice. I just recently purchased a synthetic lower (for a wet cold hunt next May). Looks like a pretty close to indestructible.375 when assembled.

 

[Rimbaud]

Great choice. I just recently purchased a synthetic lower (for a wet cold hunt next May). Looks like a pretty close to indestructible.375 when assembled.

I recall reading that you had a date w a bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula. You're going to have a great time. I'm a big believer in muscle memory and knowing your weapons, etc., and really like how these Blaser rifles are so practical in the best German sense. I've always admired German craftsmanship, and am really looking forward to adding this rifle to my cabinet.

 

[Philip Glass]

Dear All - I am in the process of building and pricing a Blaser, and would appreciate any advice from the community as the process thus far feels a bit like buying a car, which is to say not that fun. I do not have a dealer near me - despite living in a major metropolitan area. I've spoken w Blaser, and two dealers, and I am surprised that the process for a reasonably high-end item is this chunky. Thanks for the input.

I’ve bought from Mad Dog Guns in AZ. Mark is the largest dealer in NA. He has everything and is easy to work with. Let me know if you have questions.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

This is my baby in .375 guise with classic stock and sporter barrel. Just about perfect.

Nice. Very nice.

 

[Philip Glass]

Don't believe there is any such thing. Blaser trigger/magazine groups are removable - almost like a magazine by simply pressing two tabs. It is a single component. You can load it dismounted or from the top while installed. It is necessary in order to insert a magazine adapter for cartridges of a different family.

You can buy the Pro S
, which I bought for my son, that does not have a removable mag. It is a good bit less expensive as well.

 

[Philip Glass]

It appears that of the Blasers shown, they are all of the feed from the top variety. Does anyone use a magazine fed version? And if so, any issues?

Only the Pro S is top feed only. It is less expensive and works fine. All other R8’s have the removable magazine/trigger. I’ve yet to have any problem but I am a very new owner. We did take my sons R8 to Namibia so we have a little experience at this stage.

 

[Philip Glass]

Here’s a video of R8 Professional Success stock in 500 Jeffery which only comes in alloy receiver. I myself would not be too keen to shoot a big bore with a thumbhole stock.

Why? The thumb hole stock is great because it keeps some of the recoil off your shoulder.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Why? The thumb hole stock is great because it keeps some of the recoil off your shoulder.

Wouldn’t that be at the expense of one’s thumb though? I shoot the thumbhole R8 in 375 with lightest barrel with no issues but I was informed by Blaser customer service they don’t recommend going above it due to recoil becoming an issue. There’s a substantial difference between 375 and 416.

 

[rinehart0050]

Dear All - I am in the process of building and pricing a Blaser, and would appreciate any advice from the community as the process thus far feels a bit like buying a car, which is to say not that fun. I do not have a dealer near me - despite living in a major metropolitan area. I've spoken w Blaser, and two dealers, and I am surprised that the process for a reasonably high-end item is this chunky. Thanks for the input.

I picked up our R8 from Cove Creek outfitters. They've got an extensive selection of options and components and some of the best prices I've seen on the market.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Having to shoot LH I have been interested in a R8 for several years now. I just discovered the Marco Polo Outfitters is 7 mile from the hotel I stay at when I work in St. Louis, this could be trouble.