For Sale Blaser R8 7mm Rem Mag

[One Day...]

I have indeed been flabbergasted by R8 prices recently.

I am not sure whether it is due to penury following the COVID production collapse, hence it is only temporary, or whether Blaser are continuing their race to ever higher pricing, but I bought my R8 Pro for $2,999 from Cove Creek (entire rifle ready to shoot without scope mount) in October 2020, and it is fascinating to see that it is apparently worth $1,000 more (+33%) 18 months later...

Same story for the barrels, I am glad I took the plunge and bought 4 barrels at that time (.223 Rem, .257 Wby, .300 Wby, .375 H&H) for $1,099 each because they apparently went up to $1,500 (+36%) aside from a few left over new old stock on Gun Broker in calibers few want.

Apparently the Selous barrels in .40+ calibers have not moved, still around $3,500 but that does not surprise me as they have always been abusively priced... I got mine in .458 Lott for $2,800 from Mad Dog when EuroOptic did one of their promo in 2021 (he matched their price), but I was upset for a while at the price I had to pay...

I am wondering where is the end of market elasticity with the R8? At $3,000 it was already an expensive rifle; at $4,000 it is insane, especially when the rest of the market has essentially not moved over the last 2 years: a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express is still worth ~$1,500.

 

[TOBY458]

I have indeed been flabbergasted by R8 prices recently.

I am not sure whether it is due to penury following the COVID production collapse, hence it is only temporary, or whether Blaser are continuing their race to ever higher pricing, but I bought my R8 Pro for $2,999 from Cove Creek (entire rifle ready to shoot without scope mount) in October 2020, and it is fascinating to see that it is apparently worth $1,000 more (+33%) 18 months later...

Same story for the barrels, I am glad I took the plunge and bought 4 barrels at that time (.223 Rem, .257 Wby, .300 Wby, .375 H&H) for $1,099 each because they apparently went up to $1,500 (+36%).

Apparently the Selous barrels in .40+ calibers have not moved, still around $3,500 but that does not surprise me as they have always been abusively priced... I got mine in .458 Lott for $2,800 from Mad Dog when EuroOptic did one of their promo in 2021 (he matched their price), but I was upset for a while at the price I had to pay...

I am wondering where is the end of market elasticity with the R8? At $3,000 it was already an expensive rifle; at $4,000 it is insane, especially when the rest of the market has essentially not moved over the last 2 years: a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express is still worth ~$1,500.

Not sure why the R8 keeps going up by leaps and bounds. But I doubt they'll be coming down anytime soon. Maybe they're testing to see just how much people are willing to pay? If I could simply buy a 416 or 458 barrel for a REASONABLE premium over the standard barrel, I would do that. But there's just no way I can justify $3600 for a barrel alone. I can see them being MAYBE $2000, but there's no way they cost that much more to make than the standard barrels.

 

[BeeMaa]

Not sure why the R8 keeps going up by leaps and bounds. But I doubt they'll be coming down anytime soon. Maybe they're testing to see just how much people are willing to pay? If I could simply buy a 416 or 458 barrel for a REASONABLE premium over the standard barrel, I would do that. But there's just no way I can justify $3600 for a barrel alone. I can see them being MAYBE $2000, but there's no way they cost that much more to make than the standard barrels.

The fact that they only make the 416RM and above in 22mm Selous barrels is what is really ludicrous. There should at least be semi-weight (19mm) available for these calibers.

 

[Tra3]

I’m with @One Day... in that I’m glad I bought R8’s when I did. But, I would still buy one at the now higher price. I don’t think the current pricing is beyond the value for accuracy, functionality and a small case.
I hunt with this combo of 7 mag and .375, it is an amazing setup. I have no doubt this is a good deal.

 

[TOBY458]

I’m with @One Day... in that I’m glad I bought R8’s when I did. But, I would still buy one at the now higher price. I don’t think the current pricing is beyond the value for accuracy, functionality and a small case.
I hunt with this combo of 7 mag and .375, it is an amazing setup. I have no doubt this is a good deal.

Quit making me want to keep it! Lol!

 

[Tra3]

Quit making me want to keep it! Lol!

When contemplating between necessary expenses to leave enough money for a hunt, vs necessary expenses and a nice gun but less money to hunt, the best answer is to use the money for hunting!

 

[TOBY458]

When contemplating between necessary expenses to leave enough money for a hunt, vs necessary expenses and a nice gun but less money to hunt, the best answer is to use the money for hunting!

I'll definitely always put hunting money over gun money. I've honestly got the expenses of my upcoming Zimbabwe hunt taken care of already. Just being practical in selling a rifle to cover my repairs and painting of the house, rather than taking money out of the bank. But, with inflation that money is steadily losing value. Maybe I'll just keep the R8 and shoot something big, and nasty in a far away land with it. That way I can never sell it......lol!

 

[Red Leg]

Had anyone not noticed, I am a huge fan of the R8.

I just hunted in Spain with an outfitter provided R8 in .270 WSM fitted in a professional success stock. Optics were Zeiss Victory with a ballistic turret. I have to admit, on a medium game caliber like the .270 the pistol grip stock was extraordinarily comfortable. I took an ibex at 300 yards and a roebuck at absolutely last light at 225. Might have to look into one of those to mate with the .257 WBY barrel.

 

[Tra3]

Had anyone not noticed, I am a huge fan of the R8.

I just hunted in Spain with an outfitter provided R8 in .270 WSM fitted in a professional success stock. Optics were Zeiss Victory with a ballistic turret. I have to admit, on a medium game caliber like the .270 the pistol grip stock was extraordinarily comfortable. I took an ibex at 300 yards and a roebuck at absolutely last light at 225. Might have to look into one of those to mate with the .257 WBY barrel.

I too am a fan of the pistol grip R8 stock, I use the Ultimate stock which I found perfectly functional for PG, elephant, hippo and croc.it doesn’t take long to get used to that style of stock.

My kids use the standard (professional) stock, which is a more vertical grip than a normal rifle, but not as much as the pistol grip.

 

[TOBY458]

Had anyone not noticed, I am a huge fan of the R8.

I just hunted in Spain with an outfitter provided R8 in .270 WSM fitted in a professional success stock. Optics were Zeiss Victory with a ballistic turret. I have to admit, on a medium game caliber like the .270 the pistol grip stock was extraordinarily comfortable. I took an ibex at 300 yards and a roebuck at absolutely last light at 225. Might have to look into one of those to mate with the .257 WBY barrel.

I always thought those pistol grip stocks hold very steady on target. That would be very nice on the 257 for sure. And your story of Ibex at 300 yards is very compelling. I just so happen to have a set of RCBS 257 wby dies on hand and no 257 rifle. Maybe a 257 barrel is in order to justify keeping mine in the safe, and letting the house painting wait until the fall. I must admit that you've used a very clever way of talking me into keeping this rifle. Well done sir!

 

[TOBY458]

The fact that they only make the 416RM and above in 22mm Selous barrels is what is really ludicrous. There should at least be semi-weight (19mm) available for these calibers.

Totally agree! I medium weight 416 would be just about perfect.