New Blaser R8 owner

[Green Chile]

I have two R-8s, both professional, one standard barrel grove and a Safari with steel chassis and a kickstop.

The same here...one wood/alloy model and one synthetic/steel chassis with kickstop. I have one heavier barrel (416) and the rest smaller profile with a couple of fluted barrels. I have 22 rimfire, 223, 257 Wby, 300 win mag, 375 H&H and 416 Rem barrels. I don't feel the need to own a barrel for every caliber I shoot but I would like a 458 Lott barrel as I have so many components for that. One more and I'm done...probably.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you gents. As requested, I'll post pictures later on.

Most likely the next two things I'll buy is a rifle case, and of course @BeeMaa has graciously provided me with a source. And, most likely a kickstop, but I'm going to shoot the 375 H&H without it first to check the recoil.

 

[dchamp]

Congratulations on your new Blaser. I don’t think you will regret it. Also, I think you will find no need for the kickstop with the 9.3x62 or 375H&H. But we are all different when it comes to recoil. Do you have any optics picked out yet?

 

[PARA45]

I have a Zeiss Conquest coming, but not sure if this mount will work since it is a 3.5-10x50. In the meantime, I mounted a Leupold VX-III on it so I can shoot it next week.

 

[Green Chile]

I get a little irritated buying the expensive Blaser accessories like the QD scope mounts BUT they just work so well. I can't complain about the fit/finish, design or functionality.

 

[PARA45]

Very cool. Congrats! Maybe you could take a pic of it on YOUR kitchen counter and share it here? LOL

Ask and you shall get. Not as fancy as Toby's kitchen island, but here she is. I mounted an older VX-III Leupold scope I had in the safe.

 

[spike.t]

Shit another one lost to the dark side....

 

[BeeMaa]

Thank you gents. As requested, I'll post pictures later on.

Most likely the next two things I'll buy is a rifle case, and of course @BeeMaa has graciously provided me with a source. And, most likely a kickstop, but I'm going to shoot the 375 H&H without it first to check the recoil.

You’ll be fine with a standard profile (17mm) barrel in 375H&H without a kickstop.

 

[Green Chile]

You’ll be fine with a standard profile (17mm) barrel in 375H&H without a kickstop.

Agreed and that profile with a 300 win mag barrel has become a real favorite for me at home and Africa both. It carries and shoots so well for me.

 

[Muskox]

The 5 steps of Blaser ownership:

The Blaser Purist
1. Step 1, just one rifle. Oh crap, scope mounts are $450.
2. Step 2, couple more barrels. Oh crap, I have to buy another bolt head $400.
3. Step 3. bought a safari/match contour stock.
4. Step 4. bought 3 or 4 more barrels.
5. Step 5. sold or traded good custom rifles to own more Blasers.

The guy that wants a 700 because everything can be custom, but some how decided to try Blasers.
1. Step 1. Buys a Blaser for a good price, thinking he can do the 700 Clone lego set up.
2. Step 2. Starts asking about aftermarket support
3. Step 3. Orders a custom Blaser barrel from one of the "gunsmiths" that makes aftermarket Blaser barrels in the USA.
4. Step 4. Waits for said barrel for 12-18 months when it was claimed to be in stock. Finally the barrel shows up and it doesn't work.
5. Step 5. Admits defeat and sells everything to go back to custom 700s. After spending hours and hours bitching on gun forums that it isn't fair that the aftermarket support is not there. Even after everyone on the Blaser forums tells him and is the top of the Blaser section of the Blaser forums claiming that everyone who makes custom Blaser barrels sucks at it.

The Never Blaser guys.
1. Step 1. Tries a friends or guides rifle on a hunt and likes it.
2. Step 2. Buys one but doesn't tell anyone about it.
3. Step 3. Slowly converts to Blaser.
4. Step 4. Another Blaser blows up and he sells his and never admits to owning one.

These are the 3 types of Blaser owners. Which one are you?

I am currently a Blaser Purist at stage 4. I have been both a 700 Blaser Wannabe, and a Never Blaser Guy.

I am on my 3rd iteration of Blasers. This time I own rifles that are not Blasers.

 

[BeeMaa]

The 5 steps of Blaser ownership:

The Blaser Purist
1. Step 1, just one rifle. Oh crap, scope mounts are $450.
2. Step 2, couple more barrels. Oh crap, I have to buy another bolt head $400.
3. Step 3. bought a safari/match contour stock.
4. Step 4. bought 3 or 4 more barrels.
5. Step 5. sold or traded good custom rifles to own more Blasers.

The guy that wants a 700 because everything can be custom, but some how decided to try Blasers.
1. Step 1. Buys a Blaser for a good price, thinking he can do the 700 Clone lego set up.
2. Step 2. Starts asking about aftermarket support
3. Step 3. Orders a custom Blaser barrel from one of the "gunsmiths" that makes aftermarket Blaser barrels in the USA.
4. Step 4. Waits for said barrel for 12-18 months when it was claimed to be in stock. Finally the barrel shows up and it doesn't work.
5. Step 5. Admits defeat and sells everything to go back to custom 700s. After spending hours and hours bitching on gun forums that it isn't fair that the aftermarket support is not there. Even after everyone on the Blaser forums tells him and is the top of the Blaser section of the Blaser forums claiming that everyone who makes custom Blaser barrels sucks at it.

The Never Blaser guys.
1. Step 1. Tries a friends or guides rifle on a hunt and likes it.
2. Step 2. Buys one but doesn't tell anyone about it.
3. Step 3. Slowly converts to Blaser.
4. Step 4. Another Blaser blows up and he sells his and never admits to owning one.

These are the 3 types of Blaser owners. Which one are you?

I am currently a Blaser Purist at stage 4. I have been both a 700 Blaser Wannabe, and a Never Blaser Guy.

I am on my 3rd iteration of Blasers. This time I own rifles that are not Blasers.

Purist...stage 5. I don't own any other bolt action rifles.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

Congrats on your new R8.


I’ve been waiting almost 5 months for my R8. Tip says that the shipment from Germany with mine in it arrived this week and should be at his shop tomorrow or Friday. Fingers crossed……

 

[Daggaboy375]

To my dismay, receivers sometimes piggyback on barrel purchases.

DB

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Went to SCI in Nashville and my fifth Balser R Eight came home with me…it’s a very addicting rifle platform.

HH

 

[Green Chile]

Has anyone added the 22 Hornet to their R8? I have the 22 rimfire conversion on my R8...and the 22 hornet barrel on my single shot K95...the hornet is so good for most T10 that I've thought about it. I took a good assortment of T10 on my last hunt with the single shot but sometimes that 2nd shot needs to be quick. Has me thinking.

 

[SRvet]

Why did noone warn me of what happens when you even consider a Blaser. I agreed to buy a used one for an excellent price in 30/06 with a known degree of pitting in the barrel. I am still waiting for permission from "the fuzz" to complete the purchase. Since that time I have acquired a barrel in 6.5x55, another in 6.5x47 and two saddle mounts!! Im a bit worried if this disease strikes so fast before I even own the rifle what lies in store once it arrives!! My bank manager is also concerned on my behalf!!

 

[bowjijohn]

You’ll be fine with a standard profile (17mm) barrel in 375H&H without a kickstop.

I bought a kick stop for my R8 pro success when fitted with the 404 Jeff barrel

The kick stop never left the cabinet

 

[BeeMaa]

I bought a kick stop for my R8 pro success when fitted with the 404 Jeff barrel

The kick stop never left the cabinet

I had a kickstop on my 416RM and felt that I needed it. Everyone is different and having the R8 platform affords the option to make your own decision. Just one of the many reasons my wife and I enjoy them.

 

[Muskox]

There isn't much of a recoil pad on them.

I had one of the plastic Africa weight safari professionals. It didn't kick in a 375. I wish I still had that one.

Current set up is a Professional Success with barrels in 8x68S and 10,3x68 RWS. Have a 6.5 Creedmoor on order. I am going to try to find a 7x64 as well.

 

[Nyati]

Congrats @PARA45 , that´s a great rifle.

If I were younger and starting to hunt, that would be my choice