Transitioning To A Blaser R8 - A Two Months / 500 Rounds Review

[Ridgewalker]

I do not see any point drilling a Kudu at 800 yards.

+1 JMO, but it’s not hunting it’s shooting. I like stalking as close as possible just to see if I can.

 

[CoElkHunter]

One Day,
Fantastic analysis of the Blaser R8! For someone like me who has never seen one in person (I don’t think there’s a gun store in Colorado that has one?), I find your detailed critique of the rifle very enlightening. Playing the “devils advocate “ and explaining YOUR views of what you like or don’t like about the rifle and comparing it to other platforms analytically is invaluable. Based on your thread and other R8 owners’ posts here, it seems to me it is a very well thought out rifle platform with performance to match.
CEH

 

[TOBY458]

Well.....after reading this and many other posts about the R8, I am about to be an owner of one.
I just sent payment today for an R8 Pro in 7mm Rem Mag. It comes with a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10×44 Scope in a Blaser Saddle Mount. Also comes with a Pelican Safari hard case with wheels. Rifle is unfired and the scope is new. If I like the rifle, I'll probably add a 375 barrel as well. Looking forward to dipping my beak into the R8 world!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Well.....after reading this and many other posts about the R8, I am about to be an owner of one.
I just sent payment today for an R8 Pro in 7mm Rem Mag. It comes with a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10×44 Scope in a Blaser Saddle Mount. Also comes with a Pelican Safari hard case with wheels. Rifle is unfired and the scope is new. If I like the rifle, I'll probably add a 375 barrel as well. Looking forward to dipping my beak into the R8 world!

Wow! That’s awesome Toby!

 

[Tra3]

@TOBY458 you will have to add your thoughts after getting to test it out!
enjoy!

 

[Tanks]

Well.....after reading this and many other posts about the R8, I am about to be an owner of one.
... If I like the rifle, I'll probably add a 375 barrel as well. Looking forward to dipping my beak into the R8 world!

Not a .458?

 

[TOBY458]

Not a .458?

Nah. The 375 will have to do! I only have the standard barrel receiver, so the 458 won't work. Besides, I'd have a hard time spending $3K on a 458 Selous Barrel!

 

[Tanks]

Nah. The 375 will have to do! I only have the standard barrel receiver, so the 458 won't work. Besides, I'd have a hard time spending $3K on a 458 Selous Barrel!

That shows the fallacy of the :configurable" R8 system. If one wants to go beyond rat calibers then one has to get another receiver. I actually looked at their configurator. If one wanted a .458 Lott for DG and a .300 WM/RUM for plains game then one would need a Safari model receiver and a Professional model receiver.

Completely defeats the purpose of having a multiple barrel system for someone that prefers a true big bore for DG.

Though still useful for carrying everything in a takedown case.

 

[TOBY458]

That shows the fallacy of the :configurable" R8 system. If one wants to go beyond rat calibers then one has to get another receiver. I actually looked at their configurator. If one wanted a .458 Lott for DG and a .300 WM/RUM for plains game then one would need a Safari model receiver and a Professional model receiver.

Completely defeats the purpose of having a multiple barrel system for someone that prefers a true big bore for DG.

Though still useful for carrying everything in a takedown case.

The way I see it, the standard weight rifle is suitable for everything up to 375. So you can pick from anything from 22lr to 223, to 7mm or 300 mag, on up to 375. That covers the vast majority of hunting, while keeping the weight of the rifle in an acceptable range. Then a second rifle would be needed for anything larger in caliber.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Can the barrel channel be opened?

 

[TOBY458]

Can the barrel channel be opened?

It could be. But then you have a big gap around the standard barrels. It will work, but it doesn't look as good as a tighter fitting stock.

 

[Newby]

@Tanks and @TOBY458

This has all been discussed previously.

1/ A 458 barrel fits fine in the standard alloy receiver. The standard receiver is strong enough for the 458, but will kick harder than the heavier steel receiver. A separate stock/receiver is not necessary.

2/ Standard barrell is 17mm diameter. 458 is 22mm. Opening out a standard channel to take a 22mm barrell increases the gap by 2.5mm (.1") A complete second stock/receiver is an expensive fix for a minor cosmetic issue.

Certainly keeping withing the 17mm profile calibre range makes for a nice, not too heavy, and fairly consistently balanced setup, but there is no barrier to adding a 22mm barrel to such a setup if one so desires.

 

[MMAL]

@Tanks and @TOBY458

This has all been discussed previously.

1/ A 458 barrel fits fine in the standard alloy receiver. The standard receiver is strong enough for the 458, but will kick harder than the heavier steel receiver. A separate stock/receiver is not necessary.

2/ Standard barrell is 17mm diameter. 458 is 22mm. Opening out a standard channel to take a 22mm barrell increases the gap by 2.5mm (.1") A complete second stock/receiver is an expensive fix for a minor cosmetic issue.

Certainly keeping withing the 17mm profile calibre range makes for a nice, not too heavy, and fairly consistently balanced setup, but there is no barrier to adding a 22mm barrel to such a setup if one so desires.

Correct.

Standard barrel is 17 mm
Semi weight barrel is 19mm
Safari and match barrels are 22mm

If you were concerned with cosmetics you could go safari stock and get match barrels for calibers below 375.

That is what I have. 6.5match, they make a 300 wm in 22mm width. They don’t call it match though and my 458 safari barrel.

A standard barrel in the safari channel is noticeable but then you know the barrel is really free floating!

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

Nah. The 375 will have to do! I only have the standard barrel receiver, so the 458 won't work. Besides, I'd have a hard time spending $3K on a 458 Selous Barrel!

You can get a custom for less than half that.

 

[Tra3]

You can get a custom for less than half that.

That may be true, but it won’t be a switch barrel and won’t be a straight pull. I’m sure a $1400 custom rifle will shoot well, but the person that buys a Blaser already has one of those and is trying something different.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

That may be true, but it won’t be a switch barrel and won’t be a straight pull. I’m sure a $1400 custom rifle will shoot well, but the person that buys a Blaser already has one of those and is trying something different

Oh Boy.... Yes it wi

You can get a custom barrel for a Blaser R8 for less than half that. In fact, my .458 Lott barrel is fluted and would probably cost $5,000 from Blaser if they made it, which they don't.

 

[Tra3]

I stand corrected!

@TheWhitetailNut who made your .458 Lott barrel! That is a nice setup.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I stand corrected!

@TheWhitetailNut who made your .458 Lott barrel! That is a nice setup.

Thanks. Palehorse Zero bought Elmer Laittalia's Blaser Barrel making business and they even have a builder tool on their website so you can price different combinations. They are made from Kreiger Blanks.

 

[TOBY458]

Thanks. Palehorse Zero bought Elmer Laittalia's Blaser Barrel making business and they even have a builder tool on their website so you can price different combinations. They are made from Kreiger Blanks.

I have sent them an enquiry about a 416 Ruger in standard weight. Hopefully they'll get back to me. One thing I did notice on their site. It doesn't appear they offer iron sights. But I did ask them about that as well. I'll let everyone know when and if I hear back from them.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I have sent them an enquiry about a 416 Ruger in standard weight. Hopefully they'll get back to me. One thing I did notice on their site. It doesn't appear they offer iron sights. But I did ask them about that as well. I'll let everyone know when and if I hear back from them.

I would have someone else fit the sights. I did not want sights on my barrel but did want a barrel band sling swivel. They did manage to make a Talley Band look like it was fashioned by a 6 year old with a 2# hammer.