Well I've Done It Now!!! (Joining The R8 Cult)

[TOBY458]

+1. Maybe there's a misconception of the cost of both the R8 rifles and the extra barrels available for them? Like many here who don't own or have never seen one, I can only view the costs from the prices I see on GB, GI or other sites. Most R8s on these sites are north of 5k and the barrels are approaching 3k. I did just look on GB, where several R8 synthetic Professionals are in the $3,100-$3,300 range. Barrels in the $2,500-$2,900 range. This is what we Blaser R8 clueless, but rifle aficionados see? Maybe there are some "secret" obscure selling sites out there that I/we clueless don't know about, but for the average person looking, this is what we see? From almost every person on here, and especially from One Day's great thread on his R8 transition, I personally feel the R8 is worth every penny! I'm not in the hunt for one at this time, but some enlightenment on where one interested in an R8 might buy one at a reasonable price and barrels (w/sights) for $1,450, would be greatly appreciated?

Standard weight 17mm barrels go for around $1150-1300. Depending on whether or not they have sights.
Mid weight 19mm barrels run around $1650-2250, Depending on whether or not they have sights or are set up as a "Safari" style barrel.
The Selous barrels for the larger calibers 416, 458 and 500 run around $3050.00

Some of the aftermarket barrels can be had for less money, but it seems that these makers are prone to long lead times, and poor communication after the sale.

 

[mikecatt13]

Where did you get a 416 barrel that cheap???

J Sip and Sons

I havent had time to shoot it yet, hope to soon, but havent heard anything bad about their accuracy. Quality is very nice based on inspection of it. Their lead time was longer than quoted but the communication was fine when I checked on it. Very much worth 50% savings IMO

And as others have said, standard weight barrels are not too hard to find around $1000. We chose 300WM and 416RM due to simplicity of same magazine insert and bolt head and between those two calibers it's well suited to kill everything in Africa from the tiny 10 or elephant with 416 solids at 12 yards to plains game at as far as you can shoot accurately

 

[Ridgewalker]

J Sip & Sons as well as Palehorse both sound like deals, but dont forget you still have to buy a magazine ($150) and bolt head ($450) if they arent the same as one you have. Whereas most Blaser barrels come with a magazine. You still need a scope mount ($450).
Kind of like buying a car...oh you want tires too? Oh and a steering wheel? Oh and a spare? Oh and paint? Oh and...?

Since i didnt make it to Africa this year, i used the funds for my Blaser money pit!

 

[Professor Mawla]

Congratulations , @TOBY458
The 7 mm Remington Magnum is one of my favorite calibres . And the Blaser R-8 is an exceptionally reliable rifle . I have used a .338 Winchester Magnum variant to secure my largest Himalayan ibex ( to date ) . I find myself quite drawn to the .416 Remington Magnum variants , as well .

 

[Newby]

Standard weight 17mm barrels go for around $1150-1300. Depending on whether or not they have sights.
Mid weight 19mm barrels run around $1650-2250, Depending on whether or not they have sights or are set up as a "Safari" style barrel.
The Selous barrels for the larger calibers 416, 458 and 500 run around $3050.00

Some of the aftermarket barrels can be had for less money, but it seems that these makers are prone to long lead times, and poor communication after the sale.

Good summary. One minor point - unless things have changed, sights or no sights should make no difference to the ex- factory price of a standard (17mm muzzle) profile barrell.

 

[BeeMaa]

If a hunter is about to buy an R8, he is also probably a collector of a variety of rifles. I’d be curious to know how many rifles the average person has before adding an R8 to the gun cabinet?? (I’d venture at least a dozen or more.)
In my case it was more than 2 dozen before a R8 arrived.
It should be called an R25 or something like that. I’d be curious to hear other’s “R factor”. We know [USER=12292]@TOBY458 was probably R100+.

We currently own 2 rifles...both are R8's (4 calibers).
And probably owned about 7 prior to the switch.
Not sure if that puts us above or below average.
I'm going with above...we figured it out quicker.

 

[TOBY458]

Just for the record. I am selling the Zeiss Conquest 2-10×42 Scope off of this rifle. If anyone is interested, I'll take $700.00 plus shipping to lower 48. It is brand new. Only there are some very slight ring marks where it was mounted to the R8. These sold new for $900.00 - $999.00 when they were making them. Standard duplex reticle, with extremely clear glass. All paperwork included and the lifetime warranty is transferable.

 

[Tra3]

@BeeMaa yes, I’d say ahead of the curve in a good way for sure.
My son used only a couple rifles before getting his R8, so he is probably at a “R3” factor. I hadn’t planned to get him one, but after really using the safety system I was convinced it is the best safety system I’ve seen on a rifle.

@TOBY458 so what scope are you going to put on? I’d say just put a wooden toothpick cross inside the scope mount and call it good. Should work for all shots within 10’.

 

[TOBY458]

@BeeMaa yes, I’d say ahead of the curve in a good way for sure.
My son used only a couple rifles before getting his R8, so he is probably at a “R3” factor. I hadn’t planned to get him one, but after really using the safety system I was convinced it is the best safety system I’ve seen on a rifle.

@TOBY458 so what scope are you going to put on? I’d say just put a wooden toothpick cross inside the scope mount and call it good. Should work for all shots within 10’.

Great idea! Lol!
I'm going to use a Leupold 3.5x10 most likely. It is several oz lighter and will bring the total gun weight to 8lbs 13oz.

 

[One Day...]

+1. Maybe there's a misconception of the cost of both the R8 rifles and the extra barrels available for them? Like many here who don't own or have never seen one, I can only view the costs from the prices I see on GB, GI or other sites. Most R8s on these sites are north of 5k and the barrels are approaching 3k. I did just look on GB, where several R8 synthetic Professionals are in the $3,100-$3,300 range. Barrels in the $2,500-$2,900 range. This is what we Blaser R8 clueless, but rifle aficionados see? Maybe there are some "secret" obscure selling sites out there that I/we clueless don't know about, but for the average person looking, this is what we see? From almost every person on here, and especially from One Day's great thread on his R8 transition, I personally feel the R8 is worth every penny! I'm not in the hunt for one at this time, but some enlightenment on where one interested in an R8 might buy one at a reasonable price and barrels (w/sights) for $1,450, would be greatly appreciated?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Eurooptics had a black Friday sale in November. I bought a 223 barrel/magazine with open sights, QR mount and small bolt head to use for practice as One day... suggested.
Standard Barrel 223 Rem with Standard Sights **w/magazine** $1,093.50
Bolt Head Mini Right $359.10
QR scope mount $406.80
Best prices I could find.
Thanks One day... for the 223 suggestion in your post! I think it will work better with the open sights to switch to from a scope than the 22 LR. I have a lot of cheap fmj 223 ammo to practice with. And reloading it is even less costly. I do wish it was threaded for suppressor use.
It’s not as accurate as my CZ varmint rifle and really it doesnt shoot my best handloads any better than my DPMS AR coyote rifle, but maybe I’ll find a better reload.

 

[CoElkHunter]

After looking at all the posts on the R8 barrel cost, they’re certainly much less and more reasonable than I was led to believe. Thanks to all for clarifying that.

 

[TOBY458]

I took the R8 out today and shot it few times with the iron sights. The rifle fed and functioned flawlessly, and the iron sights were dead on with no adjustment needed. I know the 7mm Rem Mag is not known for huge recoil, but this rifle feels like a pop gun going off. I wouldn't have argued if you told me I was shooting a 243! I guess since the stock fits me so well, it makes quite a bit of difference in felt recoil. The 14.5" LOP is absolutely perfect for me. I've always found that the standard LOP of 13 1/2" that most American rifles have is somewhat short for me.
Oh yeah.....one more thing. I ran a few 416 Rem Mag and 458 Win Mag rounds through the magazine to see how it would feed those IF I should decide to buy a Pro Safari one day, and it feeds those perfectly as well.

Dear Lord.....this could get expensive.

 

[BigSteve57]

I took the R8 out today and shot it few times with the iron sights. The rifle fed and functioned flawlessly, and the iron sights were dead on with no adjustment needed. I know the 7mm Rem Mag is not known for huge recoil, but this rifle feels like a pop gun going off. I wouldn't have argued if you told me I was shooting a 243! I guess since the stock fits me so well, it makes quite a bit of difference in felt recoil. The 14.5" LOP is absolutely perfect for me. I've always found that the standard LOP of 13 1/2" that most American rifles have is somewhat short for me.
Oh yeah.....one more thing. I ran a few 416 Rem Mag and 458 Win Mag rounds through the magazine to see how it would feed those IF I should decide to buy a Pro Safari one day, and it feeds those perfectly as well.

Dear Lord.....this could get expensive.

Ahhh yup.

 

[Tra3]

@TOBY458 what are you initial impressions with the reload speed for a second shot?
Is the stock textured/grippy? The ultimate stock has a more rubberized material on the stock to make it easier to grip. It also helps with a firm cheek weld, which I think helps to mitigate recoil.

 

[norfolk shooter]

@TOBY458 You sure do like getting new guns. Just to think you didnt even have any of the AH members "twisting" your arm at the DSC for this one. Congrats on the purchase and good to see it feeds well. I have to admit I was tempted by one then just getting extra barrels as and when. The only thing that put me off was you cant get the 500J bbl to fit the standard frame. Or can you???

 

[Art Lambart II]

Toby,

In your case owning an R8 is not expensive at all, the math is simple. Sell a rifle, buy a barrel, how much easier can things get.

 

[TOBY458]

@TOBY458 You sure do like getting new guns. Just to think you didnt even have any of the AH members "twisting" your arm at the DSC for this one. Congrats on the purchase and good to see it feeds well. I have to admit I was tempted by one then just getting extra barrels as and when. The only thing that put me off was you cant get the 500J bbl to fit the standard frame. Or can you???

You would need to buy the 500 first. Then all your other barrels would fit your frame. You would just have a gap around the standard contour barrels when fitted to your 22mm safari frame. 17mm for standard barrels. 19mm for Medium barrels. 22 mm for safari barrels.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby,

In your case owning an R8 is not expensive at all, the math is simple. Sell a rifle, buy a barrel, how much easier can things get.

Problem is.....I'm running out of rifles I'm willing to sell!

 

[norfolk shooter]

You would need to buy the 500 first. Then all your other barrels would fit your frame. You would just have a gap around the standard contour barrels when fitted to your 22mm safari frame. 17mm for standard barrels. 19mm for Medium barrels. 22 mm for safari barrels.

Just need blaser to buy all my others off me