Blaser R8 - Steel or Aluminum Receiver in Pro Safari Rifle in .416 or .458?

[UpNorthMI]

I'm looking for input from existing owners of Blaser R8 pro safari rifle owners if they think it is worth buying the steel receiver if using with a Selous heavy barrel in .416 or .458? It seems most rifles include the Blaser kickstop system.

Is the extra weight of the steel receiver needed to manage recoil or do the aluminum models shoot fine? The steel receivers have got real expensive now!

 

[Daisy]

Aluminum is the key imo. Have the 16oz kickstop that can be added in 2 minute for extra weight if needed.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I tried a Lott barrel on my aluminum receiver, and it was brutal even with the kickstop. The crappy factory recoil pad certainly didn’t help though. In all fairness, my Mauser M03 Lott was also pretty ugly until I upgraded the useless factory pad.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I tried a Lott barrel on my aluminum receiver, and it was brutal even with the kickstop. The crappy factory recoil pad certainly didn’t help though. In all fairness, my Mauser M03 Lott was also pretty ugly until I upgraded the useless factory pad.

If I go down this route it is more likely to be a .416 Rem but it depends if I find a used gun it could be .458 Wm or .458 Lott.

 

[BeeMaa]

I had the Blaser R8 Professional Hunter 416RM with the steel receiver AND the kickstop. It was a failed experiment because of the weight and balance. It felt more like a club than a rifle. I tried taking the kickstop out, still too heavy and it was now especially front weighed. I sold the rifle to another AH member who was going lion hunting with his son.

I decided on a Blaser R8 Professional 375H&H with the aluminum receiver and 17mm (standard profile) barrel with iron sights. It comes in at 7.75 lbs bare rifle and just over 10 lbs with a scope, sling and 4 rounds of ammo. It’s a joy to carry all day and my go to rifle for any safari.

If I were to do it again, I’d get a 458LOTT barrel made in the 19mm (semi-weight) profile from an aftermarket company and use a Blaser Professional stock with the 16oz kickstop. This is about the most well balanced and appropriately weighted I can come up with. Possibly sub in a 12 oz kickstop for the 16, but I’d have to feel the rifle to make a decision.

Of course you could substitute in a 416RM, 404J or 458WM if you choose. But I still believe the 22mm Selous (or Safari) barrel are too heavy and front weight biased to be effective in the field when hunting DG. A exception could be made for higher recoiling 500J, but that’s well out of my league.

Feel free to send me a DM if you want to discuss it further.

 

[Daisy]

I had the Blaser R8 Professional Hunter 416RM with the steel receiver AND the kickstop. It was a failed experiment because of the weight and balance. It felt more like a club than a rifle. I tried taking the kickstop out, still too heavy and it was now especially front weighed. I sold the rifle to another AH member who was going lion hunting with his son.

I decided on a Blaser R8 Professional 375H&H with the aluminum receiver and 17mm (standard profile) barrel with iron sights. It comes in at 7.75 lbs bare rifle and just over 10 lbs with a scope, sling and 4 rounds of ammo. It’s a joy to carry all day and my go to rifle for any safari.

If I were to do it again, I’d get a 458LOTT barrel made in the 19mm (semi-weight) profile from an aftermarket company and use a Blaser Professional stock with the 16oz kickstop. This is about the most well balanced and appropriately weighted I can come up with. Possibly sub in a 12 oz kickstop for the 16, but I’d have to feel the rifle to make a decision.

Of course you could substitute in a 416RM, 404J or 458WM if you choose. But I still believe the 22mm Selous (or Safari) barrel are too heavy and front weight biased to be effective in the field when hunting DG. A exception could be made for higher recoiling 500J, but that’s well out of my league.

Feel free to send me a DM if you want to discuss it further.

My 416 Ruger is a 20” 19mm profile. Set up just like my friend Bee says. Aluminum professional receiver. 16oz kickstop.

I had the same question and Bee pointed me toward aluminum over steel and I have been very happy. Remember with R8 you’ll most likely shoot lots of other calibers. So can be set up light for 6.5prc or 223 and heavier for my 375 and 416

 

[TOBY458]

Aluminum with no kick stop is how I go with 458 and 416. A scope will add the extra weight. My 458 comes in at 9lbs with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 on board. Just don’t shoot off of a bench when practicing. Shoot off of sticks or from a standing bench.

 

[BeeMaa]

Aluminum with no kick stop is how I go with 458 and 416. A scope will add the extra weight. My 458 comes in at 9lbs with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 on board. Just don’t shoot off of a bench when practicing. Shoot off of sticks or from a standing bench.

But you do have the Selous/Safari barrel in both of these, right?

 

[Green Chile]

I have a steel R8 and 416 combo. It’s very easy to shoot but the recoil pad isn’t good as mentioned. They are soft and tear easily. I much prefer my aluminum R8 with standard barrels.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I had the Blaser R8 Professional Hunter 416RM with the steel receiver AND the kickstop. It was a failed experiment because of the weight and balance. It felt more like a club than a rifle. I tried taking the kickstop out, still too heavy and it was now especially front weighed. I sold the rifle to another AH member who was going lion hunting with his son.

I decided on a Blaser R8 Professional 375H&H with the aluminum receiver and 17mm (standard profile) barrel with iron sights. It comes in at 7.75 lbs bare rifle and just over 10 lbs with a scope, sling and 4 rounds of ammo. It’s a joy to carry all day and my go to rifle for any safari.

If I were to do it again, I’d get a 458LOTT barrel made in the 19mm (semi-weight) profile from an aftermarket company and use a Blaser Professional stock with the 16oz kickstop. This is about the most well balanced and appropriately weighted I can come up with. Possibly sub in a 12 oz kickstop for the 16, but I’d have to feel the rifle to make a decision.

Of course you could substitute in a 416RM, 404J or 458WM if you choose. But I still believe the 22mm Selous (or Safari) barrel are too heavy and front weight biased to be effective in the field when hunting DG. A exception could be made for higher recoiling 500J, but that’s well out of my league.

Feel free to send me a DM if you want to discuss it further.

BeeMaa,

Like you I have a Blaser R8 aluminum receiver and standard 17mm barrel in many calibers including .375 H&H, my stock is an ultimate with thumb hole. I'm trying to work out how to end up with a shootable balanced R8 in .416 RM.

I'm happy to buy a Blaser Professional stock with the 16oz kickstop and get a custom barrel made in 19mm with open sights, any recommendations? I guess I'd also have to open up the front end for the slightly larger barrel diameter. I'd fit an existing Z8i 1-8 x 24 (illuminated) and hopefully have enough weight for field use recoil.

Do you think this is the best solution for a .416 in a R8?

 

[UpNorthMI]

Aluminum with no kick stop is how I go with 458 and 416. A scope will add the extra weight. My 458 comes in at 9lbs with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 on board. Just don’t shoot off of a bench when practicing. Shoot off of sticks or from a standing bench.

I've never tried a kickstop, did you try with and without? Are you shooting the Selous barrels?

 

[K-man]

My heavy R8 package is aluminum receiver, a 12 oz kickstop on a 416 Ruger barrel. Regular size barrel with fluting along the barrel. It is a noticeable recoil but not much more than my .375. Also easy to carry all day. I wouldn't change anything on it, except maybe a better recoil pad.

 

[TOBY458]

But you do have the Selous/Safari barrel in both of these, right?

I have a 458 Selous barrel now. Used to have a 416.

 

[TOBY458]

I've never tried a kickstop, did you try with and without? Are you shooting the Selous barrels?

No sir. I haven’t had a kick stop. But I don’t think it would hurt anything if you don’t mind carrying the extra weight. With a 458, I expect to do way more walking than shooting on an elephant or buffalo hunt, so I prefer the rifle to be lightweight and handy. Just more of a personal preference.

 

[BeeMaa]

BeeMaa,

Like you I have a Blaser R8 aluminum receiver and standard 17mm barrel in many calibers including .375 H&H, my stock is an ultimate with thumb hole. I'm trying to work out how to end up with a shootable balanced R8 in .416 RM.

I'm happy to buy a Blaser Professional stock with the 16oz kickstop and get a custom barrel made in 19mm with open sights, any recommendations? I guess I'd also have to open up the front end for the slightly larger barrel diameter. I'd fit an existing Z8i 1-8 x 24 (illuminated) and hopefully have enough weight for field use recoil.

Do you think this is the best solution for a .416 in a R8?

It’s tough trying to guess about these things and what feels right to one person, may not to another.

Where I live there are a couple very well stocked dealers where I can “try on” several different options. I see a few options for you in Michigan on the dealer locator but don't know how well they are stocked. However, I don't believe that the kickstop is available with the thumbhole...so that probably means a new professional (non-thumbhole) stock if you have any intention of adding one.

Balance is important to me, not to everyone, but it's especially important to me. I'm a shotgunner who enjoys rifle hunting. As such a well balanced firearm has played a big role in my rifle selection. The Selous barrels are heavy, and without the kickstop, front load the weight of the rifle. This (IMO) makes for a severely unbalanced firearm.

I will choose to practice more with a lighter rifle to achieve the skills necessary to shoot a big bore well over having to carry an artillery piece while hunting & tracking DG.

The 19mm barrel with the possible addition of a 12-16 oz kickstop on an aluminum receiver would be an excellent compromise. Add in a thicker & softer recoil pad and you could have your elephant gun ready to go.

If you have the opportunity to shoot another members R8 in these cartridges, that would be a good start. Unfortunately, all I have to offer currently is the 375.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

I think on the larger calibers the steel receiver is the way to go. Weight never bothers me and the recoil is very manageable.

HH

 

[bowjijohn]

I have a 404 j in a R8 pro success and aluminium metal work / receiver

I have no issues with recoil - even without anything added in terms of recoil management

Now I know it isn’t a 458 Lott, but I do use it in competition where one of the COF is 8 rounds in 35 seconds

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I think on the larger calibers the steel receiver is the way to go. Weight never bothers me and the recoil is very manageable.

HH

Agreed, steel receiver and kickstop for me. I carried the rifle in Africa for 10 days, the weight didn't bother me.