Practice with a Blaser R8

[Ed Lally]

In order to be a better rifleman, one needs to shoot, then shoot and then shoot some more. Not off the bench, as that is only necessary for sighting in. All subsequent shooting must be from hunting positions, sitting, off hand and from sticks. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Money, money, money. Even if you handload. The bigger the caliber, the more the money. I shoot an R8 in a variety of calibers and to practice a lot with factory or hand loaded .375 or larger ammo hurts my wallet and my shoulder. A LOT!! My solution: A Browning T Bolt in 22WMR with a heavy laminated stock and a heavy barrel (not a bull barrel but heavier than normal). Weight is similar to my non-safari R8, safety is a tang safety, similar to the cocking slide on my R8 and the straight pull bolt on the Browning is as close to that of the R8 that you can get without buying another R8. I shoot 5-10 shots with my R8, followed with 25 or so shots with the Browning T-Bolt then shoot the balance of a box of .375s or whatever and finish with another 25 shots with the T-Bolt. Saves my wallet and my shoulder and I get a lot of muscle memory.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Blaser has recently introduced a 22lr kit for R8, knowing Blaser it’ll be somewhat pricey but perhaps worth considering for “muscle memory” practise.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I would have never thought of the Browning T bolt! Excellent idea.

I handload 235 Speers (usually around $17/50) ahead of TrailBoss in my 375 H&H (from Hodgdon’s website). Almost no recoil. But I also shoot a CZ 452 or 457 a lot more off sticks. As you say it costs a lot less and still works on the muscle memory.

 

[Fastrig]

Great idea...just checked out the Browning online, looks like a very nice rifle.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I would have never thought of the Browning T bolt! Excellent idea.

I handload 235 Speers (usually around $17/50) ahead of TrailBoss in my 375 H&H (from Hodgdon’s website). Almost no recoil. But I also shoot a CZ 452 or 457 a lot more off sticks. As you say it costs a lot less and still works on the muscle memory.

I agree with you Ridgewalker.

 

[Ed Lally]

It is a really nice rifle. With the grey laminated stock and the heavier barrel, it has a nice weight balance. Feels like a larger caliber centerfire hunting rifle. Very acurate. First two shots at 65 yds (my backyard range) touched each other. Next 8 changed that tiny figure 8 into a small hole. I love it. Great for practicing 10 shots, rapid fire from sticks, then switch to the R8 .375 for 4 shots then back to the T-Bolt. Ed

 

[buckmarkhunter]

I have the same t-bolt but put a larger scope on it and love it. Surprising if I do my part it will hit steel at 200 yards. Great idea for muscle memory.

 

[Fastrig]

It is a really nice rifle. With the grey laminated stock and the heavier barrel, it has a nice weight balance. Feels like a larger caliber centerfire hunting rifle. Very acurate. First two shots at 65 yds (my backyard range) touched each other. Next 8 changed that tiny figure 8 into a small hole. I love it. Great for practicing 10 shots, rapid fire from sticks, then switch to the R8 .375 for 4 shots then back to the T-Bolt. Ed

Think I’ll get one when I order the R8...also be good for getting rid of the armadillos that hit our yard before my Rottweiler gets to them