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

One thing I will say about this rifle is. It's the only gun that I've ever studied that I can't fully understand how it operates. It's definitely a TOTALLY different animal than a Mauser or Winchester 70! It's kind of like the Ipad of rifles. Haha!
Well now that I've spent a little time with it, the operation is actually quite simple. It's just so much different from a standard bolt action, it takes a little reverse engineering in your mind. I hate not knowing how something mechanical works! But I was actually impressed with the simplicity of the design once I figured it out.
 
Well now that I've spent a little time with it, the operation is actually quite simple. It's just so much different from a standard bolt action, it takes a little reverse engineering in your mind. I hate not knowing how something mechanical works! But I was actually impressed with the simplicity of the design once I figured it out.
It took me about 10 shots with my R8 to forget how to work a traditional bolt rifle.

I was shooting my new (to me) R8 300WM and my friend his MK4 303BRIT.
After about 10 shots each, we decided to switch.
Took me about 5 seconds to realize I was trying to straight pull a MK4. :rolleyes:
My friend didn't fair much better with the R8. :D

The point is...once you have it, you have it.
To me it just feels natural now.
Muscle memory is real.
 
It took me about 10 shots with my R8 to forget how to work a traditional bolt rifle.

I was shooting my new (to me) R8 300WM and my friend his MK4 303BRIT.
After about 10 shots each, we decided to switch.
Took me about 5 seconds to realize I was trying to straight pull a MK4. :rolleyes:
My friend didn't fair much better with the R8. :D

The point is...once you have it, you have it.
To me it just feels natural now.
Muscle memory is real.
Yes. I find the R8 is easy to get used to. My issue was figuring out how the actual mechanism of the action works. It is very different from the way a typical Mauser or Winchester action works. But if you study it a bit, it's pretty simple, and nothing really to fail.
 
@TOBY458 Now that you have owned your R8 for more than two weeks, I will trade you for a Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh:E Happy:

Looks like you finally found a rifle that you will hang on to and hunt with a lot.
 
@TOBY458 Now that you have owned your R8 for more than two weeks, I will trade you for a Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh:E Happy:

Looks like you finally found a rifle that you will hang on to and hunt with a lot.
Two weeks is definitely pushing it! Hahaha! I'm expecting my 375 barrel and scope mount to arrive today, so I'm getting in pretty deep!
 
Shot my Blaser 30-06 at the range for the first time today. 3 round groups w/ all holes touching. I figure it’s a .5 moa gun in the right hands. Really an impressive firearm. Great trigger and comfy to shoot!
What ammo were you using?
 
Congrats on joining the club!
 
I got my 375 H&H barrel today. I installed the 2-7×33 Leupold scope and bore sighted it. Hoping to shoot it tomorrow. The rifle with the 375 barrel only weighs 7lbs 8oz.
The 375 rifle with the 2-7×33 scope weighs 8lbs 9oz.
The 375 rifle with the 2-7×33 scope and 4 rounds of 300gr TSX ammo weighs 8lbs 14 oz.
This is a perfect package for a 375!
So for anyone wondering, the 7mm Rem Mag barrel weighs 4oz more than the 375 H&H barrel. They are both standard contour.
 
Well, I took the 375 barrel out for a very small spin today. Shot 4 rounds to check zero of the iron sights and overall function. I was surprised at how little felt recoil there was from a 7lbs 8oz rifle. Also the action seems even smoother when cycling the larger 375 cartridges. This thing needs a buffalo in it's sights!
 
Well, I took the 375 barrel out for a very small spin today. Shot 4 rounds to check zero of the iron sights and overall function. I was surprised at how little felt recoil there was from a 7lbs 8oz rifle. Also the action seems even smoother when cycling the larger 375 cartridges. This thing needs a buffalo in it's sights!
Make sure the scope is out of the way this time.:giggle:
 
Well, I got my replacement scope mount yesterday. I received a defective one a couple of weeks ago, and had to send it back. Now today I had a chance to mount a new Leupold VX3 3.5-10×40 on the 7mm Rem Mag barrel. Now I have a complete package. The 375 barrel wears a Leupold 2-7×33 scope on it. So either scope could stand in for the other, if problems should arise.

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Well, I got my replacement scope mount yesterday. I received a defective one a couple of weeks ago, and had to send it back. Now today I had a chance to mount a new Leupold VX3 3.5-10×40 on the 7mm Rem Mag barrel. Now I have a complete package. The 375 barrel wears a Leupold 2-7×33 scope on it. So either scope could stand in for the other, if problems should arise.

View attachment 387875
Excellent idea!
 
Redundancy! I love that if something were to fail, you can swap it.
This spring I plan to test accuracy by swapping bolt mechanisms between R8’s to see what difference, if any, were to happen. I also am going to swap scopes to find out approximate changes, then maybe makes some notes. (And I suppose I’ll report back)

And Toby, the deer in the middle is quite nice.
 
Redundancy! I love that if something were to fail, you can swap it.
This spring I plan to test accuracy by swapping bolt mechanisms between R8’s to see what difference, if any, were to happen. I also am going to swap scopes to find out approximate changes, then maybe makes some notes. (And I suppose I’ll report back)

And Toby, the deer in the middle is quite nice.
Thanks! I shot him about 1/4 mile from my house in Georgia. Uncommonly thick rack for the deer we usually see around here.
 

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Impact shots from the last hunt

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Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

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