Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[Ridgewalker]

Just my thoughts on it having done lots of manufacturing rework on bad parts. Here in the US the Blaser retailers have to stock so much of each part. They then take their “tinker toys” and package them per the customer’s order. If they did not stock enough PH plastic stocks, then they would either have to tell the customer to wait six months until the next order came in (thus possibly losing an order), or rework one of the existing stocks they had around.

Thus, One Day... I suspect yours was a rework in order to not tell you it would be six months until you got your rifle and them losing you as a customer. Possibly they have an “in-house” so called gunsmith who does the rework, or an “ out-of-house” who claims to be a gunsmith.

Sadly not all gunsmiths have the same skills.

JMT on a possible reason for the difference.

 

[TOBY458]

I mounted a Leupold VX3 3.5-10×40 this afternoon. Should be perfect for PG. Then swap to iron sights or a lower power scope for buffalo.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Then swap to iron sights or a lower power scope for buffalo.

I remember having young “hawk” eyes years ago when I could see open sights! Pretty handy as I remember.

 

[TOBY458]

I remember having young “hawk” eyes years ago when I could see open sights! Pretty handy as I remember.

Mine are fading fast! My contacts can hardly keep up....

 

[VertigoBE]

Hello all, looking through the pictures I have noticed that it seems most of you prefer to have an R8 without thumbhole stock. Is this just a personal (aesthetic) preference or is there more reasoning behind it for a dangerous game rifle?

If this was already discussed or answered, no worries I'll wade through the thread.

thanks, V.

 

[Forrest Halley]

Hello all, looking through the pictures I have noticed that it seems most of you prefer to have an R8 without thumbhole stock. Is this just a personal (aesthetic) preference or is there more reasoning behind it for a dangerous game rifle?

If this was already discussed or answered, no worries I'll wade through the thread.

thanks, V.

As a thumbhole stock user on other firearms, I'll submit that it is likely because the access to the the safety/cocking lever is impaired by the stock design.

 

[VertigoBE]

As a thumbhole stock user on other firearms, I'll submit that it is likely because the access to the the safety/cocking lever is impaired by the stock design.

Thanks @Forrest Halley , hadn't thought about that yet.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Hello all, looking through the pictures I have noticed that it seems most of you prefer to have an R8 without thumbhole stock. Is this just a personal (aesthetic) preference or is there more reasoning behind it for a dangerous game rifle?

If this was already discussed or answered, no worries I'll wade through the thread.

thanks, V.

The big bore R8s are not available in thumbhole stocks. The reason being thumbhole stock is not the best choice for high recoiling rifles as it can put a lot of pressure on the area between the thumb and the forefinger. If you notice, most of the heavy recoiling rifles have a fairly open grip.

 

[Forrest Halley]

The big bore R8s are not available in thumbhole stocks. The reason being thumbhole stock is not the best choice for high recoiling rifles as it can put a lot of pressure on the area between the thumb and the forefinger. If you notice, most of the heavy recoiling rifles have a fairly open grip.

Interesting. I have both a .300 WM and a .375 setup with thumbhole stock and had not noticed the web of my hand getting beat up. I am pulling rearward more than pushing forward though.

 

[BeeMaa]

I know Blaser offers the Professional Success (thumbhole) stock in a semi-weight contour to accept up to 19mm barrels. I'm not sure if they would open up a thumbhole stock to accept the 22mm safari barrels, but I don't see why not. A quick call to any of the top Blaser suppliers would solve it.

As to why you don't see them much, I suspect @Forrest Halley is correct. The thumbhole design is a more up and down grip, not to mention the restriction to access of the cocking lever. Lastly, I'm not sure about the two thin pieces of synthetic attaching the action to the butt stock when pulling the trigger on a 458LOTT or 500J. Again, you would have to check with Blaser to see if they are rated for calibers above 375H&H.

 

[TOBY458]

I know Blaser offers the Professional Success (thumbhole) stock in a semi-weight contour to accept up to 19mm barrels. I'm not sure if they would open up a thumbhole stock to accept the 22mm safari barrels, but I don't see why not. A quick call to any of the top Blaser suppliers would solve it.

As to why you don't see them much, I suspect @Forrest Halley is correct. The thumbhole design is a more up and down grip, not to mention the restriction to access of the cocking lever. Lastly, I'm not sure about the two thin pieces of synthetic attaching the action to the butt stock when pulling the trigger on a 458LOTT or 500J. Again, you would have to check with Blaser to see if they are rated for calibers above 375H&H.

I totally agree about the two thin pieces of material between action and butt stock. I may be wrong, but that does look mighty skimpy for a 500 J.

 

[Tra3]

I am a thumbhole stock owner. I really like the grip, it is more ergonomic and easy to hold. I also find that it mitigates recoil as some of the energy goes into the palm, but definitely not enough to cause pain or harm. The hand position in the regular R8 synthetic stock is also more vertical than a normal style rifle. Ones lower fingers get a better grip to pull the rifle into the shoulder with either design.

The “thin” piece of material is quite sturdy on the Ultimate stock in the R8. (It doesn’t seem thin when you hold it.) I suspect it will take a heavy recoil without issue, but I am no expert.

 

[Forrest Halley]

I know Blaser offers the Professional Success (thumbhole) stock in a semi-weight contour to accept up to 19mm barrels. I'm not sure if they would open up a thumbhole stock to accept the 22mm safari barrels, but I don't see why not. A quick call to any of the top Blaser suppliers would solve it.

As to why you don't see them much, I suspect @Forrest Halley is correct. The thumbhole design is a more up and down grip, not to mention the restriction to access of the cocking lever. Lastly, I'm not sure about the two thin pieces of synthetic attaching the action to the butt stock when pulling the trigger on a 458LOTT or 500J. Again, you would have to check with Blaser to see if they are rated for calibers above 375H&H.

To clarify about my thumbhole experience, it it with T/C Encores. So in full disclosure take that as you may. I still don't get the web of my hand beat up. My .375 is light! No split webs or silly stuff. I'm snugging into my shoulder not pushing forward. If I'm doing fast work I'm not even through the thumbhole because of the hammer manipulation. Just a thought.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I mounted a Leupold VX3 3.5-10×40 this afternoon. Should be perfect for PG. Then swap to iron sights or a lower power scope for buffalo.

View attachment 395442

Toby,
Have you done something to your kitchen? It looks different? Lighting perhaps? Or new flooring?
CEH

 

[TOBY458]

Toby,
Have you done something to your kitchen? It looks different? Lighting perhaps? Or new flooring?
CEH

No changes! Maybe the gun oil has lightened the finish on my counter top.... lol!

 

[BeeMaa]

Toby,
Have you done something to your kitchen? It looks different? Lighting perhaps? Or new flooring?
CEH

Amazing what kind of light a beautiful wood stocked Blaser brings to a room. We should be contacting HG TV for design ideas.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I too have a 375H&H barrel (17mm) for my thumbhole R8 and the recoil is not a problem. However, there is a difference between recoil of 375 and that of 458 or 500. I've actually discussed this with Blaser and the information from them was that they don't recommend going above 375 in thumbhole stocks due to recoil. They confirmed that the alloy receiver is strong enough for all the calibres the barrels are available for but they recommend a steel receiver due to its higher weight.

Here is a video of people shooting 500 Jeffery in thumbhole R8 - it can be done

 

[BeeMaa]

So it is confirmed, all caliber barrels will work with all stock choices provided the channel is opened up to accept it.

I’d tend to agree with Blaser, that some additional weight would be good to assist in recoil mitigation. Does the Professional Success have the ability to accept the kickstop? Might be nice to add a little weight, but not too much.

 

[Deleted member 53080]

So it is confirmed, all caliber barrels will work with all stock choices provided the channel is opened up to accept it.

I’d tend to agree with Blaser, that some additional weight would be good to assist in recoil mitigation. Does the Professional Success have the ability to accept the kickstop? Might be nice to add a little weight, but not too much.

Blaser’s configurator shows that it will accept the kickstop

 

[Opposite Pole]

Does the Professional Success have the ability to accept the kickstop? Might be nice to add a little weight, but not too much.

It does, I have one but don't use it as I don't find it necessary with my calibres.