Blaser R8 rebore?

[TTundra]

I know some might think this sacrilegious, but I tend to do the odd projects. Some background...

I recently got bit by the bug to do a short action switch barrel system. I have always been fond of the wildcat WSMs. I was looking at doing a 375WSM with a 6.5WSM switch barrel. I communicated with VA Silent Arsenal as they have done quite a bit of work with the WSMs. However, their build prices just don't make it worthwhile. $4,800 for a build on a dedicated short action in one caliber....not outrageous, but still limiting. I also anticipated/assumed (wrongly) a reputable builder would get the components for somewhat a discount, however everything was quoted at retail price plus shipping fitting, and then an additional $800 labor. I get some of these parts at an industry price...so I thought a rifle builder would at least get preferential pricing. Almost feels like paying $1600+ in labor to fit and assemble. Ive done a few bolt builds, and I typically supply the majority of the parts and certainly the action, but here not the case and are limited.

So this brings me to the R8 which Ive gone back and forth on for years. It popped in my mind after reviewing this qoute that Im better off with an R8 and getting it in 300WSM and reboreing and rechambering to 375WSM, and then having a takedown/switch barrel for almost any SA or LA offering. Yes I know it wont help any potential resale, and I know wildcat loads are just that and not available beyond a reloading bench, proper brass marked, etc. However, I just want to tinker. I going to give JES a shout but was wondering if anyone here has looked into it before or not? I know the custom blaser sip and sons barrel venture has been rough and bit the dust, but how about a rebore on an R8 barrel? Looks like the 19mm barrel has enough meat on it for the rebore to 375.

 

[Challer]

There is a Russian company that offers a barrel adapter for the R8. It is the main boss with the two mounting studs. It's thread in the front for any barrel you want. Then just get the right magazine insert and bolt head and you're good to go. Belyj-veter

 

[TTundra]

There is a Russian company that offers a barrel adapter for the R8. It is the main boss with the two mounting studs. It's thread in the front for any barrel you want. Then just get the right magazine insert and bolt head and you're good to go. Belyj-veter

Interesting. Have you used this system or any reviews on it with good results?

 

[Challer]

I've tried one, and it was great. They have a FB page and a WhatApp to call them. FB has the most info but there is also this https://belyj-veterstocks.com. They actually make complete R8 but only for the EU and Russia. They look to be marked caliber specific but they are not.

 

[wesheltonj]

Not much weight on those stocks, I would hate to shoot a 375.

 

[Bonk]

Not much weight on those stocks, I would hate to shoot a 375.

 

[yhc]

There is a company in Utah, J Sip and Sons, that will custom build R8 bbls. You might want to look into them.

R8 custom bbl

 

[TTundra]

Not much weight on those stocks, I would hate to shoot a 375.

Guessing you're kidding? Way too many posts here by users shooting mid and big bores from the R8 and the ability to make it the weight any user wants.

There is a company in Utah, J Sip and Sons, that will custom build R8 bbls. You might want to look into them.

R8 custom bbl

There is a thread on them here. It appears they were not returning any customers inquires and even took payment and didn't deliver until law enforcement was called. If they are still open, I would likely wait until a few positive reports come out this year on new orders. The market is there once they get situated.

 

[ay2626]

I thought about this same thing when I had the itch to build a 338-06. Did some searching on other forums. There were a few out there that attempted to rebore an r8 barrel and where not happy with the results. I ended up ordering a custom R8 barrel from pale horse zero. Lead times are long. About 10-12 months, but they were very easy to work with. I would also wonder how much benefit a short action wildcat could be in an R8 since the action size is not changing? Very supportive of the tinkering however.

 

[TTundra]

I thought about this same thing when I had the itch to build a 338-06. Did some searching on other forums. There were a few out there that attempted to rebore an r8 barrel and where not happy with the results. I ended up ordering a custom R8 barrel from pale horse zero. Lead times are long. About 10-12 months, but they were very easy to work with. I would also wonder how much benefit a short action wildcat could be in an R8 since the action size is not changing? Very supportive of the tinkering however.

Good info, thank you. I think the deciding factor for this project is the ability to go 375wsm, 300win, 257wby, etc. Just that ability to bounce around eventually.

 

[ay2626]

Good info, thank you. I think the deciding factor for this project is the ability to go 375wsm, 300win, 257wby, etc. Just that ability to bounce around eventually.

I like it. Not sure if you’re also trying to go light weight, but I’ll throw out one more suggestion for R8 stocks. Check out the carbon fiber stocks that Top Dog Guns sells on gunbroker. He has them listed as full rifles but I contacted him and no problem in just buying a stocked receiver. These are 1lb lighter than a professional synthetic stock. Quality seems very good. Here is mine with a 23in fluted 9.3x62 barrel weighing in at 6.2lb. The hardest hitting lightest rifle I would consider.

 

[RTG]

This is like watching the beginning of a scary B movie. You know someone will die, you just don't know who or when.

 

[Philip Glass]

Pale Horse Zero makes custom R8 barrels

 

[wesheltonj]

Guessing you're kidding? Way too many posts here by users shooting mid and big bores from the R8 and the ability to make it the weight any user wants.

Not exactly a R8 factory stocks below.

 

[TTundra]

Not exactly a R8 factory stocks below.


View attachment 450556View attachment 450558

Yea, not what Id be shooting, but the post above was identifying that companies threaded chamber extensions which are interesting.

 

[TTundra]

Pale Horse Zero makes custom R8 barrels

yes, with two mentions there from you and @ay2626 , I may look at that route and build the components or grab a lightly used model and sell off the barrel to fund the Pale Horse.

 

[Challer]

Sip is MIA right now and over at blaserbuds, the reviews are not great.
Top Dog I think is the largest importer and excellent service. I talk to Van often

 

[Challer]

Not exactly a R8 factory stocks below.


View attachment 450556View attachment 450558

That is the Russian stock. There is also GRS. People are using the R8 for long range competition in Europe

 

[yhc]

There is a thread on them here. It appears they were not returning any customers inquires and even took payment and didn't deliver until law enforcement was called. If they are still open, I would likely wait until a few positive reports come out this year on new orders. The market is there once they get situated.

Thanks for the additional info. I hadn’t heard of these issues about them. That’s good to know.

 

[Red Leg]

I'll be the contrarian.

So, one of the advantages of the R8 design with the trigger below the magazine is the short overall length of the resulting rifle with optimal barrel length - i.e. like a Ruger No.1. In other words, you can have a .300 Win Mag/ WBY and .375 H&H with a rifle about the same length as a traditional rifle built around the short calibers - maybe even shorter. And everything I have in standard R8 cals is sub-MOA. So what would be the point?