Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[Challer]

Sorry guys, blaser is the future of dangerous game. It is perfect in every way. Good luck with that, hope it works out for you.

Just one statement of your dislike for the R8 is sufficient. Sarcasm is never persuasive. Other than cost, I personally have not seen any complaint against the R8 that isn't also manifest in Mauser actions. I understand the value of the (to me) of the R8 and the draw of the custom Mauser action based rifles. I could enumerate the R8's advantages to me and it won't convince anyone. The R8 vs Mauser (both owned/made by the same company) argument just comes up too often and brings out the worst in some. There is room for both.

Now this "PHs don't use R8" is the weakest argument of all. The PHs' use case and finances are very different from mine and yours. Most couldn't afford their own safaris. And they live in a land with a lot of good inexpensive German and English hardware.

 

[bowjijohn]

I never had any problems loading 223 either, don't know about 6.5 - don't have one. Consider though, that R8 is also available in a non-removable magazine version that can only be top loaded.

That is a very good point and I really should have given the problem a bit more effort

In my defence, up to now, the R8 has been a range and Uk stalking rifle where reloads are leisurely

the .22LR though had been my DG training rifle in anticipation of the 404 arrival

in summary- I must try harder

 

[IvW]

Keep in mind I'm doing this while holding the rifle between my legs and recording it with a phone held in my hand.

Much easier than a Rem M700.......

 

[TOBY458]

@bowjijohn - the Pro S stock has the non-removable trigger group/magazine. I know a couple members who have them and operate them without issue but I’m not sure of the calibers.

For our rifles, I normally leave the trigger group/magazine in the locked position to prevent any possible accidental dropping of it while hunting. I only unlock it for changing the magazine insert. This means that we exclusively top load our magazines. Another advantage of doing this is muscle memory.

My Pro S stock has been used with both 458 Win Mag and 7mm Rem Mag. No problem top loading at all. I have heard other R8 owners complain that the smaller the cartridge, the harder it is to top load. Which does make sense. The magazine lips are probably much more rigid, simply due to them being thicker in the smaller calibers. @Ridgewalker had this same problem I believe.
I, like yourself, only top load, and I wouldn't care if all of my stocks had non detachable magazines. I never use that feature in the woods anyway.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Out of curiosity I just tried top loading 223, 308 and 375HH rounds into R8. I did it slowly and fast several times and than did the same with Winchester M70 in 416Rem followed by loading few different AR15 mags in 223. What I found was that I can load all of them without issues as long as I don’t press the front part of the round in first. I have also learnt that loading M70 fast can lead to chipped finger nails.

 

[ghay]

I was surprised to not find a thread that had "Blaser" and "DG" in the title and that's why I started this thread.
Now onto the topic at hand.

My wife and I are on the market for a new rifle for her and she has shown an interest in the Blaser R8.
There are several other rifles in the running right now that are traditional bolt action rifles, but I'm keeping my options open.
Her caliber of choice would be 300WM and I already have a CZ550 375H&H.

If we were to go the R8 route, I would get at least a two barrel set with 300WM and 375H&H.
Potentially replacing my CZ, although at this point I would be reluctant to part with it.
So this is as much about her as it is me.
Call it consolidation, having one rifle (with a smaller case) that shoots two calibers is tempting...like the DARK SIDE.

For as long as the Mauser '98 action has been around it has been recommended for use with DG for it's reliability and toughness.
I understand CRF, double-square bridge, drop box magazine...etc.
I also get how the Blaser R8 operates outside of the "traditional" set of operating parameters.

My question is for those who have used the R8 for Dangerous Game and potential problems vs. a traditional bolt.
Would you go to Africa armed with a 375H&H Blaser R8 as your only rifle for Buffalo or other DG?
Any insight or personal experiences (positive or negative) would be appreciated.

I have hunted extensively in Zimbabwe and just returned from a trip where I killed two nice Daga Boys with the 375. I have taken everything up to Elephant and am very pleased with what happens when I put a good bullet in the right place. I have hunted my Blaser R-8's for years and they are flawless in operation and very easy to travel with as they break down so easily. I have hunted the R-93's and the R-8's and prefer the R-8's. In addition to my well used R-8...I currently have a Brand new R-8 Professional combo for sale that is still unfired and in factory boxes. The two barrels are 300 Win and 375 H&H (threaded). I am asking $5,600. I was just getting ready to place an ad here when I saw your post.
Let me know if you have an interest ([redacted])

 

[BeeMaa]

I have hunted extensively in Zimbabwe and just returned from a trip where I killed two nice Daga Boys with the 375. I have taken everything up to Elephant and am very pleased with what happens when I put a good bullet in the right place. I have hunted my Blaser R-8's for years and they are flawless in operation and very easy to travel with as they break down so easily. I have hunted the R-93's and the R-8's and prefer the R-8's. In addition to my well used R-8...I currently have a Brand new R-8 Professional combo for sale that is still unfired and in factory boxes. The two barrels are 300 Win and 375 H&H (threaded). I am asking $5,600. I was just getting ready to place an ad here when I saw your post.
Let me know if you have an interest ([redacted])

View attachment 497727View attachment 497728View attachment 497729View attachment 497730

@ghay - First allow me to say what a beautiful Buff you were able to get. Secondly, thank you for the generous offer, but the post you quoted is 3 years old. Since then I've been able to load my vault with a few Blaser R8's...including a 375H&H and 300WM.

AH is a really good place to advertise and sell this type of rifle and with a price like that, I wouldn't expect it last long. All the best with the sale.

 

[ghay]

Sorry about that. I didn’t pay proper attention before responding !

I just got back from Zimbabwe (my 20th trip there)! I got to take two this time along with dispatching a wounded buff from a previous client of my friend who is a PH and Safari operator there.

 

[Flewis]

Out of curiosity I just tried top loading 223, 308 and 375HH rounds into R8. I did it slowly and fast several times and than did the same with Winchester M70 in 416Rem followed by loading few different AR15 mags in 223. What I found was that I can load all of them without issues as long as I don’t press the front part of the round in first. I have also learnt that loading M70 fast can lead to chipped finger nails.

Relatively new to my R8, it’s a .375H&H. I’m using handloaded Woodleigh 350 grain RNSN HDs.

First bull got stroppy 200m away, a known mischief maker, and eventually decided to have a go. I got ready to repel boarders and as he hit the 50m or 60m mark I hit him in his chest and he tipped-over. Made some fantastic curries and stews!

Second was a stressed-out old bull that had accidentally fed too close to the community and so was targeted by a big mob of camp dogs. He went mental, understandably, and nearly connected on the workmen. They asked me to please sort it out so three quick shots at 8m at the office block did the trick and life could safely resume and the dogs were delighted.

Third one was a giant a sneaked to 20m from, brained.

Haven’t got a scope yet, so all open sights.

Very happy with the R8, cool system.

I think stoner did modular first.

 

[BeeMaa]

I think stoner did modular first.

Sure, I'll give you that if your definition of a "modular rifle" is changing the stock, barrel length or magazine...but not the caliber. The Stoner 63 only shot 5.56x45NATO as a production rifle. Not what most would consider a "do it all" cartridge for hunting Africa.

Stoners design while revolutionary for the military, has had little to no impact on the hunting world outside of the US. And the temporary importation of such a rifle for sporting use in Africa is not allowed. So for the purposes of this thread...it's not applicable.

 

[Tra3]

I returned from a hunting trip in Montana last week. We had 70 degree weather for antelope. Then a fantastic blizzard and 25 degrees with heavy snow and steady, blinding wind. The hunting was great. At the end of hunting in those conditions, I was able to take apart the R8 quickly and dry it. It was very quick and easy.

My friends also had to dry their guns, but it was a more cumbersome affair and rust occurred in some. No rust on the R8. You can take the scope off so the gun can get dried completely with some heat without heating the scope. That is a nice travel option. That is a small detail that mostly isn’t needed, but a nice plus for the R8 in those conditions.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Tra3 - are there pictures to be shared? Maybe one or two with some game in it?

Being from Upstate NY, I enjoy pictures of others being pelted with snow.

 

[TOBY458]

I returned from a hunting trip in Montana last week. We had 70 degree weather for antelope. Then a fantastic blizzard and 25 degrees with heavy snow and steady, blinding wind. The hunting was great. At the end of hunting in those conditions, I was able to take apart the R8 quickly and dry it. It was very quick and easy.

My friends also had to dry their guns, but it was a more cumbersome affair and rust occurred in some. No rust on the R8. You can take the scope off so the gun can get dried completely with some heat without heating the scope. That is a nice travel option. That is a small detail that mostly isn’t needed, but a nice plus for the R8 in those conditions.

What caliber were you shooting?

 

[Inline6]

@TOBY458 I want a 6.5PRC barrel for mine. The factory twist is to slow (I want to shoot 156s). If I can find an extension for the barrels that doesn't come from Russia I'll cut my own. At that point I'll probably spin up a 7PRC.

 

[Tra3]

What caliber were you shooting?

7 mag! My favorite western caliber.

Antelope in the field below. We caught them going over the hills in the background.

The 7 mag barrel is on my back. The photo is after the snowstorm, just a couple days from the 70 degree antelope hunt!

 

[Forrest Halley]

Sure, I'll give you that if your definition of a "modular rifle" is changing the stock, barrel length or magazine...but not the caliber. The Stoner 63 only shot 5.56x45NATO as a production rifle. Not what most would consider a "do it all" cartridge for hunting Africa.

Stoners design while revolutionary for the military, has had little to no impact on the hunting world outside of the US. And the temporary importation of such a rifle for sporting use in Africa is not allowed. So for the purposes of this thread...it's not applicable.

Ok then Thompson Center Contender...

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I was going to buy one, but I had a hard time pronouncing Blaser… I kept saying BLASER!

So I got a SAKO, then I found out I was pronouncing it Sako! Go figure…

 

[OldnLazy]

If it's in your budget...
Blaser R8 Professional with 20.5" barrel in 308, 30-06, or 6.5x55.
Lefty available.
Very handy.
Very accurate.

 

[Flewis]

Sure, I'll give you that if your definition of a "modular rifle" is changing the stock, barrel length or magazine...but not the caliber. The Stoner 63 only shot 5.56x45NATO as a production rifle. Not what most would consider a "do it all" cartridge for hunting Africa.

Stoners design while revolutionary for the military, has had little to no impact on the hunting world outside of the US. And the temporary importation of such a rifle for sporting use in Africa is not allowed. So for the purposes of this thread...it's not applicabl

 

[Flewis]

Sure, I'll give you that if your definition of a "modular rifle" is changing the stock, barrel length or magazine...but not the caliber. The Stoner 63 only shot 5.56x45NATO as a production rifle. Not what most would consider a "do it all" cartridge for hunting Africa.

Stoners design while revolutionary for the military, has had little to no impact on the hunting world outside of the US. And the temporary importation of such a rifle for sporting use in Africa is not allowed. So for the purposes of this thread...it's not applicable.

They can be changed by pushing 2 pins and be in many Cals from 22 rim to 50 bmg. Also pistol cals and shotgun of course different sizes lowers

Sure, I'll give you that if your definition of a "modular rifle" is changing the stock, barrel length or magazine...but not the caliber. The Stoner 63 only shot 5.56x45NATO as a production rifle. Not what most would consider a "do it all" cartridge for hunting Africa.

Stoners design while revolutionary for the military, has had little to no impact on the hunting world outside of the US. And the temporary importation of such a rifle for sporting use in Africa is not allowed. So for the purposes of this thread...it's not applicable.

my point was he started this system nothing more. You get ars in about any cal you want from 22rim to 50 bmg and shotgun also.