Blaser R8 in 500 Jeffrey, shootability?

LimbNoMo said:

Congratulations on your new rifle. Are those 26” barrels?

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Yes, they are.

I mounted the Blaser RD20 red dot on the R8 500J yesterday and we spent nine rounds sighting it in at about 30 metres. I was surprised at how manageable it was off the bench and the other person who took a few of those shots commented the same.
Then today I shot it in our monthly big bore competition, 6 quick shots and scored 56 ex 60. I was extremely happy with that and again the recoil was ok.
Someone commented that the synthetic professional stock takes up more recoil than the fitted kickstop soaks up because it flexes a little. Is this so?

Kevin Peacocke said:

I mounted the Blaser RD20 red dot on the R8 500J yesterday and we spent nine rounds sighting it in at about 30 metres. I was surprised at how manageable it was off the bench and the other person who took a few of those shots commented the same.
Then today I shot it in our monthly big bore competition, 6 quick shots and scored 56 ex 60. I was extremely happy with that and again the recoil was ok.
Someone commented that the synthetic professional stock takes up more recoil than the fitted kickstop soaks up because it flexes a little. Is this so?

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Great to hear that you have it up and running and also that you’re enjoying shooting it.
All my experience with identical synthetic versus wood is that wood generally soaks up recoil better. But can’t expand on fitted kickstops.

Kevin Peacocke said:

I mounted the Blaser RD20 red dot on the R8 500J yesterday and we spent nine rounds sighting it in at about 30 metres. I was surprised at how manageable it was off the bench and the other person who took a few of those shots commented the same.
Then today I shot it in our monthly big bore competition, 6 quick shots and scored 56 ex 60. I was extremely happy with that and again the recoil was ok.
Someone commented that the synthetic professional stock takes up more recoil than the fitted kickstop soaks up because it flexes a little. Is this so?

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Kevin,

Congrats on a new to you double and for stepping up to 500 J on the R8. I purchased a .416RM R8 and had it supplied with a kickstop fitted, I have 3 other R8 stocks (non are wood) and decided to do an experiment with a .375 H&H barrel on a standard stock and on the stock with the kickstop, the felt recoil with the kickstop fitted is significantly reduced. I strongly recommend a kickstop for anyone who wishes to reduce felt recoil on a R8, assuming they can manage the additional weight of the gun.

I'm with you on your comments in this thread about having enough gun, sometimes bigger is better assuming you can shoot it well.

Kevin Peacocke said:

I mounted the Blaser RD20 red dot on the R8 500J yesterday and we spent nine rounds sighting it in at about 30 metres. I was surprised at how manageable it was off the bench and the other person who took a few of those shots commented the same.
Then today I shot it in our monthly big bore competition, 6 quick shots and scored 56 ex 60. I was extremely happy with that and again the recoil was ok.
Someone commented that the synthetic professional stock takes up more recoil than the fitted kickstop soaks up because it flexes a little. Is this so?

Click to expand...

Yes, the stock flex does give the feeling of less recoil because the stock under flex is not being directed into the rifleman. However, flex is an enemy of accuracy because the rifle stock will not flex identically for each shot. Rigidity is the key to accuracy but does transfer recoil energy efficiently to rifleman. Notwithstanding, accuracy is not affected enough in this scenario to make any difference.

Kevin Peacocke said:

I mounted the Blaser RD20 red dot on the R8 500J yesterday and we spent nine rounds sighting it in at about 30 metres. I was surprised at how manageable it was off the bench and the other person who took a few of those shots commented the same.
Then today I shot it in our monthly big bore competition, 6 quick shots and scored 56 ex 60. I was extremely happy with that and again the recoil was ok.
Someone commented that the synthetic professional stock takes up more recoil than the fitted kickstop soaks up because it flexes a little. Is this so?

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What ammo are you currently running through it Kevin?

Aussie_Hunter said:

What ammo are you currently running through it Kevin?

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AH, the heads are all Woodleigh, we think 535. But I got them with the R8, so load unknown. They are all finished now so we will work up our own loads based around Woodleigh FMJ 570 and Barnes TSX.
For gange rounds I will just load Hornady DGS because I can get them more easily. The hunting rounds will be around 2300fps and the range rounds at 2100fps.

Kevin Peacocke said:

AH, the heads are all Woodleigh, we think 535. But I got them with the R8, so load unknown. They are all finished now so we will work up our own loads based around Woodleigh FMJ 570 and Barnes TSX.
For gange rounds I will just load Hornady DGS because I can get them more easily. The hunting rounds will be around 2300fps and the range rounds at 2100fps.

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The 535 grain Woodleighs at between 2250-2300fps have been my go to load for the 500 Jeffery.

I’m also using 535 grain projectiles. Woodleighs for any Australian hunting. Hopefully I’ll use some on buffalo in a few months. I’ve got some locally made bullets in 535 grain as well. They shoot near enough to the same POI as the Woodleighs. They’re affordable at $1 Ozzie each.

If I was taking the 500J to hunt Elephant and CB I’d just load up these.



These are my very affordable practice projectiles