Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

BJH65 · Sep 13, 2026

I’m intrigued by the very fast 2nd, 3rd shot capability of the R8, superior to traditional bolt action rifles. This appeals to me the most. The easy takedown and transport in a less obtrusive case appeals to me as well.

Two R8’s I would consider in the future are:

1. R8 Pro Safari 500 Jeffery Selous barrel. Alloy or steel receiver?
2. R8 Pro Safari 458 Lott Selous barrel with alloy receiver

My custom Brno 458 Lott w/scope and mounts weighs 10.8 lbs unloaded and I’m comfortable shooting it. I think both the R8 458 Lott and 500 Jeffery with alloy receiver and the heavier kick stop would be similar in weight but adding a scope and mounts would put their weight at approximately 12 lbs.

Have researched various AH threads, seems the consensus is the Blaser R8 500 Jeffery should have a steel receiver for the added weight? If adding the heaviest kick stop, scope mounts and a scope like a Leupold Patrol 1-6 should get the weight close to 12 lbs total for an alloy frame 500 J and 458 Lott, shouldn’t this be sufficient weight?

Rule 303 · Sep 13, 2026

BJH65, weight is one thing for felt recoil but stock fit is far more important in taming recoil. I have put an aftermarket stock on my CZ 550 in 416Rigby. It is a better fit for me and I do not feel the recoil as much. No difference in weight.

Also look at the stock material, my Rem 700 in 375H&H kicks way less then the Cz550 in 375H&H I had. The CZ was 2 lb heavier, the Rem is in one of their elcheapo plastic stocks that has some give which soaks up recoil. Shoots just as good as the CZ did.

Kevin Peacocke · Sep 14, 2026

The weight is one thing, but steel is stronger than alloy. My R8 is steel and I am very happy it is.

BeeMaa · Sep 14, 2026

Kevin Peacocke said:
The weight is one thing, but steel is stronger than alloy. My R8 is steel and I am very happy it is.

The aluminum receiver is rated for use with every cartridge available in their lineup. The steel receiver will add weight to help reduce the recoil impulse.

R eight · Sep 14, 2026

I don’t think most people realise just how difference there is between the alloy and steel receivers in the R8.

I’ve got the safari barrels in 375, 416 and 500 which are exclusively used in my steel PH receiver/stock. That makes for a heavy rifle that is almost pleasant to use even in 500J. However, I certainly wouldn’t want to do any mountain hunting with her, even with the 375 barrel.

With the benefit of hindsight I shouldn’t have bought the 375 in the safari style barrel. I should have bought the standard profile barrel and run her in a standard Professional stock.

So, I love the steel receiver for the 416 and 500 J…. But 375 and less, IMO, are best in a Professional stock.

As I type this from the bar of a ship passing by Kodiak Island…. Wish I were in the hills chasing brownies again. I’d even be happy to be carrying the 500 J.

Tiger2001 · Sep 15, 2026

So to add some news to this discussion, I recently went to my local Frankonia here in Germany and was shown the "new" Blaser R8 2.0. According to the sales associate this is will eventually replace the R8 as we all know it. In fact he told me this when I asked if he could order me an R8 Professional stock. Per Blaser they are not making the standard R8 stocks any longer and the 2.0 is taking its place. The wrinkle? Well they are NOT interchangeable apparently and it is much like the difference between the R93 and the R8. Nothing from the R8 (save the trigger/ammunition housing) will fit in the new stock. And the new stock, IMHO, is not as nice as the normal R8. Felt "cheaper" to me for some reason. Finally, even though Blaser is still going to charge us all "Made in Germany" prices, the new 2.0 is being produced in Bulgaria. The barrels, for now, will still be made in Germany, but everything else is being shifted to Eastern Europe. I am now in a hunt for a used or NOS brown R8 Professional stock!

Gomer · Sep 15, 2026

Aren’t all infantry weapons and crew served weapons push feeds?

TOBY458 · Sep 15, 2026

Tiger2001 said:
So to add some news to this discussion, I recently went to my local Frankonia here in Germany and was shown the "new" Blaser R8 2.0. According to the sales associate this is will eventually replace the R8 as we all know it. In fact he told me this when I asked if he could order me an R8 Professional stock. Per Blaser they are not making the standard R8 stocks any longer and the 2.0 is taking its place. The wrinkle? Well they are NOT interchangeable apparently and it is much like the difference between the R93 and the R8. Nothing from the R8 (save the trigger/ammunition housing) will fit in the new stock. And the new stock, IMHO, is not as nice as the normal R8. Felt "cheaper" to me for some reason. Finally, even though Blaser is still going to charge us all "Made in Germany" prices, the new 2.0 is being produced in Bulgaria. The barrels, for now, will still be made in Germany, but everything else is being shifted to Eastern Europe. I am now in a hunt for a used or NOS brown R8 Professional stock!

I owned a 2.0 stock, and the barrel and bolt assembly will fit it. The only real difference is the 2.0 stock has a non removable receiver and it has an adjustable cheek piece. Mine came as a complete rifle and it had the same barrel and bolt assembly that will fit any other R8.

TOBY458 · Sep 15, 2026

Tiger2001 said:
So to add some news to this discussion, I recently went to my local Frankonia here in Germany and was shown the "new" Blaser R8 2.0. According to the sales associate this is will eventually replace the R8 as we all know it. In fact he told me this when I asked if he could order me an R8 Professional stock. Per Blaser they are not making the standard R8 stocks any longer and the 2.0 is taking its place. The wrinkle? Well they are NOT interchangeable apparently and it is much like the difference between the R93 and the R8. Nothing from the R8 (save the trigger/ammunition housing) will fit in the new stock. And the new stock, IMHO, is not as nice as the normal R8. Felt "cheaper" to me for some reason. Finally, even though Blaser is still going to charge us all "Made in Germany" prices, the new 2.0 is being produced in Bulgaria. The barrels, for now, will still be made in Germany, but everything else is being shifted to Eastern Europe. I am now in a hunt for a used or NOS brown R8 Professional stock!

Google Search

ADSstecky · Sep 15, 2026

I have hunted with my R8 Jaeger Safari in 375 H&H and added a kickstop and suppressor. It is a joy to shoot. I also have a barrel in 6.5x55 for plains game. I have successfully shot 3 Cape Buffalo with the 375.
You will love the straight pull bolt. More importantly, your wife will truly like less recoil and the PH and tracker will appreciate the suppressor.

Rule 303 · Sep 15, 2026

Gomer said:
Aren’t all infantry weapons and crew served weapons push feeds?

They are nowadays except, maybe, some sniper rifles. That I do not know.

KIH · Sep 16, 2026

Gomer said:
Aren’t all infantry weapons and crew served weapons push feeds?

Even worse on MG, cartridge is drawn out of belt backwards, free falls down in line with chamber and barrel, is pushed in to chamber.

Tiger2001 · Sep 17, 2026

TOBY458 said:
I owned a 2.0 stock, and the barrel and bolt assembly will fit it. The only real difference is the 2.0 stock has a non removable receiver and it has an adjustable cheek piece. Mine came as a complete rifle and it had the same barrel and bolt assembly that will fit any other R8.

So the 2.0 stock that I sampled the other day in the store was able to accept the trigger housing unit from a normal R8 just fine. But the sales person told me that is all from the original R8 that was transferable to the 2.0 stock. Whether that is an absolute fact I do not know but he's been working at Frankonia for years and has sold many (to include to me) Blaser R8s over the years. The 2.0 stock I held seemed the typical synthetic stock but felt "softer" to the touch than the regular R8 Professional stock. I am not sure how else to describe it. But I was surprised to learn I could not order a Professional brown colored stock from Blaser as they claimed they stopped making them. The sales guy said that he was not supposed highlight to customers the Bulgaria production line but I have been a good customer for years and he wanted to make sure that I knew. Whether that makes any difference in Blaser quality, I have no idea but it is important to know that if you're going to be charged Made in Germany prices, where things are actually made.

TOBY458 · Sep 17, 2026

Tiger2001 said:
So the 2.0 stock that I sampled the other day in the store was able to accept the trigger housing unit from a normal R8 just fine. But the sales person told me that is all from the original R8 that was transferable to the 2.0 stock. Whether that is an absolute fact I do not know but he's been working at Frankonia for years and has sold many (to include to me) Blaser R8s over the years. The 2.0 stock I held seemed the typical synthetic stock but felt "softer" to the touch than the regular R8 Professional stock. I am not sure how else to describe it. But I was surprised to learn I could not order a Professional brown colored stock from Blaser as they claimed they stopped making them. The sales guy said that he was not supposed highlight to customers the Bulgaria production line but I have been a good customer for years and he wanted to make sure that I knew. Whether that makes any difference in Blaser quality, I have no idea but it is important to know that if you're going to be charged Made in Germany prices, where things are actually made.

Not sure why he’d tell you that. Even the Blaser website says everything is interchangeable. Otherwise I wouldn't think they would continue calling it an R8. I believe the 2.0 stocks have more plastic in them. For instance the magazine/trigger box is made a little differently than the old style. In that the entire magazine box is all plastic now, instead of aluminum. I recently bought a new professional stock, and Eurooptic did tell me that they have been discontinued. They will now just make the 2.0 stock in their synthetic line. But I’m sure they’ll continue to sell the jaeger and other wooden stock models as before. It would make zero sense for them to make a stock that won’t accept the original R8 barrels. As they don’t make any other barrels than the original barrels.

gearguywb · Sep 17, 2026

I have both. Purchased the 2.0 as a complete rifle.

I have not tried to take the receiver out, but everything else (bolt, rails, barrels, scope mounts, all fit fine

Tiger2001 · Sep 19, 2026

gearguywb said:
I have both. Purchased the 2.0 as a complete rifle.

I have not tried to take the receiver out, but everything else (bolt, rails, barrels, scope mounts, all fit fine

And that's great. I have no argument. I was just posting what I was told. But equally as important is what I posted about Blaser ceasing production of all of their traditional line of R8 synthetic stocks. So what's out there is all that owners and aficionados will be able to find. No more will be produced. Blaser is focused on the "new" 2.0 stocks. And the 2.0 stocks will not be made in Germany but the price for them will be as if they were still being produced here.

Rule 303 · Sep 19, 2026

Tiger2001 said:
And that's great. I have no argument. I was just posting what I was told. But equally as important is what I posted about Blaser ceasing production of all of their traditional line of R8 synthetic stocks. So what's out there is all that owners and aficionados will be able to find. No more will be produced. Blaser is focused on the "new" 2.0 stocks. And the 2.0 stocks will not be made in Germany but the price for them will be as if they were still being produced here.

Time for those interested in Blasers to start writting complaints abot this to Blaser.

Daisy · Sep 20, 2026

I like both my 1.0 and 2.0 stocks. I like the 1.0 a little better for larger calibers with its heavier feel and more traditional grip. I keep my 16oz kick stop on it and use with my 30-06 and up calibers.

I like the 2.0 for more precision shooting, because of the adjustable cheek rest and more upright grip. I am keeping it light and using with 6.5 PRC and down.

Red Leg · Sep 20, 2026

My first Blaser R8 had a steel receiver with Bavarian style stock. It was inletted for semi=weight barrels. That combination with semi-weight .375 barrel is significantly heavier than it needs to be. With a similarly configured .300 Win Mag barrel it becomes a candidate for dead lift exercises. I quickly acquired a couple of synthetic stocks and a sadly discontinued all wood classic, all designed for standard barrels and have never looked back. The professional in .375 with standard barrel is the perfect balance between transportability and shooting comfortably.

BeeMaa · Sep 20, 2026

@Red Leg - I thought I remembered you picking up a 404J barrel a while back. Wasn't sure if it was 17 or 19 mm.

Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

BJH65

Rule 303

Kevin Peacocke

BeeMaa

R eight

Tiger2001

Gomer

TOBY458

TOBY458

ADSstecky

Rule 303

KIH

Tiger2001

TOBY458

gearguywb

Tiger2001

Rule 303

Daisy

Red Leg

BeeMaa

Members online

Forum statistics

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Share this page