Transitioning To A Blaser R8 - A Two Months / 500 Rounds Review

Luminous Ham said:

Yes, it can be a bit difficult. A good trick, I think, is to use your index finger on the bolt handle as leverage. See here YouTube video

Makes a big difference.

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Ah, but be careful !

It is also a great way to open the bolt when the rifle is uncocked, so be very careful where you rest your index finger on the bolt handle. On the root of the handle, and you will apply leverage to cock the rifle; anywhere else on the rotating handle, and you will open the action instead of cocking the rifle.

Knowing that Murphy always invite himself to the dance, I would advise against this manipulation in the hunting fields

As meigsbucks said, a little bit of practice will get you there without risking a mishap.


PS- By the way, the link provided got me to Kenya Airways Wikipedia page !?!?!?

One Day... said:

Ah, but be careful !

It is also a great way to open the bolt when the rifle is uncocked, so be very careful where you rest your index finger on the bolt handle. On the root of the handle, and you will apply leverage to cock the rifle; anywhere else on the rotating handle, and you will open the action instead of cocking the rifle.

Knowing that Murphy always invite himself to the dance, I would advise against this manipulation in the hunting fields

As meigsbucks said, a little bit of practice will get you there without risking a mishap.


PS- By the way, the link provided got me to Kenya Airways Wikipedia page !?!?!?

Click to expand...

That is weird, I have not visited the Kenya Airways website, ever I think. Anyhow, searching for R8 safety bolt index will find videos.

Luminous Ham said:

Yes, it can be a bit difficult. A good trick, I think, is to use your index finger on the bolt handle as leverage. See here YouTube video

Makes a big difference.

Click to expand...

I’m with @One Day... on this and advise strongly against this practice.

The only time I have my thumb on the cocking device and fingers on the bolt is when it’s on “safe/decocked” and I want to open the bolt for unloading the chamber/magazine. A slight push on the cocking device will unlock the bolt for opening without danger of firing the rifle.

I demonstrate this technique at the 0:18 mark of this video.

Manipulation of the cocking device will become second nature after using it for a while. For my wife and I, it took an afternoon of dry fire practice and we were good. Best to get these things sorted out before going to the range with live ammunition.

meigsbucks said:

The cocker on a Blaser isn’t a light thumb push, like on a shotgun. It takes a somewhat concerted effort. However, IMO, the safety aspect far outweighs what little additional effort is required to engage. I’m not going to delude you, it does take a little getting used to. Trying it a couple of times at the LGS may put you off, but after actually using it for a while, it becomes more comfortable. To be honest, it took me longer to get used to decocking, than cocking.

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Yes, similar to my K-gun and the Sauer 404 I sold.

EuroOptic said:

If only Blaser would sell me the guts from a professional stock receiver needed to make those stocks work.. would be a very cost effective and functional way to get into an R8

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They won't sell them to anyone, not you not anyone here in Europe.

I bought a Jaeger with no stocks from you a few years ago. But they never sell the professional receiver.

FBT in Austria by default sells a lot of r8s, but they have to buy them grey market harvest their guts and then build them into their rifles.

It is stupid.

In our last Big Bore shoot I decided to shoot only my Blaser R8 500J leaving the 470 double for next time.
I am not a great shot and this is not meant as a boast, but I scored 58/60, which amazed me. It is all down to how easy the Blaser is to shoot consistently. I admit that my first few shots when I acquired this rifle were more like holding on, but now I like to think it has transitioned to a great partnership. It only asks that you slow down and deliberately enjoy it.