Well I've Done It Now!!! (Joining The R8 Cult)

As some of you may know, I'm somewhat of a gun nut, and horse trader of sorts. Many of you have shown despair when I've bought, held very shortly, and sold some fine rifles over the last few years, and to be honest, I can't blame you! I sometimes think I'm indeed crazy myself.

But, during all of my gun buying ventures, a Blaser R8 has somehow remained elusive. In fact, until today, I had never even held one in my hands. I've read with great interest, the exploits of various members here who extol the virtues of these fine rifles over and over again, in post after post. Something had to give...

Well....I've been back and forth on deciding whether or not to take the plunge, sight unseen, to see what all the fuss was about. Could these rifles really be that good?
Well....I finally did just that. I took delivery of a brand new Blaser R8 Professional, with green synthetic stock, in the very useful 7MM Rem Mag. Along with the rifle came a brand new Zeiss Conquest 2-10×42 scope in a factory scope mount. All nestled together in a Pelican Safari Hard Case. To say I was impressed with my initial peak into the case would be an understatement. This thing is everything I had read about and more! Solid is a word that comes to mind. Very smooth feeding. Handles like a dream, and My God.....that trigger.

I can't wait to take it to the back yard for a test run. And my buy it now finger is already getting itchy for a 375 Barrel.

TBC.....

This is awesome!

I get to buy @TOBY458 ‘s blaser in 30 days!

mdwest said:

This is awesome!

I get to buy @TOBY458 ‘s blaser in 30 days!

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Step right up! We already have a bidder folks! Lol!

Congratulations on your new baby. Nice rig.

I feel that someday I will give in too Toby.
Enjoy the new rifle.

TOBY458 said:

As some of you may know, I'm somewhat of a gun nut, and horse trader of sorts. Many of you have shown despair when I've bought, held very shortly, and sold some fine rifles over the last few years, and to be honest, I can't blame you! I sometimes think I'm indeed crazy myself.

But, during all of my gun buying ventures, a Blaser R8 has somehow remained elusive. In fact, until today, I had never even held one in my hands. I've read with great interest, the exploits of various members here who extol the virtues of these fine rifles over and over again, in post after post. Something had to give...

Well....I've been back and forth on deciding whether or not to take the plunge, sight unseen, to see what all the fuss was about. Could these rifles really be that good?
Well....I finally did just that. I took delivery of a brand new Blaser R8 Professional, with green synthetic stock, in the very useful 7MM Rem Mag. Along with the rifle came a brand new Zeiss Conquest 2-10×42 scope in a factory scope mount. All nestled together in a Pelican Safari Hard Case. To say I was impressed with my initial peak into the case would be an understatement. This thing is everything I had read about and more! Solid is a word that comes to mind. Very smooth feeding. Handles like a dream, and My God.....that trigger.

I can't wait to take it to the back yard for a test run. And my buy it now finger is already getting itchy for a 375 Barrel.

TBC.....

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I bought the exact same gun for my son! And yes sir the trigger is amazing. Welcome to the club.
Philip

Ah, the kitchen we all know so well!

I’m certain you will enjoy your R8. I do think you should give us your opinion after using it a bit. After reviewing the list of rifles that have passed through your hands, I think your opinion will be valued.

Welcome to the dark side Toby.

Toby....

You gonna start singing Pop songs now as well?....

Tra3 said:

Ah, the kitchen we all know so well!

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Kitchen? I thought that was his reloading room, I have seen it so much!

TOBY458 said:

As some of you may know, I'm somewhat of a gun nut, and horse trader of sorts. Many of you have shown despair when I've bought, held very shortly, and sold some fine rifles over the last few years, and to be honest, I can't blame you! I sometimes think I'm indeed crazy myself.

But, during all of my gun buying ventures, a Blaser R8 has somehow remained elusive. In fact, until today, I had never even held one in my hands. I've read with great interest, the exploits of various members here who extol the virtues of these fine rifles over and over again, in post after post. Something had to give...

Well....I've been back and forth on deciding whether or not to take the plunge, sight unseen, to see what all the fuss was about. Could these rifles really be that good?
Well....I finally did just that. I took delivery of a brand new Blaser R8 Professional, with green synthetic stock, in the very useful 7MM Rem Mag. Along with the rifle came a brand new Zeiss Conquest 2-10×42 scope in a factory scope mount. All nestled together in a Pelican Safari Hard Case. To say I was impressed with my initial peak into the case would be an understatement. This thing is everything I had read about and more! Solid is a word that comes to mind. Very smooth feeding. Handles like a dream, and My God.....that trigger.

I can't wait to take it to the back yard for a test run. And my buy it now finger is already getting itchy for a 375 Barrel.

TBC.....

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Can’t wait to see you clean out the safe now. We will be anxiously waiting to see what gets discarded!

TOBY458 said:

As some of you may know, I'm somewhat of a gun nut, and horse trader of sorts. Many of you have shown despair when I've bought, held very shortly, and sold some fine rifles over the last few years, and to be honest, I can't blame you! I sometimes think I'm indeed crazy myself.

But, during all of my gun buying ventures, a Blaser R8 has somehow remained elusive. In fact, until today, I had never even held one in my hands. I've read with great interest, the exploits of various members here who extol the virtues of these fine rifles over and over again, in post after post. Something had to give...

Well....I've been back and forth on deciding whether or not to take the plunge, sight unseen, to see what all the fuss was about. Could these rifles really be that good?
Well....I finally did just that. I took delivery of a brand new Blaser R8 Professional, with green synthetic stock, in the very useful 7MM Rem Mag. Along with the rifle came a brand new Zeiss Conquest 2-10×42 scope in a factory scope mount. All nestled together in a Pelican Safari Hard Case. To say I was impressed with my initial peak into the case would be an understatement. This thing is everything I had read about and more! Solid is a word that comes to mind. Very smooth feeding. Handles like a dream, and My God.....that trigger.

I can't wait to take it to the back yard for a test run. And my buy it now finger is already getting itchy for a 375 Barrel.

TBC.....

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Its like my R8's baby brother. You won't be disappointed man, these things just work!

You wont regret it
Iam using my R8 since 5 Years, first with the 8x57is and now since two Years with the new Blaser calibre 8,5x55. Iam using it in Germany for Wildboar, Roe Deer, Red Stag hunting and also in Namibia for Plainsgame. It works really great

Uh Oh, now you pulled the trigger on that you will no doubt fall into that never ending conundrum of which barrel to buy next.
Congratulations on the purchase.

@mdwest, you got ahead of me. LOL!!!!! Congrats Toby, can't wait to hear your report on it. Congrats, well done!!!

The day I get one, I'm going to blame every Blaser owner in this forum. LMAO!!!!!

Toby, Toby, Toby, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to diagnose your gun buying affliction incurable!

P.S. I've heard from "reliable sources" that you can get both a 404 Jeffery and a 6.5 x 55 barrel for it.

DWB said:

Toby....

You gonna start singing Pop songs now as well?....

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Justin Tobylake.

Hmmm...and I thought you were into light rifles?
I have found a few dislikes i have of my R8. The weight is one.
I‘ll be anxiously waiting to hear what you have to say about the “plastic fantastic”!

@mdwest I am looking forward to the bidding war
@Scott CWO Looks like we can see what pop's up now.

@TOBY458 Congratz on your new purchase, I hope you found a rifle that will accompany you on many safaris over the years to come.

Ridgewalker said:

Hmmm...and I thought you were into light rifles?
I have found a few dislikes i have of my R8. The weight is one.
I‘ll be anxiously waiting to hear what you have to say about the “plastic fantastic”!

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This one comes in a 7lbs 12oz without the scope. Not too bad I guess. What actually makes it heavy is the Zeiss scope and scope mount which come in at an additional 1lbs 8oz. This puts it at a total weight of 9lbs 4oz. I may move to a lighter weight Leupold scope and bring the weight down a bit.
I have read that many people feel these guns are a bit barrel heavy without a kickstop in the stock, but I really don't feel that myself. No way I would want any extra weight added to the current configuration.
The 375 barrel should weigh a bit less than this 7MM barrel, so if I use a lightweight Leupold on that barrel, I should end up with a 375 which is under 9lbs.