Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[BJH65]

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]

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]

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

 

[BeeMaa]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[TOBY458]

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]

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]

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.