Blaser R8 for Dangerous Game

[bowjijohn]

Na

just tried it again

I can just about do it with a great deal of force but not quickly

it is not for me

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Na

just tried it again

I can just about do it with a great deal of force but not quickly

it is not for me

Just curious have you tried with a different mag insert?

 

[bowjijohn]

I have yes

I’ve never been able to top load .223 or 6.5 x55

After the video posted just now I tried the 404 and gave it ‘a bit more wellie’
I could do it - just - but I’d not be confident reloading that way under pressure

Top loading a Mauser 98, for example, is pretty much effortless

perhaps the insert loosens up with a few repetitions?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I have yes

I’ve never been able to top load .223 or 6.5 x55

After the video posted just now I tried the 404 and gave it ‘a bit more wellie’
I could do it - just - but I’d not be confident reloading that way under pressure

Top loading a Mauser 98, for example, is pretty much effortless

perhaps the insert loosens up with a few repetitions?

It may. Honestly I don’t know. I don’t own one. Yet

 

[TOBY458]

I have yes

I’ve never been able to top load .223 or 6.5 x55

After the video posted just now I tried the 404 and gave it ‘a bit more wellie’
I could do it - just - but I’d not be confident reloading that way under pressure

Top loading a Mauser 98, for example, is pretty much effortless

perhaps the insert loosens up with a few repetitions?

It doesn't require a lot of force. The rifle in the video is a 458 Win Mag, with a new magazine insert. So, the geometry of the 404/ultra mag magazine should be very similar in regards to the force it takes to load it.
If I were you, I'd try to master top loading. As you know, that's a far superior way of topping off your rifle when hunting. Having to totally remove the magazine to load it will take far longer, and will require you to take your eyes off the animal in front of you. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[bowjijohn]

I shall persevere

 

[BeeMaa]

I shall persevere

I will admit that the first time I did it, I was apprehensive. It's not a like a CRF Mauser...of course nothing about the Blaser R8 is like a CRF Mauser aside from the fact that they both shoot bullets. After top loading the R8 a few times it becomes normal.

 

[nomspc]

I had a .404 R8 barrel and found top-loading required more effort than most other calibers. .308 is easy, but easiest of all to top-load is .375 H&H.

 

[Daggaboy375]

I had problems top loading a non removable mag installed in the receiver. Seems like there was very little give side to side.

Just tried it with R8 Pro with removable trigger group and it was easy applying downward pressure with two thumbs.

22-250, 6.5 CM, 300 WM and 375 H&H.

DB

 

[meigsbucks]

My R8’s 9.3x62 and .300 Wby are easy to load from the top. The .270 insert seems to have a little tighter tolerances and is a little tougher to align the round before pushing down.
For the cocking and decocking, I didn’t have an issue cocking the rifle, but decocking had a bit of a learning curve. @Toby458’s video gives a good demonstration of the cocking and decocking. However, for decocking, I found an alternative method where I use the side of my thumb. With either method, pushing slightly forward and then depressing while allowing the cocker to release does take some getting used to.

 

[Rickmt]

I have yes

I’ve never been able to top load .223 or 6.5 x55

After the video posted just now I tried the 404 and gave it ‘a bit more wellie’
I could do it - just - but I’d not be confident reloading that way under pressure

Top loading a Mauser 98, for example, is pretty much effortless

perhaps the insert loosens up with a few repetitions?

Yes, mine did get easier to top load with use. Just keep doing it!

 

[nomspc]

.375 H&H; 9.3X62 just as easy.