Blaser R8. Swapping barrels between stocks. Changes in point of impact/precision ?

[R eight]

Just thought I’d pass on what I’ve observed when switching barrels between stocks on my R8’s .

I’ve got 3 R8’s. Two are the professional model and one is the heavier PH model.

Long story short…when swapping barrels between the professional models there is no difference (none that I can measure) in precision/accuracy or point of impact. I’ve tried that with.22 LR, 223, 308, 30/06 and 9.3 x62.

Today I tried shooting my 9.3 barrel on my PH stock. There was a significant difference in point of impact. 4 inches lower , with the PH stock. at 100 meters. No difference in precision.

I’ve only tried it with the one barrel. At first I was surprised by the difference. But when I think about it it makes sense. But I would never have guessed that it would be 4inches.

Anyway, just thought I’d share. Anyone else got similar experiences ?

 

[Kevin375]

I also had this problem with my R93's.

When my walnut stock started to crack, I decided to fit my .375 H&H mag barrel onto my Professional stock for driven hunt. I had the good idea to check on target if the POI shifted. I was surprised to see my bullets hitting the target much higher.

Very curious, I decided to fit the .300 Winchester magnum onto the walnut stock and this time, the point of impact was much lower.

Later, when I bought a new professional stock, I tried to see if there was still the same problem, but in this case, the POI was the same.

I haven't tried with my R8's so far. However, I know someone who had the same problem between a woodstock and a synthetic stock. He sent a mail to Blaser for complaining but he never received any news. Later, I spoke with a man from Blaser who confirmed me this problem was known.

 

[R eight]

I don’t see it as a problem. Just something to be aware of. When you consider that the PH stock is at least a kilogram heavier than the professional stocks I can see how they would recoil differently and therefore shift point of impact. I was just really surprised that it was 4 inches at 100 meters.

I’ll try the rimfire barrel in the PH stock next visit to the range. My guess is that with almost no recoil there shouldn’t be much, if any, change in the POI. But, I shall see.

 

[Kevin375]

Unfortunately, there are some people who don't know it because many gunsmiths used to say that swapping barrels didn't affect the point of impact.
It's not necessary the case, but it happens.

In my case, both R93's are light but the receiver seems to be not exactly the same between the walnut stock and the synthetic stock. I was told they don't give the same harmonics to the barrel and here is why there is a shift. But I just repeat what I heard.
Keep us informed.

 

[AimSmall]

As with any firearm, after any changes it would best to retest zero before taking afield.

 

[SETH RINGER]

OUR R93'S HAVE ANYWAYS SHOT POA MIX AND MATCH BARRELS AND WALNUT/PRO STOCKS. BOTH STOCKS ARE STANDARD THOUGH.

 

[Rob.450/400]

Today, I tested switching my Blaser 458 Win. Mag. barrel from an R8 Pro Safari stock with steel receiver to an R8 Pro Safari stock with alloy receiver, and there was a change in POI. In the alloy receiver, my group was very high and left. With the steel receiver, I was dead on at 100 meters. Darkness fell, and I was unable to move the barrel back and retest the steel receiver. I will do it later this week.

 

[Quest#1]

I for some reason have an elevation issue just about every time i put my gun together. Im clearly doing something incorrect. Do they have screw sequence? Most recent trip to Mozambique was a disaster. Could be the new z8 was acting weird wouldn’t adjust and then would dramatically. i just stuck it all back in the case and thats where she will sit for a bit.

 

[R eight]

I for some reason have an elevation issue just about every time i put my gun together. Im clearly doing something incorrect. Do they have screw sequence? Most recent trip to Mozambique was a disaster. Could be the new z8 was acting weird wouldn’t adjust and then would dramatically. i just stuck it all back in the case and thats where she will sit for a bit.

First thing I’d check would be the scope mount and scope.
As to screw sequence ? I don’t think they have any recommendations. I just make sure there is absolutely no oil on the bedding blocks and outside of the barrel when assembling. I do have a sequence, but I don’t think it really matters. I always start on the front screw. Screw it using little force. Then rear screw the same way. Then tighten the front and finally the rear. But I don’t think it really matters.

 

[Flbt]

Unfortunately, there are some people who don't know it because many gunsmiths used to say that swapping barrels didn't affect the point of impact.
It's not necessary the case, but it happens.

In my case, both R93's are light but the receiver seems to be not exactly the same between the walnut stock and the synthetic stock. I was told they don't give the same harmonics to the barrel and here is why there is a shift. But I just repeat what I heard.
Keep us informed.

It’s not just that rifle that cause people problems

Honestly my brother and I have sighted 5 rifles in this year because people he worked with could not get them to hit.

Some were bore sights packages from the big Cain store
Some were older rifles that all the screws were lose.
One came in with the barrel and action so lose I really think it was dangerous that the owner tried to sight it in.
Yes I know none of them are the same class rifle.
But if people don’t understand the stock lose from the rifle is bad. I sure a barrel swap did not raise a eyebrow to some.

 

[Rob.450/400]

Today, I tested switching my Blaser 458 Win. Mag. barrel from an R8 Pro Safari stock with steel receiver to an R8 Pro Safari stock with alloy receiver, and there was a change in POI. In the alloy receiver, my group was very high and left. With the steel receiver, I was dead on at 100 meters. Darkness fell, and I was unable to move the barrel back and retest the steel receiver. I will do it later this week.

I was able to switch my Blaser 458 Win. Mag. barrel and mounted scope back into the R8 Safari steel receiver stock today and shoot some speed drills on plates at 30 yards and groups at 100 meters.

After reinstalling the barrel into the steel receiver stock I used when I sighted in the load, I was able to center-punch 30-yard plates offhand and shoot typical groups to the original zero from the bench as sighted in before switching to the R8 Pro Safai alloy stock. (Recall that when the Blaser barrel/scope combo was in the stock with the alloy receiver, I was shooting high and left.) In other words, all returned to their original metrics when I moved back to the stock with the steel receiver used for load sight-in. These were my results; others might have different outcomes.

I always ensure there is no oil or lubricant on the receiver (alloy or steel) or on the mating surface of the barrel when installing a barrel in a Blaser R8 stock. Thus, lubrication was not a factor in this test and did not cause the alloy receiver to shoot high and left.

Based on the above, if I move a Blaser barrel/scope to a different stock, I will verify and re-sight it before use. In fact, I will now reverify even after removing and reinstalling the barrel in its "primary" or "dedicated" stock before hunting with it.

Has anyone performed a group test without removing the barrel, then removed and reinstalled it for each shot in a five-shot group? If so, I would like to hear your results.

 

[R eight]

I was able to switch my Blaser 458 Win. Mag. barrel and mounted scope back into the R8 Safari steel receiver stock today and shoot some speed drills on plates at 30 yards and groups at 100 meters.

After reinstalling the barrel into the steel receiver stock I used when I sighted in the load, I was able to center-punch 30-yard plates offhand and shoot typical groups to the original zero from the bench as sighted in before switching to the R8 Pro Safai alloy stock. (Recall that when the Blaser barrel/scope combo was in the stock with the alloy receiver, I was shooting high and left.) In other words, all returned to their original metrics when I moved back to the stock with the steel receiver used for load sight-in. These were my results; others might have different outcomes.

I always ensure there is no oil or lubricant on the receiver (alloy or steel) or on the mating surface of the barrel when installing a barrel in a Blaser R8 stock. Thus, lubrication was not a factor in this test and did not cause the alloy receiver to shoot high and left.

Based on the above, if I move a Blaser barrel/scope to a different stock, I will verify and re-sight it before use. In fact, I will now reverify even after removing and reinstalling the barrel in its "primary" or "dedicated" stock before hunting with it.

Has anyone performed a group test without removing the barrel, then removed and reinstalled it for each shot in a five-shot group? If so, I would like to hear your results.

This bloke has done something similar and uploaded the video.

I’ve done very similar when I bought my first R8. My results were similar to those on the video. If there’s a difference it’s negligible. The rifles precision is vastly superior to my ability.

 

[Rob.450/400]

This bloke has done something similar and uploaded the video.

I’ve done very similar when I bought my first R8. My results were similar to those on the video. If there’s a difference it’s negligible. The rifles precision is vastly superior to my ability.

Thank you for posting this and confirming that your testing was similar.

 

[ActionBob]

I've never owned nor shot a Blaser. However it seems logical that if you change to a different stock and/or reciever the poa woukd change.

What seems reasonable is if you have a scope dedicated to a barrel, mount it and sight it in. Then remove it and re-attach it with no other changes that it returns to it's zero. Likewise if you have another barrel with another dedicated scope it should do the same.

It seems unreasonable to expect to be able to take either barrel and mount them to a different receiver and/or stock and expect it to hold the prior zero. If it does, that is truly some amazing precision manufacturing! Even if the the same weight and design.

But to change stock design and/or weight. And Likewise receiver weight and expect the poa or zero to remain the same just seems like totally unreasonable expectations.

 

[R eight]

I've never owned nor shot a Blaser. However it seems logical that if you change to a different stock and/or reciever the poa woukd change.

What seems reasonable is if you have a scope dedicated to a barrel, mount it and sight it in. Then remove it and re-attach it with no other changes that it returns to it's zero. Likewise if you have another barrel with another dedicated scope it should do the same.

It seems unreasonable to expect to be able to take either barrel and mount them to a different receiver and/or stock and expect it to hold the prior zero. If it does, that is truly some amazing precision manufacturing! Even if the the same weight and design.

But to change stock design and/or weight. And Likewise receiver weight and expect the poa or zero to remain the same just seems like totally unreasonable expectations.

You can swap barrels between similar weight stocks, no difference in precision or accuracy. I wasn’t surprised by that.

Swap barrels between different weight stocks and there’s a difference in POI. I expected that. However, I was surprised by how large the change was.

My Blasers continue to impress me. I can’t fault any of the Blasers that I’ve owned.