Blaser Rifles

[Opposite Pole]

Gents - Any special seasoning needed for Blaser barrels? From what I can tell, the barrels are of excellent quality and it seems most people just shoot and go from there, but I've seasoned my Sakos, which are also excellent barrels. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Never had to do anything special to mine, but I guess fire a few rounds, give them a quick wjpe with a dry bore snake, shine a torch inside and you should see if there are any spots of larger copper deposits anywhere in the barrel. If so, I’d clean it with copper solvent and have another go. Typically it’s not much of a problem with hammer forged barrels.

 

[wesheltonj]

Your SAKO did not need break in according to SAKO, and neither do Blaser’s.

 

[BeeMaa]

As for barrel break-in I believe there are as many methods as there are opinions against it.
I saw this video specifically for the Blaser R8...take it with a grain of salt as your results may vary.
His accuracy improved, but this is clearly not a science experiement, it's a YouTube video.
He could have just been getting better with the rifle OR it could have actually been breaking in the barrel.
How much could it hurt to just do some type of break-in procedure?

 

[Red Leg]

As for barrel break-in I believe there are as many methods as there are opinions against it.
I saw this video specifically for the Blaser R8...take it with a grain of salt as your results may vary.
His accuracy improved, but this is clearly not a science experiement, it's a YouTube video.
He could have just been getting better with the rifle OR it could have actually been breaking in the barrel.
How much could it hurt to just do some type of break-in procedure?

As long as one is careful with the rod and don’t use too hard an abrasive, none at all. I am sure it is terrific therapy for those who need it. Notice how calm and fulfilled our youtuber is at the end. I think it is lost on the barrel or the rifle.

 

[Philip Glass]

Wouldn’t that be at the expense of one’s thumb though? I shoot the thumbhole R8 in 375 with lightest barrel with no issues but I was informed by Blaser customer service they don’t recommend going above it due to recoil becoming an issue. There’s a substantial difference between 375 and 416.

Interesting. I’ve never heard that. Years ago I bought a pistol grip Benelli pump 12ga to shoot coyotes out of a helicopter with. The pistol grip keeps the recoil off my shoulder so I can keep shooting without getting pounded. I don’t have a .416 barrel yet but plan to get one. We shall see!
Philip

 

[Opposite Pole]

Interesting. I’ve never heard that. Years ago I bought a pistol grip Benelli pump 12ga to shoot coyotes out of a helicopter with. The pistol grip keeps the recoil off my shoulder so I can keep shooting without getting pounded. I don’t have a .416 barrel yet but plan to get one. We shall see!
Philip

Perhaps there’s a difference between a thumbhole stock and a pistol grip? The way you hold each of them is not the same. Unfortunately I can’t compare the recoil between the two in practise. The only thing resembling a long arm with pistol grip that I own is a shoulder stocked HK SP5K and 9x19 fired in a heavy gun with a shoulder stock gives virtually no recoil at all.

 

[wesheltonj]

As for barrel break-in I believe there are as many methods as there are opinions against it.
I saw this video specifically for the Blaser R8...take it with a grain of salt as your results may vary.
His accuracy improved, but this is clearly not a science experiement, it's a YouTube video.
He could have just been getting better with the rifle OR it could have actually been breaking in the barrel.
How much could it hurt to just do some type of break-in procedure?

Barrel is hammer forged, not cut. Other than sighting in the scope, what a waste of ammo.

 

[BeeMaa]

Went to Euro Optic yesterday to have the wife look at the R8.
I believe we will be taking the plunge in the not too distant future.
And by "we", I mean we will each be getting a chassis to mount barrels on...

 

[Rimbaud]

Gents - I took the R8 in .308 to the range today for the very first time. After the rifle was zeroed, I was regularly shooting groups where all of the shots touched. I'm a reasonably good shot, and I shoot a lot, but I have rarely seen that kind of accuracy with my hunting rifles. I'm always happy with kill zone shots that group within the palm of my hand, but these were great groups. Two guys showed up w sniper rifles (weekend Rambos) and the Blaser shot better than the tricked out 308s those guys had. The straight-pull bolt is slick and smooth, and an incredible improvement on the traditional bolt.

 

[Philip Glass]

Perhaps there’s a difference between a thumbhole stock and a pistol grip? The way you hold each of them is not the same. Unfortunately I can’t compare the recoil between the two in practise. The only thing resembling a long arm with pistol grip that I own is a shoulder stocked HK SP5K and 9x19 fired in a heavy gun with a shoulder stock gives virtually no recoil at all.

The R8 Pro success is a thumb hole stock. Take a look at it.

 

[Opposite Pole]

The R8 Pro success is a thumb hole stock. Take a look at it.

I own one

 

[perttime]

I own one

I am curious about the Blaser thumbhole stocks.
Can you operate the safety / cocking lever while properly gripping the rifle? In photos, it looks as if the stock design would interfere.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I am curious about the Blaser thumbhole stocks.
Can you operate the safety / cocking lever while properly gripping the rifle? In photos, it looks as if the stock design would interfere.

I can, I’ve got regular size hands - I wear size M or L gloves. My wife has tiny hands (she buys kids sized ski gloves) and she can reach it but is not strong enough to push it, mind you she has trouble racking full size handguns too.

I can shoot the rifle without putting my thumb through the thumbhole as well (resting the thumb on top of the stock).

 

[BeeMaa]

I can, I’ve got regular size hands - I wear size M or L gloves. My wife has tiny hands (she buys kids sized ski gloves) and she can reach it but is not strong enough to push it, mind you she has trouble racking full size handguns too.

I can shoot the rifle without putting my thumb through the thumbhole as well (resting the thumb on top of the stock).

It was difficult for my wife to operate the safety the first few times as well.
And I was surprised as what force it took to operate it.
Something to get accustomed to, because it sure as hell won't get moved by accident.

 

[perttime]

But it is possible to operate it while gripping the "pistol grip"?

 

[Opposite Pole]

But it is possible to operate it while gripping the "pistol grip"?

Does this answer your question?

 

[Red Leg]

It was difficult for my wife to operate the safety the first few times as well.
And I was surprised as what force it took to operate it.
Something to get accustomed to, because it sure as hell won't get moved by accident.

As I am sure you know, that is because it is not actually a safety. It is a cocking slide, so it takes a bit more force to bring the firing spring to full cock. One does become accustomed to it.

 

[perttime]

Does this answer your question?
View attachment 311990

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Perfect. Thank you.

No worries

 

[Philip Glass]

I am curious about the Blaser thumbhole stocks.
Can you operate the safety / cocking lever while properly gripping the rifle? In photos, it looks as if the stock design would interfere.

No problem that I’ve seen so far. You go have to understand the safety is harder to get used to than most.