R 8

[458JCE]

To r8. I would drink the cool aid if someone just gave me a good practical reason to do so. You didn’t.

The most compelling reason to own a Blaser is its practicality for air travel to hunts. Two rifles fit into a case that doesn't look like a gun case.
And, they are the most accurate factory rifles I've ever owned.

 

[major hunter]

How reliable is your Blaser R8?i keep thinking I need one. Anyone here use them on dangerous game?

Is a deadly rifle, use it on all mountain hunts chambered in 300WM. Prefer a bolt action for africa dangerous game or double.

 

[Charlie64]

.

R8 - super engineering with the end result being a great success! I know a couple of gun shops here in Germany that move hundreds of R8s per month to newbie hunters & old alike. From pretty basic plastic stocked up to leather & top grade woods & very accurate out of the box! What more could you ask for.

I do not own one, but my wife does - .270 Win & .223 Rem. I use the Rem a lot for foxing at night! I got it for her as a present .......

Cheers

.

 

[R eight]

To r8. I would drink the cool aid if someone just gave me a good practical reason to do so. You didn’t.

I’m happy that you’re happy with your R93. It’s a great rifle, enjoy it.

 

[UpNorthMI]

My son and I both shoot R8's, great travel rifle and really great for any use. The problem is the Blaser disease, as you buy more and then accessories, this results in a serious symptom of negative cash flow!

We have shot all sorts of game up to and including buffalo, my latest version is a .416 Rem Mag version. All of our 4 rifles and any barrels we use all achieve great accuracy, the QD scope mounts always return to zero.

Hopefully you will soon enjoy a new gun, what else are you going to do with your money, they do retain their value well, used barrels and scope mounts basically sell for what they cost new 4 or 5 years ago.

 

[WyoBull]

I have three R8 receiver/stock groups and barrels in .404, .375. 300 Win Mag, 6.5x55, and .257 WBY. My .375 has taken two Cape Buffalo Bulls and a host of plains game; the .300 has taken three Nilgai; and three whitetail have been taken with the 6.5. My normal outfitter in Spain is also a believer in the R8 and I have taken Sika, Fallow, and several Ibex, Roe Deer, and Boar with one in .270 WSM.

I have never had a bobble on three continents. With the professional stock and .375 barrel firing a 300 gr A Frame, it is my one rifle solution for all things African.

I own a number of very fine rifles, but I am absolutely convinced the R8 is the finest production rifle made anywhere. Ergonomics are perfect, the trigger is the best ever put into a factory rifle, accuracy is consistently sub MOA, and it is very nearly indestructible under any conditions. No rifle is more easily transportable.

R8 with 6.5x55 barrel and suppressor. My "backyard" deer rifle.
View attachment 753354

R8 with .257 barrel. My North American do almost anything rifle.
View attachment 753355

@Red Leg, is there a best source for R8's here in the United States? I am not sure yet if I am going to do anything but I have thought about selling several rifles and going this route with maybe just a 375 H&H and 300 WM combo.

 

[godwincp]

J Sipp
And son will make you both and much cheaper than Blaser if you could find one

 

[UpNorthMI]

WyoBill, that is a great R8 combo 300 WM and .375 H&H, both my son and I travelled with that set up to South Africa in 2024, it pretty much covers most hunting options.

 

[458JCE]

WyoBill, that is a great R8 combo 300 WM and .375 H&H, both my son and I travelled with that set up to South Africa in 2024, it pretty much covers most hunting options.View attachment 753552

Love the cases! Where did you get the custom cases? Cost? The genuine Blaser case doesn't allow the scopes to remain attached to the barrels (but has smaller dimensions).

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg, is there a best source for R8's here in the United States? I am not sure yet if I am going to do anything but I have thought about selling several rifles and going this route with maybe just a 375 H&H and 300 WM combo.

I have purchased most of my R8 components through Eurooptic https://www.eurooptic.com/ And I can not recommend them more highly. They are great folks on the phone and can help you create the perfect combination of features to make the best rifle for your needs (including budget).

One really good thing to bear in mind is that through .375 the standard contour and standard stock configuration or the most practical hunting rifles - and the most inexpensive. They create a perfectly manageable rifle that can be carried all day and still shot without being battered. The semi-weight and heavier barrels, particularly when married to a steel receiver group, create very heavy rifles.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Love the cases! Where did you get the custom cases? Cost? The genuine Blaser case doesn't allow the scopes to remain attached to the barrels (but has smaller dimensions).

They are both Pelican 1700 cases. A sharp craft knife (small cuts) and an electric carving knife (long cuts 95% of cuts) make it very easy to cut the mid foam layer, I've used the cases several times and cut new middle layer often by buying foam locally. The cases have wheels on one end, I cannot say enough good things about them, they have been to Africa, Australia, UK and other places, they work so well.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've been a Blaser R8 fanboy since getting my first in 2019, and I've never looked back. My wife and I revamped our vaults for all R8's. The most used for traveling hunts (as mentioned by @Red Leg) is the standard contour 375H&H with the aluminum receiver and stock of your choosing. Without an optic, it's about 7.75 lbs and very easy to shoot from sticks. With a scope, sling and 4 cartridges it comes in just over 10 lbs. This makes it very easy to carry all day on a long track looking for whatever DG or PG you have on the list. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.

 

[BeeMaa]

And here's a thread of 60+ pages of people using (or not using) a Blaser R8 for DG. Along with the various reasons for each.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/blaser-r8-for-dangerous-game.53390/

Personally, I believe each rifle is an individual that needs to be proven reliable over hundreds of full power rounds at the range before it's trusted in the field. From ground squirrel to elephant, each rifle needs to be vetted, however most of the problems come from the person pulling the trigger.