R 8

[BeeMaa]

Not to be self promoting, but the feedback has been that the thread hereunder has helped a lot of folks in your situation. It should cover pretty much anything you can think of, R8 related.

Thread 'Transitioning To A Blaser R8 - A Two Months / 500 Rounds Review'

Nov 27, 2020

Transitioning to a Blaser R8 - A two months / 500 rounds review series of articles

So, the deed is done, I have purchased a Blaser R8 and 4 barrels.

This came as a shock to some friends on AH.com who know me to be a fervent advocate of the CZ 550 as the best value in the affordable DG rifle market, and as a bomb-proof rifle after a bit of debugging…

I am not recanting!

After two months and 500 rounds with the Blaser R8, I would like to share some thoughts with those who, like me, have been on the fence regarding the R8:

1. First, I want to thank AH members Red...

• One Day...
• Replies: 369
• Forum: Articles

• 
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We now have three R8 and 9 barrels at the house, they have taken several dozens of PG, and as far as DG is concerned, mine has killed elephant, lion, buffalo.

Not one hiccup. Ever.

Best sources include EuroOptic indeed, but Cove Creek Outfitters has great prices, and I have yet to want something (stocks, barrels, scope mounts, bipods, accessories, you name it) that Mad Dog Guns on Gun Broker does not have in stock.

Another excellent source is The Sporting Shoppe

They supplied most of the stock for the Blaser booth at SCI and DSC. They told me they were the largest (by volume) US dealer. Not sure if it’s true or not, but they had more R8’s in their booth than Blaser did.

At the same time I’ve purchased most of my Blaser equipment from Euro Optic and Cove Creek. I’ve also had very good experiences with Top Dog Gun Global and Mad Dog Guns. There’s another place in Florida that I bought a barrel from whose name has escaped my memory at the moment.

 

[Red Leg]

Apologies Joe for infecting you with the .257 Wby virus

At least all I had to do was purchase a new barrel to address the issue.

 

[458JCE]

Something I really enjoy about the take down rifles like the R8, M03 etc, is that I can fit multiple rifles in a 3 gun safe.

Only Rookies have a 3-gun safe!
3 x 15-gun safes however............

 

[gearguywb]

I used my R8 for several plains game last year, and plan on using it for elk this fall.

I have a touch of the disease as well......as I search for a 22LR and 9.3x62 barrels

 

[BeeMaa]

I used my R8 for several plains game last year, and plan on using it for elk this fall.

I have a touch of the disease as well......as I search for a 22LR and 9.3x62 barrels

You are gonna love the 22lr kit.

 

[R eight]

You are gonna love the 22lr kit.

The most impressive .22 RF that I’ve ever owned or shot is my R8 .22 RF kit.

 

[458JCE]

The most impressive .22 RF that I’ve ever owned or shot is my R8 .22 RF kit.

Yep! Ridiculously accurate

 

[FlyGuy]

Only Rookies have a 3-gun safe!
3 x 15-gun safes however............

Unfortunately, here in SA we don’t have the 2nd Amendment.
I’m not sure about the game animals in North America, but here in Africa, if you can’t kill it with a 6.5x55, 30-06, 375H&H or 12Ga, you should probably stick to fishing.

 

[mitch4570]

probably the best rifle you will ever own
my daily back up gun is an R8 in 416 RM topped with a burris fast fire 3
yes not a common PH rifle but i guess i am not a common PH
never had an issue i guess in around 10yrs now, prob more
i also have a 300wm fluted barrel for that stock, and then a synthetic stock with a 9.3x62 and 6.5x55 barrels

my advice is, just think a little when matching calibres to a stock, my combo i dont need to change bolt heads or magazine inserst, just change the barrels

So do you have a steel frame for the 416? How is the recoil?

 

[One Day...]

You are gonna love the 22lr kit.

The most impressive .22 RF that I’ve ever owned or shot is my R8 .22 RF kit.

Yep! Ridiculously accurate

So accurate actually that I now shoot Eley match ammo through mine and produce one ragged hole 5 shot groups prone at 100 yards when the wind is not blowing

In the 1980's I used to shoot a Walther KKM Match GX1 rifle in Olympic-qualifying matches (I never made it but came close), and too my amazement the R8 with a pencil barrel bolted on in 2 minutes is as accurate and as consistent as that carefully pampered, match barreled, rifle was

However, the true value of the .22 LR barrel is not its precision but the endless and virtually free practice that it allows, and that practice transfers flawlessly to the largest calibers (.458 Lott in my case).

I keep saying it, and will repeat it here, a set of quadsticks, a R8 .22 LR barrel, a 2" steel "plate", and a 5,000 round brick of Eley Club ammo will make you a 1 MOA shooter, standing, off the sticks.

1" group in a 2" steel "plate" at 100 yds., standing off the sticks. Thank you R8 .22 LR endless practice!

 

[BeeMaa]

So do you have a steel frame for the 416? How is the recoil?

Steel frame 416RM with 400 grain PPU ammo. I'm 70" & 160 lbs. The rifle with scope weighed over 13 lbs. I shot it well, but it was right at my recoil limit. Plus the rifle was more like carrying a club on a death march for anything farther than 100 yards.

Compare that to my 7.75 lb 375H&H.

 

[458JCE]

Unfortunately, here in SA we don’t have the 2nd Amendment.
I’m not sure about the game animals in North America, but here in Africa, if you can’t kill it with a 6.5x55, 30-06, 375H&H or 12Ga, you should probably stick to fishing.

I'm in Queensland Australia - the walls are closing in here too. The beauty of the R8 is that it counts as 1 firearm - doesn't matter how many barrels you have (I have 10).

 

[ve7poi]

They also make a 404 Jeffery barrel and properly sized bolt

 

[mitch4570]

Ok quess I have to try one out. Talked to euro optics. They are working on a steel frame 458 for me. In the mean time I'm trying to find a used R8, seems there are not that many out there.

 

[458JCE]

They will be the first out of the safe every time. You'll be hooked - you'll never go back
The steel frame is heavy though - tames a 500 Jeff nicely.

 

[Miletic]

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

Hi Mitch,
no problems with R8 at all.
They work phenomenally.
I have two R8s. I am now in the process of ordering the barrel of the 416.
I am not a fan of the plastic parts on the guns that Blaser has, but they are made of extremely high quality materials and there is no reason for any concern. I have been hunting with them for over 14 years and have never had a single problem.
The only thing I noticed is that maybe the firing pin hits the cap less, so the quality of the cap should be taken into account.

 

[Quest#1]

I would also recommend euro optics…
Love mine and took 3 of the D7 last august with the R8.

So i guess i don’t understand the multiple barrel/ caliber for one gun on safari??? Im not knocking the R8 one bit to be honest 16 months ago decided i needed one. It didn’t make sense to me to be swapping barrels on safari after buying 1.
I now own 3 and 6- 8 barrels.
Do you swap barrels day to day or are you planning on plains game and run across a big 5 and swap barrels???

Am i the only one that has decided i love the R8 but not for the multiple caliber swap?? More for transport, speed, interchangeable parts?
That bolt is insanely fast

 

[mitch4570]

Noy sure the r8 will be going om mu 1st safari. Probably my Chapuis in 470 NE and my model 70 in 416 rem mag. I agree I will have 2 rifles on safari not swapping barrels. When I take the blaser on safari #2 it will be the Blaser and a MRC boltgun in 375 H&H. I will swap barrels on the R8 for prairie dogs in South Dakota.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

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

I used a Blaser R8 in 500 Jeffery to take 3 cape buffalo

 

[mitch4570]

I used a Blaser R8 in 500 Jeffery to take 3 cape buffalo

Nice any pictures?