R 8

[Miletic]

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

You probably have a fast dot or mechanical sights on it?

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

You probably have a fast dot or mechanical sights on it?

I had a red dot on it for a short time but only ever hunted with a low power scope on it. I've actualy owned 2 different ones, I had the PH model first, I sold that and then bought a Kilombero. I've now sold the Kilombero as well, because with some of the new gun laws in Australia it's unclear if I can actually travel through NSW with it and also unclear if I can take it to Africa and bring it back into Australia now that straight pulls can no longer be imported. So for me it was more hassle than what it was worth to travel with it anymore. That Kilombero was one of my favourite rifles, I'm glad I got to hunt with it when I did.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Nice any pictures?

 

[Miletic]

I had a red dot on it for a short time but only ever hunted with a low power scope on it. I've actualy owned 2 different ones, I had the PH model first, I sold that and then bought a Kilombero. I've now sold the Kilombero as well, because with some of the new gun laws in Australia it's unclear if I can actually travel through NSW with it and also unclear if I can take it to Africa and bring it back into Australia now that straight pulls can no longer be imported. So for me it was more hassle than what it was worth to travel with it anymore. That Kilombero was one of my favourite rifles, I'm glad I got to hunt with it when I did.

Has your scope ever touched an arcade? It happens to me when I shoot instinctively and the scope hits me. I have a habit of not holding a strong weapon at all.

 

[mitch4570]

Thanks for sharing. Great looking rifle. Is that a luepold on top? How did it hold up to recoil.

 

[Olivier]

Hi everyone,

My Blaser 375 H&H equipped with a Kahles K16i: instinctive shooting at its best. It suits me perfectly and allows me to take dynamic shots at moving game from over 50 meters away, with surprisingly good results (compared to my other rifles). The only downside: the outside of the barrel rusts very easily and needs to be oiled constantly, even when stored in a gun safe!

 

[BeeMaa]

Hi everyone,

My Blaser 375 H&H equipped with a Kahles K16i: instinctive shooting at its best. It suits me perfectly and allows me to take dynamic shots at moving game from over 50 meters away, with surprisingly good results (compared to my other rifles). The only downside: the outside of the barrel rusts very easily and needs to be oiled constantly, even when stored in a gun safe!

Having the barrel rust like that isn’t normal, in fact it’s extremely rare. The finish that Blaser applies is normally incredibly durable and resistant to rust. Did you buy the barrel new? If so, I’d contact the seller (or Blaser USA) and speak with them about a solution.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

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

hi sir
yes
recoil is fine for me,(i am not a big guy) i added a recoil reducer into the stock, i honestly prefer heavier guns, i feel with the recoil reducer in the stock it balances the gun better(not so front heavy with the 22mm barrel)
so not much barrel lift either, this make for a quick follow up shot
for me honestly and anybody that has shot my rifle says it is great to shoot
for me the felt recoil is less than most 375's


i have always enjoyed shooting heavier rifles and so dont mind carrying them all day,
even as a youngster i hunted with custom built interarms 375 H+H, with mercury in the baffles in the stock, this made it fairly heavy compared to other guns but it was so sweet to shoot, so worth carrying

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

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.

if you notice one thing in both these videos.....very little barrel lift....this is due to excellent stock design and shape...good shooting technique

 

[R eight]

I had a red dot on it for a short time but only ever hunted with a low power scope on it. I've actualy owned 2 different ones, I had the PH model first, I sold that and then bought a Kilombero. I've now sold the Kilombero as well, because with some of the new gun laws in Australia it's unclear if I can actually travel through NSW with it and also unclear if I can take it to Africa and bring it back into Australia now that straight pulls can no longer be imported. So for me it was more hassle than what it was worth to travel with it anymore. That Kilombero was one of my favourite rifles, I'm glad I got to hunt with it when I did.

The Blaser/NSW thing is a worry. I’m hopefully heading off for a hunt soon, travelling through Sydney. I’ve written to NSW weapons licensing regarding the legality of travelling through Sydney with the R8. Hopefully I’ll get some written guidance. But, I’ve got the Rigby in 416 ready to go too.

I still haven’t given up on the R8’s being approved for use in NSW. Hell, even WA allows them.

Anyway time will tell.

 

[R eight]

The 500J in the R8 is more comfortable than the 500J in the big Sako. Same loads through both.

I’ve also got an Aimpoint for the R8.

My balls aren’t large enough for me to mount a scope on either.

 

[Olivier]

Having the barrel rust like that isn’t normal, in fact it’s extremely rare. The finish that Blaser applies is normally incredibly durable and resistant to rust. Did you buy the barrel new? If so, I’d contact the seller (or Blaser USA) and speak with them about a solution.

Yes brand new from November 2025 in France

 

[BeeMaa]

Yes brand new from November 2025 in France

Contact the seller or Blaser directly to sort this out.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

The Blaser/NSW thing is a worry. I’m hopefully heading off for a hunt soon, travelling through Sydney. I’ve written to NSW weapons licensing regarding the legality of travelling through Sydney with the R8. Hopefully I’ll get some written guidance. But, I’ve got the Rigby in 416 ready to go too.

I still haven’t given up on the R8’s being approved for use in NSW. Hell, even WA allows them.

Anyway time will tell.

Thanks for sharing. Great looking rifle. Is that a luepold on top? How did it hold up to recoil.

Yep leupold VX3-HD 1.5-5, handled the recoil just fine, no issues.

 

[TOBY458]

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.

Somariba in Florida? If so, good folks to work with as well!

 

[mrbrandonlarson]

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

how did you come by a .404 for the R8? Did you have one custom made or buy it?

I’d love to get an R8 in .404 Jeffery

 

[Red Leg]

how did you come by a .404 for the R8? Did you have one custom made or buy it?

I’d love to get an R8 in .404 Jeffery

Yes. It was a custom built barrel. Have yet to use it on anything but targets. The .375 configuration has simply been too perfect.

 

[BeeMaa]

Somariba in Florida? If so, good folks to work with as well!

That's the one!