Is Blaser R8 safer in the event of case failure?

elker

elker

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If we look at the picture of the Blaser R8 action, the leaking gas can only go the way that is perpendicular to the action. It is safer than the traditional action, which letting the gas rushing toward the shooter.

5f3b18_e3dd99b335c44b8da3e044b45b495f66~mv2_d_3312_2208_s_2.jpg
 
Some actions have gas escape holes, some vent through the bolt. I'm not sure it's any safer than other bolt guns, but I'm sure it makes the Blaser design safer as it's unconventional insofar as it doesn't have what we normally consider an "action", and the bolt locks up inside the barrel, not the receiver.
The Blaser R93 also has the same holes.
 
elker said:
If we look at the picture of the Blaser R8 action, the leaking gas can only go the way that is perpendicular to the action. It is safer than the traditional action, which letting the gas rushing toward the shooter.

5f3b18_e3dd99b335c44b8da3e044b45b495f66~mv2_d_3312_2208_s_2.jpg
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The safety difference between the R93 and the R8 is that, the radial locking bolt is more robust with the R8, thus making it stronger. Port holes are generally in the receiver, some in the bolt body. Pull/push bolts have them in the barrel. Are they safer, or just as safe as the conventional bolt action? I would think they would be, considering that the Germans are quite skilled, and much thought is put into their engineering designs.
 
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track said:
The safety difference between the R93 and the R8 is that, the radial locking bolt is more robust with the R8, thus making it stronger.
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They didn't really make the bolt stronger, but they changed the angle of the collets and lock up in the barrel and they made the barrel wall thicker at the point where the recess is cut for the lock up.

That doesn't mean the R93's system is unsafe. The difference being that with a conventional bolt gun, the bolt rarely flies in your face, whereas it can happen with a push/pull system. The R93/R8 actually withstood higher pressures than conventional bolt guns before failure. The bottom line is to practice safe reloading and keep your barrel free of obstructions.
 
The main reinforcement of R8 compared to R93 is a conical part which is driven inside the collet and pushed it out on bolt close forcing the expansion from inside. It ensures that the collet has expanded at the most forward position of the bolt. If that conical piece is not retracted back by moving the bolt handle the collet physically cannot open. R93 didn't have that, when R93 collet was expanded there was an empty space inside it, so theoretically it could collapse.

Blaser R8 was tested with extreme loads by https://www.deva-institut.de/home.php

Up to 8.000 bar - 12.000 bar (116000 - 174000 psi ) pressures the R8 was able to hold and still opened with banging on the bolt handle.
After 12000 bar - 14400 bar (203000 psi) the action hold but was unable to open with cartridge brass flowing under pressure into the collet. Once that happens there is no way to open the action without destroying the barrel.
Maximum pressure tested was 20.000 bar (290000 psi) action hold and was later cut to see the damage inside. I have a link to the pictures but I was told not to hotlink it, if anyone wants see that PM me.

So if anything, R8 is a very strong action when it is closed. There are other things you would be worried about with R8, but it can hold for sure.
 
owlowl said:
The main reinforcement of R8 compared to R93 is a conical part which is driven inside the collet and pushed it out on bolt close forcing the expansion from inside. It ensures that the collet has expanded at the most forward position of the bolt. If that conical piece is not retracted back by moving the bolt handle the collet physically cannot open. R93 didn't have that, when R93 collet was expanded there was an empty space inside it, so theoretically it could collapse.

Blaser R8 was tested with extreme loads by https://www.deva-institut.de/home.php

Up to 8.000 bar - 12.000 bar (116000 - 174000 psi ) pressures the R8 was able to hold and still opened with banging on the bolt handle.
After 12000 bar - 14400 bar (203000 psi) the action hold but was unable to open with cartridge brass flowing under pressure into the collet. Once that happens there is no way to open the action without destroying the barrel.
Maximum pressure tested was 20.000 bar (290000 psi) action hold and was later cut to see the damage inside. I have a link to the pictures but I was told not to hotlink it, if anyone wants see that PM me.

So if anything, R8 is a very strong action when it is closed. There are other things you would be worried about with R8, but it can hold for sure.
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Don't leave me hanging, what else is there to worry about with a laser? I don't wish to bash Blaser, I'm happy with my 20 year old Remington for hunting. Just curious about what could be wrong with such a pricey rifle. It'll make me feel better better about not wanting one.:d
 
big bear said:
Don't leave me hanging, what else is there to worry about with a laser? I don't wish to bash Blaser, I'm happy with my 20 year old Remington for hunting. Just curious about what could be wrong with such a pricey rifle. It'll make me feel better better about not wanting one.:d
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Blaser. To my knowledge, there has only been one known incident in Spain. The receiver blew-up, however there has not been an official conclusion how it occured. I've owned three Blasers, and still have one, They are fantastic firearms and most unique, however expensive.
 
big bear said:
Don't leave me hanging, what else is there to worry about with a laser? I don't wish to bash Blaser, I'm happy with my 20 year old Remington for hunting. Just curious about what could be wrong with such a pricey rifle. It'll make me feel better better about not wanting one.:d
Click to expand...

  • No primary extraction.
  • If bolt is not all the way forward it won't fire. Wrong sizing, or too long bullets... "Click clack click clack" as they say. Skill using AR forward assist is a plus.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2AbhG1F1E
  • Expensive as martian weaponry.
  • Lose magazinetrigger - no rifle for you.
  • Practically no aftermarket for anything. Nothing conventional fits. Have you seen Blaser scope mounts?
 
owlowl said:
  • No primary extraction.
  • If bolt is not all the way forward it won't fire. Wrong sizing, or too long bullets... "Click clack click clack" as they say. Skill using AR forward assist is a plus.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2AbhG1F1E
  • Expensive as martian weaponry.
  • Lose magazinetrigger - no rifle for you.
  • Practically no aftermarket for anything. Nothing conventional fits. Have you seen Blaser scope mounts?
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What aftermarket stuff do you need? Trigger is perfect, stock is fine (and there are aftermarket CF stocks available). Expensive? I'm not sure about that. A Sako Carbonlight and Kimber Mtn Ascent run about the same and they're just run of the mill stainless bolt guns.
Scope mounts are best in the business, there's really no need for aftermarket, even though those are also available (Innomount,Talley).

Yes, mounts are expensive, but when you get people giving nothing but praise to a $375 solid mount (Near) and criticizing a QD guaranteed to re-zero mount(Blaser), you have to wonder.

No risk on lost mag with R93 and you can get R8 without mag or a mag lock.

Bullets don't need to be seated long. Pretty much all barrels I've had are pushing 1/2 MOA with minimal tinkering on powder charge. Cases have to be full length resized. Not really a big deal.
 
owlowl said:
I don't need anything Blaser, thank you. I was just pointing out what people might find negative )
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The only thing negative is the price. Some Blaser dealers sell the mounting system (rings and base)at almost $600. The Blaser rifles are superb unique pieces of fine firearms.
 
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