blaser 93r
- Thread starter rar
- Start date
I have two, a synthetic and a fancy wood stock. With two barrels, that actually translates into 4 combos. I have .300WinMag and .375H&H barrels, as well as a couple of QD scope mounts.
Not traditional guns by any means, but after using them for a few years I have to say they are my favourite rifles for serious hunting. Perfect for travelling, as they can be taken down, including removing the scopes, and then reassembled with no discernible loss of zero. I don't mean close to zero, or good enough for hunting...I mean perfect return to zero. Triggers are terrific, accuracy is excellent, and the design of the "receiver" is such that they shave off a couple inches of length versus a standard bolt gun. Straight pull action is superfast. I love these guns.
Cons? Not inexpensive. No detachable magazine...actually a positive feature, IMHO, but some people want them. Blaser recently announced the next model, the R8, which has a detach mag. They claim that the R93 will continue to be manufactured and supported for many years to come.
Did I mention that I love these guns?
Not traditional guns by any means, but after using them for a few years I have to say they are my favourite rifles for serious hunting. Perfect for travelling, as they can be taken down, including removing the scopes, and then reassembled with no discernible loss of zero. I don't mean close to zero, or good enough for hunting...I mean perfect return to zero. Triggers are terrific, accuracy is excellent, and the design of the "receiver" is such that they shave off a couple inches of length versus a standard bolt gun. Straight pull action is superfast. I love these guns.
Cons? Not inexpensive. No detachable magazine...actually a positive feature, IMHO, but some people want them. Blaser recently announced the next model, the R8, which has a detach mag. They claim that the R93 will continue to be manufactured and supported for many years to come.
Did I mention that I love these guns?
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I can pretty much echo what jjohnwm stated. I have an R93 Professional(synthetic) with a 264 WM and 338 WM barrel. I've only had the gun for a few months but am very pleased with it so far. Accuracy is superb in both calibers(about 1/2 MOA) and the general fit and finish is top notch, from the QD mounts to the action. The only downsides I can come up with is that it's not a good idea to mix and match with other bolt guns as the straight pull bolt takes some getting used to, and once used to it, you'll want to cycle the action on the "regulars" in the same way. Best to buy a Browning TBolt for your rimfire needs if you buy an R93. It's also a very safe gun in that you can have a loaded round in the chamber without having it cocked, something which isn't safe to do on a rotating bolt rifle. Overall length is about 3-4" shorter than a comparable bolt action. With the magnum barrels which are just under 26", mine has an OAL of about 43".
This isn't a gun for guys who like to customize or tinker. There's really not much out there for aftermarket accessories other than different size bolt knobs. Then again, it really needs nothing and any changes would be purely cosmetic. Barrels alone cost about the same as a mid grade bolt action rifle, but you're really getting a whole new rifle,one that you're used to. You can switch from 375 H&H to 223 simply by changing the barrel,bolt head and magazine, all of which takes less than 5 minutes. Think of it like buying the identical gun but in different calibers, taking up less space in the safe.
This isn't a gun for guys who like to customize or tinker. There's really not much out there for aftermarket accessories other than different size bolt knobs. Then again, it really needs nothing and any changes would be purely cosmetic. Barrels alone cost about the same as a mid grade bolt action rifle, but you're really getting a whole new rifle,one that you're used to. You can switch from 375 H&H to 223 simply by changing the barrel,bolt head and magazine, all of which takes less than 5 minutes. Think of it like buying the identical gun but in different calibers, taking up less space in the safe.
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bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I think Ellwood Epps sells them, as does TSE. I got mine used off the EE, there's a couple on there yet if you do a search. Figure on paying $3000 and up depending on configuration and model, I suspect new ones around $4000 and up. Mounts are around $400 and up, barrels $1000 and up.
They also have (or had) a version of the 93 called the Selous, which has case-coloured steel panels on the sides of the action, rather than the standard aluminum. Mucho dinero.
I got both of mine from Epps, one new one used. When I bought the used one, it was one of a pair that had come in at the same time. I wanted the barrel from one, but the stock/receiver from the other. No problem...they swapped barrels, mag inserts and bolt heads on the spot. Took about 3 minutes. Gotta love it!
I got both of mine from Epps, one new one used. When I bought the used one, it was one of a pair that had come in at the same time. I wanted the barrel from one, but the stock/receiver from the other. No problem...they swapped barrels, mag inserts and bolt heads on the spot. Took about 3 minutes. Gotta love it!
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I like the idea but the scope mounts are $$$$$$!!!!
Quality and repeatable precision comes with a price. The whole package really needs to be seen and assembled/disassembled to be appreciated.
I started with an R93 from the EE and moved on to the R8 (both synthetic)as I preferred the detachable mag. Build quality, concept and design are exceptional. They found new homes as I could not justify their price point however. The mechanics and speed of the straight pull have to be experienced. Accuracy was on par with any high end production rifle.
One thing that has not been covered is their safety for hunting. A round can be chambered with no threat of discharge as the oversized cocking/safety button must be deliberately thumbed forward to #### and fire...bit of a chore I found.
Overall they are "uber"cool rifles but lack a bit of soul (austere German engineering). I went back to traditional wood/bolt Sakos.
By all means though, buy one and try it if you can swing it. They hold their value and resell quickly.
One thing that has not been covered is their safety for hunting. A round can be chambered with no threat of discharge as the oversized cocking/safety button must be deliberately thumbed forward to #### and fire...bit of a chore I found.
Overall they are "uber"cool rifles but lack a bit of soul (austere German engineering). I went back to traditional wood/bolt Sakos.
By all means though, buy one and try it if you can swing it. They hold their value and resell quickly.
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- Location
- Calgary AB
I too love Blasers (nine R93 with 14 different barrels, two R8 with 4 barrels, one K95 with 4 barrels and one S2 double rifle with 3 sets of barrels).
My favorite is my R8 Safari Professional Hunter in .500 Jeffrey, .375 H&H and .300 Win Mag. With this 3 barrel rig you can hunt anywhere and anything.
Shoots like a dream!
Just my thoughts. Thanks.
My favorite is my R8 Safari Professional Hunter in .500 Jeffrey, .375 H&H and .300 Win Mag. With this 3 barrel rig you can hunt anywhere and anything.
Shoots like a dream!
Just my thoughts. Thanks.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have hunted wild boar and roe deer in Germany with a borrowed R93 standard grade 30-06. The fit, finish, and engineering excellence of the standard grade makes other "deluxe" and custom rifles that I have experience with look kinda lame in comparison. It shot accurately, handled excellently, and functioned perfectly. I like the QD scope mount set up and the ####/decock instead of a safety. I switched from a 3-12X variable for stand hunting to a red dot sight for driven game and back with no loss of zero. I could convince myself to sell 6 or 8 lesser rifles and buy one with two or three barrels, and a couple of Swarovski scopes, but for now I'll just keep slumming with my Brno's and Sakos.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Equipment Exchange, it's the classifieds section of this website.
