Blaser R8. Talk me in or out of one.

bdb.hunting

bdb.hunting

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Alright so if you have seen any of my posts of comments then you know I like switch-barrel rifles. I like the concept of just changing barrels and going. I know allot of people like a safe full of guns but I’d be happy with one if I had enough barrels for it.

Currently I have a T3X setup for 4-5 barrels. (It might be 6 I lose track when I buy and sell them) I have a second action the way that I plan to setup for this as well.

I find myself looking at the Blaser R8 on a fairly regular basis and have for a couple years. It’s much easier to change a barrel on one of them than it is on a Tikka. (Less tools and time) however my goal with two actions is to lessen the pressure on switching barrels as often and making sure I have a backup firearm.

I recently got myself a semi custom rifle that now acts as a backup as well (rem 700 footprint SA so I can’t go short and long calibers like I do on the Tikka) it does have interchangeable bolt faces and will be a switchbarrel at some point… ( I may have a problem)

I have never shot an Blaser R8 or any straight pull for that matter and I am wondering if I would like it or not. Have you switched ? If so do you like it or not ? What do you miss about a traditional bolt action ?

I’m not a competition shooter but I like to dabble in long range stuff, I hear Blaser makes some accurate rifles but would it double as something fun to plink long range with ? For the most part this will be my hunting rifle to hunt anything in BC at anytime. Most of my currently Caliber list can be found in the R8 platform minus my 338 RCM but I could do either a 8.5x55 Blaser or get a custom cut.

Just curious what your thoughts are a what you would do ?

Cheers,
B
 
My son has a switcheroo bolt rifle doesn’t take more than 15 min or so to change barrels. Both barrels print around 3 inches or so to the other so sighting back in isn’t a big deal.

It’s the way to go IMO.
 
I have shot R93 and R8 belonging to friends and they are wonderful. If I had the disposable income for one it’s what I would use. Still cheaper to set up 3 identical T3’s than get a basic R8. Their saddle mounts are outrageously priced but amazingly repeatable.
 
I am moving over to a couple Blaser rifles at present, from Sako, M70 and M700's, Just sold 8 rifles off, few more to go.
A couple year's ago, I finally bought a K95 Used, after year's of lusting after one, a bit of a life changing experience, currently have 7x65, and .22 hornet, with a .243 barrel on order, love this little light weight compact rifle, its amazing accurate with multiple loads, shooting to the same point, Ie not fussy,
Mid last year, I bought a R8 pro success in .223, from Sylvester sports at a deep discount, I now have a .308 barrel as well, I am very impressed with this rifle, and both barrels, just sight in the .308 barrel, its shooting 3 different types of 150 gr into a 5 shot groups under an inch at 100m, and shooting 165gr AB, and partions into 1/4 sized groups one inch higher, than the 150gr, similar results with the .223, multiple loads into the same vertical plan,
love the Mounting system, tried a rail on the .223, Not overlay impressed, mostly due to increased height, took it off and when back to the 1" quick release Blaser mount, I can swap scopes between rifles K95,R8 and calibers, with very little point of impact change, 1-2" at most, sum are the same, Going to fiddle around and see if i can use a scope of one of the other barrels for the next Barrel i get.
I very much doubt you will be disappointed, Its a bit off a tough pill to swallow, the intinal cost, One that is done its, much easier to get a piece here and there, I am looking at a second stock, and another couple of barrels, for the R8, i like to leave one set up with a Med both face, going to get a 6.5 cal of sum sort, and have been debating selling my Sako Barvian 9.3x62 and getting a R8 barrel in 9.3,
We are looking at moving over seas, next year, so a couple switch barrel rifles, make a lot more sence,
I wont go back, don't miss my Sako 85, 75, M70 or M700 one bit, every time i pick up the K95,or R8 i am with out regrets,
 
bdb.hunting said:
Alright so if you have seen any of my posts of comments then you know I like switch-barrel rifles. I like the concept of just changing barrels and going. I know allot of people like a safe full of guns but I’d be happy with one if I had enough barrels for it.

Currently I have a T3X setup for 4-5 barrels. (It might be 6 I lose track when I buy and sell them) I have a second action the way that I plan to setup for this as well.

I find myself looking at the Blaser R8 on a fairly regular basis and have for a couple years. It’s much easier to change a barrel on one of them than it is on a Tikka. (Less tools and time) however my goal with two actions is to lessen the pressure on switching barrels as often and making sure I have a backup firearm.

I recently got myself a semi custom rifle that now acts as a backup as well (rem 700 footprint SA so I can’t go short and long calibers like I do on the Tikka) it does have interchangeable bolt faces and will be a switchbarrel at some point… ( I may have a problem)

I have never shot an Blaser R8 or any straight pull for that matter and I am wondering if I would like it or not. Have you switched ? If so do you like it or not ? What do you miss about a traditional bolt action ?

I’m not a competition shooter but I like to dabble in long range stuff, I hear Blaser makes some accurate rifles but would it double as something fun to plink long range with ? For the most part this will be my hunting rifle to hunt anything in BC at anytime. Most of my currently Caliber list can be found in the R8 platform minus my 338 RCM but I could do either a 8.5x55 Blaser or get a custom cut.

Just curious what your thoughts are a what you would do ?

Cheers,
B
Click to expand...

Okay, straight goods.. I seen your post and had to answer.
At around this time last year I also had the hankering for an R8. Never owned a straight pull rifle never owned a switch barrel rifle but damn did I have to have that rifle. I eventually found a decent deal on one through a site sponsor and after about $6,400 I had the base unit with one barrel one bolt face The recoil reduction system and a scope mount. I was so happy to have it I could have been a kid again. Then I took it to the range...

Awesome firearm, shot quite well for the few shots I took but I didn't like the scope that I put on it. Took it home change Scopes went back to the rage a few days later and repeat process.. still couldn't get comfortable took it home put another scope on it, this time a Night Force...

Took it to the range again for a few shots and by then I had determined that although this was a beautiful rifle it really did not fit me very well. In fact it kept pinching my cheek with the cheek riser to the point where it had cut me quite well twice. Two range trips and coming home with a bloody check each time it was clear this rifle may not be for me. After taking a look at my other hunting rifles (considering this was going to be my new do it all one) I also realized they were looking like they were hunting rifles. All had been carried all had marks and Dings and all looked like they had earned their stripes. That's when it really settled in and dawned on me. I had now spent over $8,000 on the new rifle in my hands, I could not find myself getting comfortable shooting it and started to think about what it would look like in a year after me carrying it through the bush. It was at that point that I decided the R8 really was not for me. I am a bull and a china shop and that thing was the Mercedes-Benz of hunting rifles and I'm the g
Kind of guy who just cannot keep things looking pristine. It boiled down to the fact that it was a lot of money and this is why I just can't have nice things :)

Honestly it Wouldn't be long before I had that thing scraped up and scuffed up so much that I would erode a fair chunk of its value if I ever wanted to resell it so I decided to let it go before I even took it into the woods. Was fortunate that I was able to sell it. I had to take a $400 loss but I chalked it up to a lesson learned.

The moral of my story was to never again attempt to spend that kind of money on something that I don't handle and fondle first..... Again, awesome rifle, but it turned out it just wasn't for me and that was a lot of money to spend just to find that out. Good luck friend, try one out first though.
 
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The whole idea is having just one rifle with many of barrel/calibers options but the reality is on here how many of us want to have just one rifle especially given the price of the r8 and barrels when you can have quite a few nice rifles for the same price.If one by law had to limit the number of rifles you possessed anR8 would be ideal in that situation
 
The R8 is available with a synthetic stock which is more practical for hunting purposes if you are concerned about scratching up a fancy wood stock. Blaser/Sauer do make some beautiful rifles, the wood on some are absolutely stunning. As much as I love beautiful wood stocks I could not imagine taking it out hunting either. Kind of like the fancy exotic car you are worried about getting a scratch on it. I have a Benelli Monifeltro Silver shotgun with very nice wood on it and I am VERY careful when using it for grouse.
 
laker415 said:
I'd just get a terminus zeus QC.
Click to expand...

I’ve seen the Zeus and think it’s solid. Just like West Texas Switch lugs. The downside is you have to pick a long or short action. A part of why I think the Tikka is a better choice. They run a single action length and a bolt stop is easy to swap. I can go from 223 to 338 Win Mag in a manner of minutes with all the right parts. The Zeus can’t do that.

Same reason I am looking at the Blaser R8 it can actually go from 22LR all the way to 338 Lapua or 500 Jeffery. You just don’t get that kind of swap-ability with anything else on the market currently.
 
silver69 said:
Okay, straight goods.. I seen your post and had to answer.
At around this time last year I also had the hankering for an R8. Never owned a straight pull rifle never owned a switch barrel rifle but damn did I have to have that rifle. I eventually found a decent deal on one through a site sponsor and after about $6,400 I had the base unit with one barrel one bolt face The recoil reduction system and a scope mount. I was so happy to have it I could have been a kid again. Then I took it to the range...

Awesome firearm, shot quite well for the few shots I took but I didn't like the scope that I put on it. Took it home change Scopes went back to the rage a few days later and repeat process.. still couldn't get comfortable took it home put another scope on it, this time a Night Force...

Took it to the range again for a few shots and by then I had determined that although this was a beautiful rifle it really did not fit me very well. In fact it kept pinching my cheek with the cheek riser to the point where it had cut me quite well twice. Two range trips and coming home with a bloody check each time it was clear this rifle may not be for me. After taking a look at my other hunting rifles (considering this was going to be my new do it all one) I also realized they were looking like they were hunting rifles. All had been carried all had marks and Dings and all looked like they had earned their stripes. That's when it really settled in and dawned on me. I had now spent over $8,000 on the new rifle in my hands, I could not find myself getting comfortable shooting it and started to think about what it would look like in a year after me carrying it through the bush. It was at that point that I decided the R8 really was not for me. I am a bull and a china shop and that thing was the Mercedes-Benz of hunting rifles and I'm the g
Kind of guy who just cannot keep things looking pristine. It boiled down to the fact that it was a lot of money and this is why I just can't have nice things :)

Honestly it Wouldn't be long before I had that thing scraped up and scuffed up so much that I would erode a fair chunk of its value if I ever wanted to resell it so I decided to let it go before I even took it into the woods. Was fortunate that I was able to sell it. I had to take a $400 loss but I chalked it up to a lesson learned.

The moral of my story was to never again attempt to spend that kind of money on something that I don't handle and fondle first..... Again, awesome rifle, but it turned out it just wasn't for me and that was a lot of money to spend just to find that out. Good luck friend, try one out first though.
Click to expand...

This was exactly the kind of information I am looking for. Someone who tried it and went through my exact process.

Thankyou for the information. I definitely want to feel/shoot one before I even start to sell things to fund the idea

B
 
southernman said:
I am moving over to a couple Blaser rifles at present, from Sako, M70 and M700's, Just sold 8 rifles off, few more to go.
A couple year's ago, I finally bought a K95 Used, after year's of lusting after one, a bit of a life changing experience, currently have 7x65, and .22 hornet, with a .243 barrel on order, love this little light weight compact rifle, its amazing accurate with multiple loads, shooting to the same point, Ie not fussy,
Mid last year, I bought a R8 pro success in .223, from Sylvester sports at a deep discount, I now have a .308 barrel as well, I am very impressed with this rifle, and both barrels, just sight in the .308 barrel, its shooting 3 different types of 150 gr into a 5 shot groups under an inch at 100m, and shooting 165gr AB, and partions into 1/4 sized groups one inch higher, than the 150gr, similar results with the .223, multiple loads into the same vertical plan,
love the Mounting system, tried a rail on the .223, Not overlay impressed, mostly due to increased height, took it off and when back to the 1" quick release Blaser mount, I can swap scopes between rifles K95,R8 and calibers, with very little point of impact change, 1-2" at most, sum are the same, Going to fiddle around and see if i can use a scope of one of the other barrels for the next Barrel i get.
I very much doubt you will be disappointed, Its a bit off a tough pill to swallow, the intinal cost, One that is done its, much easier to get a piece here and there, I am looking at a second stock, and another couple of barrels, for the R8, i like to leave one set up with a Med both face, going to get a 6.5 cal of sum sort, and have been debating selling my Sako Barvian 9.3x62 and getting a R8 barrel in 9.3,
We are looking at moving over seas, next year, so a couple switch barrel rifles, make a lot more sence,
I wont go back, don't miss my Sako 85, 75, M70 or M700 one bit, every time i pick up the K95,or R8 i am with out regrets,
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome. I know barrels are a little more expensive for this setup but they do sound damn accurate for the most part which would be like every tikka barrel I have.

Appreciate the insight, I am expecting the cost to be hard to swallow if I switch.

B

B
 
I’ve owned two receivers and 4 barrels. The negatives of the Blaser R8 that I can think of:
-Extremely expensive. You’re looking at custom prices for a factory rifle
-the twist rates of the factory barrels are a bit slow for newer heavier for caliber bullets
-if you reload you have to full length size your brass or you’ll have extraction issues
-unless you’re getting a carbon fiber stock the blazer can be a bit heavy. Definitely heavier than a tikka
-if you’re a tinkerer there’s isn’t a whole lot to thinker with
-I didn’t like the bipod mounts are tried. They didn’t seem solid to me and I didn’t want to drill my stock.
 
Can't speak of the R8 as I've never owned one, I'm not a fan of the trigger housing/magazine being a single unit and the added weight. I've owned various R93's in many calibers. Still have two right now and I don't think I'll get rid of them anytime soon.

A couple of things to address:
I strictly reload and yes you should full length resize, which really isn't an issue as neck sizing is generally only done to achieve optimum accuracy and Blasers are known to be very accurate, so no need to neck size anyhow.
With the Professional Success models (thumbhole), many find it hard to manipulate the cocking mechanism, myself included. If you want a durable bang around hunting rifle, get the regular Professional stock.
The mounts are 100% repeatable, I've tried it many times swapping bbls, bolt heads,scopes, etc.

If you're OK with top loading, I'd say check out a used R93 Professional, they pop up on here occasionally.
 
bdb.hunting said:
That sounds awesome. I know barrels are a little more expensive for this setup but they do sound damn accurate for the most part which would be like every tikka barrel I have.

Appreciate the insight, I am expecting the cost to be hard to swallow if I switch.

B

B
Click to expand...

Probably a good call....your welcome :)
 
I have a couple dozen hunting rifles right now, and have shot Blasers a few times both at home and in Germany. I like R8's a lot but don't own one. ( yet) The straight pull action is really wonderful for a quick second shot on driven game or any game that requires an insurance shot. Every Blaser i have handled and shot has been precisely built, very accurate, well finished, and left nothing to chance. The only thing that keeps me from owning a R8 right now is that the stock /action design has a fairly tight pistol grip, and a wide "body" around the magazine well. I don't particularly like the feel of either. For those who like thumbhole or more vertical grips, Blaser makes some of the best. They're just not for me.
I ended up going with the older predecessor of a German switch barrel rifle, the discontinued Sauer 202. I now have three of them, with six barrels. .270, 7x64, 308 ( 20" and 24" ) , 30-06 and 9.3x62. Half the money of a new Blaser, and the important parts work just as well. I like the style, handling and ergonomics of the Sauer 202 better. But many would not agree with me. For some reason the 202's replacement, the new Sauer 404 has not really captured the public's imagination. It is slimmer, lighter, and to me looks better than the Blaser R8, but of course is not a straight pull. I haven't handled one yet.
 
I've owned 3 blasers rifles, R2, R93 and R8. They are uniquie with their straight pull/push action, modular barrels, cocking satety mechanism, and detachaple trigger housing and magazine. I had my fun with them and then traded or sold them. The novelty wore-off and then moved onto turn bolts again. There are many pros to the rifles however, I did not enjoy the cocking safety, I prefer the nice smooth safety on turn bolts. Another dislike is the price of the barrels and other rifle components.
I did not find them any more accurate than any other fine quality rifle, except for the S2, I was most impressed with the barrel regulation, 1/2" to 1" groups at 200 yards. Today, the new blaser prices are beyond reduclous, not unless a good used one may be loacated. Here is my last Blaser I owned, traded it for a Cooper rifle.
https://imgur.com/a/ixtkEW6
 
I'm an absolute fan of the R8 rifles. I have two stocks, and three barrels. All are purposely sized so as to need only one bolt face (9.3x62, 30-06, 22-250). In my opinion, one of the greatest pieces of German technology out there. Solid lock-up, gauranteed return to POI with the removable scope system, and amazingly accurate. I find the action makes for a shorter, more
well-balanced firearm for packing in the field. The negrini style cases are excellent for taking down the firearm and transporting them both to the range and for airline travel. Mine have been with me to Africa and Alaska.
I would agree that the safety takes a little getting used to, but easy enough with a bit of experience. The prices have gotten a bit outrageous for barrels and other add-ons. I bought all my barrels while they were about half of the current pricing.
A single gun would be too boring, and R8 is always with me as either my "go-to" or a backup gun. Deadly accurate and dependable.
 
You need to buy a Blaser.
Please PM me for first dibs on your collection of Tikka barrels. :p

For the price of a coffee mug with the Blaser logo on it you could buy a T1X and have your 22lr covered.
 
I was in this same situation a few years back.

Just loved the thought of a straight pull rifle, and was keeping my eye on the R8, but in the synthetic version, thumbhole stocks. Also looked at the sauer 400 I believe as a switch barrel. When I finally had a chance I stopped in at Precision Optics and fondled the rifle in a few configurations. That's when I decided it wasn't for me. In my mind it was just too heavy for what it was.

I ended up eventually getting a fortner 1727, 22 lr, "straight" pull action as I just love the straight pull. That has curbed the desire of a full on rifle in one.

I ended up going a custom hunting rifle, and now have a custom bench rifle, that I still will convert to a switch barrel hunting rifle. Using the cadex action, and the IBI barrels with the barrel nut, (like the savage barrel nuts). Takes a few minutes to mount, dismount a barrel at home with no special tools. Mark barrels, nut configuration so when I swap barrels, I can keep things the same, and easily adjust the scope to each one.

That has filled the need for the switch barrels in my mind for now, but I have always been intrigued with the switch barrel R8 systems. Looked at the sako 22lr swap barrel system, among others as well, just to feed that desire.

For now I'm now running down the single shot hunting rifle rabbit hole, so another whole beast, but still run into the Encore switch barrel conundrum there as well. I just can't seem to shake that need/desire anywhere I turn.
 
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