Blaser R8

Mik123

Mik123

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
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Lower Mainland, BC
I've been researching switch barrel rifles and the concept appeals to me. I would like to replace my current 300 wm and 375 H&H with one rifle.

I initially looked at the Mauser M03 but it's a bit heavier than I'd like to carry. I'm looking for a rifle that's around 8-8.5 pounds scoped with a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 (I already own a few of these scopes). I've narrowed it down to the the Blaser R8 Professional or Professional Success (thumbhole stock model). I'm wondering if anyone on CGN has any experience with this rifle? Any negatives aside from the price?



Cheers,

Mik
 
I have an R93 Blaser professional and I love it. I Have a good assortment of barrels from 375 down to 223 so I won’t ever upgrade to the R8. Some guys say they like the feel of the R8 better while others say it feels bigger and clunky compared to the R93- I can’t say because I’ve only shot the R93 but when have held an R8 and it does feel bigger. I enjoy the fact that no matter what caliber I’m shooting the rifle fits me the same and they are incredibly accurate, plus the straight pull bolt is very close to a semi in speed. Anyone I’ve spoken to with an R8 has never complained or wished they had not bought it.
 
I'm another Blaser fan; I have two R93 frames and 5 barrels. I prefer the smaller, sleeker R93 to the R8, but I like blind magazines. Detachable mags do nothing for me, but most folks prefer them and so therefore the R8 has the advantage.

The guns are accurate, they handle beautifully and the straight-pull action is super fast. If I had to find a fault...and it is a minor one...it would be the fact that the QD scope mounts do not necessarily move smoothly and seamlessly from one barrel to another. Each individual scope mount must usually be adjusted for the optimum fit on the barrel you want to use; it may, if you are fortunate, work just as well on other barrels, but more likely it will require re-adjustment. My ultimate Blaser system would have a scope/mount combo dedicated for each barrel, plus one extra unit to swap from barrel to barrel as needed, for back-up purposes. The reality is slightly less streamlined; I have two barrels that share one back-up scope, two others that share another back-up scope, and the fifth is a law unto itself, requiring its very own mount bases.

If you want to use one ultramegasuperscope, swapping it blithely from one barrel to another as required...you will likely be disappointed.

Edited to add: I should mention that the above refers to the Blaser proprietary scope mount/ring system. If this kind of thing is important to you, Blaser also makes Picatinny rail bases which can be attached to their barrels, and then of course allow you to use whatever generic pic-rail rings you wish...a useful option if the Blaser system is a little too cool, or too "hipster":rolleyes: for you.
 
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Those who have blasers seems like them a lot.

Those who don't have a blaser think it lacks primary extraction, does not like long seated bullets, has issues with rifle decocking and bolt not closing fully, expensive all proprietary parts (scope mount for $700, replacement barrels are over $2k?), R8 4 round magazine integral with trigger is way too hipster for many, stocks are very junk for the price of the rifle and no McMillan to save the day. And at the end of the day, some ppl have imagination vivid enough to see the bolt flying in their face or dramatic event like that with fragments meeting your face and not contained in a traditional receiver.

Blaser is a niche design, it is slightly shorter yet not that ultra light, multicaliber yet for tripple the price, fast reloading yet very limited magazine, all of which probably make sense with german gun laws.

But those who have them, like them a lot. Or so it seems.
 
I have to agree with above. I love my R8 Professional in 7mm mag. And no I don't have a 2k barrel. And yes my scope mount was 500 bucks. I have a heavy scope on it and an in stock recoil reducer and weight is at 12 lbs loaded. First one out of the safe every time. I have found nothing negative yet. Other than forgetting the trigger in the safe at 4 in the morning and having to back track once the coffee kicked in. Don't blame that on Blaser. Its a great rifle.
 
Mik123 said:
I've been researching switch barrel rifles and the concept appeals to me. I would like to replace my current 300 wm and 375 H&H with one rifle.

I initially looked at the Mauser M03 but it's a bit heavier than I'd like to carry. I'm looking for a rifle that's around 8-8.5 pounds scoped with a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 (I already own a few of these scopes). I've narrowed it down to the the Blaser R8 Professional or Professional Success (thumbhole stock model). I'm wondering if anyone on CGN has any experience with this rifle? Any negatives aside from the price?



Cheers,

Mik
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The issue's I have with my Blaser R8 is that is has a very hard recoil pad. While at the range I wear a sissy-pad to protect my shoulder. The front swivel stud is located at the very tip of the forend, therefore not compatible for a Harris bi-pod. I then drilled and installed a stud to accommodate the bi-pod. Other than the two personal issues mentioned, this rifle is superb!
 
leonk05 said:
I have to agree with above. I love my R8 Professional in 7mm mag. And no I don't have a 2k barrel. And yes my scope mount was 500 bucks. I have a heavy scope on it and an in stock recoil reducer and weight is at 12 lbs loaded. First one out of the safe every time. I have found nothing negative yet. Other than forgetting the trigger in the safe at 4 in the morning and having to back track once the coffee kicked in. Don't blame that on Blaser. Its a great rifle.
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Holy crap 12 lbs? That's .577 NE double rifle weight.

I can see the appeal, but they aren't for me.
 
track said:
The issue's I have with my Blaser R8 is that is has a very hard recoil pad. While at the range I wear a sissy-pad to protect my shoulder. The front swivel stud is located at the very tip of the forend, therefore not compatible for a Harris bi-pod. I then drilled and installed a stud to accommodate the bi-pod. Other than the two personal issues mentioned, this rifle is superb!
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Limbsaver makes a pad.

cam1936 said:
Holy crap 12 lbs? That's .577 NE double rifle weight.
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That's not the normal weight, the recoil reducer must weigh a pile. I just weighed my R93 Pro in 7mmMag with Zeiss 3-12x56, 9 rounds ammo in a butt stock band and sling and I get 9.7 lbs.
Maybe it's not CGN mountain rifle weight, but we don't all live in the mountains. :d
 
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That's a reasonable weight for that much scope, 9 rounds and sling.

My No. 1 weighs that much with a 40mm scope. Don't mind carrying it for all my hunts with the exception of backpack sheep. 12 lbs would be annoying though.
 
I have 2 R8 rifles, one Proffesional Success and one Luxus. Both very accurate at about half MOA. Blaser is probably the best switch barrel design, well executed with great attention to detail. You get what you paid for
 
Thanks for all the replies gents. It confirmed a lot of the info I read online. It pushed me over the edge and I'm working out the details with Wolverine Supplies for a R8 Professional, additional barrel and scope mounts. I'll be using two Leupolds vx3's I have mounted on my current rifles so there should be no issues with rezeroing the same scope for different barrels. Now the hard part is waiting 4-5 month for the rifle to arrive.
 
Congrats, I'm sure you will be pleased. In case you haven't already discovered them, there are two Blaser owners' forums on the web, BlaserPro and Blaserbuds, both of which are a good source of information and educated/experienced opinion...as opposed to "Well, I've heard...and I read... and I saw on YouTube..." :)
 
Thanks for heads up I didn't know about BlaserPro. I found a lot of good info on blaserbuds and stalkingdirectory. I'm in trouble, I already spend way too much time on CGN as is.


jjohnwm said:
Congrats, I'm sure you will be pleased. In case you haven't already discovered them, there are two Blaser owners' forums on the web, BlaserPro and Blaserbuds, both of which are a good source of information and educated/experienced opinion...as opposed to "Well, I've heard...and I read... and I saw on YouTube..." :)
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Google firearms safety issues, you will be horrified. You will never pull the trigger on anything more powerful than a Nerf gun.

If you don't want to spend the money on a Blaser, don't...but don't use safety as an excuse.
 
elker said:
Google blaser r8 safety issues, you will be horrified.
I am not going to spend $5,000 to get shot by my own bolt.
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Only a trifle of R93 had this issue. There has been no incident that I know of with the R8. The bolt assembly on the R8 is robust compared to the R93, case in point, the entire firearm is more robust.
 
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