Experience with Straight-Pull Rifles

We have a R8 but I refuse to shoot it.

Afraid you will like it?

When I was in my early 20’s I worked a gun counter and fondled the r8 and r93 we had on the shelf whenever I had a spare moment. Still haven’t owned or shot one despite having spent many r8’s worth on cheapo crap
 
R93 that has a chance of destroying your face, no thanks. Nonexistent primary extraction. Needlessly complex though I do like the sr30 as opposed to the collet blasers. Older m66 and k31 are a different story. They all sorta seem like solutions to no existence problems. If you like/want to reload forget it.

Euro trash
 
R93 that has a chance of destroying your face, no thanks. Nonexistent primary extraction. Needlessly complex though I do like the sr30 as opposed to the collet blasers. Older m66 and k31 are a different story. They all sorta seem like solutions to no existence problems. If you like/want to reload forget it.

Euro trash
Yeah, there was that case a few years ago with an R93.
 
Just shy of 9lbs with a sporter barrel and no optic, jeezus what a porker!

I picked one up after handling a Sako S20, which in and of itself has a bit of heft, and no kidding that Savage is a real chunky monkey. Handles terribly and the bolt cycling, as mentioned, is pretty "crunchy". I still think it's a neat gun and l wonder what it would be like after repeated cycling and a few range sessions to loosen up? I also have to consider comparing a Savage to a Sako may have seriously skewed my impression.
 
More than one case if you do some digging. You can also find accounts of military armoires having to replace broken “petals” on blaser sniper rifles. Collets belong in a machine shop.
 
More than one case if you do some digging. You can also find accounts of military armoires having to replace broken “petals” on blaser sniper rifles. Collets belong in a machine shop.

Is that right? I haven't heard of similar accidents with the R8. I wonder what they did to the collet system when transitioning from the R93 to the R8.
 
I’ve never read anything about the r8 failing. The sniper target rifles lr2 ? and other where based on the r93 system
 
I bought the r93 over twenty years ago from our site sponsor Epps. Never had any issues with my reloads and I should say probably the most accurate rifle I have used. Great rig.
 
Afraid you will like it?

When I was in my early 20’s I worked a gun counter and fondled the r8 and r93 we had on the shelf whenever I had a spare moment. Still haven’t owned or shot one despite having spent many r8’s worth on cheapo crap

I just don't see the point to make something so complicated. Just don't need that. For me hunting and shooting is about simplicity.
edi
 
Straight pulls aren't much faster in practice, for example Lee Enfields can be shot even faster because they allow you to shoot while still holding the bolt.
The unglamorous Remington 7600 is the fastest repeater, with no loss in accuracy.
 
If a guy really wants speed, I suppose it is easier to get it by buying a straight pull rather than by putting in tons of practice with a traditional bolt action. In today's world, there are always plenty of people wanting to substitute money for time spent becoming proficient, in any endeavour.

The straight pull action of the Blaser was quite unique when I first handled it, and it definitely caught my attention and held it...but it was the other features of the rifle such as quick and easy barrel/cartridge interchangeability, perfect return-to-zero with both barrels and QD scope mounts, short overall length, de-cocking safety, insane accuracy and outstanding trigger that really sealed the deal for me. When you remove the scope and the barrel from a rifle, pack it into a case, fly halfway around the world on multiple planes, reassemble the thing in seconds, and then fire a shot and see the hole exactly where you expect it...it becomes very difficult for any gun guy not to be impressed.

Conversely, I continue to be astonished at the folks who will buy a Rem700, immediately install a new barrel, new stock, new trigger, new bottom metal, etc. and then hold up their megabuck rifle that is still a Rem700 and whisper in awe of its capabilities. They will usually have a safe full of these tinkertoy rifles in assorted chamberings for every need. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you are doing it because you enjoy the work; it simply becomes a bit much when they think these project guns are somehow superior to a rifle which is arguably better in every measurable parameter...accuracy, trigger, weight, length, versatility...right out of the box...just because it's different, new and/or European.

What's that? You like simplicity? Uh huh...do you use a laser rangefinder, trail cams, ballistic apps, holdover illuminated reticles, high-tech metal finishes or any of the other modern shooting aids that are so universal? Yeah...thought so...
 
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Is that right? I haven't heard of similar accidents with the R8. I wonder what they did to the collet system when transitioning from the R93 to the R8.

They changed the recesses in the barrel where the collets sit, steeper angle for more contact.
Blasers actually pressure test to higher rates than most bolt guns before failure. The accidents that have happened are not failures of the design,but failures of the shooter,usually with improperly reloaded ammo,etc.
I have two R93s and various calibers and like them. Some don't like them and that's fine, buy whatever you prefer.
I looked at the R8 but didn't like the fact that the trigger and magazine are one unit, so the gun becomes useless if you lose the mag.
Another nice feature is that it can be carried with a round chambered and no risk of accidental discharge, as it has the be manually cocked before it'll fire.
 
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