Is there any difference loading for the R-93 blaser than a bolt rifle. If so any tips would be welcome
thanks

Pretty much standard as far as reloading goes, I usually full length size, however I have others that I know that neck size only, with no problems.

thanks just was not sure

I'm with Ron with regards to full length sizing. Because the R93 lacks the leverage in closing of a regular turn bolt action, it becomes tiresome (although possible) to work with neck sized brass. I personally PFL-size my brass, and it chambers with just the slightest resistance. Remember always to ensure the action is fully closed - I bump the handle with my hand - otherwise the rifle won't fire.

I personally don't practice "load until I see pressure signs" with the R93. I think it is a very safe action, but I want to stay on the safe side of pressures, even if it means a muzzle velocity 1-200 fps below book values. Chambers on Blasers are often on the large side (as is often the case on factory barrels), that tends to keep pressures down a bit. Each barrel is different, though, and I have a couple that I have loaded to max pressure (or above?).

- mike

quote:

I usually full length size

gerryb,

I've (like mho) a barrel or two to compliment the flexibility of the R93 system.

My first, a .30/06 Sprg. Attaché barrel was a real lesson for me.

I thought I'd simply try one of the top performing loads that had been successful in various .30/06 Sprg.'s (Savage, Ruger & Steyr-Mannlicher) over the years. Went to the range and the initial 5-shot group was superb. A coupla clicks up/down/left/right had me right where I wanted to be. Those Blaser Saddle Mounts attached directly to the barrel really do tend to align the scope very well with the barrel from the Get-Go. Voilá ..... thought I had arrived; life had never been easier .....

In the field, after the first hunting foray; found the first big-game round stuck in the chamber (bullet stuck in the lands). After spraying powder all through the action and getting the case out of the chamber with the bullet remaining in the bore - I was one life experience richer.



Appears some of the hammer-forged barrels from Blaser have a relatively short (accuracy enhancing) freebore. Had to reduce the O.A.L. and re-tweak the load.

Of course this was my Bolo - I should have also tested the loads for funtion at the range; too but instead I was so overwhelmed with the 5-shot clusters (several 5-shot nickel sized groups) that I forgot to accomplish the acid test - function.

Several Blaser R93 barrels later I've purchased the Stoney Point Widget for all my R93 barrel cartridges and use this in the bullet selection process prior to loading regardless of what the standard O.A.L. is supposed to be.

The only R93 barrel that was not within this tad shorter freebore spec was the .300 Weatherby barrel and it has a really long-g-g freebore.

Good Luck with your R93.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
In the field found the initial round stuck in the chamber (bullet stuck in the lands). After spraying powder all through the action and getting the case out of the chamber with the bullet remaining in the bore - I was one life experience richer.

OK, OK, guilty as charged. I've also run into this SNAFU with an R93 barrel in 8x64S What a balls-up!

I could not get a Stoney Point modified case for this cartridge, so I tried an alternative method (like: chamber, extract and look hard for land marks...) to establish whether I was off the lands. Seems it did not work very well... I since made myself a modified case for the Stoney Point for the cartridge in question...

- mike

Pretty much standard reloading, however, I cannot get the Stoney Point system to work in the R93 like in other bolt action rifles. Don't know if without the bolt it is measuring differently or what, so have gone back to the trial and error of leaving bullet long and using the actual bolt to force it in lands then back out and measure and go from there. Other than that no issues, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

i normally use stoney point but I have heard it is not 100%. I will proceed with caution and not try to test the limits of the action
thanks
for your help

quote:

Originally posted by Dom:
... I cannot get the Stoney Point system to work in the R93 like in other bolt action rifles. Don't know if without the bolt it is measuring differently or what... Dom.

Don't know what you mean. The guide threads into the cartridge case. Push that into the chamber holding the guide tube. Bring the rod within the guide tube forward until it has push the bullet into the lands. Fix the rod by tightening the set screw. Done. Works the same as on any other rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by McFox:

quote:

Originally posted by Dom:
... I cannot get the Stoney Point system to work in the R93 like in other bolt action rifles. Don't know if without the bolt it is measuring differently or what... Dom.

Don't know what you mean. The guide threads into the cartridge case. Push that into the chamber holding the guide tube. Bring the rod within the guide tube forward until it has push the bullet into the lands. Fix the rod by tightening the set screw. Done. Works the same as on any other rifle.

Done that. Measuring is not the issue. The issue is when you then finish your loads, backed off .020 or whatever off the lands, you'll be jamming the bullet in the lands when it shouldn't be. Maybe my R93 is 'special'

I load for an R93 in 308W. I started neck sizing and had some problems which turned out to be a fault with the die. Have since gone back to neck sizing with a Lee collet die and have encountered no problems. Have some cases with a lot of book max loads on them and they haven't been full length sized in a long time. With this in mind I certainly wouldn't rule out neck sizing, it may be that some folks do have trouble with it but you might get lucky like I have.

My throat seems to be somewhat longer than my magazine will allow me to load. With a Nosler 150 grain Partition my max OAL (using a case with seated bullet to measure to the lands) seems to be about 2.905 and my magazine will not work much beyond 2.840. I think there was talk on one of the Blaser forums about Blaser throat lengths being somewhat variable so it may be that it varys significantly from rifle to rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by caorach:
I load for an R93 in 308W.

My throat seems to be somewhat longer than my magazine will allow me to load.

That is also the case in my .308 (R93) barrel. I use a .30-06 magazine to allow me to reach the lands. It is not perfect, I have to be a bit careful how I load the magazine, but the rifle shoots better this way.

- mike

Hey Gerry, Here is an interesting thread about the R93 Blaser on the GunSmith Board.

Best of luck to you.

As the above posts mentioned, I full size all brass. I used a 375 H&H in Africa last year. My factory ammo did not make it with the rifle. My PH had some 375 that a previous client had left , whick he had loaded and had the load data on the box. I took it to sight in and except for windage was dead on with my scope setting. Use it the whole time. I ried to neck some Weatherby 340 to 300 to load and it would not work in my 300 Weatherby barrel. The factory ammo did. So I only use correct brass and no problems.

thanks and yes hot core i have seen that and thats kind of why i ask. with CZ or something like that i don't really worry as you will pick up pressure signs and generally those types of actions I find will usually take more than the book max but I have never realoaded for my blaser and really don't need to except i bought a 8x68s barrel and a 9.3x64 and factory ammo is nil. I will not push the envelope with handloads in the blaser but i think they are probably as safe as anything if you do what you are supposed to

I almost exclusively reload for my Blaser. While developing some loads in 30-06 and 243, I took pressures so high that I could only open the bolt by using a hammer.

No problem at all

Those R 93 actions are hell for strong, and the surprising thing of all this is how my rifle maintained its accuracy through all this !!

Would you like to join us on the European forum we are talking about the R93 / R8 system as well

quote:

I could only open the bolt by using a hammer.

No problem at all

Those R 93 actions are hell for strong, and the surprising thing of all this is how my rifle maintained its accuracy through all this !!

Words of wisdom













PS where about are you in India ?

There cannot be too many Blaser users in India

Are you located in Punjab ?

You may know many of my friends

Are you on the team ?

We may have met in Dorset last year?

Were you on that bus that made the headlines back home ?

PM me if that's you.

Small world ...........

Tikkka !

Hello LondonHunter,

Quite a collection of pictures you got there. You must be an ardent Blaser rifle user

In fact, except for one picture, none of the others are verifiable.

By any scientific and repeatable measures, the R 93 system is substantially stronger than traditional actions based on the Mauser 98 or its derivatives.

Dont know about the European forum but would be delighted to join.

PM sent

You must be joking "not verifiable"

You mean you have not come across it as an avid "internet shooter" ?

Never mind

enjoy your rifle

My dear LondonHunter,

As an avid "internet shooter" perhaps you have come across this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AqMl1A4aQ

Dont believe all you hear about on the internet

The R 93 has taken rifle technology to a level that the world had not seen for almost 100 years.

I wish you were in India, then you could certainly use mine and see for yourself.