I am giving some SERIOUS thought to buying a left handed Blaser R8 Professional kit in either 300 Win Mag or 300 Wby. Two questions:
How many rounds do these actions hold?
Can anyone recommend a source that might go under the radar and sell one of these kits under msrp?
Thanks

They will hold 3+1 rounds.

M

Talk to ChopperGuy, he has a 300WinMag R8 barrel available.

Thanks for the tip about the barrel.

If you want to change out the bolt head on the R8 to go from a 300 Win mag to the 30-06 family (or vice versa) how much would it cost?

Although boltheads are $340, you can usually find one for $250 or less on one of the Blaser forums, as folks change calibers.

Snow .....

Both the R93 & R8 hold 3+1 in magnum chamberings. The R8 holds 3+1 300 Win Mags or 300 Weatherbys; in the .30/06 Sprg. sized cartridges they hold 4+1.

http://www.blaser.de/fileadmin...s_Bolt_Action_DE.pdf

$250.00 is a really solid price for a Bolt Head if you can locate one.

There are a couple of refinements that the R8 has over the R93. The single major factor being the R8 Bits & Pieces are considerably more expnsive than those of the R93.

First is the Trigger/Magazine group, since one of the major R93 compliants is having to cycle all the rounds through the action/loading from the top.

The R8 stocks vs. R93 have some subtle changes; the pistol grip is more closed jumps straight to mind.

The R8 has a tad more heft than the fairly light R93 platform but both are joy to carry and depending on the heavy magnum cartridges chosen can be a handful for those not used to shooting a lighter-weight rifle.

The R8 added some height/depth (whatever) to their action which also is concieved to hold much larger magnum cartridges than the R93 family.

Changing from one cartidge head size (mini, standard & magnum) to another is a snap - simply changing the barrel, magazine and bolt head.

A coupla Buddies have R8's AND R93's but I stayed with the R93 since I've got so much invested in the system. All have a 300 Win. Mags. and I've the 300 Witherbeee; the discussions are fun jsut depends on how logistics challenged you are since appears to me 300 Win. Mag. ammo is pretty much available anywhere ammo is sold today; the 300 Weatherby not.

I purchased the 300 Weatherby barrel for my R93 and brother I'm glad I did, sadly realizing that I should have discovered this cartridge 40 years ago. The 25.6" (65cm) barrel is a nice feature on the Magnums affording good mangum barrel length. I added the Blaser Kick-Stop in the Butt which added 400 gramms (almost a lb.) and had a Vias Muzzle Brake installed. Shoots VERY comfortably despite the former quick jab of the 300 Witherbee; total felt recoil now appears to me similar to @ 30/06 Sprg. level. It is truly a grand long range cartridge.

As a Leftie the Bolt Carrier change from R/H to L/H is the one single one feature that initially cemented my Blaser purchase decision.

Just beware you are standing on the edge ..... and potentially waiting to toss yourself over the brink into some sort of Blaser dilema ..... 2 stocks, 7 barrels, 11 mounting sytems and lots of accesssories later.

Have fun with your choice.

As Gerry said, the Blaser system is addicting....multiple barrels, superb accuracy, ultimate safety. I've had them for almost 10 years, and they're my go-to rifles for most hunts.

Must resist...must resist......will power is fading but still a lot of coin to spend.

And worth every penny :-)

Is the professional kit the best way to go about getting my feet wet with the R8? Looking for a hunting tool, not a safe queen so the fact it has a syn stock instead of wood makes no difference to me.

Snow,

I jumped into an R8 Pro kit from Euro Optic earlier this year. That is the best deal. If you don't need the scope, they can usually work that into the deal with a credit. I went with a 6.5x55 barrel and then bought a 9.3x62 later on. For the mounts, there is an aftermarket one that I feel is better and it's less money. I limited myself to two barrels, but I can always get more. If I didn't tag out during muzzleloader season, I'd be out tomorrow with my R8. It will also double as my coyote rifle as well. There is a gentleman on the BlaserBuds forum that flutes the barrels for around 290$. I had him flute my 6.5 and it took off almost 6 oz and was far cheaper than buying the Blaser fluted barrel. It still shoots awesome at 200 yards also. I haven't taken it farther than that at this point.

PM me if I can help you with any other questions.

I am doomed!
Was convinced to start off the package with the 300 Win Mag barrel but am now thinking to just go with the 30-06 and maybe add a 9,3x62 later. Really don't need anything bigger than this as I have doubles in 450 NE, 450/400 and 9,3x74R plus a Ruger 375 Alaskan.

Only other option that makes sense is to go with a 300 Win Mag then maybe add a 338 Win Mag later.

Who makes the aftermarket scope mount? Cost?

Thanks guys

quote:

Is the professional kit the best way to go about getting my feet wet with the R8?

I can't comment on the "kit" although I can imagine that they're similar to the package offerings that Blaser.de has on their website.

As far as the Professional stock goes it is a much better stock than the original R93 black synthetic stock. It offers better purchase with finish and the forearm & pistol grip inserts afford much better grip than the slick black synthetic offered on the original R93 OffRoad.

While not indestructable; we have (R8's & R93's with the Professional stocks) used and pretty much abused them in our hunting endevours; IMO the hold up really well - much better than any of the wooden stocks although I've seen a few of the standard wood grades that have been really Ugh, well, used hard. A pity to go for a better grade of wood & engraving and then abuse it; as the synthetic models take quite a bit of punishment.

I also have K95 Luxus Stutzen and the stock finish isn't my idea of real weatherproof, have to do alot of polishing after it gets caught in the rain. It's become my "fair weather" stalking rifle.

Wolfie, The saddlemounts are available in screw-on and QD, and in 1" and 30mm. There are also some mounts that fit the receiver dovetails, but have a Picatinney section on top, or a rail on which Talley rings fit.

The Blaser saddlemounts are $341, but I believe the Talley rail is only $85. I use Talleys on many of my rifles, so it was a natural for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Wolfie, The saddlemounts are available in screw-on and QD, and in 1" and 30mm. There are also some mounts that fit the receiver dovetails, but have a Picatinney section on top, or a rail on which Talley rings fit.

The Blaser saddlemounts are $341, but I believe the Talley rail is only $85. I use Talleys on many of my rifles, so it was a natural for me.

So you install a Talley rail and mount the scope using Talley QD rings? Return to zero as good as the Blaser mount?

The aftermarket mount was around 325$. It allows a bit further back mounting of the scope by around 3.8". The mount system is almost identical to the Blaser one. I think it is actually the same.

I will say that I did an experiment with removing the barrel and reinserting it in the stock and I was about1" high, but dead on left to right. I have to work with it some more, but I'm liking it for repeatability.

Decided to go with the 30-06. Will add the 9,3x62 later and possibly a 22-250 down the road.
Thanks for all the advice, espeically from Biebs who spent a lot of time comminicating with me. Now I need to gather a few lefty rifles and get them on gunbrokers

Snow,
You'll love every minute of your Blaser addiction. I'm a lefty and have 2 R93's and an R8. The best decision regarding bolt rifles I ever made.
Welcome to the clan.

Another satisfied Blaser user here, having 2 x R93 and 1 x R8, and a 'couple' of barrels.

A solid performer, it is the rifle I pack when on the road or drive hunts.

Good choice on the 30-06 and 9,3, you will not need to change bolt heads out, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

I am very satisfied with my R8 as well. The three barrels I own are .243 win, .30-06 & .375 H&H. As Cliff stated, it is an addiction though

I have a R93 Luxus with upgraded wood, barrels in 6,5x55(3-12x50 S&B), 30-06(2,5-10 Zeiss) and a 9,3x62(1,5-6 Zeiss Varipoint).

This covers all my hunting in Norway!
Excellent precision in all 3 barrels, both with factory ammo and reloaded.
I also have a Prof. syntetic stock for the rainy days.
The flexibility in this system is unique. No change of impact when changing between stocks, and allways a "high quality" feel when handling.

This rifle system have left all my other rifles in the gunsafe. Unfair, but true!

M

Have learned one thing on this journey and that is no one who owns or has owned a Blaser has any negative opinions other than they are expensive.

I officialy joined the club today as the check goes out in this afternoons mail. But now my "gun fund" is close to an all time low

Time to sell off some stuff I never use!

Hello Randy,

I have been watching this thread with interest. No one has steered you wrong. There are a few things to like about the R8 and a lot of things to love.

Hope to see you at Birchwood with either the Blaser or a double rifle in your hands...either will put a smile on your face.

AKMATT

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Have learned one thing on this journey and that is no one who owns or has owned a Blaser has any negative opinions other than they are expensive.

I officialy joined the club today as the check goes out in this afternoons mail. But now my "gun fund" is close to an all time low

Time to sell off some stuff I never use!

You can recharge the gun fund my friend, see you at BlaserPro.com!

Wolfie, my first R8 arrived today, a Jaeger with upgraded wood and a semi-wt 30-06 barrel with sights. I resisted the R8 for some times, as I was completely satisfied with the 3-4 R93 rifles I had at any given time, along with 7-15 barrels. But as they made their way to new owners, I thought it was time to switch over. The R8 is a very nice piece...a bit heavier and more stout than the R93, but I'm used to African rifles, so it's still a lightweight to me.

Dang Biebs! Wished I had known you bought one, could of waited a couple of months and bought yours

Main reason I bought the R8 is because it can be transported so easily. Second reason is I can bring it into the tent at night and take it apart and dry it out. Can't tell you how many times we are in remote areas hunting out of a tent and get back at night with a soaked rifle and freezing conditions. Even stainless rusts up here.

Wolfie, this one isn't going anywhere :-)

This last moose season as you know it rained like an SOB. The only spot that was an issue on the R-8 was the bolt head. If I were to do it again, I would get on that is Nytrided.

Cheers,

Matt

Snowwolfe:

Everything positive said in this thread is true. I have an R93 with two barrels, 9,3X62 and a 30-06. Mine is just a Prestige model that I bought used from Ron Williams. They take down into a neat little two barrel case, including scopes and go back together in a jiffy and they will indeed maintain the zero on the the scope.

Peter Paul Mauser may have had the greatest gun of the 19th Century but Blaser has the greatest gun of the 20th.

Finally, 10 days after it was shipped UPS ground the rifle was delivered (Note: UPS to Alaska sucks, 2-3x times as expensive as USPS Priority plus at least twice as long to deliver).

Previously I have handled a R93 and liked it but it seemed a little light. The R8 is a lot more robust and seems to point better and settles in nicely for off hand work. Seems to be built sturdier as well. Been to damn cold up here for the last month or so but hope the weather gets warm soon so we can hit the range. Ordered a 2nd barrel from Larry in 9,3x62 and most likely will add a .277 caliber down the road. Just not sure if I want to go with a 270 Win or a 270 WSM.
When I was showing the package to my son (he is 24) and explaining how all he needed to do was to buy a right hand bolt for it and it would be perfect for him he smiled and told me it was nice I was thinking of him when I died Not sure if this is a good thing, lol.
Glad I took the plunge and bought this and hopefully in time can clear out a bunch of bolt rifles that hardly ever see any use.

Snowwolfe:

After you have had a chance to wring out your new R8, I would love to hear your thoughts on how it compares to the R93.

Do standard profile barrels from and R93 fit the R8?

Dave, R93 barrels do not fit the R8.

Dave,
I never had the opportunity to really wring out a 93. Held a couple at our local range and shot a couple of offhand shots but that was all. I was intriqued by the Blaser system but not sold on it as I didnt like the limited magazine capacity. The R8 changed all that and finally convinced me to write the check.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Dave, R93 barrels do not fit the R8.

Jon, they just had to make it so if we buy an R8, we have to buy new barrels, huh? Okay, the question is are they going to discontinue the R93? If so, I may want to pick up a couple more barrels.

Dave, from what I understand, the R93 is still selling strong in the European market, so it may push back Blaser's plan to discontinue the R93.

Yes on the barrels...that's why I wouldn't buy an R8; I thought they screwed us with the lack of interchangeability of the barrels. But as my R93 rifles and barrels sold off, I thought I might as well switch while I had no more R93 stuff.

Biebs:



OK Jon. I'm done trolling now. Nothing much going on with the big bores so I thought I'd drop in and give you a ration concerning the Blaser.

Just one question before I go. Where do you find a paper bag large enough to put over that ugly gun and do you put one over your head as well in case the gun's falls off?

Hey. I'll get an extra large one to put over you and your DR, so you don't have to watch me effortlessly take game at ranges you could only dream about with your 2-piper :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Hey. I'll get an extra large one to put over you and your DR, so you don't have to watch me effortlessly take game at ranges you could only dream about with your 2-piper :-)

Guys:

I have an R93 on a Prestige frame. I love the gun and I hope that Blaser keeps the R93 in the lineup although I don't think that's likely.

I am curious. What do you see as the benefit of the R8? I guess I have never pulled the trigger group out of any gun I have owned.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:


What do you see as the benefit of the R8?

That one is low hanging fruit Dave. Don't get me started!