Can anyone who is an R8 owner [not R 93]tell me what they think of this rifle ? after how many reloads would you full length resize your brass ? any problems you have had with it ? or other views,good or bad ,would you buy another or not ?etc
Thanks [thinking of getting one ]although I think they are overpriced ,and wood on base models is ordinary for the price of the rifle

Like mine so much decided to sell all my other bolt actions.

I don't count reloads but adjust the sizing die so the brass will just barely chamber easily. I count how many times the cases have been trimmed and toss them if they need trimming a 4th time. But I only use once fired brass when hunting then they go to the sight in pile.

Pricey rifle but wished I had bought one a long time ago.

I like my R8. It will probably make several big bores from the Rem Custom shop become available in the very near future.
I full length resize my brass after each firing anyway and have zero problems with them that way.
Pricey but I think it's worth it.

I have alot of expereince with Blasers, R93's, R8's & K-95's.

Usually, no issues with them at all, providing as a reloader you pay attention to detail.

Accuracy phenominal.

I would never consider using Neck-Sized brass in a Blaser R8 as there is absolutely no camming action. F/L size every time. If you have an ammo glitch you will know immediately and you'll do alot of cussing as you attempt to batter the bolt handle rearwards while holding the cocking piece forward. Not fun in the field.

As you develop loads ensure that accuracy isn't your only criteria; attempt to cycle them through the Magazine/Chamber prior to field use. As all hunting ammo should be IMO, reliability first, accuracy second. With an R8; both can be easily realized.

Purchase a Stoney Point bullet Gizmo, test correct O.A.L. for every bullet, jamming into or close to the lands is where you do not want to be.

Yes, their #1 wood grade (Standard) is pretty much "fruit crate" quality, no figure at all but you'll get a dense, solid, straight-grained piece of walnut. Perazzi, Beretta, similar, then again Remington's been stocking their 40x's with similarly graded stable wood for years with virtually no accuracy issues. Their wood finish is visually O.K. but the first rain drops will leave a lasting impression (pun).

Everyone's taste in firearms different but for my thinking their standard grade wood defies the price, I'd go synthetic for less $$$ and not concern myself with the wood or wood finish.

Good Luck with your choice.

I own two R8's one synthetic, one wood and five different barrel/caliber configurations. Every one is incredibly accurate. The rifle can be zeroed in at the range, disassembled and transported and reassembled and it will remain on zero. Great engineering.

Have fun!

Hard to beat the R8; my "go to" rifle for travel hunts. They're expensive up front, but with multiple barrels and boltheads, they can cover everything from Prairie Dogs to Elephant and Cape Buffalo.

Firstly, apologies up front for being lazy and shortcutting research - and this is a genuine question, not trolling. Having said that:

Does the R8 address any of the safety concerns that were levelled at the R93? I was very impressed with the feel of the trigger and accuracy of a friend's R93, but have never been able to get beyond the issues of action lock-up vs a turn bolt (rightly or wrongly).

My son is very interested in Blaser's, so I am interested to know the current state of play with these rifles.

What safety concerns are you referring to?

I have my R8 for two month now and it is a awesome gun! I really like it especially the accuracy and how quickly you can exchange the barrel. I would buy it again and already planning to by more calibers for it.


I did my hunting license with a R93 which is a nice gun to. It looks a little less massive then the R8 and has no removable magazine.

But about the safety issues it the R93: It is a myth! Blaser sold more than 240,000 R93 and only 3 or 4 had issues. All of them belong to people that reload themself....

However since this myth is out, the R8 is constructed even more solid and was tested with pressure about 14,000 bar and didn't explode.

Let's just put it this way .... there are countless incidents annually involving all sorts of rifle & barrel manufacturers, reloading, barrel obstructions, metal fatigue, wrong bullets for caliber, incorrect powders & ammunition, antique & modern; the list too long to encompass all here.

If you don't pay attention to what it's all about, there are risks to be incurred - period.

The vast majority of us go about this within reasonable parameters; others perhaps not .....

I fully agree Gerry. So don't get me wrong nothing against reloading.

Would reload myself if my flat would be bigger

However it is nice to know how solid the R8 is.

Excellent rifle, in fact, I think it is the best multiple caliber outfit period. Great travel outfit, love the straight pull action, and believe it is the safest chamber loaded, uncocked, system to carry. My R8 is the Pro stock version, agree on high price of nice wood, but they all carry a high tag no matter which make. I full length resize, no issues, and yes, I'd get another

I´m realy not an Blaser-Fan.
But befor two weeks, I handled a new R8 chambered for the 8x57IS, with the new optional "Atzl"-trigger.
http://www.blaser.de/index.php...9dcd4e8fff8cc80614bc
I never saw an better trigger in an hunting rifle, as this one. For "me" the trigger, selected to "hunting" is a little bit to light in a hunting rifle. I like trigger pulls about 850g-1000g. But at the range, it´s like shooting with a .22 target rifle. The R8 owner shoot with his new rifle constant group unter 20mm.

Martin

quote:

Originally posted by kl4j:
I own two R8's one synthetic, one wood and five different barrel/caliber configurations. Every one is incredibly accurate. The rifle can be zeroed in at the range, disassembled and transported and reassembled and it will remain on zero. Great engineering.

Have fun!

+1:Me too but only with two barrels (9,3x62 & 338WM)

Thanks everyone for your comments ,I wasn't aware that there is an alloy action and a Steel action ,the steel being recommended by Blaser for the 458 Lott and the 500 Jeff.
Is the alloy action up to the task of the 458 or 500 recoil ? No doubt the steel will be more expensive Again ! left me wondering now that if you want from 222 to 500 J ideally you need the Steel action ! for it to be a true one gun for everything hmmm ??

Yes, according to my gun smith you can shout the 458 and 500 with the alloy action without problems. The only issue is that the normal stock of the alloy is for 17mm or 19mm barrels but the big calibers need 21mm. So you need to widen it which a gun smith can do without issues.

So you can shoot from .222 till .500 with on the same gun. The main parts that take the pressure are the barrel and the bold head which are the same for alloy as for steal.

Only dis-advantage good be that you will see a gap in the stock if you have 17mm barrels and 21mm barrels. Which is not a problem with wood but with synthetic.

quote:

would never consider using Neck-Sized brass in a Blaser R8 as there is absolutely no camming action. F/L size every time. If you have an ammo glitch you will know immediately and you'll do alot of cussing as you attempt to batter the bolt handle rearwards while holding the cocking piece forward. Not fun in the field.

This ^^^^^ should tell you everything you need to know about a Blaser action in regards to DG hunting.

quote:

What safety concerns are you referring to?

People getting their heads nearly blown off when an R-93 bolt comes uncorked and explodes backwards. Did you really not know about that?

The Australian Army tested the strength of the R93 actioned military version of the Blaser.

They cut the petals off the bolt head leaving apparently only 3 ONE ONE SIDE of the bolt head and it
STILL held with full power loads. Told to me by a guy here in the military.

Secondly the alloy action takes no back pressure - the bolt head locks up in the barrel.

Thirdly - there IS a subtle camming action on initial pull back of the bolt - enough break the seal between the case and the chamber - unless of course the load is exceptionally hot.

Fourthly Blasers have been used round the globe on DG. Whilst I would personally prefer a good CRF action a Blaser would be a better bet than a Remington with its crap ejector (the reason why Remington discontinued the 416 Rem Mag in their factory rifles) and as good as any other push feed rifle. But there are plenty Remingtons used on DG too!

And lastly there is no reason not to use neck sized cases in a Blaser with the usual precautions that would apply to any other action ie if they are tight to chamber then full length size them!

The R8 action has been successfully tested in Germany to about 210 000 psi only recently as up until now no one has had then equipment to test to those sort of pressures.

A lot of rubbish around on forums about the Blaser product - mostly told by those who haven't even owned one!

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

What safety concerns are you referring to?

People getting their heads nearly blown off when an R-93 bolt comes uncorked and explodes backwards. Did you really not know about that?

Yes, I really did not know about that. Has it happened to any of the members here?

quote:

Originally posted by MLG:
A lot of rubbish around on forums about the Blaser product - mostly told by those who haven't even owned one!

True

I have an R8 with the steel receiver and two Sellous barrels..I took it to Africa last year and used reloads with no problem..I only full length size the brass as the rifle is more than accurate. I plan to use it again this year.

Thanks for comments ,opinions advice ,in the end I bought a Mauser M03 ,while I don't deny the Blaser R 8 is a strong dependable rifle ,the alloy action ,alloy mounts turned me off it .I know you can have a steel action but its a higher end model, and I wasn't prepared to spend that much[$9000.00] ,I think they are overpriced especially for an alloy action and ordinary wood for the price here of $5000.00, where as the Mauser is all steel and overall a bit more robust conventional type action ,I would still buy a Blaser but the whole purpose for me was to own less guns hence a rifle with multi barrels, but only one rifle ,even though it only goes up to a 458 Lott not a 500
Thanks again
Cheers

Tankhunter - you won't go wrong with the M03.

Probably the best made factory rifle out there!

My R8 is slowly displacing everything else in the safe. Every caliber shoots and travel is a breeze. I have barrels in .243, 6.5x55, 30-06, 300 Roy, 338 Win Mag, and 9.3x62.

Not trying to trash on the R-8, not even the R-93 but folks should have knowledge of these accidents before making a choice to buy one.

http://www.deportiro.com/engli...nglish_version.shtml

Those Blaser rifles (93 &8 models) have been used a few times on TAA and Under Wild skies and on at least five ocassions, the user goons up a shot because that rube-goldberg bolt does not go back into battery. That and what has been posted here completely removes any curiosity or inkling to own one of these rifles. Aside from being almost as hideous looking as a Thompson Center, and if I'm going to pay that kind of money, I don't want plastic parts ANYWHERE. I don't know what the folks at Blazer were thinking, then again take a look at their "version" of a double....

Jorge

It's correct that if the bolt s not closed properly the rifle will not fire. That's a safety feature as the bolt head must be locked up.

It's up to the user to be familiar with the rifle and make sure that the bolt is positively closed.

In the last couple of millimetres of bolt travel the handle cams over and locks the bolt head into the barrel and once one gets used to that little feature its not a problem.

Then you get one of the fastest,accurate and slickest feeding rifles around.

Blaser now has 80% of the European market which is substantial.

However they are an acquired taste no doubt.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Not trying to trash on the R-8, not even the R-93 but folks should have knowledge of these accidents before making a choice to buy one.

http://www.deportiro.com/engli...nglish_version.shtml

Every time somebody quote one documented case of a R93 blowup due to reloading, I ask them to search on youtube remington blowup, winchester blowup and my favourite, bursting gun barrels.
I can replay that blow up on the browning and remington so many times and never get bored.

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

And now, on the boards, is a case of a Sako blow up. None of the manufacturers are perfect. It was my understanding that the R93 had it's "incident" because of a handloaded round. I don't know that for sure but even factory ammo is not immune from being improperly loaded.
The cases of non-firing can mostly be attributed to operator error, at least the ones I have seen. Either short stroked or not fully engaging the bolt to it's most forward position.
After a modest 200 plus rounds in 2 calibers, I have yet to have a malfunction of any kind in the new R8 that I just got 2 months ago. Either in 30-06 or .416 Remington. Both were with handloads. I ain't skeered!

The only people who don't like the R93/R8 are thee who can't afford them or don't understand them. Best hunting/tactical rifles ever made. If you want a conventional turn bolt, get a Mauser 03.

I have shot over 22,000 rounds through my Blaser's, and I am in no way concerned about their strength.

quote:

The only people who don't like the R93/R8 are thee who can't afford them or don't understand them.

With all due respect Dave, I can afford them, I understand them and I've owned one. An R-93. It was accurate, it was fast to cycle and I had the bolt not closing all the way issue with it one to many times. Mine when operated with vigor would close then pop back to the just behind over center position causing it to not fire. SCREW THAT on a DG rifle or any rifle!!

Not an insult to Blaser owners, I simply don't like them and choose not to own them anymore. They are what they are and there have been several folks badly injured by them that should not be taken lightly. There simply isn't anything there to stop the bolt taking off half your head if it does let loose. I don't like that design feature.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

The only people who don't like the R93/R8 are thee who can't afford them or don't understand them.

With all due respect Dave, I can afford them, I understand them and I've owned one. An R-93. It was accurate, it was fast to cycle and I had the bolt not closing all the way issue with it one to many times. Mine when operated with vigor would close then pop back to the just behind over center position causing it to not fire. SCREW THAT on a DG rifle or any rifle!!

Not an insult to Blaser owners, I simply don't like them and choose not to own them anymore. They are what they are and there have been several folks badly injured by them that should not be taken lightly. There simply isn't anything there to stop the bolt taking off half your head if it does let loose. I don't like that design feature.

This.. As to the poster referencing other rifle blowups, please show us where it was as a result of a design flaw. YEs they are an acquired taste but the bolt closing issue is a valid point when it comes to DG.

Yep, a R8 will not fire if you do not close the bolt, neither will any other bolt action.
Is a Blaser a DGR? Not for me, that is what a double rifle is for.

I don't think they are the definitive DG R
rifle either - and nor is any other pushfeed.

Double or a properly set up M98 in that order.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

The only people who don't like the R93/R8 are thee who can't afford them or don't understand them.

With all due respect Dave, I can afford them, I understand them and I've owned one. An R-93. It was accurate, it was fast to cycle and I had the bolt not closing all the way issue with it one to many times. Mine when operated with vigor would close then pop back to the just behind over center position causing it to not fire. SCREW THAT on a DG rifle or any rifle!!

Not an insult to Blaser owners, I simply don't like them and choose not to own them anymore. They are what they are and there have been several folks badly injured by them that should not be taken lightly. There simply isn't anything there to stop the bolt taking off half your head if it does let loose. I don't like that design feature.

This.. As to the poster referencing other rifle blowups, please show us where it was as a result of a design flaw. YEs they are an acquired taste but the bolt closing issue is a valid point when it comes to DG.

Three blow ups out of 500,000 plus rifles. All three after multiple over pressure load were fired through them. Can't fix stupid, and no bolt handle made today will save you when your turn bolt lugs fail.

Remington and Winchester would love to have that low a blow up rate.

Don't like them, no problem, but don't bad mouth them with false info.

Well "captain", can you provide the data to back up your claims of 1/500,000 or the ones for 700s or 70s? As to the question about the bolt not closing on a Blaser the same as on a standard bolt, that is not a valid comparison as the closing parameters are completely different.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
As to the question about the bolt not closing on a Blaser the same as on a standard bolt, that is not a valid comparison as the closing parameters are completely different.

Why or what makes the parameters different?

Times change
I'm glad that in the firearms industry it has as it gives me more options. The Blaser is my go to serious gun. I gave and use other types but the Blaser is an overall safer option for me.
I shoot my guns allot so I know if tgey are dependable. If they are not they go bye bye.
I use my Blaser on DG and very successfully. Never a hiccup on safari. I have seen two rifles fail in Africa. One by a hunting partner, a Wincchester Model 70. He bought it scoped it and went to Africa. He couldn't believe it jammed because everyone told him the CRF Model 70 was the way to go. The problem was that he didn't use the gun enough to know if the gun he owned was reliable. I also have seen a Ruger 458 Win Mag owned by a PH that he was having issues with it. He used it allot and over time it started to have feeding issues. Guns over time need repair. Eventually they all might have an issue.
The mere mention of the name Blaser drives some to the edge.
Times change. New designs like the Blaser lock up in the barrel. These type of rifles have tested to withstand higher pressures than the beloved Mauser 98.
You don't have to accept change. You don't have to acknowledge that change will happen. But it does. Glock makes allot of money off of its plastic gun. If it is better doesn't matter. It's another option that change has brought us.
We live in a day and time where we have the option of so many types of firearms because people have money and are willing to spend it. There was a time the double rifle appeared extinct. The present day market said it should not be extinct. The present day market also says guns like the Blaser have a place because people that are buying them because they work and they are safe they are accurate. They sell
I see allot of scare tactics that are used online. I think most people see through these scare tactics. I think the cost of a Blaser holds more people back than the scare tactics used online. A person can get into a used R93 in good condition with a synthetic stock for around what some other guns go for. Then if you like it move up to the R8 if you want. You can sell the R93 for what you have in it.

Well said Blaserguy.
After no more rounds than I have put through my R8, in 3 different calibers, I am completely satisfied with it's accuracy, dependability and safety.