The Accurate Reloading Forums
FYI Blaser R8 new big bore calibers
25 May 2011, 13:04
mouse93FYI Blaser R8 new big bore calibers
As said Blaser is offering new calibers in their R8 line - beside existing chamberings in .375 H&H and .416 Rem. Mag:
- .375 Blaser Mag.
- .458 Win. Mag.
- .458 Lott
- .500 Jeffery
More on:
http://www.blaser.de/fileadmin...Flyer_03_2011_EN.pdf25 May 2011, 13:49
buffaloWell - I dont care for Blasers. Way overengineered in my opinion.. They are good shooters though. But for DG hunting I want a real rifle (Mauser 98 or Win Pre-64)

25 May 2011, 19:35
Dave BushOver engineered?

Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE
"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"
"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
Not available at my local walmart, any idea how much that professional model costs?
"The difference between adventure and disaster is preparation."
"The problem with quoting info from the internet is that you can never be sure it is accurate" Abraham Lincoln
25 May 2011, 20:43
ozhunterIn Aus, about $4500
A Kilombero in .500 Jeffery, that sounds like a pretty sweet rifle. As for the rifles being over-engineered, I used one last year on hippo, croc, buffalo and lioness and it worked fabulously. Plus they are extremely accurate and the triggers are second to none.
Mike
I'm thinking a 458 win. COuld not think of a better weapon. Been using Blaser products for quite a few years they work!!!!
Ed
DRSS Member
26 May 2011, 01:25
buffaloMJines.
Agree - they shoot very well. Fast as well. But I have seen several people at the range suffering when using reloaded ammo. Especially if they did not size the brass properly or had (too) high pressure with sticky cases. The caming power of the Blaser is not impressive at all.
But to each his own. I have no problem with other people using Blasers. But for me - if it doesnt have a claw extractor it is a no-go for me on DG..
26 May 2011, 01:48
Dave BushBuffalo, have you ever seen anyone at the range having trouble with reloads with a conventional bolt gun? I sure have. I have shot hundreds of rounds of reloaded ammo through my R93 in seveal diffent calibers without a hitch. The Mauser was the greatest gun of the 19th century but the Blaser R93 was the greatest gun of the 20th. I'm with Mike.

Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE
"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"
"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
26 May 2011, 02:00
Michael RobinsonI love my R93s and these new big bore R8s would be a good choice for anyone needing a DGR.
My R93 in .375 has filled that role without the slightest problem, but bigger is better in my book.
Plus, unlike some others I could mention, you can bet that the .500 Jeffery R8 will feed reliably!

Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
26 May 2011, 07:12
bigdoggy700I think the R8 in the big calibers will be a winner. Nice looking gun!
I have a R93 with 338 win mag and 375 H&H barrels. Both are very accurate with EXCEPTIONAL triggers. I recently purchased an R8 professional package in 308. My hunting buddy has an R8 in 416 rem and a R8 professional package in 338. All of the above shoot 3 shot groups under an inch and not picky.
quote:
Originally posted by buffalo:
MJines.
Agree - they shoot very well. Fast as well. But I have seen several people at the range suffering when using reloaded ammo. Especially if they did not size the brass properly or had (too) high pressure with sticky cases. The caming power of the Blaser is not impressive at all.
But to each his own. I have no problem with other people using Blasers. But for me - if it doesnt have a claw extractor it is a no-go for me on DG..
You get that in all guns, not just Blaser.
.
26 May 2011, 11:41
tankhunterCan you have 222 barrel, 338,etc right up to the 500 jeffery on the one R8 Blaser rifle ? if so it would be the most versatile rifle there is ! im just worried about getting a bolt in the face ,otherwise i would get one [R8] and sell my other rifles off
Just like the R93 you would only have to replace the bolt head when switching from Magnum to Standard etc..
It is the most versatile rifle there is, right after the R93, seeing that the R93 is available in 22lr.

"A peculiar virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of this fact."
26 May 2011, 12:05
PhatmanYou can swap barrels pretty fast on a $500 Savage and you dont see everyone going gaga over them.
It's just personal taste, I dont like the look of the Blaser and I dont think I could ever warm up to one.
That and the fact that its a $2000 rifle that costs a lot more.
Just my opinion
Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt
26 May 2011, 12:44
buffaloquote:
Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Buffalo, have you ever seen anyone at the range having trouble with reloads with a conventional bolt gun? I sure have. I have shot hundreds of rounds of reloaded ammo through my R93 in seveal diffent calibers without a hitch. The Mauser was the greatest gun of the 19th century but the Blaser R93 was the greatest gun of the 20th. I'm with Mike.
Sure I have - just more with the Blasers. Miserable caming power / ekstraction. But as I said before: To each his own... Enjoy your Blasers..
Speaking as a very satisfied R93 user for a number of years, I must say that the only possible complaint I have with it is the fact that no chamberings larger than .375H&H and .416Rem have been available.
I don't need or want the R8's detachable trigger/mag idea, but the bigger cartridges sure are nice.
John
I have just shot my new R8 Professional in 6mmBR. It printed .20 moa groups with factory lapua ammo and also my 70gr BlitzKing handloads. I have a 9.3x62 semi-weight barrel on order and will also get a 416RemMag barrel when it's time to go back to Africa for Cape Buffalo.
Having used the R93 on my first Cape Buffalo and also over 50 other big game animals and well over 10,000 prairie dogs. I am not worried about the caming action strength or feeding issues with the Blaser straight pull actions.
From 17 HMR to 500 Jeffry with one rifle, in right or left handed versions, let's see anyone else in the industry match that.
26 May 2011, 18:24
blaser93I have been using my Blaser R93 for 15 yrs .
I always wanted a 458 in a Blaser. Looks like I will have to buy another One.
Becareful this is sometimes a sore subject on here.
quote:
Originally posted by Phatman:
You can swap barrels pretty fast on a $500 Savage and you dont see everyone going gaga over them.
It's just personal taste, I dont like the look of the Blaser and I dont think I could ever warm up to one.
That and the fact that its a $2000 rifle that costs a lot more.
Just my opinion
The real benefit with Blaser though is you can switch calibers in about 2 minutes and no sighting in required. Pack an R93 or R8 in a Pellican with two barrels and two scopes and shoot Large game in the morning and jackals in the afternoon. Once the investment is made in the rifle, the purchase of additional barrels equals a new rifle, but with the same familiarity of using the same rifle. Until you try them there is lots to complain about, most big bores are expensive and not on the shelves at Wallmart. The Blaser has a lot going for it, without after purchase modifications, and one of the safest 'one in the chamber' carry rifles ever made.
I think a similar comparison can be made with those who see it as a contest to use the smallest caliber possible to shoot the largest game with, and those who look for the cheapest rifle/scope combination to hunt with. I agree with you though, to each their own

Waidmannsheil, Dom.
-------- There are those who only reload so they can shoot, and then there are those who only shoot so they can reload. I belong to the first group. Dom ---------
Aren't Blasers "push-feeds"????

quote:
Originally posted by mwm464:
Aren't Blasers "push-feeds"????
I hope you have your tin foil hat on after that shot across the bows.
Which BTW was a very good one !!! LOL
.
28 May 2011, 05:17
tankhunterHopefull Mauser with their M03 might offer a 500 Jeffery barrel and a few other cals as well .But knowing what gun makers are like, some how i doubt it ,id rather have the Mauser