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.338-06 or .338-57 and Blaser R93

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06 December 2003, 09:19
Alan Bunn
.338-06 or .338-57 and Blaser R93
I need some help answering an interesting question on the African Hunter Magazine forum: Blaser question

Been looking at two wild-cats in .338. and would like to have one bulid on a Blaser R93. Does anyone know of a gunsmith that can/will make a barrel in .338-06 or .338-57 for the Blaser R93 action?

Tuzi R.

Not having any hands on experience with the Blaser, I offered the following advice about where to go to seek help, and offered to post his question here, where I'm sure he can find more knowledgeable comments. Does anyone have any experience with wildcat chambering for the Blaser? Also, what is the story about Blaser's exploding barrels with reloads? I remember the controversy, but I don't remember the details or the outcome.

Hey Tuzi,

There should be a bevy of gunsmiths in Europe that could easily rechamber a barrel, as well as many here in the States, since having the correct reamer is the key. However the real problem is getting a PROPER Blaser barrel with a .338 bore that could be chambered like you want it.

Since the Blaser is a swap barrel design, and requires custom machining on the outside, just getting a custom barrel blank probably won't work. Blaser doesn't offer a .338 bore on their website, so reboring and rechambering an existing barrel may be your only option.

I would first contact Blaser directly to see if such a project is advisable or even feasible.

Blaser

I remember some controversy in the past about shooting reloaded ammo in Blaser rifles in the German Sporting press and on their hunting forums. Shooting hot reloads may not be advised, but I don't know all of the details or if Blaser corrected the problem. I will post your question at Accurate Reloading and some of the European members may be able to help you further.

Accurate Reloading European Hunting Forum

Since Europe is a big place with many languages it is hard to steer you to a good source without knowing where you are. However, if you speak German or know someone who does, contact the Golmatic company in Weinheim, Germany and see if they can help.

Gottfried Prechtl

Johan Fanzoj can undoubtably do what you want if you can afford him. Here is a link to his website where they speak English, French, Italian, and a host of other languages.

Johan Fanzoj

Good luck on your project and I hope some of this will help. Please give us an update on what you find out.

Oh, I just remembered one more contact that may help you. It is Andreas Rockstroh who is the editor-in-chief of the famous German hunting magazine: Jagen Weltweit

Alan
06 December 2003, 12:51
N E 450 No2
My advice, especially for a European, is to simply get a Blaser bbl in 9,3x62.
There is only a few silly mm's difference. [Big Grin]
An American should just get a 338 Win Mag and load it down a little.
I talked to a couple of fellas today that wanted a Blaser bbl in 280 Rem. I said "Get a 270 or a 7MM Rem Mag, the animal will never know the difference. [Roll Eyes]
While the Blaser is not available in every CARTRIDGE on the planet, there are enough options for every ANIMAL on the planet. [Cool] [Wink]
08 December 2003, 02:51
<JOHAN>
quote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:

While the Blaser is not available in every CARTRIDGE on the planet, there are enough options for every ANIMAL on the planet. [Cool] [Wink]
Tony, I found this part of the reply a bit strange [Big Grin] you see it's nothing wrong with the cartriges unless it's 45 blaser [Eek!] [Razz] The error is in the rifle and the design [Big Grin] [Razz]

I know that there are a few gunsmith who have been re camberding blaser barrels. 338 win is fine cartridge and soo it the 9,3X62. Second hand value is better for a rifle in a standard cambering.

/ JOHAN
27 December 2003, 23:09
carcano91
So far, everybody seems to have missed the facts. Let me supply them.

Blaser did indeed chamber and sell a trial run of barrels in 8,5x63 about 1.5-2 years ago, and they are expected to enter the caliber into factory production once demand is big enough.

Further info can be had directly from Werner Reb.
27 December 2003, 23:15
carcano91
Quote:

I can understand that the look or design does not meet everyone's approval. What I want to know is, are these guns safe to shoot with hot reloads, and if they aren't, are there any pictures or names of actual people who blew them up.



Yes, it's a fact. One of the instances has been amply documented in print, with full expertise from the DEVA e.V., pictures and findings publsihed etc.

An other one passed over my table about 3 years ago: it involved either the 6,5x68 or the 8x68, and the owner swore these were *not* reloads (unlike the famous Austrian case, where however the reload itself was found not to be at fault - which made Blaser wince in despair). An expertise from the University (Gesamthochschule) Essen did not find a material flaw in the barrel of this second case.

We know that the potential problem is design related, and that it will happen again *if* a cartridge bottom gives way under pressure. The Blaser R 93 cannot handle escaping gases well enough, and the cosmetic improvements after the first incident (plastic bolt cover replaced by aluminium bolt cover) do not really remedy the main problem, which is rooted in construction.
28 December 2003, 03:01
<JOHAN>
Quote:

An expertise from the University (Gesamthochschule) Essen did not find a material flaw in the barrel of this second case.

We know that the potential problem is design related, and that it will happen again *if* a cartridge bottom gives way under pressure. The Blaser R 93 cannot handle escaping gases well enough, and the cosmetic improvements after the first incident (plastic bolt cover replaced by aluminium bolt cover) do not really remedy the main problem, which is rooted in construction.



Gentlemen

Annother great excuse to return to the more ancient, non high tech, mauser that been soo much beaten by posters here. Mausers are BETTER, some is just trying ignore it

/ JOHAN
28 December 2003, 13:20
DB Bill
You're missing the point----NO RIFLE IS SAFE TO SHOOT WITH "HOT" LOADS !!!!!!!!

Let me say it again---"NO RIFLE IS SAFE TO SHOOT WITH "HOT" LOADS !!!!

Repeat after me --"NO RIFLE IS SAFE TO SHOOT WITH "HOT" LOADS !!!!
30 December 2003, 12:48
<JOHAN>
Quote:

You're missing the point----NO RIFLE IS SAFE TO SHOOT WITH "HOT" LOADS !!!!!!!!




DB Bill, We all know that one shall only shoot safe loads regardless of the type of rifle etc. bla bl.a.

I was not missing the point, I was just hideing it for some time to take a pop at the overengineered rifle. Actually there are some out there that thinks that modern rifles will handle any maniac load. This is NOT the case. You start to sound like lawyer. I guess your sons time in Law school has gotten to you

Cheers
/ JOHAN
30 December 2003, 19:46
DB Bill
Johan my friend...your "admiration" of the Blaser design is well known....my post, however, was directed at Carcano 91 who seems to think that hot loads only affect the "dreaded Blaser"....t'ain't so.

I've had an aversion to so-called "hot loads" long before my son went to law school...I also don't like shooting directly over a dog's head or having more than one person at a time shooting in a duck blind.
31 December 2003, 13:11
carcano91
Quote:

....my post, however, was directed at Carcano 91 who seems to think that hot loads only affect the "dreaded Blaser"....t'ain't so.[/qb]



You are lacking either elementary reading skills, or an elementary knowledge of firearms design. Presumably both. How pitiful. Please do not embarrass yourself further.

Carcano
31 December 2003, 21:15
DB Bill
Ooooh! Right through the heart May I have another please sir.