Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Gunwriter field experience with Blaser R8?

Keenly interested in this rifle.

What's your take on their reliability and performance in field conditions?

I've used Blasers since the mid-90s. Never had an issue...they've been to Africa, Canada, Alaska, Argentina, Mexico and out west. They're so easy to travel with in the breakdown case, with multiple barrels if needed. Few rifles are as accurate, and the nitrided barrels are near impossible to shoot out.

I'm not a gun writer but have used Blaser rifles since 2000. Have R93's and R8's currently with multiple barrels. Never had a rifle as accurate as the Blaser and, as Biebs said, I don't think you can shoot out a barrel.

My r8 in 6.5-284 shot 3/8” 3 shot groups at 200 yards for the load I developed for it. It also was sub .5” at 200 yards removing the scope and replacing it to finish the group with the QD scope mount system.

A great system the problem I have is too many other custom rifles to shoot so the blaser doesn’t get out much.

There is a downside to Blasers for rifle looneys. You don't get or need to tweak every little thing with them. No bedding, no trigger work or replacement, etc. If you can stand to just buy a rifle and shoot it "as is" then a Blaser will work fine. If you can't stand to own a rifle that need tinkering it's not the platform for you.

Quoted for truth.
The Blaser becomes surprisingly more affordable when you realize you don't have to spend all that extra money making it "right".

Mine did have kinda an inconsistent trigger break that varied by like 4 oz. Sent it to blaser and they fixed it and lightened the trigger a tad. Most people would never have noticed. I wish barrels were cheaper. I need to get a varmint caliber or something I can shoot some volume with.

Ping Spomer about the R8

Thanks, your comments on barrel life, trigger and accuracy make me wonder if the platform could also be used for target shooting. I like the notion of getting 8000 rounds out of a .308 barrel, and then simply buying a new one when it wears out. No gunsmithing required.

I'm a bit hung up on the plastic parts, and whether they will act out in extreme cold...

Philthygeezer, I can't remember where I read it but, the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol in Iceland tried several different modern rifles, including the R8. Nothing worked for them as well as the 1917 Enfield so, they continue use it.

Join the website BLASERBUDS

Any all questions will be answered.

As soon as I sell all my RH guns, I'm getting another Blaser LH and bbls.

Simply nothing better.

Model 70 to Blaser same as Mustang to 911.

26 guns to sell, have at it.

Canada chose a modified version of the Tikka T3 for its Ranger rifle to supersede the Enfields. Don't think they trialed R8s though, and the contract required Canada to manufacture them under licence.

1917 enfield, lol. What a blunderbus of a rifle. It’s hard to imagine that gun being selected my anyone.

I think it is easier to fire multiple shots quickly with the R8, in fact as fast as a double for the first two. Thereafter the R8 is faster.
For DG I would prefer the R8 in 375 H&H over everything else. I believe there are bigger chamberings as well.

500 Jeffrey is the largest. Most DG hunters shoot 375 H&H, the 416 Rem or the 458 Lott.