Blaser R8 and R93

[SLG]

Anyone have much experience with them? Likes, dislikes, accuracy? I know at least one of you has one and likes it, anyone else as well? Pics are always good too:-)

Is it possible to get a 6.5 Creedmore barrel for them?

[SteveB]

Anyone have much experience with them? Likes, dislikes, accuracy? I know at least one of you has one and likes it, anyone else as well? Pics are always good too:-)

Is it possible to get a 6.5 Creedmore barrel for them?

Not much to add to this morning's discussion, except to warn you off of the R93, especially in heavier calibers. The R8 is maybe 1/2 lb heavier, but the lockup of bolt and barrel is stronger. I saw Jeff Cooper's personal R93 .30-06 get so buggered-up at Gunsite that they had to use a hammer to get it apart.

Another point that occurs to me is that the OAL of the rifle is shorter than conventional bolt guns. My R8 is 2" shorter than my Model 70's with the same length barrel (22"). Also has the best out-of-the-box trigger I've ever experienced.

This guy has a good reputation for making custom Blaser barrels, and does make them in 6.5 Creedmoor:

Elmer A. Laitala
320-272-4564
elmer.light@gmail.com

7445

[SLG]

Steve,

That is good to know about the custom barrels, thanks! I figured someone must be making some, but I hadn't heard anyone mentioned in my searches yet.

My understanding is that because the bolt doesn't need to rotate, it can be several inches shorter than a comparable turnbolt.

What about a pic rail for the guns? I see they offer every configuration under the sun for the scope mounts except a clamp on pic rail.

[SteveB]

What about a pic rail for the guns? I see they offer every configuration under the sun for the scope mounts except a clamp on pic rail.

http://www.eurooptic.com/blaser-fixed-picatinny-mounting-rail.aspx

[SLG]

http://www.eurooptic.com/blaser-fixed-picatinny-mounting-rail.aspx

Awesome! Only $425...:-(

[SteveB]

Awesome! Only $425...:-(

Nothing cheap about these rifles! On a happier note, apparently Blaser is now making factory barrels in 6.5 Creedmoor:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=554789405

[SLG]

Heard back from Elmer as well. Kreiger blanks, basically the same price, though it looks like the GB link includes a magazine insert.

Would you go with the R8 (detachable trigger and magazine) or the R8 Professional (non detachable)?

[SteveB]

Heard back from Elmer as well. Kreiger blanks, basically the same price, though it looks like the GB link includes a magazine insert.

Would you go with the R8 (detachable trigger and magazine) or the R8 Professional (non detachable)?

All R8's are detachable unless you order a blind mag version; not sure why you would want that. Taking the mag/trigger out requires a bit of effort; not going to happen by accident. There is a lug you can activate inside the rifle that will lock the mag/trigger unit in place. My R8 Professional has the detachable unit, which makes the caliber switch easier. Practically speaking, I would never remove the thing in the field.

[SLG]

All R8's are detachable unless you order a blind mag version; not sure why you would want that. Taking the mag/trigger out requires a bit of effort; not going to happen by accident. There is a lug you can activate inside the rifle that will lock the mag/trigger unit in place. My R8 Professional has the detachable unit, which makes the caliber switch easier. Practically speaking, I would never remove the thing in the field.

Ok, this is what drives me nuts about blaser. they list an R8 Professional (S), and they say the difference is that it has a fixed magazine. Seems to be slightly less expensive. http://www.blaser-usa.com/index.php?id=1775&L=1

eta: I like the idea of the removable trigger housing, but would plan to simply load through the top normally.

[irascible_joe]

There were several reports circulating over the past 10 years of serious injuries to shooters with the older R93. Of course, anyone can blow up a gun if they do something stupid enough, but apparently the R93 did a poor job of protecting the shooter in those instances. No idea if the R8 is better in that regard.

[SLG]

There were several reports circulating over the past 10 years of serious injuries to shooters with the older R93. Of course, anyone can blow up a gun if they do something stupid enough, but apparently the R93 did a poor job of protecting the shooter in those instances. No idea if the R8 is better in that regard.

Welcome to the discussion, which up until now, I could have had over the phone:-)

I had not heard that about the 93, any more info? Straight pulls have always creeped me out a little, kind of like striker fired guns:-)

[GJM]

Based on my experiences owning a few, Jim Brockman's comment they they have a lot of parts compared to a model 70, the Gunsite eposode with the Cooper Blaser going TU, and even the hint of detonation, these rifles strike me as perfect for the traveling hunter, but less ideal for the hard use shooter.

[irascible_joe]

My memory was a little fuzzy on the details; Googling for "blaser r93 bolt accident" brings up quite a few references. This forum post (www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/17012-Blaser-R93-or-Not?p=156058&viewfull=1#post156058) references 8 instances of accidents.

I've shot an R93 before, but I'm in no way an expert on their design. And as I said before, any sufficiently advanced idiot can blow up a gun. But it sounds like the Blaser action might not fail very gracefully in these circumstances, especially compared to something like the old Mauser 98, which has a lot of features designed to protect the shooter in the event of an extreme overpressure situation, pierced primer, case head failure, etc.

Or it could be Internet exaggeration, like the old Glock KaBoom! stories. I honestly don't know. If I were seriously looking at dropping the cubic dollars that Blasers command these days, I'd certainly do my homework on the subject.

[SLG]

I talked to an industry friend who is pretty up on professional use of the Blaser system. To the tune of 60,000 rds a year through them. They say the 93 had some issues with being able to fire when the bolt wasn't locked, and that the R8 doesn't have that problem. still creeps me out, but it is a cool gun, and I'm still interested.

[GJM]

I talked to an industry friend who is pretty up on professional use of the Blaser system. To the tune of 60,000 rds a year through them. They say the 93 had some issues with being able to fire when the bolt wasn't locked, and that the R8 doesn't have that problem. still creeps me out, but it is a cool gun, and I'm still interested.

Very interested in who is shooting 60,000 rounds a year thru a Blaser and why?

[SLG]

Very interested in who is shooting 60,000 rounds a year thru a Blaser and why?

Multiple calibers, not just one. I won't name him publicly, but aside from him, The Aussies use it as a sniper rifle. They seem pretty happy with it.