Blaser BBF95/97, good guns?

[njc110381]

Hi guys. I don't suppose we have many users of these, but a search tells me there are a few. I've decided to retire my old Sauer drilling and buy something more modern. A new drilling is out of my league money wise but I can manage a combi.

Currently I have a few thoughts running around in my head. Do I need the double lock version? I don't suppose I will shoot much other than deer and squirrels with it. Are rimless cartridges ok in them? I've always thought rimmed were better but ease of availability of ammunition is a consideration. Something like a .308 will be dead easy to feed. And is a 20g good enough for inland duck? That's about the biggest thing I'm likely to shoot with the shotgun.

They look to be coming in at about £3700 new for a basic one. I don't suppose anyone knows of a second hand one floating about on an RFD's rack somewhere?!

All thoughts and info will be gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[Heym SR20]

Personally I would always go for the double lock version as it then allows the option for a double rifle set of barrels, or Rifle bullet plus slug, buckshot or even heavy birdshot - very useful when shooting foxes, or indeed dispatching wounded deer etc - shot for close range - rifle for further out. In these days of non Toxic shot, I would think a 12 bore might be more versatile, especially in ducks.

My experience with Blasers is that they shoot well as a rifle, but do feel quite machine made and balance as a shotgun not as good as it could be. Not sure what sort of price the Merkel ones are but might be worth a look. Also have a look at the FinnClassic. Rimless cartridges are OK, but they won't fall out, you have to pull out the empties - can be a bit fiddly especially with cold wet hands - but point taken re ammo availability. I have shot one a bit in 9.3x74 and 12 - nice enough to shot, pretty light and recoil of the 9.3 was no worse than the 12 barrel. They have an automatic decocker when you open the barrels - equivalent to an auto safety on a shotgun. But to take off safe is not the quick flick of a shotgun, but a deliberate push on the decocker. Personally that could be a pain if you are ever having to rapidly reload - say on a driven hunt, or on that one flight of duck.

I have also had a play with a BD14 Bockdrilling in 20, 30 Blaser and .222. Very accurate and saw it take Marmots with the 222 barrel out at 200 plus metres. But not nicely balanced at all - it would be too cumbesome on flying shots.

But what's wrong with the Sauer - does it still shoot well? Might be worth having a good gunsmith freshen it up a bit - would cost much less than buying a Blaser.

 

[mchughcb]

In my opinion after owning a BBF97 for many years and shooting a BBF95 many times I have come to the following conclusions.

1. For your type of hunting, unless you are planning to get a double rifle set, stick with the BBF95 as it will be easier to cock. You will need to break each time but if you have your target lined up shouldn't be a problem.
2. I have rimmed but have shot rimless many times (6.5x55) no problems in extraction.
3. 308 is probably the best choice of a round even if its is rimless.
4. 20G will make it lighter and is plenty with the fixed modified choke for inland duck. Having said my current BBF97 is 12G and I've shot everything from ground to flying game with it and ammo is cheaper and it handles the 3" 2oz magnum loads.
5. I have a pacmeyer trap recoil pad put on mine.
6. A 1-6x24 and an aimpoint micro are good scopes to put on top.

Accuracy Test


Shotgun Rifle Barrel


Double Rifle Barrel

 

[njc110381]

Small world - I watched those videos on Youtube before seeing them here!

Nothing wrong with the Sauer. It's a nice gun. I just fancy something different and the Sauer is quite an old gun. I'm getting quite sentimental about it after all the work I've put into it and I'd just like a rough working gun for throwing in the Gator etc. Save the Sauer for beaters day and other less likely to dent or scratch it kind of days!

I'm not sure what I'll end up with calibre wise. To be honest as long as it's still popular on the continent that's popular enough for me. With the 8x60 Sauer headstamped brass is an absolute fortune, if I can even get it. That makes travelling with it more complicated so again, a nice common gun would be nice for that. Something like 7x65R would be common enough - my dealer will order in most things for me and carry it as stock if he knows I'll buy it.

I'll try to get a double lock but as pointed out above, I don't think a single would restrict me for most of what I do. Could be a niggle on driven game but how often would I do that? Not that often!

 

[Uncle f]

Have a look at the merkel B3 combination gun. I’ve the double version in .30.06 and it a lovely little rifle.
they come in calibres from .222rem upto 9.3x74r. Shotgun wise simple choice of 12/20 g

Chris at swillingtons can get you a price

 

[Magnificent 7]

Hi guys. I don't suppose we have many users of these, but a search tells me there are a few. I've decided to retire my old Sauer drilling and buy something more modern. A new drilling is out of my league money wise but I can manage a combi.

Currently I have a few thoughts running around in my head. Do I need the double lock version? I don't suppose I will shoot much other than deer and squirrels with it. Are rimless cartridges ok in them? I've always thought rimmed were better but ease of availability of ammunition is a consideration. Something like a .308 will be dead easy to feed. And is a 20g good enough for inland duck? That's about the biggest thing I'm likely to shoot with the shotgun.

They look to be coming in at about £3700 new for a basic one. I don't suppose anyone knows of a second hand one floating about on an RFD's rack somewhere?!

All thoughts and info will be gratefully received. Thanks.

Malmo guns had something similar that they had taken in on a deal I may be totally wrong it had a few barrels with it in a fancy box worth an ask anyhow whether its the right thing or not but worth a phone call

 

[mchughcb]

My mate bought the B3 and we compared it one weekend. We both preferred the blaser.

 

[njc110381]

My mate bought the B3 and we compared it one weekend. We both preferred the blaser.

What did you prefer about the Blaser? I've been looking at a couple of Merkels, they seem to be pretty classy guns.

 

[mchughcb]

The action and the mount system were the first things that stuck out.

 

[njc110381]

The action and the mount system were the first things that stuck out.

Thanks. I hadn't considered the action really but the Blaser mount system is something I had thought to be pretty bomb proof having seen it on my mate's R8. The newer Merkels look to be very similar to the Blaser system but with longer indents. I'm keen to avoid the old claw mount system - although it's absolutely bomb proof I'm a chop and change kind of a person and claws make that seriously labour intensive. Having hand filed a set of claws from scratch for mine, I don't intend to do it again!

 

[mchughcb]

The wood grade on the Merkels are definately better for less lesser price, but I'm not looking at the wood when I'm firing.

I had a thread somewhere, my mates that have bought Merkel kipplauf singles and combo guns have always preferred the actions and feel of my Blaser on a like for like basis and the merkels are cheaper. On the other hand I know the importer in Australia and there is no way they are supported as well as Blaser.

 

[njc110381]

Sounds like they're more popular out there for sure. I only have one friend here with a combi gun that I could handle, and I talked him into buying it off of me when I upgraded! That was an old Brno and to be fair it always functioned pretty well.

Of all the guns I've seen I'm hoping to get the deluxe Blaser for the side plate engraving. I know it's machine engraved not hand, but the little pictures of roe deer and boar would be a nice touch. There are plenty about in Germany, I'm just trying to figure out how to get things back here from a seller who doesn't want to export. If I could fly there I could do it myself, but we're in lockdown because of all the covid bull*hit.

 

[Heym SR20]

Export from Germany is straightforward. Seller takes it to German RFD who gets an export petmit - cost €50. German RFD sends to your RFD. Or you go over there with a slot on your FAC and pick it up.

But as you say COVID has messed things up. And heaven knows what will happen post Jan 1st 2021.

 

[Uncle f]

The merkel mounts are nearly the same as a blaser mount. I use the innomount system and I think it’s made better than the blaser mounts I have on the R8’s and k95. It holds zero looks better and is £200 cheaper.
The Bb97 is indeed a lovely rifle and they hold there money it seems better than the merkel. BUT with blaser sporting putting there costs up in jan again this rifle for the Luxus side plate will be in excess of £9-£10 k I assume. With a nine month weight.
Speaking with Frederick last week at blaser hq he’s not sure what’s happening with Brexit with regards to costs and tariffs (no one knows yet) but it will seen a standard R8 ultimate he believes increase in cost retail by about £650-£700 min

merkel will indeed have the same problem but they are slightly cheaper to start with

 

[Uncle f]

So Franconia are listing the merkel rifle in .30.06 and 12g with zeiss scope from £6433 euro ex vat

 

[mchughcb]

The merkel mounts are nearly the same as a blaser mount. I use the innomount system and I think it’s made better than the blaser mounts I have on the R8’s and k95. It holds zero looks better and is £200 cheaper.
The Bb97 is indeed a lovely rifle and they hold there money it seems better than the merkel. BUT with blaser sporting putting there costs up in jan again this rifle for the Luxus side plate will be in excess of £9-£10 k I assume. With a nine month weight.
Speaking with Frederick last week at blaser hq he’s not sure what’s happening with Brexit with regards to costs and tariffs (no one knows yet) but it will seen a standard R8 ultimate he believes increase in cost retail by about £650-£700 min

merkel will indeed have the same problem but they are slightly cheaper to start with

What I did was buy the poverty pack second hand. Then I bought some nice side plates of Egun.de and then took them to my blaser gunsmith who smashed out the blank side plates on the poverty pack and put my wild game side plates on. I was initially not happy because the sideplates I bought were great but they were too thick and sat proud of the inlet in the alloy. After a while I don't care now as I've used it too much to worry. However if you are going to go down this route and not pay another $1500 quid for a a couple of games scenes when you can pay $100 quid installed, just ask before you buy how thick they are. They will need to be as thin as possible.

 

[mchughcb]

Then the next best think is to buy a pistol grippen with a animal or scene of your desires and the gunsmith can whack that in quick smart. Then you have pimped up your BBF

 

[njc110381]

What I did was buy the poverty pack second hand.

I just happen to have found a couple of nice guns already fitted with them for sensible money, but if they don't work out I will be doing exactly that with the side plates. Pretty sure I got the idea from one of your previous posts when I did a search!

 

[mchughcb]

The side plates are just held in with glue

 

[njc110381]

Not sure how to feel about that! I guess if it works it's ok, but with their engineering skills you'd think they'd come up with something a little more fancy!