Blaser calibre combo

[Heym SR20]

I would go for a 260 or 7mm-08. Does anything you will ever need to do on deer sized animals and foxes etc without a lot of fuss or bother. 6.5x55 or 7x57 would also do the same job.

And then a 9.3x62 or a 375h&h and the whole world is covered. Question recoil of a 375 h&h in a blazer - might be a bit light. 9.3x62 is I think legal for big heavy game in most of Africa but check and certainly v good on boar and big woodland deer, elk or moose and big plains game.

 

[SJC]

IMO the .308 with good bullet choice (130 Barnes etc. ) will cover pretty much everything. If there is the need for a lighter/faster round then the .243 fits the bill and keeps you legal should you find something else when waiting for a fox on a sunny afternoon.

 

[amssmith]

I went with 6.5x55 + 30-06 in my R8. Covers everything I plan to shoot and even with factory Ammo accuracy very reassuring. Have the Sweden with a hand load now which eases the pain on the pocket. Yet to get around to the 30-06. Have fun choosing!

 

[CWMMAN3738]

You have do many options its a tough one I have a few Blaser's in various calibres & if I went to 1 R8 I would have to have 204, 25-06, then either 7mm rem mag, 30-06, or 300wm all of which I have now it depends if you don't mind changing bolt faces if not then either 26-06,& 30-06 or stick with 243, then 7mm or 30-06 with same bolt face or 204,25-06,& 300wm then all bases are covered exceptionally well if you don't mind it only takes seconds

 

[mchughcb]

My certificate is up for renewal in a few months, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to have a calibre re think, if necessary. So.. Currently I have a blaser R93, which I've had for over 10 years now, with .243, 6.5 x 55 and .308 barrels. I want to upgrade to the R8 as I like the idea of the removable magazine. Question is what calibre combo? Do I stick with what I've got.. So , mainly .243 and .308, same bolt head insert e.t.c for both, or think of something else.? I want to keep things simple. At this stage I'm thinking of dropping the 6.5 x 55, although a lovely calibre, but my .308 will do what this does and more. And like I said would prefer to keep it all very simple.?

my main activities, are fox and deer uk, reds in Scotland, and 2 driven boar trips abroad per year.

Thanks.!

I've got an R93 in 243, 30-06 and a few other calibres. I wouldn't trade for an R8. Not worth it. I'd keep the R93, drop the 6.5 and unless you are using the 243 for foxes drop that as well and get a second hand 223 or a 22/250 barrel for any small game. This will save you a heap of money in any trade in.

 

[Boarboy]

You have do many options its a tough one I have a few Blaser's in various calibres & if I went to 1 R8 I would have to have 204, 25-06, then either 7mm rem mag, 30-06, or 300wm all of which I have now it depends if you don't mind changing bolt faces if not then either 26-06,& 30-06 or stick with 243, then 7mm or 30-06 with same bolt face or 204,25-06,& 300wm then all bases are covered exceptionally well if you don't mind it only takes seconds

they don't do a 25-06 in the R8, I just checked this. they can do it special order but its silly money. mid range they do 6.5 x55 or 6.5 x 57... the latter sounds interesting? but ammo availability more likely an issue!

 

[EMcC]

I think somebody has already mentioned that the .308 and .243 would suit all occasions and with the various bullet weights and ease of availability I must agree.
.243 bullets from 55gn to 100gn and the .308 bullet range from 100gn to 180gn should suit all requirements I would have thought.
Or swap the .308 for a 30-06 and use the lighter bullets for UK Deer and fox and the heavier bullets for Driven Boar.

 

[7-08Ai]

Ive got a 257Weatherby barrel for my R8 bit like 25-06 ,maybe a touch more

 

[Boarboy]

I think somebody has already mentioned that the .308 and .243 would suit all occasions and with the various bullet weights and ease of availability I must agree.
.243 bullets from 55gn to 100gn and the .308 bullet range from 100gn to 180gn should suit all requirements I would have thought.
Or swap the .308 for a 30-06 and use the lighter bullets for UK Deer and fox and the heavier bullets for Driven Boar.

Yes Eddy, I think your right in as much, and if it ain't broke don't fix it springs to mind!

This might sound silly, considering the blaser system and the fact it is supposed to lend itself to easy swapping about.. But.. I use my rifle a lot, I will often take it with me when I feed the pheasants with the .308 barrel on (that cover me for everything I might see), then i'll come back in for tea, straight out foxing, change the barrel to .243, then go back to .308 when I go out in the morning.. Do you see what I mean.? Quite a bit of changing about! Might I be better to have a seperate .223 for example for foxing, then just my deer calibre in the blaser?

The other thing is I set my .243 up for fox with 70gr bullets, which is perfect. People say just stick a 100gr in for deer, but it doesn't quite work like that from a zero point of view.? My argument again being maybe a seperate foxing set up completely.?

 

[unicorn71]

Or you could just load a 85g game king in the .243 barrel and be perfectly set up for fox/deer.

 

[timbrayford]

Yes Eddy, I think your right in as much, and if it ain't broke don't fix it springs to mind!

This might sound silly, considering the blaser system and the fact it is supposed to lend itself to easy swapping about.. But.. I use my rifle a lot, I will often take it with me when I feed the pheasants with the .308 barrel on (that cover me for everything I might see), then i'll come back in for tea, straight out foxing, change the barrel to .243, then go back to .308 when I go out in the morning.. Do you see what I mean.? Quite a bit of changing about! Might I be better to have a seperate .223 for example for foxing, then just my deer calibre in the blaser?

The other thing is I set my .243 up for fox with 70gr bullets, which is perfect. People say just stick a 100gr in for deer, but it doesn't quite work like that from a zero point of view.? My argument again being maybe a seperate foxing set up completely.?

Had you thought of having one of these instead? http://www.mulliners.co.uk/gun-product/blaser-bd14-bockdrilling-rifle/