devon deer stalker
Well-Known Member
I have my Sako 75 .243 stainless, i will never, ever get rid of it, but this thread has got me thinking, maybe trade/sell my 30-06 Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker, decisions, decisions.
Cheers
Richard
Which blaser?
- Thread starter Scots_stalker
- Start date
Cheers
Richard
The magazine of my 75 dropped out in the rifle slip! I moved forwards to shoot the stag and realised the magazine was no longer there. A crafty crawl back saw order restored and the stag shot, but it has coloured my judgement on detachable magazines ever since.
tackb
Well-Known Member
With a traditional turnbolt , say my remmy 700 for example you can take a round out of your pocket single feed and carry on ,not so easy if your trigger is with your mag somewhere else ?
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
There is a fixed mag lock on the R8 for those that are worried about it dropping out
Even I might have noticed if there was no magazine and no trigger assembly!
I did think about single feeding the Sako 75, but didn't fancy my luck if I needed a quick follow-up, so I decided to re-trace my crawl and find the mag. As it was, I retrieved the mag and shot the stag, so the only crisis was having to fess-up to the stalker as to what I'd been playing at
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I do like the removable magazine of the R8 over the fixed/top access only one in my old R93. Unloading is much improved. Security and safety advantages all good...I was a bit disappointed that it was made from plastic though...As a blacksmith, any material I can't weld or forge I distrust!
While I am having a moan, the dummy magazine to fill the void...fills it a bit too well and is a pain to get in and out. I must stick some silicone on it.
Alan
While I am having a moan, the dummy magazine to fill the void...fills it a bit too well and is a pain to get in and out. I must stick some silicone on it.
Alan
JabaliHunter
Well-Known Member
If I were in the market for a Blaser it would be a K95, although I can see the appeal of the straight pull bolt for driven shooting...
just leave the magazine in the rifle then? the r8 ones even have a lock if you want to leave the trigger in place permanently.
Sauerkraut
Active Member
I have a .270 & .308, both R8 Pro's. Love them both and have never used such consistently accurate and user friendly rifles. I also, chose not to have a thumb hole stock. The .308 with 20.5" semi weight barrel is insanely accurate with factory or home loads. Wouldn't want anything else now.
CCB
Well-Known Member
R8 PS 30.06 22" barrel, had it for over a year now, used in all weathers, accurate, doesn't appear to be fussy, easy to load for, great to carry on the hill, used with two scopes for different rounds, 100% return to zero! Whats not to like? only improvement i made was to put on a longer bolt handle, i found the original a bit small and easy to let go of in the rain with cold wet hands. i got a vortex extended, and works a treat. Should have bought one sooner!
Go and try one, if you like it, buy it! as for as the cost, most folk go and buy a standard rifle and spend a fortune on extras to make it shoot better, bite the bullet once and forget about it.
Happy hunting!
Go and try one, if you like it, buy it! as for as the cost, most folk go and buy a standard rifle and spend a fortune on extras to make it shoot better, bite the bullet once and forget about it.
Happy hunting!
armwilliams
New Member
[FONT=&][FONT=&]I recently bought the r8 in the professional stock with an adjustable comb and inserts to lengthen the pull. It is the first time that I have held a rifle that actually fits. The difference is incredible - I am way more accurate with it - far more steady in every position.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
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[FONT=&][FONT=&]I had the chance to have both the professional and the success in my hands. The standard stock was immediately more familiar and I didn’t immediately fall in love with the thumbhole - as I had imagined I would. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]The thumbhole grip feels like the pull is longer than on the standard stock - your palm is slightly closer to the trigger. That was a positive for me - but it still wasn’t right. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]One of the reasons I was looking to the r8 was speed of follow up shots - and specifically on driven game. I had an opportunity to go to a shooting cinema where they so happened to have an r8 with an Aimpoint. It was brilliant for that application. I had a chat with the instructor and he was dead against the thumbhole if your intention was driven game - just for those added moments of change in position of the shooting hand. Having had this little time with it - I could appreciate his point.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]I have been told (though never experienced) that the success can be a bit of a pain to carry. I spend a bit of time with the rifle on my back when on the hill. I don’t use a slip - just more faff to deal with - and I don’t care if the rifle gets wet. It is in this configuration that the shape of the stock can dig in to your back. There is sure to be a way around it - but it would be a real niggle for me on long days on the hill.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]So here’s the twist. I ordered and paid for a sauer 404 in 300 win mag with the thumbhole stock. I immediately loved the rifle in my hands. Coming from a 202 - for sure there was more familiarity - but it just seemed handier. The stock is truly ambidextrous which is a consideration for me. I bought a full set up and the dealer put it together for me and zeroed the rifle etc Long story short - the dealer phoned to say he would not sell it to me as it wasn’t feeding right (he now has a long conversation to have with Sauer). It was a big step for him to take - potentially losing a big sale - but I’m certainly glad he did. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]In my opinion the Blaser is simply brilliant. It was the rifle I wanted to love and make the one time lifetime purchase. It just did not feel right in my hands - at least not as good as the sauer. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]Having been “forced” to buy one - I am so happy I have. The easy alterations in comb height and pull make this rifle superb in my hands now. It is the platform of choice for me.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]When I picked up the rifle a fellow blaser owner was in the shop and was a little envious of my stock choice. He has the success. Having used his a fair bit - he would rather have had the standard stock. He advised that while it is steadier on the sticks etc - he would rather have the decocker available to him immediately. As it is he needs to take his hand from the shooting position, cock the rifle, then go back to the shooting position. Now he sticks with the spout empty and the rifle cocked. He reckons it is altogether quicker for him to cycle the bolt and get on target this way.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]So - a fair bit of info for you.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]Ultimately the lesson has to be that you need to put the various configurations in your hands to get the right rifle for you. Make a day or more of it if necessary - it is a hell of a purchase and most of us can’t afford to get it wrong.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]I had the chance to have both the professional and the success in my hands. The standard stock was immediately more familiar and I didn’t immediately fall in love with the thumbhole - as I had imagined I would. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]The thumbhole grip feels like the pull is longer than on the standard stock - your palm is slightly closer to the trigger. That was a positive for me - but it still wasn’t right. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]One of the reasons I was looking to the r8 was speed of follow up shots - and specifically on driven game. I had an opportunity to go to a shooting cinema where they so happened to have an r8 with an Aimpoint. It was brilliant for that application. I had a chat with the instructor and he was dead against the thumbhole if your intention was driven game - just for those added moments of change in position of the shooting hand. Having had this little time with it - I could appreciate his point.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]I have been told (though never experienced) that the success can be a bit of a pain to carry. I spend a bit of time with the rifle on my back when on the hill. I don’t use a slip - just more faff to deal with - and I don’t care if the rifle gets wet. It is in this configuration that the shape of the stock can dig in to your back. There is sure to be a way around it - but it would be a real niggle for me on long days on the hill.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]So here’s the twist. I ordered and paid for a sauer 404 in 300 win mag with the thumbhole stock. I immediately loved the rifle in my hands. Coming from a 202 - for sure there was more familiarity - but it just seemed handier. The stock is truly ambidextrous which is a consideration for me. I bought a full set up and the dealer put it together for me and zeroed the rifle etc Long story short - the dealer phoned to say he would not sell it to me as it wasn’t feeding right (he now has a long conversation to have with Sauer). It was a big step for him to take - potentially losing a big sale - but I’m certainly glad he did. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]In my opinion the Blaser is simply brilliant. It was the rifle I wanted to love and make the one time lifetime purchase. It just did not feel right in my hands - at least not as good as the sauer. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]Having been “forced” to buy one - I am so happy I have. The easy alterations in comb height and pull make this rifle superb in my hands now. It is the platform of choice for me.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]When I picked up the rifle a fellow blaser owner was in the shop and was a little envious of my stock choice. He has the success. Having used his a fair bit - he would rather have had the standard stock. He advised that while it is steadier on the sticks etc - he would rather have the decocker available to him immediately. As it is he needs to take his hand from the shooting position, cock the rifle, then go back to the shooting position. Now he sticks with the spout empty and the rifle cocked. He reckons it is altogether quicker for him to cycle the bolt and get on target this way.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]So - a fair bit of info for you.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&][FONT=&]Ultimately the lesson has to be that you need to put the various configurations in your hands to get the right rifle for you. Make a day or more of it if necessary - it is a hell of a purchase and most of us can’t afford to get it wrong.[/FONT][/FONT]
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Chasey
Well-Known Member
I have A Blasa R93 Pro in 308 6.5 55 and 243
Good sides:
Well balanced, tactile, fantastic for storage or transport having to take / store barrels and not the whole rifle, detachable scope makes storage of the assembled rifle easy in shallow gun cabinets, The safety is a proper de-cocking 100% safe safety. The short action makes carrying through woodland a lot easier than some standard rifles. The trigger is excellent
Bad sides: Very expensive for what they are, look a bit naff, plastic inserts for the mag are losable flimsy and again a bit naff, the bolt tangs worry you as they look easily bendable breakable, barrels go rusty if not looked after, the safety is very stiff and slow in operation, too slow for fast reaction woodland stalking IMHO, my R93 is a bit naff to load/unload, not slick & satisfying like my mag on the Sako 75, M15 Mod thread makes it incompatible with all my Mods, only holds three rounds with no option to expand, no possibility of a second mag for fast reload, heavier than my T3 light for hill stalking.
Accuracy: Its OK. Nothing special. Not as good as my Sako 75 but that's probably down to the heavy laminate stock on the Sako. No where near as good as my Tika595 22/250 but that's probably down to the heavy sporter barrel and light round making it super stable. Good for 1" at 100m which is good enough, but with all three barrels I own, none of them stand out as amazing in the accuracy steaks.
CONCLUSIONS
If fast reloading is important with things like boor shooting, the straight pull is defo quick but your limited to three shots
For me it was all about storage storage storage. When we sell our house and down size to a two bed flat Ill be very challenged on storage space so I decided to move now to a modular system. In this regard it is fantastic.
Claims for super accuracy are either exaggerated or these guys owned some crap rifles in the past.
I am selling my beloved Sako 75III with laminate stock and it makes me want to weep but it has to be done or I have to give up a calibre (I still might)
Id sell my R93 without a second thought, but right now it for fills a task.
2018-08-06 17.57.48 by markchase8, on Flickr
Good sides:
Well balanced, tactile, fantastic for storage or transport having to take / store barrels and not the whole rifle, detachable scope makes storage of the assembled rifle easy in shallow gun cabinets, The safety is a proper de-cocking 100% safe safety. The short action makes carrying through woodland a lot easier than some standard rifles. The trigger is excellent
Bad sides: Very expensive for what they are, look a bit naff, plastic inserts for the mag are losable flimsy and again a bit naff, the bolt tangs worry you as they look easily bendable breakable, barrels go rusty if not looked after, the safety is very stiff and slow in operation, too slow for fast reaction woodland stalking IMHO, my R93 is a bit naff to load/unload, not slick & satisfying like my mag on the Sako 75, M15 Mod thread makes it incompatible with all my Mods, only holds three rounds with no option to expand, no possibility of a second mag for fast reload, heavier than my T3 light for hill stalking.
Accuracy: Its OK. Nothing special. Not as good as my Sako 75 but that's probably down to the heavy laminate stock on the Sako. No where near as good as my Tika595 22/250 but that's probably down to the heavy sporter barrel and light round making it super stable. Good for 1" at 100m which is good enough, but with all three barrels I own, none of them stand out as amazing in the accuracy steaks.
CONCLUSIONS
If fast reloading is important with things like boor shooting, the straight pull is defo quick but your limited to three shots
For me it was all about storage storage storage. When we sell our house and down size to a two bed flat Ill be very challenged on storage space so I decided to move now to a modular system. In this regard it is fantastic.
Claims for super accuracy are either exaggerated or these guys owned some crap rifles in the past.
I am selling my beloved Sako 75III with laminate stock and it makes me want to weep but it has to be done or I have to give up a calibre (I still might)
Id sell my R93 without a second thought, but right now it for fills a task.
2018-08-06 17.57.48 by markchase8, on FlickrR8 Pro - I don't have one but I want one!
I've only had one session with an R8 but it just inspired confidence from the start. I was astounded by the groupings from different positions I was getting from a rifle I had never encountered until I picked it up on a test range. Shooting one made me think that I was a brilliant shot - until I had to give it back and return to the reality of my own considerably more humble rifle
.
That said, if all the other Blasers are as good as the R8, I would have any of them.
I've only had one session with an R8 but it just inspired confidence from the start. I was astounded by the groupings from different positions I was getting from a rifle I had never encountered until I picked it up on a test range. Shooting one made me think that I was a brilliant shot - until I had to give it back and return to the reality of my own considerably more humble rifle
. That said, if all the other Blasers are as good as the R8, I would have any of them.
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
Chasey
Well-Known Member
Why it defo only takes three rounds as apposed to my Sako which holds five
Yes I could stick one up the spout and hold down the ones in the insert before sliding the bolt forward so I can get four, but if that's the case I can do the same on the Sako and get six?
But as you say if three is not enough, perhaps more shooting practice is needed
Uncle f
Well-Known Member
Got two R8’s three barrels and also a K95 which is my absolute fovorite. As said not everyones cup of tea but what a rifle would never part with it (unless forced to).
Having used both R8’s for stalking and driven abroad the pro success is a great stalking rifle but a touch to fiddly for driven as your hand is naturally drawn to the thumb hole, however the pro is perfect for driven and great for stalking. The K95 on the other hand is perfect in every way
Having used both R8’s for stalking and driven abroad the pro success is a great stalking rifle but a touch to fiddly for driven as your hand is naturally drawn to the thumb hole, however the pro is perfect for driven and great for stalking. The K95 on the other hand is perfect in every way
Attachments
I just bought an R8 sucess in .243 and have .270 and 375H&H barres to come.
gregor macleod in Tain supplied and set it up for me with and i couldnt be more pleased. Up till now i have used a BSA CF2 in .243 and a Sako finnbear in .270. I have had both for 20 years and love how they shoot but it was time to upgrade. The Blaser appealed over everything else and im looking forward to having a go at Roe with it in aberdeenshire and reds in the highlands later this year.
gregor macleod in Tain supplied and set it up for me with and i couldnt be more pleased. Up till now i have used a BSA CF2 in .243 and a Sako finnbear in .270. I have had both for 20 years and love how they shoot but it was time to upgrade. The Blaser appealed over everything else and im looking forward to having a go at Roe with it in aberdeenshire and reds in the highlands later this year.
reiver
Well-Known Member
Thats me fecked then with my 202 and 8 shot mags thenWhy it defo only takes three rounds as apposed to my Sako which holds five
Yes I could stick one up the spout and hold down the ones in the insert before sliding the bolt forward so I can get four, but if that's the case I can do the same on the Sako and get six?
But as you say if three is not enough, perhaps more shooting practice is needed
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