Blaser R8 Field Evaluation

[NDhunter88]

Does that spartan adapter fit a regular spartan bipod or only the Blaser proprietary spartan like bipod? As similar as they look I have been told they are different but no one has ever been able to confirm that. The adapter on the fore end of that rifle looks like the Blaser part and not a typical Spartan gunsmith adapter.

 

[Steve O]

Buy an R8, or an AT-XC? decisions decisions........

Holy crap, I had to look that up. Buy the R8

 

[JordanM]

Man that is a light stock and barrel for it being the heavier profile. Pics of R8 Ultimate Carbon and it’s only 5oz lighter. The barrel is a 6.5 PRC 23”. Bolt is same weight.

 

[Formidilosus]

Post #1 updated.

 

[SloppyJ]

Ill come out and say it to address the elephant in the room.. that video makes your fingers look fat.

I will say that was the most firm but caring rifle assembly Ive ever seen.How many practice rounds did you do before you filmed your POV debut?

 

[plebe]

Man that is a light stock and barrel for it being the heavier profile. Pics of R8 Ultimate Carbon and it’s only 5oz lighter. The barrel is a 6.5 PRC 23”. Bolt is same weight.

Looks like the trigger/magazine were weighed separately (with the bolt), so not included in the 51.3oz. What does your Ultimate Carbon stock weigh without the trigger/magazine?

 

[112Savage]

I shot my 30-06 R8 today. It hard not to love that rifle. Super accurate and fast action. I’ll burn through ammo like I’m shooting a semi-auto. The 30-06 does have some recoil though with a carbon stock.

 

[JordanM]

Looks like the trigger/magazine were weighed separately (with the bolt), so not included in the 51.3oz. What does your Ultimate Carbon stock weigh without the trigger/magazine?

I’ll be back home Thursday and can weigh it then. The trigger/mag assembly is pretty light. Unloaded my guess is it’s 3-4oz.

 

[Snowwolfe]

I been buying one piece at a time in my attempt to get a working R8 rifle assembled. First piece was the Savana stock because that had to go to my FFL dealer, then the bolt, then the bolt head.
Today I just said F it and ordered a 375 H&H barrel with sights, saddle scope mount with 30mm rings, and a mag for the 375. At least now I will have a working rifle.
The really cool thing about a Blaser is when you buy one and you don't need to do anything to them. No trigger work, no stock work, no need to glass bed it. Just assemble and shoot.
Within the next year my plan is to add either a 300 Win Mag or 300 Wby barrel and (hope) I'll be content. The 300 and 375 should be dang near perfect to cover anything in Alaska.

 

[Southern Lights]

I have owned an R8 for over five years now. They always return to zero when disassembled. I went out a couple weeks back, took of the NXS and put on the thermal for night shoot. Next morning woke up and put the NXS back on. Went to the 680y mound and hit first round cold bore on the plate. It does this kind of thing every time when disassembled to the point where I don't doubt it returns to zero and trust it completely.

The weakness I think would be moisture/water in the bolt assembly. It has many small components and I think if ice got in there it could cause trouble. Arguably if you keep the bolt closed it's a lot harder for water to enter vs. other designs.

The other possible weakness is debris/ice in the lock-up area of the barrel where the splines engage. I've never had trouble, but a quick rub of the finger could clear it. I suppose not any different if debris got into the bolt lugs of any rifle.

The mounts seem like it could be weak with the two locking lugs, but in my experience they are extremely strong and never move. I don't drop the rifle though on purpose but have definitely taken spills with it. The rifle is carried a lot in the hand, on quad machines, etc. and it always holds zero with the NF scopes.

It will be interesting to see some abuse. I certainly like the system and rate it to the point where I barely shoot my other rifles now.

 

[Southern Lights]

My Blaser weights in Pro Success (thumbhole synthetic stock):

Stock, trigger, bolt carrier: 4lbs 11ozs.
Barrel (270 22"): 2lbs 14ozs.
Barrel (223 16"): 2lbs. 11ozs.
Mount (30mm rings): 6.9ozs

Bare rifle weights (no mount):

270 22" Barrel: 7lbs 9ozs.
223 16" Barrel: 7lbs 5.5ozs.
6.5x55 Match Fluted 22" Barrel (similar to what is shown in this thread): 8lbs. 4.5ozs

 

[MountainSide]

There are a lot of ramblings in the attached file on Blaser R8 configurations and weights I own or have owned. Hopefully someone finds it useful.

The R8 system is not lightweight by any means, but as I get older, I don't mind a little weight. I've hunted for years with lightweight rifles (Kimber Montanas in particular), and still do at times, but after a while I guess I've just realized that extra weight makes awkward shots easier. And, when you're packing out 100+ lbs of sheep/moose/bear/caribou, one or two extra pounds does not mean much. I've also realized that when hunting by ATV/Boat, I actually prefer a heavier system. In those situations, a lightweight rifle can actually be a detriment.