Blaser R8 for 18 yo

[Blaserwannabe]

New member, ( already posted in FNG).

My son will be 18 in a few months. While he has been gifted 2 hunting rifles( Ruger/Marlin 45-70 and a savage 350 Legend). Plans on moving out west to Montana or Wyoming.

He wants to purchase his own hunting rifle that can grow with his hunting needs as he gets older.

As a teen of “ refined “ ( his words) taste he was going to order a Shiloh sharps in 45-70 but wants something more versatile.

He seen a video on Walther’s upcoming R3 and is now looking into straight pull bolt actions.

He found some vids/articles on the Blaser R8 and is now considering that over the Walther. He has read the R8 field evaluation thread.

While expensive ( he has roughly $4k saved already) would this in the opinion on those here be appropriate for a first and possibly only hunting rifle purchase?

He does plan to hunt everything from whitetail, to Moose, and everything in North America and abroad if the opportunity arises.

He is also outdoors at every opportunity, usually fishing but plans to hunt more once he’s 18 just stuck in a straight wall state.

At the end of the day he just wants a modular rifle that can expand with his hunting needs and opportunities and is a big believer in buy once, cry once. Especially once he starts a family and has all the bills life entails.

 

[omicron1792]

I own an r8 and about 8 barrels and 4 stocks.

That said, I def would not do this for his first rifle. He will be limited on expanding it for many years. It’s an expensive system. 4k will barely get him one rifle in r8, and no mount (4-500 each) and no glass.

I would have him get a nice tikka in 223, 6 creedmoor, or 6.5 creedmoor. All in with glass and rifle about 2k. And use the other 2k to enjoy hunting and shooting.

 

[Ajsomp]

The Blasers are nice guns. But I don’t know that I would do it at 40 let alone 18. the blaster system is really pretty niche, but certainly cool. But you’re gonna pay for it across the board.

My nice rifle kick is turn towards hand made custom items (like a stock made by @longrangelead at Alpine Rifles). I personally plan for a new Korax barreled action from UM with a wood rokstok, good suppressor and scope (2k for the stock, 1k+ for action/barrel, 1k for scope, 1k for suppressor).

OR

A MRC would fit that bill and have that CRF action. That would be a nice rifle that is more of the “high end” production than a custom.

While some guys are afraid to hunt with wood stocks, once you get a modern designed wood stock in a reliable action, it’s really hard to settle for anything else. I certainly won’t tell anyone not to get the rifle they have their eyes on, but that blazer wouldn’t be my recommendation to him.

 

[RockAndSage]

Similar thoughts to what others have said - $4k doesn't get you a fully setup Blaser, and you can buy an outstanding all-around big game rifle for that cost by getting an MRC or building out a Tikka, along with scope, mount, etc.

There's also the question of how much of this is motivated as a prestige purchase, as opposed to strictly utilitarian best-in-class.

If he's genuinely buy-once/cry-once, tell him to suck it up for another year, and get the Blaser he wants, especially if his heart's really set on one. Realistically, plan on $5k for the rifle, and another $2500 for an appropriately reliable and durable scope and mount that can match the Blaser. Add another $1k for suppressor. There's a little padding on each of those numbers to account for things like taxes, shipping, and fees.

 

[wesfromky]

I would recommend starting with a RokSlide Special (RSS), and a bunch of ammo. Plus, maybe a class or two. If he runs into limits with that setup, then add a tikka 6cm setup the same way.

 

[Blaserwannabe]

Similar thoughts to what others have said - $4k doesn't get you a fully setup Blaser, and you can buy an outstanding all-around big game rifle for that cost by getting an MRC or building out a Tikka, along with scope, mount, etc.

There's also the question of how much of this is motivated as a prestige purchase, as opposed to strictly utilitarian best-in-class.

If he's genuinely buy-once/cry-once, tell him to suck it up for another year, and get the Blaser he wants, especially if his heart's really set on one. Realistically, plan on $5k for the rifle, and another $2500 for an appropriately reliable and durable scope and mount that can match the Blaser. Add another $1k for suppressor. There's a little padding on each of those numbers to account for things like taxes, shipping, and fees.

He’s still got about 5 months till his 18th birthday so plenty of time to save.

Made it clear I’m not helping on this purchase. But I’ll be happy to test it for him

He’s pretty careful with his expenses from working. So as long as he’s responsible and researches everything I’m good with it. Not that it matters he’ll be 18.

 

[RockAndSage]

Plus, maybe a class or two.

OP, this would be a golden gift for him. You may not have come across it yet here, given how new you are to the forum, but take a look at the Shoot2Hunt course in either the winter or next summer. It would be a gift that would last a lifetime, and positively impact him every day he's got a rifle in his hands. Would be an extremely cool thing to do together.

 

[omicron1792]

He’s still got about 5 months till his 18th birthday so plenty of time to save.

Made it clear I’m not helping on this purchase. But I’ll be happy to test it for him

He’s pretty careful with his expenses from working. So as long as he’s responsible and researches everything I’m good with it. Not that it matters he’ll be 18.

For him to drool over.

 

[Blaserwannabe]

I understand the grief you guys are giving him over the cost. I’ve given to him as well, he’s been working since about 15 yo and he’s bought himself some expensive outdoors equipment, mostly fishing related. A couple expensive Shimano reels ( can’t remember the rods prices but still too much) that imo are absurdly priced. But he uses them several times a week during fishing season.

 

[RockAndSage]

For him to drool over.

View attachment 1082319View attachment 1082320

One thing I've noticed about guys who have R8s, is that while a big segment own them as prestige guns, there's a certain segment of really serious hunters who run the absolute daylights out of them like you do. It says a lot about the system.

 

[omicron1792]

One thing I've noticed about guys who have R8s, is that while a big segment own them as prestige guns, there's a certain segment of really serious hunters who run the absolute daylights out of them like you do. It says a lot about the system.

I’m the same with anything I buy. Watches. Cars. Guns.

I buy the best tool I can afford. But then no babying It. I run the shit out of them.

Thanks for noticing. Makes me happy.

 

[Blaserwannabe]

For him to drool over.

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That’s depressing, the nicest gun he’s shot is my USP elite 9mm

I’m the same with anything I buy. Watches. Cars. Guns.

I buy the best tool I can afford. But then no babying It. I run the shit out of them.

Thanks for noticing. Makes me happy.View attachment 1082328

It’s the way he treats his fishing equipment.

I think he’s nuts for spending over 1k each on some of his rod/real combos ( I hate fishing) but he uses them ever chance he gets.

When he first started he bought cheap equipment and just fed up using it, fixing it all the time.

 

[RockAndSage]

I buy the best tool I can afford. But then no babying It. I run the shit out of them.

Same. This is one of my daily shooters - Dan Wesson DWX Compact. Admittedly, this was from a batch that had the DLC coating on the slide applied wrong, but the satisfaction with tools comes from primo quality and running the hell out of them, hopefully for a lifetime:

 

[Steve O]

Smart young man. They will ruin you for all others. I’ve got a safe full of other bolt actions that never get shot anymore.

Check the Blaser Buds for used ones…I don’t think may get shot out.

Savage has a straight pull at a reasonable price if he wants to start out with something of a similar persuasion to be sure.