Blaser R8 in a Rokstok survey

[Nine Banger]

Do y'all know why the fluted standard barrels are $1000ish more than the standard non fluted barrels?

Do you know if the standard non fluted barrels have enough material on them to be fluted by a machinist?

 

[omicron1792]

Do y'all know why the fluted standard barrels are $1000ish more than the standard non fluted barrels?

Do you know if the standard non fluted barrels have enough material on them to be fluted by a machinist?

My guess is

1. The machining cost
2. Because they can. Ha.

I’ve had last three barrels custom made, and they flute them basically for free.

 

[BjornF16]

I’ve had last three barrels custom made, and they flute them basically for free.

Are you getting R8 barrels custom made?

 

[wind gypsy]

Do y'all know why the fluted standard barrels are $1000ish more than the standard non fluted barrels?

Holy shit.. must be because of a target customer with more $ than sense.

 

[omicron1792]

Holy shit.. must be because of a target customer with more $ than sense.

That is it 100 percent.

 

[omicron1792]

Are you getting R8 barrels custom made?

Yes. I use j sip and sons. I’ve had great success. He makes caliber. Twist. Length. Fluting. Contour. All for between 1000-1100.

 

[BjornF16]

Do y'all know why the fluted standard barrels are $1000ish more than the standard non fluted barrels?

Do you know if the standard non fluted barrels have enough material on them to be fluted by a machinist?

I don’t think the fluted or match R8 barrels are worth the extra cost.

I don’t think there is any value added by fluting a standard barrel either. If it could be done, the fluting would be so light as to be insignificant weight savings.

The standard barrels are 17mm at the muzzle; the fluted barrels are either 19mm or 22mm at the muzzle (semi weight and match barrels).

 

[BjornF16]

Yes. I use j sip and sons. I’ve had great success. He makes caliber. Twist. Length. Fluting. Contour. All for between 1000-1100.

Had a really bad experience with him…never again

 

[Nine Banger]

OK. I figured it was something lame like they are taking their standard barrels and fluting and recoating them instead of ordering them that way to begin with.

 

[omicron1792]

OK. I figured it was something lame like they are taking their standard barrels and fluting and recoating them instead of ordering them that way to begin with.

The factory ones come factory fluted. I have one. It’s nice but not 3k nice.

 

[Ens Entium]

There are 2 gunsmiths in the US making aftermarket Blaser barrels in the US right now…and I wouldn’t use either one.

There is another option that any competent gunsmith should be able to handle…the Akila Bear 8 barrel extension for Blaser rifles.

If we can get a Blaser RokStok, I’ll send in my Akila to UM to have a 6 UM barrel done.

BEAR8 Barrel extension – Akila

BEAR8 Barrel Extension AKILA with standard saddle mount suitable for Blaser’s bolt action rifle R8.

akila.ltd

I knew Akila made a chassis but this barrel extension is pretty cool. Wonder if the steel quality is similar in strength/weather resistance to the Blaser coatings/steel.

Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[BjornF16]

I knew Akila made a chassis but this barrel extension is pretty cool. Wonder if the steel quality is similar in strength/weather resistance to the Blaser coatings/steel.

Anyone have any experience with it?

I have one…but I haven’t added a barrel yet.

I believe @THLR has experience with the Akila barrel extension

 

[Southern Lights]

I have a fluted match 6.5x55 barrel I bought used. It's extremely accurate (easily as good as the best match rifle barrels I've shot). My understanding is that when you get the match barrels they will basically be made as good as Blaser can possibly make them. They will have a level of custom barrel maker vs. standard factory barrels.

With that said, I mostly shoot standard non-fluted barrels and they are all extremely accurate.

I definitely would NOT have a third-party flute any of my Blaser barrels. Get it done by the factory or don't worry about it. There is not much weight savings to make it worth the money, IMO. If you get it fluted by Blaser it will be nitride coated as well which won't be done by 3rd parties.

I too have looked at 3rd party barrel makers/collars and decided it just wasn't worth the trouble/risk.

 

[Southern Lights]

Holy shit.. must be because of a target customer with more $ than sense.

I hear you, but have you seen what people spend to dress up a R700 action?

 

[omicron1792]

I have a fluted match 6.5x55 barrel I bought used. It's extremely accurate (easily as good as the best match rifle barrels I've shot). My understanding is that when you get the match barrels they will basically be made as good as Blaser can possibly make them. They will have a level of custom barrel maker vs. standard factory barrels.

With that said, I mostly shoot standard non-fluted barrels and they are all extremely accurate.

I definitely would NOT have a third-party flute any of my Blaser barrels. Get it done by the factory or don't worry about it. There is not much weight savings to make it worth the money, IMO. If you get it fluted by Blaser it will be nitride coated as well which won't be done by 3rd parties.

I too have looked at 3rd party barrel makers/collars and decided it just wasn't worth the trouble/risk.

My third party barrels are nitride coated.

I have three blaser and three custom. I can’t tell the difference in them. I probably wouldn’t make any hard fast rules if you haven’t tried them.

2 of them are in calibers Blaser doesn’t make (375 and 416 Ruger). My most recent is 223 barrel that he made for me in 1:7 twist, also something you can’t get in off the shelf blazer barrels.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

I just returned from Africa a couple weeks ago and got the itch to go back already.

Looking for a Dangerous Game rifle and the R8 is on the list. Blaser USA is about 30 minutes from my house.

 

[wind gypsy]

I hear you, but have you seen what people spend to dress up a R700 action?

That’s the mentality they count on.

That barrel blank is going on a blaser? Better take that $175 fluting job and mark it up to $1000

 

[THLR]

I have one…but I haven’t added a barrel yet.

I believe @THLR has experience with the Akila barrel extension

Same as you, I have one but haven't added a barrel yet.
For Blaser, use a gunsmith who understands the locking mechanism of Blaser...

 

[RockAndSage]

I just returned from Africa a couple weeks ago and got the itch to go back already.

Looking for a Dangerous Game rifle and the R8 is on the list. Blaser USA is about 30 minutes from my house.

I'd be extremely interested to see how the geometry of a Rokstock helps mitigate muzzle rise or the overall recoil experience with a big-bore dangerous game cartridge, especially in an R8.

 

[gearguywb]

I shoot a 375 R8 fairly regularly, alongside of an early model Ruger RSM.

The rSM is a good bit heavier. IMO, the R8 muzzle moves more during recoil but the shoulder feel is slightly less than that of the Ruger.

Very scientific analysis....