Blaser

[Steve O]

It's literally been done if christensen can make a sub 6 pound version I can hit 8.5 pounds scoped. I have no doubt i can hit 8.5 pounds.

The ability to make quick follow ups is important to me. I've hunted with a single shot Bergara i dont like having to break setup and loose sight picture to follow up.

Ok. Better get those Utah boys on the line asap. From experience I think it will be quite a bit more difficult than you anticipate. Good luck in your venture

 

[Stocky]

Ok. Better get those Utah boys on the line asap. From experience I think it will be quite a bit more difficult than you anticipate. Good luck in your venture

Think it was Christensen in Europe who i cant see are still around. You have a carbon stocked Jaegar right. What's your ready to hunt setup weigh? I have a few points helping me including I will have a 16 or 18 inch barrel and suppressors aren't restricted here so we run lightweight aluminum cans because we can just replace them when they die. We pay around 250usd a can, our printed titanium cans only run around 650usd.

Im luckier than most in the fact im setup with access to a full cnc department to tweak/test as well as the ability to do my own barrels (on an akila stub) I dont expect it to be easy and expect it to take time. I do intend to see how replicateable the receiver is but I dont want to rely on doing so until I've got one in my hands.

Shit if I get good at it maybe I can sell a few to be able to buy a k95 as a luxury.

For reference here's a pic of the extreme r8.
It's got a carbon barrel (same weight could be achieved by just running a pencil or I've made tensioned carbon barrels before) and it appears to have carbon side plates (not sure if they have removed material underneath on the receiver to save further weight. I know it will never be a true lightweight but im willing to accept weight gain to the point so that I gain function both in ability to shoot and crosstraining. Also I have just enough land to make shooting a 22lr long range (300yards ish) but not enough to really safely shoot centrefires except into my shooting bank so Ill likely grab the 22lr conversion at some stage also. If I fail miserably or achieve the goal I will put it here for all to see.

 

[Southern Lights]

Not looking at a blaser option would be making a carbon stock myself (threads here show a 380gram so 3/4 of a pound saving is realistically possible there. I'm just choosing a base. The ultimate receiver is setup for a 2 peice stock system and the professional a standard one piece system.
I'm just interested in whether there would be any benefit to attempt to use the ultimate receiver as a base (I would pretty much throw away/store in cupboard the factory stock).
I just wonder if there's some weight savings because most of the lighter r8s in this thread and the Christensen extreme R8 (5.75 pounds) were both based on the ultimate receiver (jaegar i think) with 2 piece stocks.

The current situation on why I'm looking is I like shorter rifles ie a short action with a short barrel.

I carry the rifle alot in the alpine almost all hunts start with 2500-4500 feet of off trail elevation gain where a tall rifle on a pack is horrible and obviously so is extra weight. I've run kimbers for years my "big" gun is a 22 creed kimber and my second hunting/trainer is a custom howa mini in 223. Aftermarket on the kimber is average and i hate the factory stock geometry and function is ok but not great. The howa is much better with factory mags than the Jeffersons but i just dont like it much to be honest and cant see keeping my nicer one.

I dislike tikkas in that for the same length barrel a tikka is an inch longer than my kimbers and I dont need the extra mag length. I am considering them though but id have to fit out 2 tikkas with 2 probably custom stocks and try match them and that's getting close to R8 money and time I dont really want to invest on a system I just dislike.

I really like the compact nature of the blaser.
I really like the idea of having the exact same platform for both rifles for training familiarity. But weight is a big concern. The other minor one being low mag capacity but I can deal with this.

Non starters are a good reliable FFP scopes in the 20-26oz range and a suppressor in the 8-10oz range. I'll make a stock and have access to cnc machining equipment and will likely attempt to make a new receiver for the R8 to test reducing the weight also. I am also setup to use an akila stub to make a much lighter profile barrel (forward of the stub).

My current rifles weigh around 6.5pounds ready to hunt. I am willing to deal with something up to probably 8.5 pounds ready to hunt with the above components but im not going to carry or use a 10 pound rifle its just unlikely. I'd obviously much prefer it closer to 7-7.5 pounds.

Things im considering to save weight are

• DIY carbon stock (for weight and geometry)
• Custom barrel with lighter profile and unlikely to run anything over 18 inchs. I currently think my 18" creed is too long
• Machining a minimised receiver to take the factory barrel and trigger sear.
• If I could find a R8 S in NZ I would try that

Id try an R93 but they aren't cheap here and in the event something breaks im stuck with an expensive rifle with not parts. Even the current situation of trying to source reasonably priced remington 700 mag boxes and springs is ridiculous.

What I'm hoping blaser brings to the table.

• Reliable feeding
• A shorter more compact package
• The ability to pull and reuse on stock setup for cross training with same trigger etc without having to go check zero each time (obviously if this is easy to do I will but sometimes you dont have time.)
• There are times here its nice to not obviously be packing a rifle. Ie hitch-hiking back to the vehicle.
• A high level of precision
• The ability to keep target in scope whilst cycling bolt.
• A brilliant trigger that I dont have to go buy for each rifle.
• The potential to make a telescoping stock minimalist chassis for the same rifle for packraft trips to collapse on lap whilst paddling

Ok I'm shooting the Pro Success. I have not handled an Ultimate and don't know the weight difference between the two piece stock and my one piece synthetic, but I weighed the parts for you:

Stock:

Pro Success Stock w/Trigger Group and standard bolt head/carrier: 4 lbs 11 ozs. / 2130g

Barrels standard weight hunting:

223 Barrel cut to 16": 2 lbs 11 ozs. / 1220g
308 Barrel cut to 18: 2 lbs. 9.5 ozs. / 1130g (larger bore diameter vs. 223 so lighter despite longer size)
30-06 Barrel full length 22": 2 lbs. 14 ozs / 1300g

Blaser Scope Mount w/30mm rings: 6.9 ozs. / 194g
Picatinny rail w/ no rings: 4.5 ozs. / 126g.

Rifle:

Total bare rifle weight (223 barrel in stock, no scope, no suppressor): ~7 lbs 9ozs / 3350g

The stock could be lightened I'm sure with a carbon fibre version. I recently handled a GRS Bifrost for the R8 and it was marginally lighter as well, but the Pro Success stock with the thumbhole was a better hunting stock. The bifrost is more for prone shooters IMO.

For length, the Blaser is about 4" shorter than any conventional rifle due to the receiver design. My full length barrel versions with suppressors are the same length as an unsuppressed non-Blaser rifle. The 223 with 16" barrel is fast pointing and very short suppressed.

The Blaser de-cocker safety is best in the business. I can carry it with round in the chamber with total safety which I like for night hunting, bush walks, or doing a stalk and I don't want to run the bolt for noise. There is no way the rifle can accidentally fire when uncocked.

Can't help on the FFP scope. I have a hard weight limit and won't mount any scope over about 20ozs. Most FFP scopes are too heavy and have bad reticles under 6X that are hard to see. I shoot Nightforce NXS 2.5-10, SHV 3-10. They are at the upper end of my weight, but they are reliable, hold zero, and dial correctly.

This post has a list of many after market stock makers, including several carbon fibre versions:

Post in thread 'Blaser'

Apr 30, 2022

Here are the Blaser after-market company links.

Website Country Material and Fitment
https://www.kkc.no/ Norway Wood and Laminate R8 and R93
https://schaftwerk.de Germany Wood R8 and R93 both metal and professional receivers
https://raven-euro.com Slovenia Carbon Fiber R8 and R93
https://www.grsriflestocks.com/ Norway Laminate and Synthetic
https://gustaff.pro/?lang=en Spain Carbon Fiber R8 and R93
https://raven-euro.com Bulgaria Carbon Fiber R8 and R93
http://www.keppeler-te.de Germany Aluminum Chassis R8 and R93...

• Mojave

• 

If you are in NZ and make a carbon stock, I'd be interested in hearing more about it and even help with testing.

 

[hpmr]

Yes that's what I meant about the button. That is awesome info.

The R93 scares me as it only marginally cheaper in NZ and there's not a good supply of parts both to purchase or repair. 223 bolts etc sell fast and if I couldn't get one it would defeat half the purpose. Same with mag inserts of if say I broke a firing pin. Id take the half pound/pound weight gain for that security of support.

So the r93 is noticeably slimmer that the ultimate even?

Just did some measurements of action width:

R93 pro stock: 46,5 mm
R93 two-piece: 41-42 mm-ish (I guess it depends a bit on the side plates. The one I checked has wooden side plates, they build a bit extra and was 44mm).

R8 pro stock: 50,5 mm
R8 ultimate: 42 mm

 

[Stocky]

Just did some measurements of action width:

R93 pro stock: 46,5 mm
R93 two-piece: 41-42 mm-ish (I guess it depends a bit on the side plates. The one I checked has wooden side plates, they build a bit extra and was 44mm).

R8 pro stock: 50,5 mm
R8 ultimate: 42 mm

Awesome man absolute legend. Really appreciate this. If you ever make it down to NZ reach out.

If im reading that right the r8 ultimate is actually the same or pretty much the same width as the r93 2 peice and definitely slimmer than the R93 pro?

 

[hpmr]

Awesome man absolute legend. Really appreciate this. If you ever make it down to NZ reach out.

If im reading that right the r8 ultimate is actually the same or pretty much the same width as the r93 2 peice and definitely slimmer than the R93 pro?

Yep

 

[Xycod]

IMO blaser and co is on a level ahead of most all but the better customs, from their Mauser rifles, especially the 98 which is pure art, but even down to the m12’s the quality is top tier, the same with their Sauer offerings, Blaser/Mauser/Sauer are all imo higher quality than the similar Sako offerings.

 

[Stocky]

Just did some measurements of action width:

R93 pro stock: 46,5 mm
R93 two-piece: 41-42 mm-ish (I guess it depends a bit on the side plates. The one I checked has wooden side plates, they build a bit extra and was 44mm).

R8 pro stock: 50,5 mm
R8 ultimate: 42 mm

@hpmr I hate to ask since you have been so helpful. But any chance you could measure the approximate width of just the professional receiver. Even just from above the stock so you dont have to remove it.
There's a bit cost difference in the 2 but im wondering whether ill be happy with the width of just a slimmer professional stock and save 30% or so.

 

[hpmr]

I'll check later tonite.

 

[hpmr]

R8:


R93:

 

[plebe]

What do you all prefer for saddle mounts? Innomount doesn’t seem to be available in the US.

Henneberger? Blaser? Dentler? MAK? Something else?

Appreciate Insight/Suggestions for an as low as possible mount for a driven game optic (30mm, LPVO) mounting solution, ideally as light as is still strong.

 

[Southern Lights]

The best Blaser mount is Blaser's mount. I run them w/30mm rings. However, they are expensive and sometimes there are inventory issues.

I have picatinny mounts from Gun Star and they are good quality. I also have one of their QD Blaser saddle mounts and it seems good, but I just mounted it and have not shot it. The Blaser QD mount though has better fit and finish with the QD levers. The pic rail though I've used quite a bit and it's solid and a good price.

They do ship internationally.

Blaser

gunstarmount.com

 

[BjornF16]

What do you all prefer for saddle mounts? Innomount doesn’t seem to be available in the US.

Henneberger? Blaser? Dentler? MAK? Something else?

Appreciate Insight/Suggestions for an as low as possible mount for a driven game optic (30mm, LPVO) mounting solution, ideally as light as is still strong.

I buy Innomount almost exclusively now from Titanium Gunwerks...but I haven't bought one since the Tariff showdown began.

Their prices include EU VAT but they will deduct that from your order.

Innomount Zero - Blaser - Ringe

Die zuverlässige Zielfernrohrmontage für Ihre Blaser Jagdwaffe und Ihrem Zielfernrohr - montiert mittels klassischer Ring-Montage

www.titanium-gunworks.com

 

[plebe]

I buy Innomount almost exclusively now from Titanium Gunwerks...but I haven't bought one since the Tariff showdown began.

Their prices include EU VAT but they will deduct that from your order.

Innomount Zero - Blaser - Ringe

Die zuverlässige Zielfernrohrmontage für Ihre Blaser Jagdwaffe und Ihrem Zielfernrohr - montiert mittels klassischer Ring-Montage

www.titanium-gunworks.com

Thanks. I tried getting Innomount some time ago through Opticstrade and a couple of European vendors and couldn’t. I’ve looked at Titanium Gunwerks in the past, but just expected the same. Appreciate the heads up.

 

[plebe]

The best Blaser mount is Blaser's mount. I run them w/30mm rings. However, they are expensive and sometimes there are inventory issues.

I have picatinny mounts from Gun Star and they are good quality. I also have one of their QD Blaser saddle mounts and it seems good, but I just mounted it and have not shot it. The Blaser QD mount though has better fit and finish with the QD levers. The pic rail though I've used quite a bit and it's solid and a good price.

They do ship internationally.

Blaser

gunstarmount.com

Thanks. No doubt Blaser are premium and easy button. The listed BH is a bit higher than others, which is one reason I’m looking at all options.

Henneberger Samo are as much as 4mm lower.

Not sure how low I need. Pro stock, so no riser. I prefer good cheek weld. Probably using a Minox 1-5 or Trijicon 1-4.

Would Blaser mount be sufficiently low for that?

 

[hpmr]

Both the Blaser and Innomount mounts are good. But the Blasers are quite heavy and both are quite high. I've been through a few options, and my favorite mounts are Gunstar - and their saddlemount without QD. It uses a 3mm allen and they are absolutlely bomb proof.

They make the lowest saddle mount I've found, and matched with a pair of extra low rings the scope licks both the barrel and the cocker/safety. (Contessa used to make a pair of rings that would be maybe 2mm above the saddle. Not sure if they make them anymore)

Edit:

Henneberger make both 2 mm and 2.8mm rings:

https://www.optics-trade.eu/us/henn...nd-hms-samo-mount.html?country=US&___store=us

 

[omicron1792]

Innomount zero is the best one.

 

[plebe]

Both the Blaser and Innomount mounts are good. But the Blasers are quite heavy and both are quite high. I've been through a few options, and my favorite mounts are Gunstar - and their saddlemount without QD. It uses a 3mm allen and they are absolutlely bomb proof.

They make the lowest saddle mount I've found, and matched with a pair of extra low rings the scope licks both the barrel and the cocker/safety. (Contessa used to make a pair of rings that would be maybe 2mm above the saddle. Not sure if they make them anymore)

Thanks. This effect of the ocular being only very finely separated from the cocking lever is what I’d prefer.

However, I haven’t been able to locate the extra low Contessa rings. I saw where ERA (Recknegal) had very low rings at one time as well, but alas, no longer.

What I’m seeing from the website is the Gunstar light/fixed model have a BH of 12mm. + the 5mm height to the bottom of the low rings they offer?

Innomount is advertised at overall height of 14mm, which would be presumably lower then?

Idk.

The zruncho listings are Gunstar, no? They do look lower.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Trying to lock down the details.

Thanks for the help all.

 

[Southern Lights]

As you point out, the height of the ocular must clear the cocking lever. I had a Zeiss HD5 where the rear ocular didn't clear with Blaser mounts and I had to get much higher pic rail with rings. I eventually had to get rid of the scope because I just hated the height needed to get it to work.

 

[hpmr]

Thanks. This effect of the ocular being only very finely separated from the cocking lever is what I’d prefer.

However, I haven’t been able to locate the extra low Contessa rings. I saw where ERA (Recknegal) had very low rings at one time as well, but alas, no longer.

What I’m seeing from the website is the Gunstar light/fixed model have a BH of 12mm. + the 5mm height to the bottom of the low rings they offer?

Innomount is advertised at overall height of 14mm, which would be presumably lower then?

Idk.

The zruncho listings are Gunstar, no? They do look lower.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Trying to lock down the details.

Thanks for the help all.

Yes, zruncho is gunstar . I've bought a few mounts of him through ebay.

My current config is gunstar + contessa 2.5mm rings. That give me a build height of <10mm:


Standard blaser mount:


If you want the absolute lowest for 30mm scopes, I've fitted extra low leupolds (1.5mm) to the gunstar saddle for a totalt bh of 8.5mm:

(But the leupolds suck, they turn rust red once the weatherman mentions the word rain...)

And you have to be aware of the potential problem with both the cocking lever vs ocular and the scope bell. Some scopes have a big bell, and that might limit how low rings you can have (bell touching the saddle).

Another trick to fit a big scope as low as possible is to have the mk1 blaser r8 cocking lever. When I used a Z8i (which has a stupid big ocular), I replaced the lever button. The old style (straight) is a few mm lower than the current style.



And if you are opting for holos, gunstar make an option that really makes it mount low:


The lowest Contessa rings I could find are the 3mm rings:
https://contessascopemounts.com/en/sp01-o30mm-h3mm/https://contessascopemounts.com/en/sp01-o30mm-h3mm/