Blaser R8 and R93 review in American Rifleman

I think I’ve shown this on here before, but if you are going to dream big, dream imperial. 😀

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=196668820

But don’t buy that one, and that’s the reason it has been for sale forever. If you are going to spend that much money, blaser will build you a rifle done to your exact specs, so no one would pay that much for a rifle built to someone else’s specs. 😆

You got it. :thumb:

Mine is the lrs2. It is built on the r93 action, with a match barrel and precision stock. But it still has the same features as the r93, quick barrel change and such, and the r93/lrs2 parts can be interchanged.

The r8 just recently came out. It is having some trouble catching on, just because of how well the r93 has worked and the fact that the r93 already is in place. People usually have a few stocks, and an assortment of barrels. The r8 doesn’t interchange, so people don’t want to give up all the equipment they already have to buy one.

The r8 is a bit different. Same basic straight pull bolt, and interchangeable barrels. But the whole thing is a little wider, they did this so they can have a few huge safari magnum calibers that the r93 couldn’t. The locking collets also have a steeper angle, making them grab better. I believe there is now a backup lock on both sides, instead of just one like the r93. The gas ports are a little bigger. And the safety lever is now metal instead of plastic. The magazine is strange, the entire trigger group is part of it. There is a lock inside to hold it in and make the release not work; I think that is mostly for the dangerous game hunters.

But in truth, the only real advantage right now to the r8 is the capability of the big calibers. If you don’t need those, the r93 is just as good. Plus it is cheaper, the r8 starts at $4500. The r93 pro, with the hunting style synthetic stock, starts at around $3000 as you said. And if you are loaded, you can spend upwards of $200,000 on one. The barrels help cut down on price. Buy one rifle for however much, then you can get standard barrels for about $800 new. So after the initial investment it isn’t too bad. Although things like scope mounts are a few hundred $.

Another neat feature is the safety illumination. If you look at 2:55 on the video rev posted, you can see where he turns the safety off by pushing that lever up, and by doing that the illuminated dot in the scope comes on. I believe zeiss and s&b make the scopes that are compatible.

The hunting rifles rival many target shooters for accuracy. The precision rifles are known to be some of the most accurate in the world. And that bolt is like nothing else.

If you ever get a chance to try one out I highly recommend it. Although be warned, you will want one.