New Member to Forum - Tanzania, East Africa

[BlaserBado]

Greetings Gentlemen!

I have enjoyed reading this forum from the sidelines for a while. I am presently living in Tanzania, East Africa. Working as a missionary.

This is the first and only forum I have ever joined. That alone speaks volumes to the interest I have in the Blaser R8. Here in Tanzania, Swahili is the spoken language. "Bado" can be translated into English as "not yet." So my forum name "BlaserBado" can be loosely translated as "I don't have a Blaser yet!"

My interest is in obtaining: A Blaser left handed R8 with 6.5 PRC threaded barrel, Blaser saddle mount in 30mm rings, Leica's new Amplus 6 3-18x44i scope - for starters.

This site holds a wealth of helpful data. Special thanks to those contributors who share actual experience and knowledge (in contrast to the off the cuff musings and opinions).

My experience has been with hunting, reloading, etc. I have used and enjoyed 30-06, 375 H&H, 375 Ruger, 416 Rigby, and 6.5x284. I have been blessed to take mule deer, white tail deer, cape buffalo, hippo, wildebeest, impala, grants gazelle, thompson's gazelle.

I have interest in becoming a one rifle, two barrel man. The first installment is listed above. The second would be an aftermarket barrel in 375 Ruger. If I understand correctly, the switch between the two barrels would not require changing bolt heads or magazines (6.5 PRC uses a magnum bolt and shares the same magazine as the 375 Ruger would use).

All the best to all of you!
BlaserBado

[pagosawingnut]

Welcome Aboard.

[Vaughan]

Welcome! If you're interested in owning only 2 barrels, you're in the wrong place..... This lot will talk you into filling your gun safe with all sorts of interesting variations.

[BlaserBado]

Thank you for the welcomes guys! I'm sure two barrels for a Blaser owner may be a hard place to stay : ) Getting on this forum is certainly a good place to begin this journey.

[9.3x64]

Welcome aboard mate.

[SPEEDY]

Welcome, but I do have to ask why a 375 Ruger?

[dchamp]

Welcome, you're in the right place if you want a Blaser. Two barrels are a good start but they're kinda like potato chips....you can't just eat one.

[SPEEDY]

Don't forget, eventually you will buy a 9.3x62 barrel, that's what all the cool kids do.

[BlaserBado]

Thanks all! Mr. Speedy - why 375 Ruger you ask. I have all the dies and a modified Tikka with Pac-Nor barrel and J.P. "Tank" brake, and brass. I have shot it out to 700 yards very accurately with 300 Grain Cutting Edge MTH bullets (B.C. .661 and 2600 fps muzzle velocity).

And I really like the idea of changing only the barrels and not even needing to change bolt heads or magazines. However, I may need to consider just getting a 375 H&H barrel and magazine and thereby having Blaser quality.

Surely the 9.3x62 is a great round, yet in some African countries it does not qualify for the minimum .375 caliber.

[SPEEDY]

There's plenty the 9.3x62 does qualify for.

You could split the difference and get a 375 Blaser, although cases won't be cheap.
Gives an edge over the H&H, even more then the 375 Ruger.
The barrel will be Blaser quality and it will out live you, maybe your kids too.
But if your other barrel is in 6.5prc then you will need a 2nd bolt head if you go that way, or the regular H&H.
But you could go 270wby MAG and it's no slouch at longer ranges.

But swapping bolt heads is quick and easy to do, I understand and like the simplicity of the one bolt head but I had an R93 with a 223rem, 308win, 9.3x62 and 270wby barrels and never found switching out bolt heads to be a problem.

But I'd definitely get the calibre that you want the best and not sweat swapping bolt heads for the 2nd barrel over choosing two calibres because they will save you 30 seconds work switching bolt heads over.
The way I see it if your spending the money to buy a new R8 then saving pennies by not having to buy new dies and brass is pretty pointless.

[deerhunter338mag]

Welcome aboard BlaserBado, look forward to a few photos and stories of you hunts Tanzania.

[canalrifle]

Glad to have you. Add us to your prayers.

[BlaserBado]

The BlaserBuds welcomes are appreciated.

Regarding current hunting opportunities. Unfortunately, Tanzania shut down hunting some years back, and only now I hear a few blocks are supposedly open. I am thankful I was able to take some game here in the past. Also, I forgot to mention taking black bear in AK. I hope to return for brown in Alaska in the future.

I know the 6.5 PRC is a very new addition to the Blaser barrel lineup. However, anyone here yet have some time behind one of the barrels? I am concerned that the twist may be the 8.66. The Berger 156 grain EOL bullet would stabilize better with a faster twist.

What a great forum. Special thanks to the founder, and other moderators who donate time and effort.

BlaserBado

[Rod]

G’day BlaserBado,

Welcome to Blaserbuds. Hope you get your Blaser soon….you’ll love hunting with one

Cheers
Rod

[stokesrj]

Welcome to Blaserbuds, the 6.5PRC will be 1:8" twist rate. You will love it.