I am BIGR and I just signed up for this forum. I am an avid outdoorsman and hunter from the USA. My main hunting is big game whitetail deer hunting in the eastern US. Lately I have taken interest in the Blaser Rifles, mainly the new R8. Over the years I have owned several Model 700's, Model 70's and other various rifles. The rifles I own are just stock factory rifles and nothing custom made. I have been wanting something different such as a custom built rifle or one such as the Blaser. The design of the Blaser appeals to me for different reasons. Short quick bolt throw and the safety (cocking system). I shoot left handed and the Blaser R8 is available in that version. The opportunity to switch barrels would be a plus. One other thing is Blaser talks about the metal treatment process that makes their rifle weather resistant. This is one area that is a must to me. I need a rifle that I can hunt in the rain and snow with and not be rusted a few days later. I take care of my guns but some guns rust easy due to moisture or salty finger prints. You guys that have the Blaser R93 or R8 should be able to give me some feedback on the weather resistance part of it. I really don't want to sink over $ 3000.00 into a rifle that is prone to rust. I have Remington XCR rifles that are tough and durable and that is why I bought them, but like I say I am looking for something different.
Sorry if I got winded on my first post, but that is the reason I joined up is get some much needed info on the blasers from the people that owns them. Your input is appreciated.
Thanks, BIGR
Hello
Moderators: deerhunter338mag, pagosawingnut
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Corjack
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Re: Hello
Welcome BIGR! I think you will find the finish on the Blaser to be better than any you have experianced before. I will let some of the other members go into more detail on this. Do not worry about being long winded, as a lot of us on this board are pretty windy.
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Dom
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Re: Hello
Welcome to Blaserbuds BIGR. I've only been using the R93 for a couple years, but have been out in the elements a number of times with them and have never found rust on them. I do take care of them though, but about the longest I've gone after they got soaked or snowed in was about 3 days til I got home and took them apart for a good oil job. For normal hunting outings, I wipe all my rifles down with one of those silicone cloths with an occasional spray of oil on it, have not had any problems, Waidmannsheil, Dom.
-------- There are those who only reload so they can shoot, and then there are those who only shoot so they can reload. I belong to the first group. Dom --------------
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thechamp
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- Location: San Antonio, Tx.
Re: Hello
Very much a big welcome aboard! Glad you found us. You will find a wealth of Blaser info (and Koolaid) here!
I'm a relative newcomer to the Blaser family. Took a bit, and I am still a big fan of the lightweight Sauer 202s BUT when it comes right down to it, nobody offers what Blaser does. Like it or not that's just the way it is. I bought a R93 in 270 Wby in October and recently ordered one of the R8 kits in 300 Wby. While I'm at it, if you decide to purchase a Blaser now is definitely the time while the kits are on sale. The basic 'Professional list' for over $3200. The kit adds the Zeiss scope, Blaser scope mount, Blaser sling, knife, flashlight and a Pelican case worth a minimum of $200. Believe they valued the kit at $4800., which is not out of line on the retail side of the items at all.
The scope is the 3.5-10x44 Zeiss Conquest that on it's worst day should fetch $450 if you wanted to use something else you had. Either way it's a deal - only drawback is you mentioned 'left handed'. The kit doesn't come in that configuration, that I'm aware of, but if you contact Alex at Euro Optic I would suspect that he could figure something out. Since the left handed bolt assembly is a bit higher he would probably have to add some to the price for a trade out but if anybody will work with you he will. I do know he'll be in Reno next week and this kit is rumored to be discontinued soon, so it might behove you to contact him ASAP before he gets bogged down with the SCI show.
As to what sold me. They are nitrited so you don't need to worry about the weather. It hardens the finish and while it can still rust it takes a lot. From what I've had explained to me the nitriting was originally developed as a treatment for metal in harsh oil field environments. So yes it's good stuff and doesn't add any layers that can impede an action or be broken/brushed off. It treats the metal - done.
The rifles are naturally a bit shorter which is handy IMO. They are normally extremely accurate and don't need bedding, triggers, and a host of 'improvements' to make them shoot. They come as a 'finished product'.
The fact that the scopes can be sighted in, removed, replaced, etc., without losing accuracy is priceless.
The fact that you can sight in several scopes for the same barrel and not only have a back up but a different scope for different hunting on the same trip is something that not many others can do. (Mauser MO3 can but you're still in the Blaser family.
)
The fact that you can change barrels have the same feel, same general weight, etc., are big pluses. The fact that you can use the same 'frame' for everything from 222 to 500 is special. No other actions to buy, just different bolt assemblies to make it work. Once the initial purchase is made you're in business. Tweaking, adding, playing all come naturally after that...
Some of us have discussed and 'cussed' the money that people spend on rifles that lose most of what the buyer paid. You can go to an assortment of builders in this country and buy 'souped' up 700s, 70s, etc. You can spend $3000 - $4000+ on some of these rifles. In the end you have a single fixed barrel rifle that isn't that much different from the $400 one that Wally World sells. Yes it shoots, yes you have a good barrel, good trigger, etc., but in the end you better enjoy it. You get ready to sell it and unless you find the buyer who specifically knows what you have and wants the same thing you'll lose your behind. See it all the time.
You purchase a Blaser and you will probably lose a little money but in comparison they're not even in the same ball park. Personally speaking with the kit deal I doubt if you'd lose a dime if you decided you didn't want to keep the gun. It's a pretty safe investment with an excellent chance of the value going up in time. You can pass that Blaser down to your kids and it will retain a great part of that value. Quick story that supports my thinking. In 1973 I needed a new 7 mag. I wanted a Rem 700 and they were selling for $200 then. Nobody had one. I bought a Colt Sauer in 7 mag for $327 from one of the big gun shops in San Antonio. I hunted that rifle for many years, accounting for untold numbers of deer, wild dogs, etc. I still have it today. The Rem 700 in that old a condition would be worth probably $300, maybe a bit more. My old Sauer is worth somewhere over a $1000 today. In the end I had a far superior rifle and a much better 'investment'. Money spent on high quality guns is not money thrown away (even if the wife says so - then again that commodity darn sure isn't cheap!).
I'll let the other guys continue with more on the Blaser rifles since some of these guys know those guns like the backs of their own hands but I can tell you it would be a decision you would not regret.
I'm a relative newcomer to the Blaser family. Took a bit, and I am still a big fan of the lightweight Sauer 202s BUT when it comes right down to it, nobody offers what Blaser does. Like it or not that's just the way it is. I bought a R93 in 270 Wby in October and recently ordered one of the R8 kits in 300 Wby. While I'm at it, if you decide to purchase a Blaser now is definitely the time while the kits are on sale. The basic 'Professional list' for over $3200. The kit adds the Zeiss scope, Blaser scope mount, Blaser sling, knife, flashlight and a Pelican case worth a minimum of $200. Believe they valued the kit at $4800., which is not out of line on the retail side of the items at all.
The scope is the 3.5-10x44 Zeiss Conquest that on it's worst day should fetch $450 if you wanted to use something else you had. Either way it's a deal - only drawback is you mentioned 'left handed'. The kit doesn't come in that configuration, that I'm aware of, but if you contact Alex at Euro Optic I would suspect that he could figure something out. Since the left handed bolt assembly is a bit higher he would probably have to add some to the price for a trade out but if anybody will work with you he will. I do know he'll be in Reno next week and this kit is rumored to be discontinued soon, so it might behove you to contact him ASAP before he gets bogged down with the SCI show.
As to what sold me. They are nitrited so you don't need to worry about the weather. It hardens the finish and while it can still rust it takes a lot. From what I've had explained to me the nitriting was originally developed as a treatment for metal in harsh oil field environments. So yes it's good stuff and doesn't add any layers that can impede an action or be broken/brushed off. It treats the metal - done.
The rifles are naturally a bit shorter which is handy IMO. They are normally extremely accurate and don't need bedding, triggers, and a host of 'improvements' to make them shoot. They come as a 'finished product'.
The fact that the scopes can be sighted in, removed, replaced, etc., without losing accuracy is priceless.
The fact that you can sight in several scopes for the same barrel and not only have a back up but a different scope for different hunting on the same trip is something that not many others can do. (Mauser MO3 can but you're still in the Blaser family.
) The fact that you can change barrels have the same feel, same general weight, etc., are big pluses. The fact that you can use the same 'frame' for everything from 222 to 500 is special. No other actions to buy, just different bolt assemblies to make it work. Once the initial purchase is made you're in business. Tweaking, adding, playing all come naturally after that...
Some of us have discussed and 'cussed' the money that people spend on rifles that lose most of what the buyer paid. You can go to an assortment of builders in this country and buy 'souped' up 700s, 70s, etc. You can spend $3000 - $4000+ on some of these rifles. In the end you have a single fixed barrel rifle that isn't that much different from the $400 one that Wally World sells. Yes it shoots, yes you have a good barrel, good trigger, etc., but in the end you better enjoy it. You get ready to sell it and unless you find the buyer who specifically knows what you have and wants the same thing you'll lose your behind. See it all the time.
You purchase a Blaser and you will probably lose a little money but in comparison they're not even in the same ball park. Personally speaking with the kit deal I doubt if you'd lose a dime if you decided you didn't want to keep the gun. It's a pretty safe investment with an excellent chance of the value going up in time. You can pass that Blaser down to your kids and it will retain a great part of that value. Quick story that supports my thinking. In 1973 I needed a new 7 mag. I wanted a Rem 700 and they were selling for $200 then. Nobody had one. I bought a Colt Sauer in 7 mag for $327 from one of the big gun shops in San Antonio. I hunted that rifle for many years, accounting for untold numbers of deer, wild dogs, etc. I still have it today. The Rem 700 in that old a condition would be worth probably $300, maybe a bit more. My old Sauer is worth somewhere over a $1000 today. In the end I had a far superior rifle and a much better 'investment'. Money spent on high quality guns is not money thrown away (even if the wife says so - then again that commodity darn sure isn't cheap!).
I'll let the other guys continue with more on the Blaser rifles since some of these guys know those guns like the backs of their own hands but I can tell you it would be a decision you would not regret.
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dinsdale
- Meister der jagd
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:42 pm
- Location: Hudson Valley,NY
- Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Re: Hello
Welcome to the board....
I hunt the Northeast and hunt rain,snow, etc and haven't had any problems. I even have a wood stock.....
Don't do anything special; gun comes apart quickly to wipe inside surfaces and reassembles to the same spot, so no re-zero is required including scope being removed.
I hunt the Northeast and hunt rain,snow, etc and haven't had any problems. I even have a wood stock.....
Don't do anything special; gun comes apart quickly to wipe inside surfaces and reassembles to the same spot, so no re-zero is required including scope being removed.
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HunterAU
- Meister der jagd
- Posts: 1395
- Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:23 pm
- Location: Melbourne Australia
Re: Hello
Welcome mate..!!!!!
I have experianced rust on rifles, not a good look... i went hunting in the high country with a mate. he had a Rem 700 and i had my blaser. we hunted in rain and we were wet and so were our rifles.. We got back to our cabin and we gave our rifles a quick dry. the next day i hear my mate complaining that his Rem 700 was starting to rust.. At this point i was very concerned and had a look at my blaser.. not one spec of rust. and i didnt get a chance to give it a good clean for 3 weeks and honestly no rust and it is very rare that i get home after a hunt and clean my rifle.
You will be happy with a blaser mate..!!! Safety rocks and the action!!! what more can i say.
I have experianced rust on rifles, not a good look... i went hunting in the high country with a mate. he had a Rem 700 and i had my blaser. we hunted in rain and we were wet and so were our rifles.. We got back to our cabin and we gave our rifles a quick dry. the next day i hear my mate complaining that his Rem 700 was starting to rust.. At this point i was very concerned and had a look at my blaser.. not one spec of rust. and i didnt get a chance to give it a good clean for 3 weeks and honestly no rust and it is very rare that i get home after a hunt and clean my rifle.
You will be happy with a blaser mate..!!! Safety rocks and the action!!! what more can i say.
Shoot First, measure them later.
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deerhunter338mag
- Global Moderator
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- Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:50 am
- Location: Australia
- Location: Melbourne Australia
Re: Hello
Welcome to the board BIGR . You will be happy with your Blaser. It's a lot like your 1st shag with the chick next door in and out quick. Then one day you run into a good time girl you will never go back to the chick next door again. Blaser are the way to go
Measure it, when it’s on the deck
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Vaughan
- Moderator
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- Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:43 pm
- Location: Northern Sweden
Re: Hello
I'll add my welcome to the others!
To your question - I bought my 1st R93 4 or 5 years ago. I hunt in the snow at very low temperatures a LOT. I always cover the bbl mouth so I do not get snow in the bore and because water condenses in the bore (which isn't treated) when you thaw a bbl that has been frozen, I always wipe the thawed bore out with a patch or two that has been wet with Prolix or similar. With this routine - I have never found a single speck of rust anywhere. I have had the bolt freeze shut a few times but that is no fault of the rifle or its design - just the idiot carrying it 
hth
To your question - I bought my 1st R93 4 or 5 years ago. I hunt in the snow at very low temperatures a LOT. I always cover the bbl mouth so I do not get snow in the bore and because water condenses in the bore (which isn't treated) when you thaw a bbl that has been frozen, I always wipe the thawed bore out with a patch or two that has been wet with Prolix or similar. With this routine - I have never found a single speck of rust anywhere.
I have had the bolt freeze shut a few times but that is no fault of the rifle or its design - just the idiot carrying it hth
/Vaughan
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