History Blaser R8 

The modular Blaser System

The Blaser R8 is a special one modular system, which is built on an aluminum receiver frame and offers various stocks and barrels in different lengths and thicknesses. A steel housing can also be ordered as an option, which increases the weight by approx. 550 grams. The R8 is available in calibers from .204 Ruger to .500 Jeffery. Different bolt heads for different caliber groups are interchangeable by the shooter, and the barrel features a quick-change device that allows the user to change the barrel with two screws and an Allen key, thereby improving the Blaser R8 becomes a modular weapon. 

target optics, such as telescopic sights, are over a Blaser-own mounting mechanism on the barrel and not on the case attached. A sight and barrel assembly can therefore be removed and replaced without changing the zeroing. Adapters for other mounting standards, such as Picatinny, are also available. 

The breech of the R8

The Blaser R8 straight pull closure locked by a 14-inch radial collet in a 360-degree groove in the barrel and is designed to withstand pressures well in excess of Mauser 98 bolt-action rifles. The clasp is symmetrical and self-centering and thus provides the basis for increased precision. The Blaser R8 has a locking area of ​​96 mm2, compared to 66 mm2 for the Blaser R93 and 56 mm2 for the Mauser M98 repeating system. The stressed parts are made of hammer-forged steel and plasma nitrided to ensure corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. In addition to the primary locking by the bolt head in the barrel, the R8 has two secondary locks for additional security, one more than the R93. Compared to the previous R93 series, the barrel was thickened at the critical point, the groove was enlarged and the locking angle of the collets was increased from 50 to almost 90 degrees to increase safety. Additionally, the radial collet opens differently. The resulting improved locking of the R8 series comes at the price of a less smooth-running bolt compared to the R93 series and a certain increase in weight. The R8 lock was successfully tested in the DEVA Institute laboratory at a piezo pressure of 1.450,0 MPa (210.300 psi; 14.500 bar). Unlike some other straight-pull designs, the Blaser R93 and R8 no problems with primary extraction. The bolt head moves in a purely linear manner, and with the exception of the bolt curve when opening and closing the bolt, the shooter's operation is also purely linear. The locking button has an M6 thread, allowing the use of aftermarket locking buttons.

To the magazine of the rifle

The Blaser R8 has an unusual detachable box magazine with a trigger. When removed, the rifle is inoperable and safe. In order to avoid accidents with engraver triggers, offers Blaser the R8 only with direct trigger. The compact, removable magazine trigger unit helps balance the rifle as the Blaser Straight-pull bolt is about 50 to 60 mm shorter than conventional repeating rifles.

In the “budget” version of the Blaser R8 Professional S lacked the detachable box magazine with trigger unit of the more expensive R8 variants. Since the model Blaser R8 Professional S, most R8 variants are also available without the removable box magazine.