Seeking Advice from Blaser R93 Tactical Owers

[USAF CCT]

My brother and I have managed to put together a modest collection over the past 25+ years. Together, we've managed to add some interesting firearms, but, until recently, they wouldn't exactly fit under the theme of this forum. Recently, a circa '60s HK41 (7.62 x 51 NATO) was added to the list and, quite frankly, we've both got the long-range tactical bug now.

Very recently, we happened upon a new right-hand-action Blaser R93 Tactical 2 chambered for .223 Rem, but there seems to be very little information (or parts) available for this rifle. We've since learned that Blaser has stopped importing the tactical versions of their R93-based rifles, which, obviously, means that acquiring parts or accessories in the US will be difficult.

Despite this, all the reviews we've read on the Blaser Tactical rifles have been very pleasing, so our interest is still high. If anyone reading this has experience with this type of rifle, I'd be grateful for any thoughts on the differences between the Blaser Tactical variants (LRT, LRS 2 and Tactical 2) and whether or not parts and accessories for them is as rare as I suspect.

By the way, .308 Win is the preferred caliber, so we both have a keen interest in adding whatever is necessary to fire both .223 Rem and .308 Win.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Hawk in WY]

I have shot the Blaser rifles for a number of years and recommend them highly.

The only down side is slow twist rates.

With the right bullet they are as accurate as any rifle I own.

Blaser, same owner as Sig Sauer, built the LRS II and the Tactical Pro. They were adopted by several military and police units. They are similar rifles but barrels are not interchangeable. The Tac Pro is still supported. The LRS II is not.

LRS II barrels and parts were sold off to distributors. They are available but are expensive. A machinist is making barrels in any twist rate of caliber you desire. Barrels turn up frequently on the for sale sections of Blaser Forums.

PM me if you would like to discuss further.

 

[USAF CCT]

Thank you for the informative post, Hawk.

Please keep the posts coming.

 

[USAF CCT]

Did my PM reach you, Hawk?

 

[beenjammin]

lrs2 experience here. Like others have said it's a great shooting rifle but the barrel system is proprietary and the only place i can find that has barrels is Mad Dog guns on gunbroker and in the past their prices have been seemingly high but again no one else to compete with. It's a head turner at the range for sure but doesn't shoot any better then any other high end. So at the end of the day it might appeal to a collector to hang in a show room but lacks in practicality compared to other choices we have available today.

 

[USAF CCT]

....So at the end of the day it might appeal to a collector to hang in a show room but lacks in practicality compared to other choices we have available today.

Bearing in mind that I'm new to the Blaser brand, would you please elaborate on your last sentence, beenjammin? When you say that the Blaser Tac 2 "...lacks in practicality compared to the other choices we have available today," what do you mean, exactly?

 

[FALex]

Bearing in mind that I'm new to the Blaser brand, would you please elaborate on your last sentence, beenjammin? When you say that the Blaser Tac 2 "...lacks in practicality compared to the other choices we have available today," what do you mean, exactly?

I am going to go out on a limb and just interpret Been's statement here, sir, as I believe I know what he is saying. Been is simply saying that the Blaser's are nice rifles, but nowadays, we have many more options, particularly, in that Blaser price range. These options are more practical, in so far as you can take a couple minutes and swap barrels and bolts and be running a whole different chambering. Essentially, you're paying a big price for a rifle that will force you to shoot one caliber and has very limited aftermarket support.

How'd I do beenjammin? HAHA!!

Seriously, OP, if you're getting bitten by the long range bug and have a couple bones to drop, grab an AI. If you can manage to go to Italy and are allowed to bring a rifle back to the US, I'd look at Victrix Armaments. Want your socks knocked off? Go here: http://www.victrixarmaments.com/produzione/?lang=en

You're welcome! I love spending other people's money. HA!

 

[FF05]

I previously owned a LRS2 and i absolutely loved it, very accurate and ergonomically comfortable to shoot. Not sure what the other comments mean either?
And yeah they are multi-cal and caliber swaps are just as quick as an AI's...
I now own a new AI AXMC308. The only advantage over a Blaser is a stardard barrel tennon, so any gunsmith can turn you up a replacement. And of course AI's continued production for parts.
​​​​​​

 

[USAF CCT]

I previously owned a LRS2 and i absolutely loved it, very accurate and ergonomically comfortable to shoot. Not sure what the other comments mean either?
And yeah they are multi-cal and caliber swaps are just as quick as an AI's...
I now own a new AI AXMC308. The only advantage over a Blaser is a stardard barrel tennon, so any gunsmith can turn you up a replacement. And of course AI's continued production for parts.
​​​​​​

Perhaps I've been looking in the wrong places, FF05, but I've also noticed another appreciable difference between the Blaser's we've been considering and the AI rifles: price. I have no doubt that AI makes a wonderful rifle, but money is certainly an object for us. Thank you for your post.

 

[Hawk in WY]

FFO5 is correct in that parts availability for the AI is a huge advantage but for barrel replacement I have to give the advantage to Blaser. Couldn't be easier. Loosen two bolts, take off old barrel, tighten bolts and done. You can do it yourself in less than one minute for a replacement barrel or any of 30 different calibers. I have shot a lot of rounds through Blaser barrels, undocumented but a lot. No sign of throat erosion or loss of accuracy. BTW, I love the AI as well. Very different rifle. My AW with a 7 twist .243, 26 inch barrel is significantly heavier than the Tactical 2. Both shoot bugholes.

 

[USAF CCT]

Thanks for your latest post, Hawk in WY. Please check your PM Inbox for me.

 

[beenjammin]

Bearing in mind that I'm new to the Blaser brand, would you please elaborate on your last sentence, beenjammin? When you say that the Blaser Tac 2 "...lacks in practicality compared to the other choices we have available today," what do you mean, exactly?

In today's market for a high end precision rifle. Many of the popular mfgs give the shooter the ability to use aftermarket barrels. I guess what I mean is to spend the money the Blaser costs it seems more practical to buy a rifle that that allows the owner to source barrels from more then one (or two) places. I only
know of once source to buy Blaser barrels (euro optic may have some also) And Ai don't think you have as many options on the new calibers that are popular today. But again if that does not concern you and its going to be more of a collector then I say get one. But if you want to use it as your main match rifle I think there are better options for you. This is just my thinking from experience with the lrs2 in .308. It never gets fired and collects dust on the shelf because the AI will outshoot it and I can replace the barrel with a phone call to any number of places. ESP here where guys sell their used barrels or want to change calibers for 300-400 bucks.