When Speed Counts
Fast repeating and reloading are more important in driven hunts than in any other type of hunt, as Eike Mross knows.
I have been using Blaser R8 models in various calibers since 2017. I have already had numerous driven hunting experiences with the Professional Success in .308 caliber. In this standard caliber, the magazine holds four cartridges plus one in the barrel, for a total of five shots, which is a solid starting point for driven hunts.
I currently use the R8 Ultimate in 8.5x55 Blaser caliber, which I consider the perfect driven hunt caliber for wild boar and red deer. In this magnum caliber, I have three rounds in the magazine plus one in the barrel, for a total of four. However, the capacity can be easily expanded with an extra magazine. What makes the shooter even faster is the cocking of the rifle. There is no three-position safety that must first be disengaged. The R8 can be cocked when taking aim, so the shooter wastes no time. When using a thumbhole stock, standard calibers can often be repeated in such a way that the thumb can remain in the thumbhole stock and the bolt handle is moved with the index finger only. Tip: If the standard bolt handle ball is replaced with a larger and heavier one, the bolt can be closed even more easily.
Hunting experience with the .308 and a second magazine
I had a particularly memorable experience on a driven hunt with the R8 Professional Success in .308 caliber. A group of more than 20 wild boars arrived at my stand, and I was able to shoot five of them in quick succession. Unfortunately, the last one was only hit in the middle and initially continued running. Thanks to the extra magazine, I was able to quickly fire a sixth shot and brought the wild boar down safely. The magazine is secured on the right and left by centrally located release buttons, allowing it to be removed without looking. It is also spring-loaded, so it practically pops out on its own when unlocked. This shows how valuable the additional ammunition capacity and flexibility of a spare magazine is in such situations. Especially when you have a good run-up, you can really draw on the full potential.
Red deer with the 8.5x55 Blaser
I had another impressive experience with the R8 Ultimate, in 8.5x55 Blaser caliber. During a driven hunt, four red deer arrived at my place and I was able to fire exactly four shots, one for each animal. All of them were down after a few meters. If more deer had come, I could have reloaded or used my extra magazine. This shows once again how useful it is to carry a second magazine so that you can reload at any time in an emergency. Of course, you can also reload the rifle without removing the magazine. The modularity of the R8 is particularly practical here: with the right magazine inserts, you can use magazines for both magnum and standard calibers. For example, you can adapt a magazine for a .308 and one for the 8.5x55 Blaser with an insert so that they can be used interchangeably.
Conclusion
The Blaser R8 proves itself not only as an extremely fast and reliable straight-pull rifle, but also as an enormously flexible and customizable one. With the ability to change magazines in an instant and adapt the rifle to different calibers and hunting situations, you are always well equipped for driven hunts.
Text and photos: Eike Mross
Fast repeating and reloading are most important in driven hunts, as Eike Mross knows.
Blaser celebrates the world premiere of the R8 Professional 2.0 at “Jagd & Hund 2026.”