Just pulled the trigger on a Blaser R8. However was also offered a Sauer 202 takedown for a great price.

Anyone know the Sauer very well and can comment?

I like the bolt assembly and straight pull on the Blaser And do not know the Sauer.

Help!

Sauers are nice rifles, but you won't find the supply of extra barrels, scopemounts, cases, boltheads and extra stocks that you will for the R8. If you need anything for your R8, new or used, let me know.

The R8 has way more calibers available and is the way to go for a "do-all" system. The 202 is being replaced by the 404 so if your looking for a rifle just to have then by all means buy it, otherwise I would use that money to buy a barrel or two for the R8. What model of R8 did you get?

Biebs..what you got for sale? I expect a good price since you're the reason I spent my retirement on an R8 system..

Here's mine set up as an .416

Pete,

That Luangwa leopard is going to love that thing. Nice wood!

Mark

Nice wood on that one! A 416 for Leopard is DEFINITELY enough gun :-)

quote:

Biebs..what you got for sale? I expect a good price since you're the reason I spent my retirement on an R8 system.. Big Grin

Blaser R8 Safari Pro set-up? It's in Savanna Tan with Selous barrels (heavy, express sights, barrel bands) in 458 Lott, 375 H&H, 300 Win Mag, in a Desert Tan Pelican case?

The German gun rags, and German hunting public seems to believe that the new Sauer 404 is shit, that the Sauer 202 was great, but not better than the new Blaser R8.

The Sauer 202 take down is altogether a different rifle than the 202 is. The 202 Take down is a great gun, but it is no longer made, and hasn't been for about 5 or 6 years. Sauer/Blaser/Mauser isn't very supportive of older guns.

You did good.

A second stock is a nice option, you can keep that one as a service dress uniform.

Back in the old days I had 5 receivers and 13 barrels. It gets out of hand.

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
The R8 has way more calibers available and is the way to go for a "do-all" system. The 202 is being replaced by the 404 so if your looking for a rifle just to have then by all means buy it, otherwise I would use that money to buy a barrel or two for the R8. What model of R8 did you get?

Biebs..what you got for sale? I expect a good price since you're the reason I spent my retirement on an R8 system..

Here's mine set up as an .416

Success with leather inserts.

I have a Merkel Helix, very fast to shoot

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Just pulled the trigger on a Blaser R8. However was also offered a Sauer 202 takedown for a great price.

Anyone know the Sauer very well and can comment?

I like the bolt assembly and straight pull on the Blaser And do not know the Sauer.

Help!

Get your self a decent turn bolt RIFLE instead of these glorified, over simplified contraptions!

I have several of them, and like to play with them sometime, but you will never see me take one on safari.

Both are a bloody abominations!!

Sauer 202 is a good accurate rifle. But fiddly 3 shot magazine and loading through ejection port is tricky. Safety is a love / hate thing. The coatings they use are ok for cook ware. Not convinced on Rifles.

R8 - handles well, quick to reload, plastic magazine internals, quite light and horribly expensive. I have shot them in 308 - ok, and 300 win mag - getting uncomfortable.

For the same money I would buy a good proper Mauser actioned 375 H&H or 416 Rigby.

quote:

Originally posted by Heym SR20:
Sauer 202 is a good accurate rifle. But fiddly 3 shot magazine and loading through ejection port is tricky. Safety is a love / hate thing. The coatings they use are ok for cook ware. Not convinced on Rifles.

R8 - handles well, quick to reload, plastic magazine internals, quite light and horribly expensive. I have shot them in 308 - ok, and 300 win mag - getting uncomfortable.

For the same money I would buy a good proper Mauser actioned 375 H&H or 416 Rigby.

And if you need takedown, well undoing two action screws with a well fitted turnscrew is not beyond the wit of even the most hamfisted rifleman. Indeed keep the proper screws, and have two hex head screws made up. If it's properly bedded should be no loss of zero, besides you will be taking a check shot or three when you arrive in camp.

In general the Sauer 202 Take Down is a good and solid rifle especially if you get it for a good price however there are some differences compared to a blaser:

- it hasn't a straight pull
- it has a safety and not cocking mechanism as Blaser.
- the number of cailbers you can combine on one stock is very limited to an R8
- the glas needs to have on "settlment" shot to be accurate where the R8 doesn't need to have it

Buildingquality is high and the barrel is produced in the same machines as Blaser and Mauser. So it is a good rifle and it is more personal preferences what you prefer more.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerac:
In general the Sauer 202 Take Down is a good and solid rifle especially if you get it for a good price however there are some differences compared to a blaser:

- it hasn't a straight pull
- it has a safety and not cocking mechanism as Blaser.
- the number of cailbers you can combine on one stock is very limited to an R8
- the glas needs to have on "settlment" shot to be accurate where the R8 doesn't need to have it

Buildingquality is high and the barrel is produced in the same machines as Blaser and Mauser. So it is a good rifle and it is more personal preferences what you prefer more.

Bloody hell, sounds very complicated!


Any riflevthat I cannot load through the ejection port is not suitable for hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:


Bloody hell, sounds very complicated!


Any riflevthat I cannot load through the ejection port is not suitable for hunting.

German over-engineering

I have the standard 202 and a Blaser R8 professional success. Both nice rifles. Disregard the naysayers and you'll be fine.

The reason for the takedown decision is based on ease of travel. The gun case for a long gun is awkward to carry and I get targeted everytime at customs. The smaller case lets me pass through customs in the US without getting targeted or delayed.

Plus, the chance of losing the gun case on our wonderful US airlines is less with the smaller case.

I have both rifles but for travelling the R8 is imho the better choice. If you like the 202 you could consider buying the standard i.e. no TD version. By removing the stock -which is very easy- you have a very compact package without the take down complexity.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Just pulled the trigger on a Blaser R8. However was also offered a Sauer 202 takedown for a great price.

Anyone know the Sauer very well and can comment?

I like the bolt assembly and straight pull on the Blaser And do not know the Sauer.

Help!

This is simply an opinion on my part because I have never owned either of these two rifles. However both are quality made rifles. Both are push feed so that is not a deal breaker with either of these rifles one over the other.

As Biebs says the availability of barrels for the Blaser out weighs it over the Sauer if that is the only reason for the choice between the two. In my opinion the thing that I would be apt to buy the Blaser over the Sauer is, the straight pull of the bolt system of the Blaser. That feature alone would be my choice in a rifle of large chambering because that system is about the best for fast working from the shoulder in a tight situation with a big cape buffalo bull.

I could be wrong, having not owned a Blaser bolt rifle, but it seems to me, the recharging of the magazine from the top is far better on the blaser because of the open top of the action with the bolt back, while the Sauer has a tiny ejection port making it almost impossible to quickly reload a couple of rounds from the top when you run dry in a fight.

As was suggested, rather than buying both I would also use that money for the extra barrel sets for the Blaser.

As I said at the beginning, all this is simply an opinion that may or may not be founded when actually picking one over the other, but though neither is suited to my taste, the Blaser would get my vote between the two!

……………………………………………………...................................................

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
The reason for the takedown decision is based on ease of travel. The gun case for a long gun is awkward to carry and I get targeted everytime at customs. The smaller case lets me pass through customs in the US without getting targeted or delayed.

Plus, the chance of losing the gun case on our wonderful US airlines is less with the smaller case.

This was my main motivation as well...too many airport lines struggling with a full size case. Now I strap my duffle to the top and roll it around with ease. Some people have it in their mind that the idea is to take multiple barrels on one hunt and switch them out as you go....it was never that for me. I needed a compact system, that when put back together, was spot on every time. A quick check with a Site-lite, a coupe shots to put my PH at ease and I'm off hunting.

With a scope the R8 is also not too easy too reload. With the 202 you simply put in a new magazine. Frankly, while I like both but for DG I rely on classic Mauser/ Win 70 etc.

both are good fenceposts

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
both are good fenceposts

Sotas...

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
both are good fenceposts

They work better as boat anchors!

I will wager my Sauer 202 against any other factory rifle out there ! Call it what you may these rifles are very well built, flawless ! They do not leave the factory if they are not perfect in every way. I visited the factory some years ago and saw the quality control in action! They are reliable and shoot where you point them and will do so with factory ammo !

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
I will wager my Sauer 202 against any other factory rifle out there ! Call it what you may these rifles are very well built, flawless ! They do not leave the factory if they are not perfect in every way. I visited the factory some years ago and saw the quality control in action! They are reliable and shoot where you point them and will do so with factory ammo !

More than you can say for the Remchester crowd....they typically buy a rifle and throw most of it away.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
both are good fenceposts

They work better as boat anchors!

a little light for it and they will rust fast ...lol

You guys are hurting my very sensitive feelings... on my decision for a Blaser. Just so know, Biebs is my favorite friend and weapon ... and I am not afraid to use him!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
The R8 has way more calibers available and is the way to go for a "do-all" system. The 202 is being replaced by the 404 so if your looking for a rifle just to have then by all means buy it, otherwise I would use that money to buy a barrel or two for the R8. What model of R8 did you get?

Biebs..what you got for sale? I expect a good price since you're the reason I spent my retirement on an R8 system..

Here's mine set up as an .416

It's a pretty thing, Pete

Almost unbelievable the number of luddites you come across on this forum that can't grasp the concept that the 118 year old Mauser '98 is no longer the pinnacle of firearms technology. I sometimes wonder whether some of these guys have tried out those new "horseless carriages" yet?
I took my Blaser R8 to Namibia last October. Took it out of its short case, refitted the scope and fired a single shot to confirm zero upon arrival. All of the other 7 hunters there needed multiple rounds to get their rifles zeroed. My first shot at game killed a mountain zebra at 250 lasered yards. Second killed another at 383 yards. Shot a shitload of plains game in 13 days of hunting. No problems with dust causing my "new fangled" rifle to malfunction. One other hunter had to strip the bolt on his turnbolt rifle as it was misfiring. Was asked by one of our trackers whether I'd been in the army after he witnessed a fusilade of shots from my Blaser that downed a running 58" kudu. Was invited by two of our guides (who had seen the Blaser in action) to act as backup for other hunters in our group in the event that their trophies weren't killed instantly. I was the only one that got such an invitation. The speed with which you can cycle the R8 action is streets ahead of any conventional bolt action.
My rifle has been one of the easiest to develop loads for that I've ever owned.
At the end of the day what would I know? I've only been shooting for 45 years. There are a heap of expert riflemen out there that have never used a Blaser that I'm sure are much better qualified to tell you about them than I am.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Gerac:
In general the Sauer 202 Take Down is a good and solid rifle especially if you get it for a good price however there are some differences compared to a blaser:

- it hasn't a straight pull
- it has a safety and not cocking mechanism as Blaser.
- the number of cailbers you can combine on one stock is very limited to an R8
- the glas needs to have on "settlment" shot to be accurate where the R8 doesn't need to have it

Buildingquality is high and the barrel is produced in the same machines as Blaser and Mauser. So it is a good rifle and it is more personal preferences what you prefer more.

Bloody hell, sounds very complicated!


Any riflevthat I cannot load through the ejection port is not suitable for hunting.

Haven't they all got aluminium receivers?

Nice combination, DUST, aluminium and steel

Very GALLING

The Sauer 202 Outback ( which is the lightweight model) has a alloy receiver the rest have steel receivers.

But this is where folks fail to grasp that in these rifles unlike the M98 Mauser and its spawn do not need to have strong heavy receivers. The barrel bolts directly on to the barrel and in the case of the 404 it does not even require a strong bolt shaft as only the bolt head portion does the bolting. This eliminates many of the issues related to headspacing and accuracy of old Mauser design.
In addition the scope is mounted on the barrel.

This revolution started with Walther Gehmann's Mauser Model 66

In terms of accuracy this design has proven to be better than any of the past designs.

What I do not like about these rifles is the cocking / decocking lever concept. Though way safer than any past design as a traditionalist I cannot get used to it.

On the Blaser, the safety is far better than anything I have seen. I have never liked a wing type safety or a 3 position mechanism. They are stiff, hard to position and do not completely block the sear. The Blaser safety does this.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Just pulled the trigger on a Blaser R8. However was also offered a Sauer 202 takedown for a great price.

Anyone know the Sauer very well and can comment?

I like the bolt assembly and straight pull on the Blaser And do not know the Sauer.

Help!

Get your self a decent turn bolt RIFLE instead of these glorified, over simplified contraptions!

I have several of them, and like to play with them sometime, but you will never see me take one on safari.

Both are a bloody abominations!!

Saeed,
Since I joined AR I have taken nearly everything you have said as gospel (good news). I followed your advice on where to hunt, on PH's, on bullets, on rifles, on actions and load work ups. However, on this issue, I think Walter is on to something.

I have had jams and zero issues on most of the bolt rifles I have owned. I have bolts freeze up in the dust of Namibia and Cameroon and could not cycle a round. I have had the plastic tips on these new bullets actual break off and jam an action. I have one safety that failed and allowed a shot to be fired. User error? Probably, but some of this fascination with Mauser actions is because of history and because we think we have "arrived" at the peak of a design .

I thought my Dell 256 was the fastest computer on planet earth at the time, but look at what has happened in that arena. What has changed guns the most in my opinion are the better powders and bullets along with better quality manufacturing. Guns are better built today than ever before due to computer machine work and better metals. Having a million lawyers looking for ways to sue gun makers has also made gun makers better at their craft too.

Anyway, Blaser here I come. I am not selling my bolt rifles...yet.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
The Sauer 202 Outback ( which is the lightweight model) has a alloy receiver the rest have steel receivers.

But this is where folks fail to grasp that in these rifles unlike the M98 Mauser and its spawn do not need to have strong heavy receivers. The barrel bolts directly on to the barrel and in the case of the 404 it does not even require a strong bolt shaft as only the bolt head portion does the bolting. This eliminates many of the issues related to headspacing and accuracy of old Mauser design.
In addition the scope is mounted on the barrel.

This revolution started with Walther Gehmann's Mauser Model 66

In terms of accuracy this design has proven to be better than any of the past designs.

What I do not like about these rifles is the cocking / decocking lever concept. Though way safer than any past design as a traditionalist I cannot get used to it.

It was the wear factor rather than the strength of the design that I was worried about.

A PH friend of mine nearly got killed with a faulty decocker on a R93

quote:

A PH friend of mine nearly got killed with a faulty decocker on a R93

I believe all of the issues with the R93 have been taken care of by the R8..

Here's what I really love about the R8..whatever barrel you throw on it..they just shoot!

That's great shooting! Your scope and calibre make it both a great plains game as well as a dangerous game rifle.

I hate the way Blasers look. After spending my childhood reading O'Conner, I have pretty distinct ideas about what I think a classic hunting rifle should look like. I have, or had had, the good fortune to have rifles by Echols, Wiebe, Goudy, Ottmar, Bolliger, Goens, Penrod, and a few others. I love them all.

However...none work as well as my Blasers. I want to hate them, but they just work. Unerringly accurate, easy to cycle from the shoulder without bolt rotation taking you out of your sight picture, incredibly easier to travel with, a better trigger, a better safety, 4 inches shorter, great feeding, great reliability, a great scope mounting system. I have even come to like the detachable magazine, after for years expressing the mantra that detachable magazines are just one more thing to go wrong. In addition, you can go back and forth between wood and synthetic stocks, calibers, scopes-all in all an incredible system.
It is also easy to carry a spare bolt and scope on long hunts as backup, although I've never needed to.

Blasers-I hate 'em, but I appreciate them.

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

A PH friend of mine nearly got killed with a faulty decocker on a R93

I believe all of the issues with the R93 have been taken care of by the R8..

Here's what I really love about the R8..whatever barrel you throw on it..they just shoot!

All of them that I have seen either R93 or R8 shoot

What about the bolt flying out and killing you?

Have they err...cured that problem on the R8?