quote:

Originally posted by Blair 338RUM:
What about the bolt flying out and killing you?

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

In pressure testing the R8 can handle twice the pressure as a Mauser. The blow up you're referring too has been discussed at length and was investigated and responded to by Blaser. There was much more to the story than what was floating around the inet.

According to the factory R8's are tested at 8000 bar and have been tested up to 14,000 before failure. That is far more than I've ever heard a Mauser handle.

Fair enough.
I was actually basing that on Saeed's comments in the past.

Do a search on the Net.

Many "accidents" with this very stupidly designed contraption.

I have seen it with my own eyes how this can happen.

Walter loves the Blazer, he was loading it and just flicking the bolt forward. The bolt never locked, and luckily the rifle kept misfiring instead.

I bet if it had fired he was going to get hurt!

The point is that they don't fire unless the action is locked, not what would happen if they did fire. That isn't luck, it is design.
So far as I can tell there has never been a blowup with the R8 and the R93 blowups seem to be explained by massive overloads.

R-8 is a wonderful rifle.

I am hunting it right now in the Save.

The synethic rifles does not scratch - I have dragged it thru some thick thorns and it looks new.

Accurate.

Kills as well as any Mauser.

The removable trigger is great.

The cocking mechanism and safety is great.

It carries really well.

I am surprised how good it is.

Mike

I love my R8 in 375HH and smaller calibres, in green synthetic stock, for non-DG hunts.

For DG, however, I prefer my Mauser 416 Rigby (personal opinion only, but I feel the 416 Rigby is preferable to the 'hotter' 416 Rem for Africa, and I feel better having a 'less complicated' action in the bush).

[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.

I have the Sauer 202 Hatari with barrels in .300 Win Mag, .375 H&H, and .458 Lott. I would post some photos....but not since Photobucket pulled the rug out from underneath all of us.

This rifle, in all of the calibers, is extremely accurate. I had a little trouble with the removable magazine clip for the .458 Lott. It did not like flat nosed projectiles such as the Hornady DGX and DGS. I had to send the clip back to the factory for some tweaking . Even when I got it back, it was not 100% in every instance, which doesn't make it in the world of dangerous game rifles. Eventually, I found that the rifle was happy with the Swift A Frames, which are more pointed.

Another problem area was a hairline crack which developed in the wrist. Again the rifle was sent back to the factory for repair. According to Sauer, they installed a threaded rod in the wrist, and told me that the rifle was now stronger than ever. I have had no problems since.

I agree with Alf, in that these rifles are extraordinarily accurate. I use Swarovski scopes in conjunction with all 3 calibers, and they are great. The Sauer mounting system is a thing of beauty. Cheers. Chip.

I have owned and used a Sauer 202 for many years and finally decided to sell it to fund my Sheep Rifle and other gear. I shot deer, pigs, and my only Elk with it at 400 yards with a .300wby 180 Accubond handload (83gr 7828 for 3100fps)

Mine started out as a .300wm which shot just fine but I bought a .300wby barrel and used it mostly. The mag and bolt face also work with 7 mag which has never interested me.

The safety on it is a weird deal where the button on top of the stock pushes down to be on safe and now protrudes right in front of the trigger. You ease it up before you shoot.

Well on hunts where you are often leaving a vehicle, racking a round, and then having to return and unload, the bolt is locked on safe, you have to put your finger in front of the trigger of the loaded rifle every time to make it safe.

Also while it is a pretty rifle (Supreme Deluxe) nice wood, rosewood cap and schnabel forend, it also has their own swing swivels with ball bearing detent and quick release. Cool, unless you forget to bring THAT sling.

Also with the swivel attach at the end of the Schabel you can't pop on a Harris bi-pod. I guess you could put a swivel in the forearm if you wanted to fix that.

I'm no luddite and love tech but the fricking germans often seem to stubbornly do weird things. Like on BMW motorcycles they have finally ditched their turn signal on each bar and cancel on the right for a much more useable solution like everyone other bike made.

I handled a Sauer 404 at last year's SCI convention and they fixed it all. I could see shooting a gorgeous R8 in my future if providence shines.

I would not consider buying a 202 now. The Blaser and the 404 are the two if you are in that market. Great problem to have!

Enjoy,

Sean