I really like the sauer 90 stutzen, but it doesn't come in 6.5X57, which is what I would prefer. The only calibers it comes in that I would buy are the 8X57 or the 9.3X62. My guess is the 8X57 would be best in the short barrel, and that is what I'm leaning toward. Any thoughts on which one is handicapped less by the short barrel. I plan on using this as an all around rifle while I'm in Europe for everything from reh to red deer.

I still may end up getting the 6.5X57 but in a Heym SR21 carbine.

I use a 9.3X62 in a 20" barrel and it works. No experience with a 8X57 anything so I couldn't make a comparison.

Get the 9.3 and all your friends will think you're a really cool guy


HA!


Terry

You cannot hunt with the 8 X 57 in France as it is still classified as a military caliber. The 9.3 X 62 is legal however. It's good on wild boar and European stag of course, especially in the short distance forest settings most likely encountered for these animals in France.

Either will work well in a 20" barrel - and are commonly seen in this configaration in Europe. Neither will provide you with the flattest of trajectories, but for that there are other calibers and barrel lengths. The 8x57IS is a bit more versatile than the 9.3x62 - at least if your shooting might be done over longer distances. But the 9.3x62 would also do for a general European rifle. If you want to hunt in France, your choice is limited to the 9.3x62, as Wink noted above.

The Sauer 90 is a neat and somewhat unusual action. Not only does it have retracting locking lugs - making the cylindrical bolt incredibly smooth to operate - but it also has a loaded chamber indicator. I have not seen these features on rifles other than the 90 and its predecessor 80.

- mike

You can not go wrong with either one. I agree with mho in that the 8x57 is a bit more versatile.

The 9.3x62 is handicapped less with the short barrel because it is the bigger caliber thus has more bore volume for expansion ratio.

Buliwyf is right. The 9.3 will be much more efficent in a short barrel. My vote is for the 9.3.