I was at a local gun shop today when I ran across this Sauer 202 Deluxe in 7mm Rem Mag for $995.00. I was there to look at a 340 Weatherby Mag but could not pass the Sauer up. It is in 98% condition and came with a Sauer sling and 3 and 5 round magazines. There are no dents or scratches in the wood and only a small spot at the end of the barrel where the bluing is rubbed thin. I normally don't buy wood because I hate scratching it but this seemed to good of a deal to let it go.

I know very little about Sauer rifles so any info from owners will be greatly appreciated. How do you like the 202? How is their accuracy? Any quirks I should be aware of? I see there are interchangeable barrels for them...is it worth getting different calibers for it? I wouldn't mind a 9.3x62 caliber if I decide to keep it. I bought it thinking I would sell it for a profit but the more I hold it the harder it will be to sell. I seem to like this rifle a lot more than I anticipated and it may take up permanent residence in my home.

I hope this link works for pics. Thanks for any help you can give me.
http://s1138.photobucket.com/a...s/n524/jester416rem/

I have had a dozen of them. They are fine shootin irons. I still have one in 8X57 Mauser. It is one of my favorite rifles. They look good and shoot good as well.

Have a 200 (30-06 & 25-06 barrels) that I took to Zim.in 07. Great gun. Can't go wrong with a 200/202.

Check the "This guy can shoot" post in the European section. Sauer rifles have always had an excellent reputation.

The Sauers in general and the 200 series (including the latest 202 model) in particular are normally thought of as top of the line of European factory rifles. If you can get used to the safety (different from any other gun I know of), it is hard to think of anything wrong with a Sauer 202. Manufacturing quality is impeccable and out of the box accuracy mostly excellent.

Just as a comparison, NIB a gun like you got would probably be sold in Europe for 3-4000$ (or more?).

I'm not sure how easy it would be for you to switch to a 9.3x62 barrel. As the 9.3 has a different bolt face than the 7mm Mag, I believe you would need a replacement bolt in addition to the new barrel. Unlike other European switch barrel rifles such as the Blaser R8/R93 and the Mauser 03, the Sauer does not easily allow switching barrels across caliber groups.

But you could get a barrel in .375 H&H, .300 Win Mag, .300 Wby Mag etc.

- mike

My 202 with bbls. in 7x64 and .30-06. Both shot 1-hole groups out of the box.

It‘s truly an amazing rifle.....I have one S 202 with 2 barrels, (9.3x62 and 30-06) 2 stocks, 2 scopes, 3 magazines and soon I’m adding the thirds barrel in 6.5x55 so really I only “need” this one rifle to do every kind of hunting.

Sid, for $995, the police should be showing up at your door very soon....you STOLE that rifle!

I am starting to feel really good about this purchase! I mounted a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x50 on it this morning and it's a perfect match for the gun and caliber.

Problem is I still want to go back and get the 340 Weatherby. At least I am on the right forum with likeminded people that understand such dilemas.

Really nice setup there Ingvar!! I would love to have the synthetic stocks to swap out for hunting conditions.It's odd that your barrels and Andre's come with iron sights. In the U.S. they usually leave them off and that's a shame.

quote:

Originally posted by Sid-:
It's odd that your barrels and Andre's come with iron sights. In the U.S. they usually leave them off and that's a shame.

That is standard in (Central) Europe. Few people actually use their open sights, but it is still the standard way rifles are sold.

- mike

Yes, I prefer it as well. I usually get my Blaser barrels with sights.

Sid you stole that rifle.

I have 3 200's with barrels in 6.5x55, 30/06, 308, 9.3x62 and a spare 30/06 with sights which is likely going to become a 338/06 Improved very very soon.

Every one of mine is a tack driver. If you don't like it well sell it to me to help fund that 340 Weatherby you want so badly. I really want a 200/202 platform in a magnum bolt face.

From what I am reading online about the Sauers it seems I have a real gem at a bargain price. I picked up the gun on a whim and now I cannot decide what to do. I went ahead and ordered dies,brass and bullets today so I can work up some loads and see how it does at the range. It may prove itself to be my new go to rifle over a Weatherby Accumark. I just cannot seem to get over my wood stock phobia. I'll explain.

After high school I took a part-time job painting houses. I did not have much money and saved every spare dollar for a Browning Gold Medallion 7mm Rem Mag and Leupold Vari-X 3 scope. After roughly six months I had enough and bought it. I was extremely proud of that rifle and kept it in near perfect condition for six years. It would shoot most any factory ammo into 1.5 MOA or better.

One morning I was hunting from a climbing tree stand. I had become complacent and let the butt slip down between the metal rails of the platform. It put a deep six inch gash up the stock. I was devastated and ever since then have been reluctant to have a beautiful wood stock on a hunting rifle. It sounds a bit silly but I take great pride in rifles and hate to see them damaged. The way this Sauer fits me and shoulders so naturally I may just have to beat down my apprehension and get back on that horse. Anyway a little range time may give me no choice but to keep it.

It will ultimatly break your heart.

I say avoid the heartbreak now and just sell it to me and recoup your losses.

Since I am already enured to the evils of these fickle beasts (as well as redheads ) I will not let it break my heart.

I am doing you a favour.

I have had several Sauers and they are all tackdrivers....however, not after the third shot. Every one I have owned will shoot 2 overlapping holes, the third will start to creep and after that the pattern opens up. I assume its because of the modular construction. Has anyone else had this experience? or is this atypical?

I have 3 Sauers and that is atypical behavior.

Sid: If you are worried about scratching the wood stock then you should do like I did....just buy the extra synthetic stock. It takes only one minute to switch stocks on the Sauer. I’m not very fond of synthetic stocks in general but the Sauer synthetic is really nice.

This is a "NO BRAINER" I'd buy it in a heart beat for that price !BB34

I have been looking for a retailer here in the U.S. that sells the synthetic stock but have yet to find one. Does anyone know where to direct me? The Sig Sauer and Blaser USA sites have nothing on Sauer guns or parts.

Mcmillan makes a stock for Sauer rifles but not the 202. Is there another aftermarket stock anyone is aware of?

Alright then, I'll put it plainly.

You nicked it mate, pulled his pants down, robbed the jam right out of his doughnut, chiefed him good and proper, need I go on squire?

Congratulations Sid, I've had a play with a couple of Sauers and even taken a deer or two with a friend's one.

It's all been said above fella, accurate, well made, ergonomic and well finished.

A word of caution though, my mate will kick me for saying this but the wood on the side panels isn't the thickest, if you drop it out of tree stand for example, it may crack there.

It is a testament to the rifle that it did not go off despite being cocked and loaded.

Before anyone started it was a freak accident, not deliberate carelessness.

Thank You Ghubert!! You made my and my wife's evening with your colorful comments. My younger brother married a scientist that grew up in London and that is exactly the type comments she makes. I had never heard of "Fairy Cakes" until their wedding this year but my daughter loves that name(cupcakes if anyone is wondering what they are) and loves talking with her.

I have come to the conclusion that I would be a fool to let this rifle go unless desperate times forced me to. I showed it to a mentor of mine who is an avid outdoorsman this afternoon. He had the same reaction as I did when he shouldered it. He said he had never felt a more natural and comfortable rifle. He also wants the first chance at it if I did sell it and will double what I paid. He said I have to take him to the range now and let him shoot it. No problem there I enjoy his company and love his stories. I just wish there was more support in the U.S. for parts like stocks and barrels.

I have also found out that I need allen keys to disassemble the stocks. Can anyone tell me the size I need or where I can get replacements since the rifle did not come with any. Thanx for all the positive comments and I will do a new post when I get some range time in the next couple of weeks.

They are fairly long allen wrenches.

Call Lee Lebas at Sauer USA and he will sell you the factory tool for like 30 bucks.

Lee LeBas - lee@blaser-usa.com
General Manager
J.P. Sauer & Sohn and Mauser
403 East Ramsey, Ste. 301
San Antonio, TX 78216
Ph: 210-377-2527
Fax: 210-377-2533

Mr. Lee, is a good dude!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Sid, for $995, the police should be showing up at your door very soon....you STOLE that rifle!

+1

Congratulations on your new Sauer 202 7 mm. You will be happy with it. You cannot, however, fit a 9.3x62 barrel to it. The receiver, not just the bolt, is different between magnum and standard calibers in the usual Sauer 202 rifles. Only the Sauer 202 "Takedown", which breaks down in seconds without tools, can be accomodate both magnum and standard calibers on the same receiver. There is often some confusion, as normal Sauer 202 rifles can also be taken down, but tools, allen wrenches, etc. and more time are required than true "takedowns". The takedowns also cost almost twice as much.

Sid ! You can add to your 7mm rem mag a barrel in 6.5x68, 270 wby mag, 300 win mag, 300 wby mag, 8x68, 375 H&H, 416 rem mag and finally a 458 Lott. So plenty of nice choices.

As Vangulik correctly mentioned you cannot switch between standard calibre and magnum calibre.

Thanks for that info. I did not know the recievers were different. I would prefer the magnum action over the standard calibers so I guess I'm lucky to have it first. I am even starting to like the 7mm Mag again after not shooting it for a couple of years.

I took the rifle to the range for the first time and it was the easiest sight in I have ever done. I looked down the barrel at a target at 25 yards to bore sight the scope. My first shot was at 100 yards and I was dead center but 6" high. I moved the sight up to the hole and my second shot was on the bullseye. I have never had a gun that easy to zero and was just plain lucky. I am sure it will never happen again but I was zeroed in two shots.

It seems to like 63 grains of IMR4831 with the 162 AMAX. It had 3 groups with this charge at .5" or less. I did notice the 3rd shot tends to stray as has been noted by others. I used 4 different charge weights and out of 18 3 shot groups they usually had this wandering bullet. Each group stayed in .9" or less which is simply amazing and a testament to the quality of the gun. My best group had 3 shots touching but looks like a 2 bullet group. The only problem I experienced was how quickly the barrel heats up. I ended up alternating rifles to let it cool down.

After seeing how accurate it is I have decided to keep it. I don't know when I may have a chance to get another Sauer and it is a pleasure to shoot. Two people I shoot with have offered to buy it but I told them I think I will hang onto it and enjoy it for awhile. I now have 5 rifles that consistantly shoot sub MOA so I have become spoiled.
It's a nice problem to have.

My 202 is a takedown, magnum action in 9.3x62. No tools. I was under the impression that if I bought the magnum bolt, I could put a 375 H&H on it.

You can because you have the take-down model ! Sid has the standard version.

Sid- I, too, purchased a 202 used but in excellent shape, around the same time you first posted. Although I didn't get near the deal you got on the purchase, I felt I paid a fair price for it, given the quality of firearm. It's in .300 Wby. Verrry beautiful, and although a little heavy (which is an advantage, given the caliber), it is very accurate. I'm shooting Federal 180 ttsx bullets. I contacted Blaser USA, and received a Sauer Safari sling, a set of tools (only $26 for the tools) and an original manual (free) in less than a week. Great service! I'm also lucky to have a Sauer/Blaser dealer, Euro Optic less than 2 hours away from me here in PA. Great outfit to deal with. I can't wait to hunt with my Sauer (might even use it on a chuck over the summer, lol). I will order a black synthetic stock for it, and down the road, a .375 barrel. Almost forgot; the intended purpose for the Sauer is to take it to Africa for a plains game hunt. Hope you really enjoy yours. Cheers,

Dalgo

Excellent Sid - for that price you can´t make a mistake. I would definetly prefer the steel action and not the aluminium one!

If You look for a nice accessories for it check out this:


http://www.titanium-gunworks.c...ht-daynightfire.html

or here the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...ture=player_embedded

nice find sid.

i kick myself every time i read a post like this. about a year and a half or so ago i had the oppertunity to purchase not 1 but 4 sauer 200 series rifles. the man had purchased several for himself and sons and had fallen on hard times. they were all new in the box there were 2 300win mags, iirc 1 270win and a 30-06. he wanted $1,000 each for the 270/06 and $1200 for the the 300's. i didn't know how much they were actually worth at the time but knew they were worth more than his asking. i talked with him for awhile and when all was said and done he offered to let the whole lot go for $4k. i thought it over for a day or two and decided to pass as i have 2 small children and a wife that was in school at the time. i searched high and low for that guy about a month later when i had decided i screwed up but could not find his ad's on the local sportsman site. from prices ive seen i could probably have bought them all and sold 2 of them and recouped if not all most of my entire expenditure.