I recently spotted a Colt-Sauer Grand African 458 for sale at a very reasonable price. That was one of the coveted Big Boomers available when I was a young'un just growing up and reading about Africa. Now, many years, and many hunts later, I figured I'd pick it up as perhaps a nostalgic back-up rifle. Wow, was I surprised!
I received it today, and it is flawless! It came outfitted with EAW-type scope mounts, holding a period-correct 2.5X American Redfield. The store sticker is still on the scope, and I'm quite certain this rifle has never been fired. The bolt on the rifle slides like it's on greased ball bearings, and the metalwork is so highly polished that the bluing looks like black glass. The checkering is so sharp and crisp that it almost hurts when you grip it tightly.
Well, now I know what they mean by the "good old days" of rifle-making, and I have a new favorite (or at least Top 10!!!) safari rifle. I'm heading to the Chirisa in 6 weeks for a Jumbo...think I might have a new hunting partner.
Posts: 20175 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009
George, Yes, the magazine protrudes from the bottom of the stock some, with the edges beveled, almost like the extended magazine on a Sauer 202, but not as pronounced.
Posts: 20175 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009
Originally posted by Biebs: I recently spotted a Colt-Sauer Grand African 458 for sale at a very reasonable price. That was one of the coveted Big Boomers available when I was a young'un just growing up and reading about Africa. Now, many years, and many hunts later, I figured I'd pick it up as perhaps a nostalgic back-up rifle. Wow, was I surprised!
I received it today, and it is flawless! It came outfitted with EAW-type scope mounts, holding a period-correct 2.5X American Redfield. The store sticker is still on the scope, and I'm quite certain this rifle has never been fired. The bolt on the rifle slides like it's on greased ball bearings, and the metalwork is so highly polished that the bluing looks like black glass. The checkering is so sharp and crisp that it almost hurts when you grip it tightly.
Well, now I know what they mean by the "good old days" of rifle-making, and I have a new favorite (or at least Top 10!!!) safari rifle. I'm heading to the Chirisa in 6 weeks for a Jumbo...think I might have a new hunting partner.
Congratulations! One of my favorites - I've always lusted after one of them.
Good hunting in Chirisa!
Paul
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
Posts: 3465 | Location: In the Shadow of Griffin&Howe | Registered: 24 November 2007
Yes, and you can often find the Golden Eagle 458 for $1,000 or so. I don't know much about them, but if they're a Mauser design and make at Miroku or similar Japanese facility, I'm sure it's a lot of gun for the money.
Posts: 20175 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009
I believe the Sauers are PF, but with the receiver surrounding everything except the ejection port, there's no room for the cartridge to go anywhere but down the tube!
Posts: 20175 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009
IMHO the Sauer S 90 was easily the smoothest bolt action rifle design after the Mannlicher Schonauer. it is a tragedy that the Sauer company decided to drop it altogether and concentrate on the 202 series. However, there is a CRF version of the design that is made in the USA by Schuerman Arms in Arizona.
The old Colt Sauer has to be a treasure. COngratulations on a great buy and good hunting!
Mehul Kamdar
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."-- Patrick Henry
I wrote an article on one in .375 H&H, (a Grand Alaskan). Make sure the EAW mounts have magnum rings. That is, the front ring should be noticably wider. The "French-set" trigger is fully adjustable, but one of the operations needs a paper clip. The headspace is unusual too, done with shims and the barrel clamped but it's a very sound arrangement.
I only ever seen one .458 Sauer 90 at a gun show in Melbourne. The .458's are stocked in heavy African bubinga wood, but in that caliber, that's probably a good thing. One of the great things about it is that the pivoting locking arrangement means that the reciever does not have to be relieved for the lugs the way a Mauser 98 would be. More strength, safety & more support to make the bolt smoother. Also the magazine presents cartridges higher than usual for a near straight-line feed.
I sold a Heym .375 H&H to buy the Sauer. Both are good guns but I wouldn't swap back. The neat bolt release feature has just been copied by someone else. Great for running through reloads.
Posts: 19 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 19 January 2010
