Colt-Sauer Grand African

20 January 2010, 01:13

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.

20 January 2010, 01:49

JudgeG

As someone once replied to one of my posts (not so kindly)...

WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!

Just make sure you buddy on the Chirisa trip doesn't nick the rifle.

20 January 2010, 01:56

Biebs

Ernest, I've only had it about an hour! Geeeez!

20 January 2010, 02:00

GeorgeS

Congratulations! Those were well-made rifles.

Does it have the deep magazine box? Can you load it from the top, through the ejection port?

George

20 January 2010, 02:47

Biebs

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.

20 January 2010, 04:34

<Mike McGuire>

Like this one

http://www.gunsinternational.c...cfm?gun_id=100104670

20 January 2010, 04:40

Biebs

Yes, but nicer wood and 1/2 the price!

20 January 2010, 05:39

<Mike McGuire>

Like you I used to really like 'em.

The connection between Wby and Sauer is strong

20 January 2010, 06:41

CCMDoc

quote:
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

20 January 2010, 06:55

<Mike McGuire>

What about these. Scroll down and full pictures. The butt is a carbon copy of a Mark V Deluxe.

http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inv...246-nge-270-rc.shtml

20 January 2010, 07:07

Biebs

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.

20 January 2010, 07:08

Biebs

Paul, I had to be prepared for when you buy my 700 AHR !!!!!!! Biebs

20 January 2010, 08:57

Buliwyf

I passed on one for 1200 USD seven years ago and still reget it.

20 January 2010, 09:05

Michael Robinson

Loved the Colt-Sauers.

Like a first girlfriend.

20 January 2010, 18:07

CCMDoc

quote:
Originally posted by Biebs:
Paul, I had to be prepared for when you buy my 700 AHR !!!!!!! Biebs

Ahhh - you know me too well, I see!

20 January 2010, 20:51

Biebs

LOL !

20 January 2010, 22:09

Bill73

Biebs,
Congratulations on a nice rifle,are these rifles PF or CRF ?

20 January 2010, 22:18

Biebs

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!

21 January 2010, 00:00

mehulkamdar

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!

24 January 2010, 08:54

Kiwi_bloke

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.