It seems to me like the laws in some European countrys will in the future only allow a hunter to have a certain amount of guns. For example, here in Norway they talk about a limit of 8. This number is quickly used up if one has a few shotguns, a few rifles and a few handguns. Thus, the multi-barrel type rifles seem to be a kind of solution for those who want/need more then the countrys limit. Depending on the law of course. It would appear that the upcoming law here will allow unlimited numbers of barrles.<BR><BR>So of the 3 most common multi-barrel rifles available in todays market, what would you choose?<BR><BR>And feel free to post <B>why</B>!<BR><BR>(As a side note, I have owned a Blaser, handled quite a few Sauers, but have no experiance with the Mauser 03 besides holding a couple at gunshows. I hope someone here has shot one of these Mauser 03's, or perhaps even owns one and will tell us more about it!)<BR><BR><img src="http://forums.accuratereloading.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)-->Mauser 03Sauer 202Blaser R93

HI Erik

You know I am a Sauer's fan.

I am hating the Blasers, too ugly, too arrogant advertising, too fragile, too dangerous in all terrains, especially in Africa.

The Mauser 03 is another story. Today I don't hop to one of the 2 Frankonia shops in Alsace,
I visited the main Kettner shop and have a look at the Mauser 03. This rifle is large (?????) yes large, this is not a short rifle and nothing is designed to diminish the lenght and the width of the rifle. The making is correct and reassuring. The conception is traditionnal, no too fancy gizmos. I could just imagine that this rifle is a winner.
In the past I used 3 times in Scotland the MAUSER 96, What an accurate and fine rifle. No luck in 1996 the Blaser came on the market and killed the Mauser96. If the Mauser03 is almost as good as the 96, we have an excellent rifle.
Concerning the barrel swapping, the quickest is the Sauer202 take-down, then the Mauser03, then the Blaser R93, then the common Sauer 202.


To conclude, 3 rifles from the same holding, none of them is cheap.

Custom Mauser 98's with additional barrel and forend sets would be an very good alternative.

Johannson (?) and others make them.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
Custom Mauser 98's with additional barrel and forend sets would be an very good alternative.

Johannson (?) and others make them.

Custom M98 take-downs would be preferable! But unfortunalty such take-down versions of the M98 as made by Johannsen, Ritterbursch and Prechtl cost around 12.000 Euro!

I was thinking of more reasonably priced, and commonly available rifles.

Jb,

I know that you are very happy with your Sauer, as you should be! And I guess we can agree that we both are not fond of the Blaser. Although mine was exceptionally accurate, I happen to prefere more traditional rifles. Or at least rifles without a straight-pull action.

As for the other 2 makes, there are a few things that I like more on the Mauser M03 than on the Sauer 202 though. For example (and this is just my personal taste); I like that the M03 has an open topped action which allows rounds to be fed into the magazine from above, unlike the Sauer 202 that has a rather small/tight opening. I also prefer the feel of the M03 when holding it up compaired to the 202. Both safetys are definatly differant then other conventional safetys, but I am positive that this is only a matter of getting used to them. Just like the cocking safety on the Blaser. Which I had no problems with after shooting it a couple of times. I've heard of those who feel that the cocking lever on the M03 is difficult to operate, but I had no problems with it when I handled the few M03s that I have. Both when the rifle was held to the shoulder, and at other positions.

Mauser M03 action is open at the top:


Sauer 202 action is rather closed:


As for which is quicker, I personally don't feel this is of too much importance, as long as it doesn't take too long or is too complicated. I doubt very many people would need to switch barrels in the field, so using 5 or 15 minutes isn't a big deal IMO.

One impression that I have gotten is that all 3 of these European rifles are very accurate straight out of the box. Unlike a lot of other standard rifles out on the market.

I'm not sure is the Sauer and Mauser comes with the same (or simular) rust/scratch resistant coating that the Blaser does, but the "nitrating" (or whatever it's called) on the Blaser I had was simply fantasic. No other bluing I've seen has been as rust and scratch resistant as that.

quote:

Thus, the multi-barrel type rifles seem to be a kind of solution for those who want/need more then the countrys limit. Depending on the law of course. It would appear that the upcoming law here will allow unlimited numbers of barrles.

Unfortunately here in the UK an extra barrel counts as a second rifle on your firearms ticket.

Rgds,
FB

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:

quote:

Thus, the multi-barrel type rifles seem to be a kind of solution for those who want/need more then the countrys limit. Depending on the law of course. It would appear that the upcoming law here will allow unlimited numbers of barrles.

Unfortunately here in the UK an extra barrel counts as a second rifle on your firearms ticket.

Rgds,
FB

Fallow Buck,

I'm sorry to hear that. It looks like your govt tries to screw you guys in every possible way!

I just hope that the law here in Norway will end up with the "endless barrel option" as it appears at the moment.

I only have Blaser take down rifles at the moment. Two R93s and one K95. I still want a D99, a safari S-2, a B97 Classic, a R93 Stutzen, a R93 Attache, a Sauer 202 takedown in 375 and 300, and a Mauser 03 match in 9.3x62 and 6.5x57, and 308.

I also want to get a about 5 more Blaser barrels, two more synthetic R93 stocks, and a scope and mount for all of it.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
I only have Blaser take down rifles at the moment. Two R93s and one K95. I still want a D99, a safari S-2, a B97 Classic, a R93 Stutzen, a R93 Attache, a Sauer 202 takedown in 375 and 300, and a Mauser 03 match in 9.3x62 and 6.5x57, and 308.

I also want to get a about 5 more Blaser barrels, two more synthetic R93 stocks, and a scope and mount for all of it.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

You forgot to mention the large truck to haul all that stuff in!

I can borrow the Army truck your mother drives!

ErikD, I hope not to have limited number of guns because till now I have owned 13 long guns and I hope to buy others in the future.
I live in Czech Republic (EU) so don’t scary me!
What concerns your multi barrel rifles option I would go with Sauer. Why? Blaser is simply not my taste and I am not very fond with Blaser's action in terms of strength. I have read to many articles where the action has blown so... (it seems that the problem was caused mainly with magnum calibers). Mauser 03 is quite a new concept and I do'nt know anyone who owns one to give me some remarks. But I like the style of the rifle. A time ago I borrowed Sauer 202 and it looked very fine and it shot perfectly. The design of the action is also very particular and some have said they had problems operating it in very cold conditions. But I still believe in Sauer. Nevertheless my choice would be Heym SR 30 for many reasons...
http://www.heym-waffenfabrik.de/english/S_Buechs/S_Sr30/st_Sr30.html

D99,

Only if she, my wife, and I can borrow all your rifles!

How about I come up there and you let me shoot one of your moose, and I borrow one of your rifles.

Seriously?

Erik, right now I think I have too many barrels for my Blasers! I am shooting my S2 so much that I have sold some of my barrels. I would like to get down to 3 or 4 at the most. Also there are spare barrels for the S2 and D99.....

I have used a 202, and the M03. I just like the R93

Aleko

Erik- How is that mauser of yours doing Works on Moose?

quote:

Originally posted by Heritage Arms:
I just like the R93
Aleko

Could it have something to do with your role as Blaser Trophy Pimp Don't you miss all those African animals now when you have a S2 Petty is wasn't with you during those some three years, off and on, in the Limpopo, South Africa

Cheers,
/JOHAN

I'll take you to Africa, Johan

Actually Johan, you are talking about African Big Game hunting, this is the European Forum, I think your post should be deleted

Aleko

Johan,

The M98 works like a charm on moose. And on elephant, and on...

Just like you and I knew it would. I couldn't be happier. Except that I now have a craving for another, and another...

-
-
Aleko,

Please forgive Johans strong aversion to Blasers. You see, he was once sodomized with a Blaser R93 barrel, and has hated them ever since!

(Ps. Just joking Johan! )

D99, you have a PM.

Erik,
Sounds great, posted a report of the adventure? Who knows, it might even work on reindeer. Aleko will raise cain because you mentioned an African animal

Sodomised? So, you use me as you scapegoat. However, I understand it must been horrible an experience PS- just joking!

Cheers
/JOHAN

I once shot a R93 22-250 match that put 5 shots into a .300 inch hole.

Johan, if you are into that much pain call my X!

Aleko

Erik

Is the Heym takedown as expensive as the others mentioned?

Heym Takedown







I'm very interested in Takedowns too but not for the same reasons as you. Ease of travel, multi-calibre, total familiarity with "one" firearm.

I lean strongly to a M98 but would settle for a Sauer 202 especially the takedown model.

Merkel also makes a takedown multi-barrel as does I think Chapuis.

Erik

You miss an obvious takedown, multi-barrel option. Double rifles especially if scoped.

The Heym take down is like $10,000

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NitroX:
Erik

Is the Heym takedown as expensive as the others mentioned?

John

I am really stunned.
I have an enormous respect for the discreet superb maker whose name is HEYM.
Jeeezzzz learning about European next door makers from...............Australia.
I am really teased, John, I'll do my best to check this Heym beauty. Thanks.

quote:

I'm not sure is the Sauer and Mauser comes with the same (or simular) rust/scratch resistant coating that the Blaser does, but the "nitrating" (or whatever it's called) on the Blaser I had was simply fantasic. No other bluing I've seen has been as rust and scratch resistant as that.

Erik

The answer for Sauer is Yes, some are nitrated (or nitrured?). The amazing side of Sauer 202 is the infinity of choices, say a couple of thousands different options of rifles.

Sorry to insist, Blasers aren't sexy rifles and I saw too many jammed Blaser, the worst option afield. A blaser is fine at the range. stop.

JB,

I have to agree with you on the unsexy part when it comes to Blasers. They are butt ugly. I have heard of people having problems with jamming, although I personally never had any malfunction with mine, and shot probably around 1000 rounds with it all in all (both at home and in Africa) before I sold it. I prefere more traditonal rifles. I would love though to have my M98 Mag Mauser "Nitrated" for the rust/scratch resistance...

Erik,

Please don't nitrate your FANTASTIC MAUSER.

Is there at hand, here somebody who can explain how the rifle is nitrated or nitrured compared to the usual blueing.
Very few gunsmiths do nitrure.

About Blaser, most of my hunting partners are using Blasers, and we are currently seeing one or another in trouble for nothing or a simple grain of sand or the rifle blowing off when closing the action, or the action halfway stuck, or the one who has installed a stecher blowing the pane of the highstand?????? amazing.

JB,

I don't think it is even possible to "nitrate" a rifle after it is finished. It was just a thought. I think it have to be done from the beginning. But maybe I'm wrong. My point is that my Mauser is a tool, and I use it up here where it rains a lot. Your Dumoulin is also a tool, but is far more beautiful than my "working" Mauser, and is more a work of art that should be kept as it is.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikD:

The M98 works like a charm on moose. And on elephant, and on...

Just like you and I knew it would. I couldn't be happier. Except that I now have a craving for another, and another...

That's not a craving that's a normal autonomic bodily reflex live salivating at the sight of food.

I have a K95 with 6.5x57R and 5.6x50R barrels - to be truly useful each barrel needs a dedicated saddlemount and scope.

Brian Harre of Auckland, NZ also makes a Mauser 98 / Winchester pre-64 type action from scratch which has the option to be a takedown action and has many premium features.

His standard action price is around US$2000 but the takedown is more.

Check out the Aussie hunting forum as there is a discussion on Brian at the moment, who is re-starting up his action making business.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
Erik

You miss an obvious takedown, multi-barrel option. Double rifles especially if scoped.

No suprise that you came up with that suggestion!

And you're right of course.

But I don't know if extra barrels for double rifles count or not when it comes to how many guns are allowed. I'll have to check on that.

Then there is the slight "problem" with doubles and high pressure rounds such as a 300 Win Mag etc. for longer range stuff.