A mate of mine in Australia has interest in the Sauer 202.

My knowledge is that it has detatchable barrel and the bolt locks directly into the barrel.

I seem to remember something about the locking lugs being retracted on lifting the bolt handle and pushed back when the handle was closed...or that another European rifle.

Does it take scope mounts that are the same as say Rem 700 or Model 70 or does it use its own unique scope mount bases. What is the biggest calibre they come in or case size such as H&H or 416 Rigby. What is the situation with the trigger.

How much roughly do the cost. I havea feeling that the are lower in price than a Weatherby deluxe but more than a Sako. Does that sound right. It is quite some time since we have seen a picture of a Sauer but seem to remember them (at least from a distance)looking somewhat similar to a Weathebry Deluxe.

Any comments outside my questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike

[ 03-29-2003, 16:18: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

Mike,

I have seen them offered here at $1000 for the standard model and $1100 for the deluxe. In general for what is put into the rifle I think those prices are very fair. It's just that I am very happy with the M 70 design.

The 202's are a little heavy also. They have a super smooth safety that is put on with a button on the tang and released by a button in the trigger guard. This device works as well as Swiss watch. However I know what a Swiss watch does and I have no idea what a 202's safety does.

Right now the situation here is that I can get a SA Montana for $350 and the worlds finest barrel installed properly for $500. This leaves the 202, in my view, in a place where it can never catch up.

Savage99

Personally I am not keen on something that has the bolt locked into the barrel. However my mate is looking to get something that is "good from the box". I don't even know how you would bed a Sauer.

Mike

Mike,

A lot of this comes down to how much money the person has. It's no big deal to buy a new gun for the fun of it and see what it's like.

For me however I can't imagine a Sauer 202 would ever perform any better than the rifles I have spent a lifetime aquiring and tuning can shoot.

I like some rifles with two piece stocks. If the forend can be free floated they stay sighted in for me. Thats most important.

I think if Sauer shoots OK then a lot of people would prefer as a "nicer thing to own"

I have never seen one.

In Australia, European rifles are much cheaper when compared to Ruger, Model 70 and Weatherby than is the case in America because we are paying import duties on both American and Eurpean guns.

In Australia a Sako is not much dearer than a Rem 700 or Model 70. The value of the US dollar also comes into play.

The bargain priced centrefires out her are the Ruger, CZ, Howa and Wby Vanguard.

Mike

The Sauer 202 :
- locks in the barrel (no retractable lugs though, as is the case with the roller locking lugs of the Sauer 90, once distributed by Colt) ;
- is of the switch barrel type (limited to case head size) ;
- is the most accurate out-of-the-box rifle I ever met (.3 MOA with hunting loads) ;
- is available in most calibers up to the .375HH ;
- offers a proprietary scope mount (made by EAW) in both fixed or swing-out versions. These with the original EAW mounts for the 202 (exactly the same, albeit a little less streamlined) are the best I know (expensive, but truly works of art) ;
- is rather expensive (but then, you get what you pay for as there's nothing left for customizing). In Belgium, prices start around 1796 �/$, according to grade. My Europa Luxus costs 2312 �/$.

Andr�

Thanks for that.

It is a nice looking gun.

Having the scope on the action instead of the barrel, what sort of point of impact change do you get between different barrels

Mike

[ 03-29-2003, 18:55: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

To add that they are finished even better than the glossy pics show and that pistol grip is so fine with it's Wundhammer swell.

As long as it's not too heavy it will be an enjoyable, unique gun. That one in the pic must go over 10# with that scope and mount?

Contrary to the Blaser, where the scope sits on the barrel, the 202 should be re-zeroed when changing barrels.

The rifle as pictured (= incl. Swarovski 1,5-6x42 and steel EAW swing-out) weights 4,1 kg/9.04 lbs).

True, the pistol grip has a Wundhammer swell. Sling studs are flush and (in Europe at least) there's also a set-trigger ("r�ckstecher" = push forward to cock). Here's a potpourri of different hunting loads (several powders and bullet weights)
As I said, this is my most accurate out-of-the-box hunting rifle (no fluke either as I know several in service and they all behave the same). There's nothing to bed either as all is steel on steel and the 2-pc. stock's only purpose is to serve as a handle (nowhere does wood contact the action). If still in doubt, ask Swamp from HA. Since I talked him into buying a 202, he waxes lyrical about it

I think they look to be a good rifle for my mate as he does not like the Weatherby Deluxe as he sees that as real Americana Corvette/Mustang etc

What other factory rifles are there that are in the general Sauer and Weatherby price braket.

This bloke is about to return to where he was when I first met him. At the time he had Kricos and two Mauser 66s. Then he got to hear about new barrels, triggers etc and finished with "hotted up" Remingtons, Jewell triggers etc. But they are still "shit box" Remingtons and he wants to return to "BMW" type thinking. Pesonally I would rather have the hot version of our branch of General Motor's car.

Mike

Blaser, Heym, Sauer 90, for instance. Different styles for all likings but high quality all the way... The Mauser 66 was a great rifle BTW, a little "avant-garde" too but, unfortunately, much too expensive to produce...

I just got back from the range testing 7mmRemMag handloads in the 202. The best combinations was 59grains of Vhita Vouri N160 behind 140grn Nosler ballistic tip, Federal 120M primers.
This was the lightest load I tested, recoil is very low so I won't do any further testing, I'll make up some more the same and see how consistent it is.

I have a scan of the target if someone will post it for me.

You might check out the thread from 3/02/03 on the medium bore forum. I was asking for inf on the 202/205's and Alf and Andre' as well as others were very helpfull. So much so I have one on the way.

I used to think it was a realy ugly gun.
But then I got to handle one in 308 in a gun shop. It had a Zeiss Diavari 3-9X??(I don't remember). It was a stainless/synt model.

And since I have wanted one.
It felt just right. The bolt handled smooth. The trigger was great and it fitted me perfeckt. I'd love to get one.

Johan

I would like to see the target model and the LAW with a 10 shot magazine option. And a .222 and .223 sauer 90. I have one in .222 that has been used heavily for 8 years and never missed a beat.

Aleko

News from the IWA:

There will be a Sauer 202 Take Down rifle available soon! Will run about � 2.950 in Europe.
New Barrel � 650,-.
I think they will start with the 300WM and the 375H&H.
Medim bores and the 416 Remington will follow.
Neat stuff!

Take Down system by Orth.

No infos on the web side yet.

Looking forward!

Here is a link to a german huntig page: Artikel Wild& Hund (German)

[ 04-08-2003, 13:34: Message edited by: Daydreamer ]

/

I spoke with the folks at SIG today. We will have a complete line of Sauers(all of the cool European ones) by late summer. The new 202 is a safari grade gun, abotu 8.5 lbs. They are very rare in the US. We were only alloted on for the year! We will have the Alaska, the LAW, and the 90 Safari very soon. The .223and .222 will be forthcomming and the WSM will be here in the Sauer very soon. The new 202 safari takedown will be limited until next year. Hope this helps.

Aleko

Here is a small picture of the new Take-Down:
http://www.wildundhund.de/einzelnesbild/einzelnes_bild_21868.html

May be I find some more

Best regards

[ 04-08-2003, 12:02: Message edited by: Sauenj�ger1 ]

ALF

The new 202 Take Down is a real take down system with the mechanism a la Orth - eg a button on the fore-end to release the foreend and remove the barrel.
The standard 202 are "take-downs" by the way that you can remove the stock and shorten it by that - the new rifle is in a completly other league.

Looks very nice! See the link on my previous post to get to the Wild&Hund page to see the german article about it.

Franz

I do like the 202 apart from what IMHO is a serious design flaw - the safety INSIDE the trigger guard ...... plus a set trigger

I could learn to use that safety. I kind of like it in fact. The safeties on pump shotguns are right next to the trigger. In some cases a 1/4" behind.

What has the set trigger got to do with it? It's not set all of the time is it?

Of course not. The more so that the set trigger being of the push forward type, you may as well forget it if you wish. The direct trigger is excellent as it comes. Most of my close to medium range shots are taken that way but, on the occasional long shot, that set trigger is mighty handy. As for the safety being released inside the trigger guard, your index pushes up and away from the trigger. In the meantime and unless you're preparing to fire, my belief is that your finger has no business whatsoever inside the trigger guard

The safety is really easy to use!

It came very naturally to me.

Try it.

Johan

/

I ordered a Sauer 90 in .458 and a LAW in .30 06. I like them too. These will be my demos and personal guns.

Aleko

I will admit that I haven't used the 202 in anger and it was about 5 years ago that I tried it. From your comments I assume that to take the rifle off safe you push up the button inside the trigger guard and to put back on safe you push down on the tang button.

My memory was of it the other way round hence my comment about the set trigger.

Apologies for getting it wrong (still don't like it though)

I have a Sauer 202 in 375H&H ( bought it after Mike375 unknowingly convinced me to buy a 375) - I haven't regretted buying a 375 or the Sauer .

It is expencive but worth every penny . Accurate from the box - it was supplied with a target shot at 50m opensights to prove accuracy .

I do not intend to use it as a takedown rifle (or swiching barrels) but it is a feature that helps when travelling .

Ben

Aleko, glad to hear you are a dealer for them. Am I able to order spare barrels through you? If so what is the price range and estimated turn around time?
Thanks, Mike

Yes, we will have the entire line plus all of the European guns by August.

Shoot me an email alekojensen@heritagearms.net

Thanks, Aleko

FYI

I'm not convinced of the level of experience of the reviewer.

http://www.deer-uk.com/sauer_law_2.htm

[ 04-28-2003, 12:12: Message edited by: 1894 ]

Neither am I... Several strange phrases like "the pointy end of the gun turned out to be the dangerous part", "all the cartridges had some kind of grey powder in them", not to mention "their Deer Stalking Level one course".



OK, only one of the quotes above are for real. But claiming that recoil in a 6,5x55 turned out to be "manageable" gives me the impression this guy doesn't have too much experience.

Regards,
/HerrBerg