Jordan, thanks for the feedback, ALF also mentioned the issue of the magazine handling the short mag cases-- I think I'll opt for one in my favorite old faithful caliber--270 Winchester.
Regards--Don.

I owned several of the previous generation model, the Sauer 200. The 200 and 202 are essentially the same, with the 202 having some refinements and options not available on the 200. In typical German/Swiss fashion, the Sauer 202 is a fantastically engineered and produced product. I highly recommend it. Every aspect of the design and manufacturing are first rate.

Regarding rechambering: Sig gas nitrides all its bores and chambers. They are very hard. Additionally, the steel itself is very hard [my Sauer 200 barrel Rockwell hardness tested at 42 near the breech]. The challenge in rebarreling is to have the breech of your new barrel machined to accept the very unique locking bolt lugs of the Sauer bolt. Sig Sauer is set up to do this [obviously!] but I suspect they use an EDM process. Thus, I am confident in saying no American gunsmith or metalsmith could duplicate the Sauer 202 barrel breech, with its integral "bolt receiving receptacle" without incurring an enormous engineering and manufacturing expense. My point isn't that US technology is not up to the task, it is simply that the Sauer 202 has a very unique bolt/barrel interface and duplicating the manufacuring process would be prohibitively expensive.

That said, 8-9 years ago there was a gunsmith in Texas who would cut the breech off an original Sauer 200 barrel and then weld it onto a new blank and chamber it in your caliber of choice. I can't think of his name at the moment, and he might still offer the service, but obviously, it would require you to scrap a perfectly good Sauer 202 barrel just to cannabalize the breech end to be welded onto your new barrel.

I still cannot remember the name of the guy who offered this service, but he is from Texas. He appears at the Reno SCI show each year, has designed his own proprietary bolt action and is a fine metalsmith. I think he also makes his own barrels [or at least he did at one time]. Darn...I just can't recall his name. If it comes to me, I will post.


Jordan

Jordan, there is poster here that made his own Sauer barrels. Time consuming but not as bad as you think. It would cost a little more than a factor barrel but not that much. Also, Labounty rebored a 270 Sauer barrel to 338-06 for me so the hardening must be very shallow; he commented at the time that it "cut like butter". Not trying to flame you, just commenting on some experiences.

Thinking about adding a Sauer 202 to the collection. Am just looking for some feedback. Also does anyone know if a smith can turn one with the right bolt into a WSM, either .270WSM or .300 WSM, I looked on the Sigarms website and didn't see either of those calibers being available. (Posted this on the reloading & big game forums also.)

Yes they are hammer-forged but for some reason remain very machinable. The 200 in question is mine and I still have the 338-06 AI barrel. It shoots about as well as the factory barrels which is to say quite well indeed.



The stock is not ideal for that level of recoil, though.

Can anyone tell how much the various models of the 202 weigh? I passed a very good buy on a Sauer 90 last week. The rifle, a 7 mag, was drop dead gorgeous, but weighed 8.5 lbs bare.

I have also had LaBounty rebore a .270 Sauer 200 barrel to .338 for .338-06. The bore and grooves are slick as a button and it shoots great. I used it in Namibia on plains game last year.

Tigger:

I wonder if the barrel Labounty rebored was from a Colt Sauer, as opposed to a Sauer 200 or 202? I believe the 200/202 barrels are cold hammer forged. As such, the bores would tend to be pretty tough, especially if also nitrided. I don't know about the Colt Sauer tubes. Not that it matters.


Jordan

They are much lighter than the 90. Pretty close to a 24" Rem 700. They used to make a lightweight with aluminum receiver but I don't know if they still do in the 202.

I remembered the 'smith's name who could rebarrel a Sauer 200/202: Bill Wiseman. I think he is in College Station, Texas. As stated above, I think what he does is cut off the breech end of a Sauer 200 barrel and then weld a new tube onto it, then chamber.


Jordan