Sauer 202 .243

[jimbo]

Does anybody have a Sauer 202? Would you recommend it? I went searching for a Win 70 in .243 and the sales clerk showed me a Sauer 202 in .243 instead. $899.

Anyway, gun seems built like a tank, very smooth and velvety looking and feeling and the bolt is the smoothest action I've ever worked. Didn't try the trigger but I here it has a set trigger for target work. It does have a SWEET safety, though. VERY smooth & quick and VERY silent.

Gun will be used for 90% target/10% hunting. It will accept barrels so I can change to .270 or .308 or .30-06 as well. Knowing Sig, the barrels will cost more than a Win 70 or a Rem 700...

I understand that's a good price as most for sale on the web auctions were running about $1200. Just not sure if it is worth 300 more than a Win 70 featherweight (what I'll get if I don't get this rifle.)

Help me decide.

 

[jimbo]

Well, you all are no damn help at all. Without waiting for any advice, I bought it. Just seduced by that sweet bolt throw and balance. I'll either pop my Vari XII on it or maybe get a Kahles 6x or a 2.5-8x.

So thanks for nothing. Who needs advice from the forum anyway? I thought you all were enablers. I guess none of you all ever heard of the JP Sauer & Sons, Co.

I have a feeling I'm gonna love this rifle. I just wasn't ready to be shooting .30-06 and didn't enjoy it. Not that it made me flinch so much as that it just wasn't fun shooing .30-06 out of my Rem 700 Mountain Rifle. The .243 should be much more pleasant and I'm hoping I can learn to be a decent rifleman with it.

When we get the good weather, I will let you all know how she shoots. Sure is a pretty gun!

Did I tell you I got if for $899. Once I was shown this rifle and started doing a little research & calling around, I just couldn't find it for under $1,200.

Life is good!

 

[boyanzhu]

Jimbo,
Congrats on your purchase and an excellent price break!
I hope you can forgive all these guys who did not help you,
and help other people regardless...

My questions are:
1. How does the rifle feed in unusual positions?
Like with an ejection port pointed to the ground?
Or with the barrel pointing up?
2. Can you work the bolt without losing your cheekweld,
without hitting your cheek or glasses with the bolt rear
or bolt handle?
3. Can you drop a round into the action and feed it,
or the round must come from the mag only?
4. Is there anything unusual in the design of the barrel
on breech side? Can a regular gunsmith make a custom
caliber/chamber barrel for you from a regular barrel blank?
5. Is your receiver for .243 a true short action, or they have the same
action size for 30-06 and magnums?

Thanks and have fun with your rifle.

 

[jimbo]

boyanzhu,

I can't really answer your questions until I scope the gun and give a full range report.

The gun is a standard-action receiver. This gun can accept barrels chambered for 22-250, .270, .308, .25-06 and .30-06. A short action receiver would not allow the change to so many barrels as you would not be able to chamber the longer cartridge. A different magazine is required for the longer cartridges.

One bad surprise I got with the rifle is that the Manual says I must change bolts to upgrade to other barrels. Why the .243 needs a new bolt when the cartridge width of all the above cartrides are the same, I can't tell you. I mean, it would be cheaper to buy a Win 70 or Rem 700 than to replace the bolt, magazine and barrel to upgrade to .30-06. But once there, I only need to change barrels to shoot .308, .270 and the rest of the cartridges.

It does not appear that you can feed single rounds through the top of the action, though I haven't tried yet. But it appears you must top off and re-insert the magazine to add even a single round.

For the answers to the rest of your questions, you'll have to wait for a range report. And I don't have the new Kahles scope yet.

 

[tbige]

Outstanding buy! Not that many Sauer owners around, here or anywhere else (though you might look for a Sauer forum/newsgroup), but that's no reflection of the make's quality. Having handled one, I fully understand the seduction, and predict this will be one of (if not THE) most treasured guns you will ever own. Share your feeling about the 30-06, and believe the .243 will be a joy. Enjoy!

 

[boyanzhu]

jimbo,

Thanks a lot.
Whenever/if you have additional info/answers it'll be appreciated by many people. Have fun.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Jimbo,

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT BUY THAT RIFLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been discovered (by undetermined and yet undiscovered natural forces) that discharging, aiming or chambering a sauer 202 may be hazardus to your health.

Do not wait, immediatley send that rifle to me at my home address so I can perform an exorcisim on it.

When I deem that the evil spirits have been romoved from your rifle I will return it to you. This may take between 10 and 20 years.


Good buy!!!!You should have a winner there.

 

[jimbo]

tbige,

Thanks for the support and predictions I will love the rife. It may just come true.

H&Hhunter,

Did you know the Sauer 202 can be had in .375 H&H? Thanks for your generous offer to ward off the evil Teutonic spirits in my new Sauer!

Thank you all for calming my fears that I may have busted my budget for scant gain over a Winchester or Remington. It feels carved of a piece and built to last. Range report to come, sometime in Spring.

Jimbo

 

[H&Hhunter]

Jimbo,

Yes I was aware of that. You've got one of the worlds most versitile and accurate rifles there....Good show.

 

[TCHanson]

Jimbo,

Did you get a Standard or Supreme 202?

Rich
S.F. Bay Area

 

[jimbo]

I got a nice little standard.

Had I found a Supreme for $899, I never would have needed to post the question here. I would not have let that gun out of my sight!

$899 for a standard is a very good price. $899 for a NIB Supreme is unheard of.

 

[TCHanson]

That's what I had thought. I am looking at the 202's also. Where did you buy yours?

Thanks,

Rich

 

[jimbo]

Hi Rich,

I got mine at "Trader's Sports" in San Leandro. I bought the one on display and I don't believe they had anymore in stock, but you could check.

Good luck in your own hunt for a Sauer 202 in .243. This one looks to be a keeper.

 

[TCHanson]

Just got my 202 Supreme in 30.06 today and I think I'm going to like it. I am thinking about getting one more. Either a .243 or a .300 win mag or weatherby.

Rich