What is everyone's opinions of the Sauer 202?

[Bynotic]

Hello All,

I recently was present with an opportunity to buy an older gentleman's Sauer 202 Deluxe in 300 win mag. He says he is selling it due to being unable to handle the recoil now. He claims it to be a "deluxe" the wood is nicely figured and has rosewood forend tip and pistol grip cap. it comes with a Swarovski 3-12 Habicht mounted on it.

He is asking $3000 for it, says he paid that for it years ago and just wants his money back out of it.

Need him to send me pictures but he is not very computer literate.

I understand Sauer rifles are more popular across the pond for their modularity and I was curious if there were barrels available if i purchased it and wanted to change, I'm struggling to find any on the web, also you would need to change the bolt as well if it didn't fit the bolt face of the 300 win mag, so could you have multiple bolts and barrels for the same rifle? Does anyone know of any literature referencing the "deluxe" model?

Any insight would be helpful, also let me know if i should take this deal.

 

[mark-hunter]

Any insight would be helpful, also let me know if i should take this deal.

Second hand information, from my friends who have Sauer rifles:
Sauer 202, preferable than newer 404. (for steel receiver)

202 steel receiver, tang safety, steel mag
next model 404 aluminum receiver, decoking safety system, steel mag
505 latest model went back to steel receiver. And kept de-cocker safety. polymer mag

It is high end rifle, and as owner you will be proud.

What I do not like personally - which was the reason why I did not buy any of high end sauer 202/404/505 rifles was single stack magazine. (I was considering them to purchase at one point)
Single stack - 3 round mag - flush with stock, 5 rounds mag - sticks out from stock.
For me it is eye breaking.

If tikka T3 as a budget rifle must have that type of magazine, I find little justification for that on high end German factory rifle.

 

[Bynotic]

What I do not like personally - which was the reason why I did not buy any of high end sauer 202/404/505 rifles was single stack magazine. (I was considering them to purchase at one point)
Single stack - 3 round mag

This would not be a deal breaker for me, This one would stay on the NA continent, i cannot think of animal that you would need more than 3 rounds for, assuming you are doing your part.

Also rifles with single stack magazines are typically smaller around the receiver allowing for better handling rifle.

 

[steve white]

Franz Albrecht used one, did he not? That's pretty high praise in itself.

 

[Hunter4752001]

I don't know if barrels, bolts or scope mounts are made for the 202 any longer. Any parts are likely going to be expensive if at all available.

 

[Bynotic]

I don't know if barrels, bolts or scope mounts are made for the 202 any longer. Any parts are likely going to be expensive if at all available.

Some times you can find overstock for barrels/parts, I bought a deadstock barrel for my Browning 2000 not to long ago and they quit making those in the 80's.

 

[pimes]

Download the instructions manual for the Sauer 202 - you can find them several times online (www.sauer.de/wp-content/uploads/S202_07_en-gb.pdf)
There you will find all the information...
The 202 has 4 caliber levels - within this you can change the barrels, without changing the magazine/bolt head - the offered 202 is in level Magnum = you can shoot these calibers when changing barrels: 6.5x68; .270 Wby. Mag.; 8x68S; 7mm Rem. Mag.; .300 Win.Mag.; .300Wby. Mag
in level Medium (you need - barrel, bolt head and a Medium magazin) - you can use the 202 for:
.22-250 Rem.; .243 Win.; .25-06 Rem.; 6,5x55; 6,5x57;
.270 Win.; 7x64; .308 Win.; .30-06; 8x57 IS; 9,3x62


If the condition of the weapon is good and the price with scope = you can't go wrong

 

[Bynotic]

Franz Albrecht used one, did he not? That's pretty high praise in itself.

Just researched the afore mentioned gentleman, he indeed does use a 202 in .270 win with a full custom stock, as well as some other exquisite firearms.

 

[Kalthoff]

The Sauer 202 is the sort of rifle people buy and keep using as their primary hunting rifle until they cease hunting due to old age, at which point they pass it on to the next generation.

The safety on the Sauer 202 is unusual, you make it unsafe/ready to fire, by pressing upward on a button located in front of the trigger, inside the trigger guard. You make safe by pressing down on a button located at the tang/behind the bolt, that button also serves as the visible indicator for safe/unsafe. The idea is to remain on safe until immediately before taking the shot.

The term "Deluxe" mean more pretty engraving, polishing and wood grain than the base model. There will be no functional difference between the base model and the "Deluxe" model.

Barrels for the Sauer 202 are readily available in general. If they happen to be available in your neck of the woods, is up to you to explore by asking around, in your area

You have might or might not need to change the bolt and magazines when you change the caliber, depending on which caliber you switch to.

 

[Longwalker]

I own three Sauer 202 rifles. I like them very much. They are very well made, precise, and functional rifles. They are all accurate, parts interchange within compatible groups of cartridges with no fuss or fitting required. Spare magazines are expensive and rare, but can be found. You don't say where you live, so we must assume in the USA? The price quoted in USD is a very good bargain in my opinion. Be aware that the .300 win mag model can accommodate other barrels, but ONLY in the belted magnum category. Suggest you study the caliber groups in the brochure if you have plans to add any barrels.