Sauer 100 Classic XT Synthetic - Thoughts Please

[victormeldrew]

The barrel on my existing rifle (.270 Win) is on the way out, so I'm considering the options for a replacement/fix.

Re-barrelling & second hand are options I'm considering, but I'm also thinking about new.

Under the new category, my first thought was a Tikka T3X. However, the Sauer gets a good report in all the reviews which I've read.
Certainly it's Sauer's budget rifle, but is from a quality maker & guarantees MOA accuracy as does the Tikka.
Also it's cheaper than the Tikka, which is also important. I'm in my mid 70's so it's unlikely I'll be stalking for decades, so I'm keen to limit the expenditure.

I also thought about a Mauser M18, but the comments on another thread on here regarding lack of accuracy on some rifles & the fact that the barrel isn't screwed into the action have put me off the Mauser.

So, in respect of new ( or possibly s/h), what are the thoughts on the Sauer 100 please?

Thanks,

v

 

[JLad]

Mauser M18 is basically the same rifle as Sauer 100. Same action, same barrel, same magazine, mostly same bolt etc. The barrel is threated to the action. The heat crimped barrels are in Mauser M12 and Sauer 101 rifles that share many parts also.

I personally dont like the three position safety. Wife has the Artemis model of 100 and loves it and most importantly it did fit her, so that and price was the actual deal makers here. Shoots good, feeds nice so its not all bad.
BUT, it is cost cutting desing that must be taken as "made in china".
And quote Nathan Foster "The M18 is terrible bedding platform...."

 

[User00038]

Handy, precise, 3 position safety, 60° bolt, precise trigger - all good.

Pushing the safety off can make a click.

 

[Vulpes]

Got rid of my Sauer 100 when I started target shooting because when the barrel needed replacing it's not possible to re-barrel them as they are sweat fitted as JLad mentioned above. If you are getting something like a .223 or .308 that isn't heavy on barrels then it shouldn't be an issue, otherwise, they are lovely rifles with beautiful silky actions. But damn that sweat-fit barrel was a bad idea, I'd still own it if it wasn't for that.

 

[Puds]

I can’t speak for the M18 in .270, but mine has been unerringly accurate in .308

 

[Milk no sugar please]

I had a M18 in 223 which was a really accurate rifle that was easy to shoot. I only parted ways with it as it was a bit soulless feeling. Fair play though it was good for the 400 bucks I paid for it new, excellent value for money

 

[20-250]

Got rid of my Sauer 100 when I started target shooting because when the barrel needed replacing it's not possible to re-barrel them as they are sweat fitted as JLad mentioned above. If you are getting something like a .223 or .308 that isn't heavy on barrels then it shouldn't be an issue, otherwise, they are lovely rifles with beautiful silky actions. But damn that sweat-fit barrel was a bad idea, I'd still own it if it wasn't for that.

I would have sworn it was the 100 which has a threaded action and the 101 with 'sweated in' barrel?

 

[Vulpes]

I would have sworn it was the 100 which has a threaded action and the 101 with 'sweated in' barrel?

I emailed Sauer about it back in 2017 after I purchased the gun, and was told they were sweat fit. I'll try and find the email. EDIT: I cant find the email so I might be incorrect here as I'm working from memory.

I believe the US made models were screw fit and European models were sweat fitted as Moray Outfitting on this forum confirmed when he received his first batch in the UK in 2016. Thread here: Sauer 100

 

[Steff]

Who cares if you can replace a barrel on a Sauer 100 or Mauser M18? At the price of these you simply buy a new rifle. Its cheaper than buying a new barrel for a Blaser.

 

[Vulpes]

Who cares if you can replace a barrel on a Sauer 100 or Mauser M18? At the price of these you simply buy a new rifle. Its cheaper than buying a new barrel for a Blaser.

I understand this, however, for me having a replaceable barrel means no variation when I shoot it out and it's cheaper re-barreling than buying a whole new rifle, plus keeping a perfectly good action in use.

 

[Steff]

I understand this, however, for me having a replaceable barrel means no variation when I shoot it out and it's cheaper re-barreling than buying a whole new rifle, plus keeping a perfectly good action in use.

It‘ll be very rare that anyone who buys a rifle in the league of a M18 or S100 will ever shoot out a barrel. And by that I don‘t mean the price range but the technical layout. People who shoot a lot will look out for bedding and trigger options besides barrel swapping.

 

[Ben_4321]

Have a Sauer 100 in .223 I bought secondhand off someone here. Far more accurate than I am (holes touching at 95m when well supported!) and would 100% recommend.

Only issue I have is that the magazine is a bit of a pain getting in occasionally and it much prefers to hold a 3 rounds rather than the stated max of 4.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Instead of a new Sauer 100, I’d give this some serious consideration, I used to have a Sauer Outback in .243 and it was a fantastic rifle. It’s a buyers market for 2nd hand rifles so there’s probably a deal to be done

Trade in the reflex moderator for a new Ase or Atec at Jackson Rifles and sell the scope and you’ll have a great rifle for well under £1000.

For Sale: - Sauer 202 Outback .270win

Sauer 202 Outback in .270win. Comes with a fluted barrel with a Reflex T8 mod and cover also a 3 shot mag . Leopold VX-3 4.5-14X50 Long Range scope and a cover . Warne QD rings + a piccatiny rail . Harris swivel Bipod and a Non slip Leather Sling . VGC With only 300 shots from new . £1100.00 ...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Vulpes]

It‘ll be very rare that anyone who buys a rifle in the league of a M18 or S100 will ever shoot out a barrel. And by that I don‘t mean the price range but the technical layout. People who shoot a lot will look out for bedding and trigger options besides barrel swapping.

I completely agree. In my very rare case I was just shooting foxes/vermin and then a few years later joined a target club and now shoot mostly targets hence the need for a replacement barrel.

 

[Bugsy]

I’ve shot with a classic 270 for 2 years now and it’s a good budget rifle . The only problem with them is the firing pin which started playing up after only 150 shots , they took it back and replaced it with a stronger spring . My mate uses one as a spare and his firing pin started playing up a couple of weeks ago , it’s now replaced . Good rifles and I’m happy with mine .

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

I had a sauer 100 in .308 it was a rock solid little thing and never felt like a budget rifle shot perfectly fine and to be honest I would have another

 

[Auroch]

I’ve got a 223 and 243 sauer 100 - seriously considering replacing my Blaser R93 in 308 with one too. I find them very accurate, ergonomic, well built and not particularly ammo fussy. The single column mag in the 223 is a bit of a pain compared to double stack in the bigger calibres as @Ben_4321 says.

 

[gixer1]

A friend just got a keeper 100 and it’s accurate and handles well. Looks to be very well made.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Harry mac]

I've got one in .223. I'd echo the comments on the magazine being a faff, but that's only my experience of the .223. I've been seriously considering getting another in 6.5CM, and getting rid of my .243. However, reloading components are becoming hard to get for most things now, so I'll stick with what I have plenty of components for.
I'm more than happy with the accuracy, and it doesn't feel like a "budget" rifle in the hands.

 

[calgeo]

Accurate rifles. With reloads mine will shoot touching holes @ 100m.