Rifle Choices...too many!!!

[BuckarooUK]

I think you're getting a bit confused there - the rings won't be that much - nowhere near it.

The t8 is a good moderator provided it isn't rusted away inside...i'd want the dealer to take a photo of the end showing the exit hols and baffles.

The sako is still the better buy i think. There's a stronger aftermarket parts support and sauer's tend to be a bit scarce for extras and spares. I believe that the 200 came out around 1984 so make sure youcheck it's history.
Last note - there's a huge difference in the finish of the differnt models of 200. The base model is really quite plain and i think unattractive in appearance where as the higher models like the LUX are beautiful and cost twice as much at least to buy new.

 

[Tim68]

Tasr,

Scotsgun is right. Stcik with the Sako if you're going to go the second hand route.

I would add a note of caution though and relate a tale that my brother and I experienced a few years ago. We came across a near mint BSA Majestic in .270 that had been in storage for several years. We fancied it as a bit of a project to refurbishment back to mint condition. We had our eye on it on the dealer's shelf for over a year. Ultimately , we got carried away in the excitement and did the deal. It turned out that the barrel was in very poor shape and needed a re-barrel. We eneded up unloading it.

I'm not saying this will happen in your case with this Sako but it's just a word of caution. It's all to easy to get carried away.

Good luck,

Tim

 

[TASR12]

More really helpful points I appreciate that. By rings the dealer must be meaning mount complete I think, I've seen the rifle and it's a complete package which he recently got in for p/x for another set up. The Sako/Finnbear (working from the informed opinion on here and doing as much as I can I now think it's a Sako Finnbear, looks etc and no detachable magazine?) can be sent down. I think I might do that and get them side by side to compare. I just haven't seen too much about the Sauer 200 but that is probably due to it's age going by the previous point although if this is a Finnbear presumably it will be the same vintage?
Thanks once again, I'm learning fast!!!

 

[sako85]

Which shop is the Sauer in? If i was you i'd get the Sako shipped down for you to view, but bear in mind you will have to pay the postage charges both ways if you dont buy it ( about £40).

£850 sounds quite a lot of money for an old Sauer with T8 depending on what scope is has though.

 

[TASR12]

It's in a gunsmiths in Dorset, and I accept I will have to pay the postage costs but I'd be happier with that than being committed to buy. Is there anyway of finding out the age of a rifle from it's serial number. If the Sako is a Finnbear presumably it's been around for a while much like a Sauer 200?

 

[Moonraker68]

Tasr, My first stalking rifle was a finnbear. They are pretty old rifles now, but the quality is arguably far higher than some of the new mass produced stuff. Never fould the integral magazine to be a problem - in fact it would be my preference....I've heard several stories of detachable magazines being lost when crawling through heather etc; not sure if they're true, but would be a bit of a bummer if it did happen. I have also spoken to the dealer about a shotgun on his website - seemed very honest to me.

 

[Moonraker68]

Tasr, My first stalking rifle was a finnbear. They are pretty old rifles now, but the quality is arguably far higher than some of the new mass produced stuff. Never fould the integral magazine to be a problem - in fact it would be my preference....I've heard several stories of detachable magazines being lost when crawling through heather etc; not sure if they're true, but would be a bit of a bummer if it did happen. I have also spoken to the dealer about a shotgun on his website - seemed very honest to me.

 

[finnbear270]

too many

Moving topic sideways a little, the floorplate internal mag used to be my worst nightmare, now I would'nt be without it on the hill, I think back to how many box mags have dropped out when resting on gateposts/treestumps when foxing/bunny bashing, always a bummer in the rain/dark

 

[TASR12]

The good advice continues to roll in cheers. They are probably both going to be older rifles and so I guess it will come down to how they have been looked after and how much use they've both had unless I'm missing something fundamental?
Sauer is the easy option as it's good to go and would get my education off to a start asap, but I never seem to take the easy option!

 

[finnbear270]

too many

I admit fully to being biased in favour of the Sako, the Sauer is a good looking tool, but if you threw them both in the air I'd reach for the Sako!

 

[BuckarooUK]

I really wouldn't get hung up in the age of the rifle.

Very, very few people would buy a deer stalking set up and then use it for paper punching - they are completely different rfles. Therefore its' common to find older rifles that may well have had few rounds through them - especially in a calibre like 270 which is neither a popular target nor a fox calibre.

I have an old Monarch in my cabinet that must be at least 30yrs old yet is in immaculate condition - original stock, barrel, the lot. The only thing i had to change was the rubber buttpad because it had perished with age! I bought it from an old boy who'd decided he was too old to stalk at the ripe old age of 82. i only hope i'm around at that age. His shooting diary showed that it had last been shot 6yrs previously.

It cost me a bottle of Ardbeg whisky

 

[BuckarooUK]

Repeated post

 

[weeman]

Just to put my opoian in & cheers guy for your advice in helping me choose which 308 & mod. I deceided on a remmington 308 sps took it to the range yesterday & could'nt beleive the quality of groupings had it zero'ed in in ten rounds. No 7 & 8 were in the space of a 5p with a couple of clicks then with No 9 & 10 bulleye at a 100 yards which was unmoderated. If i new how to post pics i wood put it on Thank every one.

 

[Hales Smut]

Weeman . I think this is typical remington performance . There will certainly be some difference between particular rifles .
My friends 25 year( or more ) old mod 700 BDL in 7 mm RM shoots 3 rounds on a 1 euro coin without a problem . ( about 3/4 inch )
This with factory ammo by RWS or Norma . He bought this rifle secondhand about 20 years ago . I've seen other remingtons do the same . There must be a reason that so many sniper rifles are made from remington parts .

 

[TASR12]

The Sauer 200 comes with a Swarovski 6 x 42, apel mounts, and a T8mod. With those sort of add ons it's making it very hard not to go for albeit the scope isn't perfect it does get me out of the door.......

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

Break it down, what are the individual parts worth?

Sauer 200, £300 - £400.
Apel Mounts, £100 - £150.
Swaro 6x42, £150 - £200, assuming it is an older one.
T8, - £100 - £125.

Leaves the outfit worth £650 - £875.

The whole out fit needs to be in pretty good nick to be worth £850.

 

[TASR12]

I'm obviously at the top end of that budget breakdown which is a shame but didn't see that post in time, took the plunge and went for it so I now have my first setup. Evidently I need to find somewhere else to shop as I thought my costings worked out pretty favourably....live and learn!

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

What calibre is the Sauer?

Post some photo's when you get it. Hope it works out to your satisfaction, it is great getting your first rifle.

 

[TASR12]

.270. Felt good yesterday but a little concerned it may not be as good after your break down Claret Dabbler!!! Just need to up the scope on it now really and then get going.

 

[finnbear270]

too many rifles

Ha Ha Ha, At least you got the right calibre, now you can wind up the .270 detractors! Steve.