Sauer 202 308 and bullet issues

[Antonyweeks]

Just taken a Sauer 202 in .308 on board. Lovely looking rifle and I've always hankered after one. However, I'm struggling to get it to group decently. I will end up reloading for it using Yewtree bullets. However, kn the meantime I want to get a factory round it likes. I've tried the Hornady Outfitter 165g and Federal copper 150g power shok things. The groups with this last lot were appalling. So I had a couple of random questions:
1) Would a Spartan 'gunsmith adaptor' cause inaccuracy when firing off bipod? Normally I have the spartan adaptors on the outside of the foreend but this is mounted into it. I've noticed a small amount of flex on the fore end when I 'load' the bipod.
2) Do I just need to work through a bunch of boxes of different ammo until I find one it likes?
3) Are Sauer 202's fussy with ammo? My Mauser M03 shoots most ammo really well and the reloads with Yewtree are superb.
The Sauer has hardly seen any use (I know the guy I bought it from well and it's been a bit of a cabinet queen for about 8 years).
Just want to know whether my shooting skills have gone to shite or not!!

 

[reiver]

Have you tried shooting it with out the bipod ?. Check the forehand isn’t to tight and then touching the barrel under load ?.
My 202 isn’t ammo fussy but it doesn’t like the forend over tightened . Mine is a xt synthetic.

 

[308rws]

The only lead free ammo that my 202 shoots as well as lead ammo is the Fox Classic Hunter 130gr Lead Free.

 

[JamesH]

I have a Salamander adaptor on mine and it will move the forend around if I put pressure on the bipod. Also really important to fit the forend correctly, not too tight and they can pull to one side sometimes (or mine can - synthetic and wood).
My 6.5x55 doesn’t love copper but it will just about do 1 MOA with Sako 120gr.

 

[plumber01]

I have 3 Sauers and they all shoot well. I take them to the range regularly, and i can shoot out to a 1000 yards and they dont embarrass themselves, (not the 270)
I shoot 167 amax out of my 308, I seem to remember being told they are good with large heavy bullets and they factory test with 190gn bullets .(Which seem very heavy to me.)
I would think your issues are either with your reloading, or there is a carbon ring built up in the barrel.
Its quite easy to take a Sauer barrel off, so get some nitro cleaner and a new copper brush and give it a really good clean out, and check crown also.
Buy a box of factory ammo, and try that. Usually when accuracy goes its often very poor neck tension on the brass, so check your dies, and make sure they are seated tightly, and your brass is still good. If none of that works, a trip to a gunsmith.
I notice you are in Sommerset, Steve Beaty of Ivythorn gun shop is in your county, he is a top fella, and knows a lot about Sauers, and would certainly help you if you are stuck. ( and find you a new barrel if that one is gone)
good luck

 

[Koenig]

I took on a 202 earlier this year (synthetic XT) in .308w.

I check zeroed it with a Harris bipod and Hornady 150 SP’s and they clover leafed at 100m. So far it doesn’t seem fussy about ammo. My buddy also has a 202 as well and it’ll shoot pretty much anything reasonably well.

I’d ask the bloke you bought it from as a starting point what it performed with. I have also noticed that my mates 202 prefers heavier rounds - 180 grain. I have yet to try them in mine however.

I can’t think that a Spartan type mount would cause a problem but acknowledge the above comment about over tightening the stock on. That seems a good place to start. You could contact Sauer (via Blaser I think) to establish torque settings. They were most helpful when I wanted some info from them. I’ll see if I can dig out the email address…standby for more.

 

[Antonyweeks]

I have 3 Sauers and they all shoot well. I take them to the range regularly, and i can shoot out to a 1000 yards and they dont embarrass themselves, (not the 270)
I shoot 167 amax out of my 308, I seem to remember being told they are good with large heavy bullets and they factory test with 190gn bullets .(Which seem very heavy to me.)
I would think your issues are either with your reloading, or there is a carbon ring built up in the barrel.
Its quite easy to take a Sauer barrel off, so get some nitro cleaner and a new copper brush and give it a really good clean out, and check crown also.
Buy a box of factory ammo, and try that. Usually when accuracy goes its often very poor neck tension on the brass, so check your dies, and make sure they are seated tightly, and your brass is still good. If none of that works, a trip to a gunsmith.
I notice you are in Sommerset, Steve Beaty of Ivythorn gun shop is in your county, he is a top fella, and knows a lot about Sauers, and would certainly help you if you are stuck. ( and find you a new barrel if that one is gone)
good luck

Hi
Thanks for this (and to other folks for their comments). I haven't reloaded for this yet - the issues are with factory ammo.

 

[Koenig]

Try store@blaser.de very helpful.

 

[deerstalker.308]

My 202 is a track driver for just about everything I’ve ever shot through it

 

[Antonyweeks]

QUick update - thanks for all the above replies. Spent some time at Ivythorne Sporting this morning with Louis and Steve. Took the rifle apart and put it back together - problem all solved. The foreend was clamped ridiculously tight and barrel too. Anyway one cloverleaf hole from factory ammo (Barnes Vortex 130gn) at 100 yards so I'm happy!