So last year i decided to part company with my old 25-06 steyr Classic in favour of a slightly better rifle, I finally settled on a barely used Sauer 202 takdown in 30-06 with rather nice grade 8 timber and zeigler take off rings. I was quite exited to mount my Z8i scope and see how much better than the Steyr it would be, well this was 8 months ago and i'm still not happy! After a succession of issues where someone thought it would be a good idea to shim the bases out with paper and then strip the screws that hold them down by using the incorrect screws I couldn't even get two shots onto the same piece of A4 at 50 yards!! After sorting the rings it is slightly better but still doesn't seem to hold a good zero, I have had the rings checked a second time and sent the scope back to Swarovski but I still cant get it to shoot! I'm after some advise whether anyone has had similar issues, could it be the barrel fit where it slots into the action? Does anyone know how many shots you can fire before the hot barrel starts to move the POI, or is there anyone who knows if Sauer would be any help?? I have even had my eyes checked to make sure its not me, if I cannot get any confidence in the gun soon I may be forced to sell it!!
Sauer 202 issues!
- Thread starter Wylyetom
- Start date
Is the action the non steel action ? / light weight alloy action?
If so remove rings and see if the screws holding your bases on are still tight
Sauer 202 light weight action were known problem for stripping the threads in the holes in top of action for screwing down your bases
Paul
If so remove rings and see if the screws holding your bases on are still tight
Sauer 202 light weight action were known problem for stripping the threads in the holes in top of action for screwing down your bases
Paul
Ranger22
Well-Known Member
Guessing that the previous owner might of had problems too. Eight months is a long time not to have gotten to the source of the problem. If it were mine, I would be getting rid of it. Saying all that I do remember reading that the barrel has to be fitted tightly, tighter the better I think the report said
geoffrey
Well-Known Member
Hi Tom
I have both the 202 classic and the outback, both are very accurate, i have put in the region of twenty 308 rounds through the Outback with no change in the POA even though the barrel was quiet hot, my outback is a later one with built in Piccatiny rail. have you tried it with open sights ?? if it groups ok with them you can rule out the barrel, etc, Steve at Ivythorn is probably your best bet to get it sorted. but any good gunsmith, Alan Rone comes to mind could sort out the mount screws, i have always used Leupold QR rings on the 202 classic i did have to shim the rear mount using a cut up piece of coke can to get it to zero. but that was around eight years ago and the POA has never moved since, Hope you get it sorted, Cheers Geoff
I have both the 202 classic and the outback, both are very accurate, i have put in the region of twenty 308 rounds through the Outback with no change in the POA even though the barrel was quiet hot, my outback is a later one with built in Piccatiny rail. have you tried it with open sights ?? if it groups ok with them you can rule out the barrel, etc, Steve at Ivythorn is probably your best bet to get it sorted. but any good gunsmith, Alan Rone comes to mind could sort out the mount screws, i have always used Leupold QR rings on the 202 classic i did have to shim the rear mount using a cut up piece of coke can to get it to zero. but that was around eight years ago and the POA has never moved since, Hope you get it sorted, Cheers Geoff
I had this problem a few years ago with a 202 outback and as stated the screws that held the mounts to the aluminium action had been striped by the previous owner, I took it to Riflecraft for a simple fix which they totally fu#*(ed up I refused to pay and took it to a friends machinist shop he put right there mess and put helicoils in. It’s been absolutely spot on ever since. Great little rifle.
This is incorrect! With Sako and Tikka a £20 will suffice but Sauer and Blaser need a £50 note
I have a 202 stutzen that gave me a lot of trouble , after many attempts I finally arranged for it to be sent back to the factory. It was returned and has remained perfect since with a reinstated full warranty . Many people used to claim their Sauer’s would group ,2 bullets touching and the third within an inch or better with a sporting barrel which is more than acceptable.
I would try the open sights first at 30 yds, should rule out the barrel .
If you are using those apel swing offs try anything else the leupold as mentioned are supposed good. The apel are over engineered and over priced for the job the have to do.
Has the barrel been threaded if so ,moderator barrel combo may not be compatible , maybe crown is damaged.
Finally the forend possibility, many have had issue here (myself included), in the standard 202”s there is a metal block that sits in the forend but is not meant to come in contact with the underside of the barrel. Your system will differ here due to quick release but you may find localized unexplained marks on the underside of barrel. You could smoke these or use a marker pen and see if they reappear. Lastly if you do think it is the forend then try a few shots off sticks without loading the forend at 30 yds.
I would try the open sights first at 30 yds, should rule out the barrel .
If you are using those apel swing offs try anything else the leupold as mentioned are supposed good. The apel are over engineered and over priced for the job the have to do.
Has the barrel been threaded if so ,moderator barrel combo may not be compatible , maybe crown is damaged.
Finally the forend possibility, many have had issue here (myself included), in the standard 202”s there is a metal block that sits in the forend but is not meant to come in contact with the underside of the barrel. Your system will differ here due to quick release but you may find localized unexplained marks on the underside of barrel. You could smoke these or use a marker pen and see if they reappear. Lastly if you do think it is the forend then try a few shots off sticks without loading the forend at 30 yds.
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At the end of the day we need hunting rifles … not a "prima donna" when out in our rough winter climate. I know the fancy wood might look nice to some but it is not very practical for a precision instrument. If a rifle is so complicated that it has to be sent back to Germany for repair then it is not what I would like. I would prefer any remmy, T3, Howa, Sako, S&L over these unnecessary overengineered rifles.
edi
edi
Richard Parsons
Well-Known Member
I just remembered this...I had a 202 a few years back and had same problem. Check your scope ring bases are on the correct part of the receiver. The front part of the receiver is higher than the back end if i recall. The mounts are a slightly different vertical thickness so need to be on the correct end. Swapped them round and hey presto!! Nice level scope and a straight shooter forever after.
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Hunt-Inter
Well-Known Member
Greenfields might be able to help
Jager Waffen74
Member
I know this is an old post but I am adding to it, I have the 202 Highland, alloy receiver and the front screw hole had been stripped. I am in the process of retapping the holes to larger 8/40 threads. Then I may epoxy just the bases to the action. These guns have always been accurate but not sure why they didn't go bigger on the threads. Am putting EAW bases and pivot rings.
Koenig
Well-Known Member
I have a 202 Outback. Mine shoots (not wishing to rub it in) I’ve found the Leupold QR bases and rings good if you were looking for an alternative. Mine will shoot any round to 1” as will my buddies, so they’re not inherently inaccurate - although neither outperforms my T3 to be honest.
The only two points I can add, and they’ve both been covered before is:
Check the stock fit
Check the barrel fitting
Take the current mounts off and check the screws
Check the mounts themselves
Try other mounts (Leupold recommended)
Good luck. Don’t give up on it just yet!
They’re good old school highly engineered German rifles.
The only two points I can add, and they’ve both been covered before is:
Check the stock fit
Check the barrel fitting
Take the current mounts off and check the screws
Check the mounts themselves
Try other mounts (Leupold recommended)
Good luck. Don’t give up on it just yet!
They’re good old school highly engineered German rifles.
Steve Beaty is very helpful, garland is an arsehole….sorry, but he is - probably the reason he lost the franchise I think….too many hacked off customers!
What nonsense…they don’t need to be sent back to Germany at all - they can be worked on the same as any “ten a penny” tikka and I can guarantee the Sauer Will outlast the tikka if looked after properly and will function in a far better manner, the fact Sauer have been building rifles since 1750’s and tikka didn’t start until 200 years later (1960’s) is a good indicator of this.
and yet, the T3 is a much better designed action than any Sauer. Light weight and simple in design. Every Sauer I know of in our area had to be sent back to the factory to be fixed. No local company would touch them. Our local guys really love their Sauer 202 rifles but hardly ever use them for hunting. Just "Prima Donna" rifles that come to the shoot in a nice box... get wiped down after and boxed again.
edi
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