Sauer 202 Take Down

freid

Well-Known Member
I'm considering buying a new rifle, for predominantly driven hunting, and despite the fact they are few and far between, I'm tempted by a Sauer 202 Take Down with decent wood, if I can find one.

I'd be interested to hear what owners of think of them, and would also like to understand if a) the barrels are the same as the non take down models, and b) are the bolts the same in the take down models. I've noticed that a number of the 202s have butter knife style bolt handles, whereas some have round handles, which is what I would prefer for a driven rifle.


Yes it would make more sense to go for a 505, but I prefer older rifles with blued steel and aged walnut stocks.
 
Ive a friend who loves his, and I love it to.

Issues you have:

1) the barrels are diffrent. The 202 takedown is toolless and has a tapered barrel trunnion thats uses friction to hold it in vs the standard barrels which are parallel

2) parts are really hard to find now. The person to speak to whos the SME is garlands.

If you want a takedown bolt action, look at the 404/505 though they also look alot more modern than the 202.

Though if you want a takedown and I tend to use it 100% the R8 over the 404/505. Its alot easier.
 
Ive a friend who loves his, and I love it to.

Issues you have:

1) the barrels are diffrent. The 202 takedown is toolless and has a tapered barrel trunnion thats uses friction to hold it in vs the standard barrels which are parallel

2) parts are really hard to find now. The person to speak to whos the SME is garlands.

If you want a takedown bolt action, look at the 404/505 though they also look alot more modern than the 202.

Though if you want a takedown and I tend to use it 100% the R8 over the 404/505. Its alot easier.


This
 
I have an ordinary 202 and spare barrel which is very good, how when I was looking for a .375 the takedown was tempting but the Blaser (R93 ) although not as attractive was the obvious option. Easy barrel change, no mucking about with scopes and zero change as they mount on the barrel.
As far as the wood is concerned, I have a very nice set of wood for the 202 but its been repaired twice now. Occurs where the stock mates with the action. Obviously depending on the calibre but this was when used with the.308 barrel.
 
Thank you all. I think that confirms what I was expecting to hear, sounds like a little too much trouble than it’s worth.

Although not blued steel, I’ve seen examples of the R93 black edition, including a restocked version which has caught my eye, which might be a route to go down. Blaser Wooden Stock Customerization

Have looked at the R8s but they seem much chunkier than the R93.

Also wondered about a Schulz and Larsen, but the repeatability and ability to break down the Blaser seems like the obvious option, and popular for a reason.
 
Thank you all. I think that confirms what I was expecting to hear, sounds like a little too much trouble than it’s worth.

Although not blued steel, I’ve seen examples of the R93 black edition, including a restocked version which has caught my eye, which might be a route to go down. Blaser Wooden Stock Customerization

Have looked at the R8s but they seem much chunkier than the R93.

Also wondered about a Schulz and Larsen, but the repeatability and ability to break down the Blaser seems like the obvious option, and popular for a reason.
R8 is chunkier as it has a larger and steeper angled locking collet, in theory making it safer - hense why the r93 is slicker feeling.

R93 you will also have the same issue are the 202, parts are about with them being incredibly popular but getting thinner on the ground.

If you want to spend your money wisley as said before an r8 or 404/505.

Though if you do like the traditional lines may be worth looking at shultz and lassen. Belive they do a multi barrel but unsure if its a true take down like what your after :)
 
Yes, the Schulz and Larsen is probably a suitable alternative to the 202. I'm just not 100% sure what the return to zero is like once taken down. Will look into it.

Thank you all for the input.
 
I would recommend an R8 if you are looking for a reliable take down option. I have two barrels and two sets of optics for the R8, the barrel change is easy and takes seconds and the POI is 100% always dead on.
 
I had Sauer normal 202 (not a takedown) for around 15 years, with 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 barrels.
It is relatively simple 4-5 minute operation to change the barrel, and with 2 scopes (1 zeroed for each caliber) in weaver mounts, rifle always shot accurate after a barrel change.

Shulz and Larsen are even easier to change barrels on than Sauer 202.
But even though I live almost right next to the Shulz and Larsen factory, I must admit that I have never owned one.
However, I have often admired how easily people change barrels when sitting on the shooting range on their Shulz and Larsen rifles.
 
If you want a “takedown “ to make it more compact for airline travel simply take the action screws out, remove the barreled action from the stock and pack away . Reassemble on arrival.
For the purposes of driven hunting shots are rarely in excess of 50 yards. An inch out is not going to make any significant difference.
My Rigby packs away happily disassembled into a Peli 3100 along with a few other things and shoots perfectly on reassembling.
 

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If you want a “takedown “ to make it more compact for airline travel simply take the action screws out, remove the barreled action from the stock and pack away . Reassemble on arrival.
For the purposes of driven hunting shots are rarely in excess of 50 yards. An inch out is not going to make any significant difference.
My Rigby packs away happily disassembled into a Peli 3100 along with a few other things and shoots perfectly on reassembling.
Personaly, if I wanted a takedown like the gent in question I would buy a propper purpose built take down.

For the fact its a purpouse built takedown.


Nobody believed my sauer 404 would return to zero, so stripped it completely with the 4mm allen key on the range. Put it back together and shot a 1/2" group with no change in zero.

Fun party trick is suppose 😂
 
I have two regular 202s and taking the rear stock off shrinks the size nicely to put in the travel case. It’s a 10 second job with the long allen key. It all returns to zero even with a full strip of barrel. I have picatinny rails for even easier scope swapping.
I also like the idea of the takedown version but I think it’s just the novelty factor. Probably the 404/505 with marginally quicker forend removal is the logical choice.
 
I have a few Sauer 202’s. Although I only have two on ticket. Another action and stock is for my lad when he gets sorted.
I have found that with a torque screwdriver I have had no problem with return to zero. I have barrels and zeros scopes on picatinny rails.
A wood stock and two synthetic ones. Taking the butt off gives a surprisingly small package. That will fit into a case that doesn’t scream gun if you want it to.
A mate used to label his in such a way most would not want to open the case. Certainly wouldn’t want to steel it.
 
I have a few Sauer 202’s. Although I only have two on ticket. Another action and stock is for my lad when he gets sorted.
I have found that with a torque screwdriver I have had no problem with return to zero. I have barrels and zeros scopes on picatinny rails.
A wood stock and two synthetic ones. Taking the butt off gives a surprisingly small package. That will fit into a case that doesn’t scream gun if you want it to.
A mate used to label his in such a way most would not want to open the case. Certainly wouldn’t want to steel it.
medical waste do not tamper?
 
I would agree with many of the above comments - the 202’s come apart in seconds, with the right mounts return to zero everytime and you can find good quality transport cases pretty cheap.

And you get a beautiful, well handling rifle that has, in my eyes perfect engineering.

Regards,
Garry.
 
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