Thanks for the opinions everyone. Very encouraged by the feedback on the Sauer. If I lived in the US I would definitely have a try with a Cooper but I've never seen one here. Lovely looking rifles though. Their Montana Varminters are just my cup of tea.
6mm BR is too big. This is primarily a small vermin rifle. I want velocity, accuracy and a 400 yard range but small deer legal. Its a .22 CF I'm after but the triple is just falling short. I'm asking too much of it.
Not too fussed about the weight. My .222 is a heavy varminter BSA CF2 which is quite a lumpy rifle itself. I tote it around for hours on foot foxing and rabbiting and it doesn't bother me unduly.
There's no such thing as a do-it-all rifle. There's always a compromise somewhere. Muntjac stalking is where I'd least want the weight but that will be the least frequent task. Its mostly vermin and informal target so I'll have to take the weight and lump it on the deer.
My only slight doubt is whether the (I think) 1:14 twist of the Sauer will be OK. The rifle's main job is vermin, that's the most important. I've been trying to produce a load that will give me a minimum of 3500 fps from a 50 grain bullet. From that I could get a perfect single round for all my hunting requirements. Better still a 3800 fps lazer, barrel life accepted. I just can't get the triple to shoot well at 3500 with 50's. I can get the velocity or I can get accuracy, but not both. Bisley and my local club have a MV limit of 3280 fps. To make the most of Bisley the rifle needs to manage 600 yards. The 1:14 twist will be ideal for fast 50's but will it still be suitable for 60/65's at permitted velocity or 55's loaded down to it?
Just kidding Mate, it's taken some time, I really hope that it was worth the wait as I know how much you have been longing for it.
