eeny meeny miny mo which rifle.??

international shooter

Guys can anyone help me in choosing a rifle. I've decided to get a Mauser M03 OR a Sauer 202 and I really can't choose between them. Is there any one here that has experience with either one or perferrably both.? Is there any advantages one might have over the other.? Don't try and convince me to choose another rifle because as I've said I've decided on these its just a matter of which one.? Any help/opinions are appreciated.

Cass

I've had numeorus Sauer rifles including the Sauer 202 Elegance (both 25-06 & 6.5x55) Had her topped of with a nice Zeiss scope in Sauer OptiLoc rings.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Super accurate
• A pleasure to look at
• Excellent build quality
• Adjustable trigger and hair trigger
• Good resale value

Cons

• Very fussy with ammo. Sometimes a case of settling for the "least worst".
• POI climbs with 3 or more consecutive shots (nearly always high and right)
• Not threaded for a suppressor and you have to remove the front sight to have it done

I have seen, held and even shot the Mauser and a very nice gun too. Went to buy one some years back, but because of an attitude i got from the dealer that fell to pieces. I don't like being spoken to like a fool. So for that reason i won't go into more detail on the Mauser as i've not got enough experience with one to properly give a review.

Markhor

I own two Sauer rifles, a 9.3x62 and an 8x68mm take-down, both are very well constructed and they are very accurate. My only gripe would be the magazine capacity, on the 9.3 it hold 3 cartridges on the 8x68 only two.

Two of my close friends have Sauer rifles, one 22/250 and 6.5x68mm the other has an S90 7mm remington magnum and a S90 .300 win magnum.

They both take great delight in their rifles and have nothing but the highest of praise for them.

I have only handled the Mauser M03 and haven't shot it, like the Sauers it appears to be well constructed also.

But why not go for a Mauser 98, its about the best rifles in the world.

international shooter

Markhor wrote: »

I own two Sauer rifles, a 9.3x62 and an 8x68mm take-down, both are very well constructed and they are very accurate. My only gripe would be the magazine capacity, on the 9.3 it hold 3 cartridges on the 8x68 only two.

Two of my close friends have Sauer rifles, one 22/250 and 6.5x68mm the other has an S90 7mm remington magnum and a S90 .300 win magnum.

They both take great delight in their rifles and have nothing but the highest of praise for them.

I have only handled the Mauser M03 and haven't shot it, like the Sauers it appears to be well constructed also.

But why not go for a Mauser 98, its about the best rifles in the world.

Thanks for the replies lads. The reason I'm not going for the M98 is because I want switch barrel capabilities. I'm not interested in the blaser or any straight pull rifles, I guess I'm just old school like that, so the only real ones left are the Sauer and Mauser.

Hunterjohnb

Bergara & Strasser also do switch barrel. I have no experience of either.

Lotharmike

I just sold a Sauer 202 .308 its an absolutely fantastic rifle,stunning to look at & hunt with .I switched for the Blaser R8 for the Barrel system its the most user friendly out of the lot & in my experience there is nothing to compare to the Saddle mounts for the Blaser.EAW are good for the Sauer but found to my cost during the season gone the bases have a tendency to come loose,just something to be aware of.Really liked the Mauser when I saw it & held it but a little heavy depending on grade.I rate them Blaser,Sauer,Mauser in that order but whatever you choose all of them are fantastic rifles good luck with the choice.

323

Hi

Was in a similar situation. I went with the M03 (Arabesque in 7mm Rem Mag), a year ago, mainly caus I got a deal that was too good to turn down. Have tried two 202's one in 7mm Rem other 243. both take-down versions.
Either do seem so hold zero very well when taken down and reassembled.

My M03 is defiantly a bit heavier than either of the 202s Ive tried, standard caliber model would be lighter, alpine or stutsen models even less.

M03 uses proprietary scope mounts, various available with the 202.
I did however find a second standard set and a picatinny set of mounts, used, each for about €250 on egun.de for the M03.

I have shot smaller groups with my M03 than I've seen with the 202's, but probably caus i'm more familiar with it and have played round with more loads.

From a take-down point of view the Mauser is handier to take down. Scope off and change the barrel, easily 15 to 20 seconds. Then just change the bolt face if changing cartridge group.
To change cartridge group with the 202 requires a second bolt.

Either way both are first class. Agree with Merkhor as to the M98, have one in 270 and won't ever get rid of it, also wanted a take down and growing into the M03 very nicely. Only 3 shots at game as yet, 3 reds, but hope to improve on that shortly, taking it to South Africa later this week.

international shooter

323 wrote: »

Hi

Was in a similar situation. I went with the M03 (Arabesque in 7mm Rem Mag), a year ago, mainly caus I got a deal that was too good to turn down. Have tried two 202's one in 7mm Rem other 243. both take-down versions.
Either do seem so hold zero very well when taken down and reassembled.

My M03 is defiantly a bit heavier than either of the 202s Ive tried, standard caliber model would be lighter, alpine or stutsen models even less.

M03 uses proprietary scope mounts, various available with the 202.
I did however find a second standard set and a picatinny set of mounts, used, each for about €250 on egun.de for the M03.

I have shot smaller groups with my M03 than I've seen with the 202's, but probably caus i'm more familiar with it and have played round with more loads.

From a take-down point of view the Mauser is handier to take down. Scope off and change the barrel, easily 15 to 20 seconds. Then just change the bolt face if changing cartridge group.
To change cartridge group with the 202 requires a second bolt.

Either way both are first class. Agree with Merkhor as to the M98, have one in 270 and won't ever get rid of it, also wanted a take down and growing into the M03 very nicely. Only 3 shots at game as yet, 3 reds, but hope to improve on that shortly, taking it to South Africa later this week.

323, you are an absolute legend. No other words for ya. You just answered every question I wanted answering to. If I could of wrote an ideal answer that would of been it. I am in fact looking to buy the aberesque M03. Any pics.? The scope I'm looking at needs picatinny mounts and I wasn't sure where to get them and now I know. How do you find the 7mm mag. I'm going to get the 300 win mag but was considering the 7mm mag at one stage.

323

Picked it up barely used, recession. Not sure if I would have chosen 7mm Rem if buying new, but very happy with it so far. Only taken a few red deer with it yet, but looking forward to seeing how it works next week.
You can't really go far wrong with the .300 Win Mag.

There is also a weaver rail mount available for the M03.





Not sure but cheaper than the picatinny I believe. Crazy that the webpage or brocures done mention either.

Couple of pics, you asked for.

Markhor

323

Your M03 is a nice looking rifle, the 7mm rem mag is a pretty good general purpose cartridge, I used my friends one here a few occasions.

Tell me this; do you still use the 8x68S and if I am not being too forward as I am interested to know where in South Africa you plan to hunt and what species you intend to hunt, as I plan to get to South Africa this year myself also.

Thanks.

323

Hi Markhor

Aye, still using an 8x68 also, considering substituting it for an M03 barrel. Was a toss up which to take to SA. Took the 8x68 there before but wanted to try the 7mm. Asked the PH's opinion, said "7mm will do fine, we use it for everything smaller than buffalo". Your 9.3x62 would work fine for them as well, great cartridge, some PH's seem happy to ignore the 375 minimum rule when it comes to the 9.3mm's.

Heading to the Northern part of the Eastern Cape, close to eastern Lesotho. Mainly looking for a Bushbuck, then Zebra and a Blue wildebeest. Told a bushbuck there but may take a couple of days, so after that wait and see, like another Kudu and warthog.

international shooter

@ 323 - Your Mauser is very nice can't wait to get mine now. I plan on going to south Africa as well. It must be good if you have gone more than once.?

Markhor

323

Nice to hear back from you, the 8x68s is one great cartridge.

I would imagine the 7mm magnum with 160gr bullet is more than enough for most plains game so I wish you an enjoyable and successful hunt in South Africa.

Be sure and let us know how you got on when you get back as I am sure there are plenty on this site who are interested and not me alone.

Best of luck.

rookman

323

Very nice rifle-it looks real old school.

mil dot

New sauer 404 was launched at Iwa this year looks like a fantastic rilfe all the best bit of the R8. With a both instead of straight pull. Mit be worth waiting to see what's like