SAUER 100 - tested 30/06. Happy camper !!

[TassieTiger]

So some might recall that I purchased a STEYR pro hunter 30-06 that was found to be...well...less than accurate / less than consistent (as were other tested STEYR rifles of the same model) and I was given a store credit for my original purchase price.

After a long deliberation and the handling of numerous fire arms including Tikka, M18, Rem 700, etc - I settled on a SAUER 100 in 30/06 - who offer a dedicated 3 shot MOA but more importantly - would apparently shoot that MOA with 180gn projectiles.

The SAUER 100 is under 3kgs and at the lower end of their particular market share (rrp is approx $1200) - but the rifle feels stout and refined. The fore end feels solid - compared to some others like the M18, Steyr - on par I'd say with the tikka.
The rifle was purchased as a walk around rifle, so the barrel is obviously a light weight, mag holds 4+1 in 30/06.
For settling in the rifle - I did some swapping around of scopes and simply bolted on a cheap 3x9 bushnell dusk to dawn I had lying around - they are very lightweight and semi decent for carrying. I needed another rifle to shoot whilst this one cooled down between shots, so I put a LEO VX2 6-18 on my 223 for some testing as well.

I decided to purchase some factory rounds on the way up - some Remington and Federal in both 06 and 223. I did notice that 5 shots in quick succession was approaching my limit for this barrel as in - was getting very hot to touch - about 6 minutes to cool back down again.

Setting up SAUER

Sauer 06.JPG (178.76 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

After sighting in with 4 shots - I cleaned barrel with lightly oiled patches and I moved the bench to 105m mark and immediately noticed that the cross hairs on the bushnell were a fraction to thick and obscuring the black dot in the centre of the target - si I tried to align the same gaps on each side of the target.
Here's shot numbers 5, 6 and 7 with 150's gn factory ammo.

150gn at 100m.jpg (125.09 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

150s at 100m measured.JPG (107.03 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

Saying I was happy at this point was an understatement but the real test was yet to happen - the 180's.
I shot 2x 180's and couldnt site them in the scope, so just in case - I shot another 2 at the bottom line of the target to ensure they were away from first 2.

180gn at 100m.jpg (126.28 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

I then decided to push things a bit and moved back to 190m and fired 5 x 180's.

180gn corelokt at 190m.jpg (117.11 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

I'm pretty darn impressed with the accuracy for factory ammo with a $100 scope. I'm now keen to get back into the reloading room. Being that its a hunter - I am not going to go silly...rephrase - I will TRY and not make this something it's not

BUT there is a down side - I must say...I have shot maybe 7 different 30/06s in my time. This thing boots harder than any of those previous offerings. So much so, that at one stage - I thought id broken something on me and I can feel the brusies building up... that being said - I Dont really care. Too much fun. This is what the STEYR SHOULD Have done!!!! Although the entire steyr debacle was a shame and a pain - I am well pleased with the outcome. Where is the ice...

PS - This is the first time ive had a really decent scope on the 223 varmint and it did ok as well

223 at 100m 60gn with leo scope.JPG (107.16 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

223 at 150m 2 diff projs.jpg (133.8 KiB) Viewed 13483 times

[Daddybang]

Looks like a keeper tassie!!!
Don't worry to much about the whole hot barrel thing as a walking around rifle ya got a fair bit of room before ya need to worry about the barrel getting damaged. ..bit different if ya had a high end target rig!

[Oldbloke]

Glad it worked out for you. Fantastic groups

[southeast varmiter]

Lotta powder burn for 150gr. Give some 220 rn a go. Only benefit of a 30-06 vs a 308.

[solarpak]

The Sauer 100 / 101 are very nice rifles indeed - but for me personally (call me anal) the heat-shrink method of barrel attachment is somewhat off-putting.
In the of-chance that i need to rebarrel the rifle - which gunsmith would tackle this?
Screwing off on old barrel and fitting / hampering a new one is the standard we are all used to......
They are nice, nice,nice and in reality for a general hunting rifle you will never need to rebarrel it - but its good to know that if you do need to its easily done. With heat shrink fit barrels - can it be done?
CK

[TassieTiger]

Quote “The Sauer 100 steps away from the traditional European model in favor of the American method. Its barrel is screwed and torqued into the receiver just like we prefer.”

Regardless - I’m Not sure I’ll see the estimated 10-12,000 rounds the oem barrel will take before needing replacing.

[Wm.Traynor]

Onya TT and I am not ashamed to admit to the use of a PAST Recoil Shield, for bench work.

[marksman]

good for you Tassie

[SCJ429]

The Sauer 100 / 101 are very nice rifles indeed - but for me personally (call me anal) the heat-shrink method of barrel attachment is somewhat off-putting.
In the of-chance that i need to rebarrel the rifle - which gunsmith would tackle this?
Screwing off on old barrel and fitting / hampering a new one is the standard we are all used to......
They are nice, nice,nice and in reality for a general hunting rifle you will never need to rebarrel it - but its good to know that if you do need to its easily done. With heat shrink fit barrels - can it be done?
CK

You can cut a relief in the barrel in front of the action at the start of the Knox form and you can unscrew the tightest barrels.

Not hard to shoot 3000 rounds through a 30-06 if you practice like you should.

[duncan61]

great result

[bigfellascott]

Shes a keeper mate, I look forward to seeing some pics of fur hitting the deck soon.

[wrenchman]

and that is why you guys are called the rifle men here in the states nice group

[bigrich]

Great results taz ! The Sauer really shoots ! Good result with the 223 as well. I’m a big fan of leupold scopes, good optics definitely help

[JSS]

Nice groups Tas, the Sauer's got the goods..........nearly as good as the old Steyer hey

[solarpak]

Quote “The Sauer 100 steps away from the traditional European model in favor of the American method. Its barrel is screwed and torqued into the receiver just like we prefer.”

Regardless - I’m Not sure I’ll see the estimated 10-12,000 rounds the oem barrel will take before needing replacing.

Tassie,
interesting point you make - the footage i have seen from the Sauer factory in Germany is the 100's being fitted with their barrels using the heat /friction fit method. Are you saying this isnt the case? - i could be wrong??

Nevertheless its a fine rifle and i am sure many hunters will find them a worthy rifle to carry in the field.
CK

[TassieTiger]

No, your right...and wrong.
The 101’s and more up market sauer models are heated on but the 100’s have gone the more conventional non European route - I imagine to help USA sales and alleviate concerns such as you’ve raised.
I did look into this before buying - wasn’t a game changer either way for me - but nice to know regardless.

[TassieTiger]

I’ve spent the evening loading up some hornady 180’s ballistic tips so once the bruising on my shoulder goes down I’ll be able to test.
I showed a friend the results and whinged that’ I want a Leo scope on there as the current scope is a bit poo - he poked me and said don’t change a freakin thing...don’t bump it, move a click, don’t even swear in German near it...lol.

[bigrich]

Put a loopy on it taz, I dare ya ! Vx3 3.5-10x40 bewdiful

[marksman]

I agree with your friend Tassie
"don’t change a freakin thing...don’t bump it, move a click, don’t even swear in German near it...lol."

although I recon it will be easier to shoot with a better scope

cvnt in german is "fotze" if things go south

[bigrich]

Put a loopy on it taz , ya know you want too nice clean clear optics make it easier to shoot well I reckon. The only scope I’ve come across that’s better than a loop for the money is meopta. But the housing is bulkier

JMHO

[Stix]

I agree with your friend Tassie
"don’t change a freakin thing...don’t bump it, move a click, don’t even swear in German near it...lol."

although I recon it will be easier to shoot with a better scope

cvnt in german is "fotze" if things go south

Thats gold...!!!

And i agree totally...

[TassieTiger]

So curiosity got too me re this new sauer being able to shoot 200gn ELD's...so loaded up some 56.0gn AR2209 and had a play today along with some 150's with 60.0gn of same powder.
I shot at 110m in a gusty conditions with a bipod but no rear bag - off a small desk.
The 150's shot very well - several groups measured at 0.7 including a lighter charge of 58gns shooting .9 inch x 3 shot groups.

The 200's were ok - best group was 1.1inches and worst was 2.4 inches - but wind was gusting to 40kmh so who knows... My shoulder was not ok...I tried shooting it in a rest and it nearly broke me because of the angle and steel cradle that launches into your shoulder. I do NOT think I could shoot this thing lying prone with 200gn projectiles.
Whilst the barrel cooled between shots I utilized the 260 for 120gn AMAX testing - typically boring 0.4inch groups with 46.0gn of 2209 but after a while my shoulder was just jelly and I Know I was starting to wince on trigger pull. Which might account for the larger groups later in the day lol
Over all - I'm very happy with the way the SAUER shoots - very happy. I'll probably never go back to a 200gn - I just wanted to know if it would shoot them really.
Now I have a 150 load sorted, Im thinking of trying some 180 Zombie ballistic tips that are on sale at places that shall not be named...

[marksman]

it shows the rifle is a shooter and not just a one trick pony
my advise is to look after it, dont abuse it and find something else to plink with
these factory rifle shooters dont come along every day

[bigrich]

it shows the rifle is a shooter and not just a one trick pony
my advise is to look after it, dont abuse it and find something else to plink with
these factory rifle shooters dont come along every day

for plinking fun a 357 lever and a big stack of clays from the shotgun range is laughs and giggles for me ! 357 doesn't use much powder either

[TassieTiger]

it shows the rifle is a shooter and not just a one trick pony
my advise is to look after it, dont abuse it and find something else to plink with
these factory rifle shooters dont come along every day

I think your correct on this one. A good clean tonight and then back into the safe for a couple weeks - season is coming.
I'm even learning some german love words to praise her up - but I'm not sure...as the videos I'm learning from, have a lot of guns in them, but none are steel barrelled and the women are really noisy...

[Sturmmann]

Just spoke to my LGS, looking at picking up the Sauer 100 "Ceratech" in 308WIN, was quoted $1,100 was also told that on Monday all pricing is going up a minimum 5% on all rifles.. Supposedly this is across the board..

[Blr243]

Is it possible to love a rifle ? Yes. When u pick it up can it feel beautiful? Yes When I need pin point accuracy from a hunting rifle there’s only one to grab out of my safe ...it’s my sauer100 in 243. Even with its ugly black stock it just feels perfect and I can take every shot with complete confidence .....a few extra bucks won’t kill you ....you are bound to enjoy it. And Once adjusted down the trigger is divine

[9.3x64]

Well Tassie, you have had the Sauer 100 for 5 years now, what’s the verdict?
I mates of mines son has asked me to help him get into shooting. I am thinking of recommending the Sauer 100 in 223 for him.
Are you still pleased with yours?
Have you had any issues?

[Blr243]

I think tassie is no longer with us. I have since bought another sauer. A 270 win ceracote

[9.3x64]

I think tassie is no longer with us. I have since bought another sauer. A 270 win ceracote

Thanks Blr243, I wasn’t aware of that.
So you are obviously happy with both of yours.