Sauer 202 outback, Steyr Pro Hunter

 

Does anyone have any experience with these guns, and if so what is your opinion on them. 

 

Also does anyone know if Sauer makes a rifle in stainless?

Any information would be appreciated

 

I own a Sauer 200, which is the predecessor to the 202.  It has the same basic action, with only a couple minor differences, such as slightly different receiver profile and the addition of a safety indicator on the tang.  The main difference betwen the current model 202 and the 200 is the stock style.  These rifles have a "full diameter" 6-lug bolt.  By "full diameter," I mean that the bolt body is the same diameter as the o.d. of the locking lugs, much like a Weatherby MK V bolt or the new T/C Icon.  This results in extremely smooth bolt travel, since there is no need for locking lug races to be broached into the action and the result is also less bolt wobble when fully retracted.  The 6 lug on 120-deg centers config also means a short 60-deg bolt throw.  The trigger is also very nice, and mine (which is chambered in .308) is a real tackdriver!  There are a couple of very unique design features of this rifle.  First, the bolt lugs lock up directly inside the barrel shank, rather than in receiver abutments.  Therefore, the receiver is an unstressed part whose only job is to hold the bolt, trigger assy, and magazine in their proper relation to each other and provide something for the buttstock and forend to attach to.  The buttstock and forend are separate pieces.  It is an exceedingly well-made rifle!  The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that there is no bolt unlock feature while the safety is engaged, so to unload the chamber, you have to disengage the safety.  Not a real big deal if you practice safe gun handling anyway, except for the fact the safety disengage button is located inside the trigger housing, in front of and right next to the trigger!  It seems to me that this isn't exactly the safest design for unloading the rifle and is unforgiving of carelessness.  However, it is a very convenient safety location when you're about to take a shot at game.  I also prefer hinged floorplates to detachable magazines on bolt action rifles, but I don't feel that strongly about it either way as long as the rest of the rifle is accurate, well made, and has features I like.

 

A buddy of mine has the Steyr Pro Hunter.  It's a nice, very well-made rifle as well, and has some of the same virtues as the Sauer.  I personally like the Sauer better though, probably because I have more experience shooting it than I do the Steyr.

 

Here is a closeup of my Sauer 200:

 

I don't believe they do, but they advertise their M202 Classic Synthetic, Outback, and Hardwood models as having a "polymer coating" on the steel, by which I take to mean some sort of Teflon coating.

Just out of curiosity where did you purchase yours at?

 

I've had 2 different rifles teflon coated, and they are extremely rust resistant.  In fact, as long as there are no bare spots where the teflon is worn away, it actually has better corrosion resistance than stainless steel, which, by the way, CAN rust if you don't take care of it.  SS is not rust proof, it is rust resistant.  The teflon finish is quite tough, but it isn't quite as tough as some of the newer high tech finishes like Cerakote.  I don't know if it is teflon they are using, as they only call it a "polymer coating" which could be one of a number of finishes.

 

I bought mine through a distributor, Ellett Brothers, back in 1987.  Back then, Sauer only offered 2 model choices, the "200 American" and "200 European" instead of the several models now offered in the 202.  Mine is the American.  You can call their importer, Sigarms, and they can tell you where the closest stocking dealer is to you.  You might also find one for sale at gunsamerica.com and gunbroker.com.

 

His is in .308 as well, and best I remember, its accuracy hovered right at around 1MOA, maybe a little less.  But, as with all factory rifles, your mileage may vary and what this one sample does may not be indicative of the performance of another.

 

My Sauer happens to be extremely accurate.  With 45.0 gr. 4064 behind a good 150 gr. bullet, or 42.5 gr. 4064 behind a good 165 gr. bullet, I've been able to easily get 0.5 - 0.6 MOA.  Varget and 748 has given good accuracy out of this rifle as well.  It doesn't seem to be too fussy on load data.

 

Tough to say.  They all have distinctly different personalities, yet all 3 are fine rifles.  It's said so often that it has become a cliche, but it's true -- you really can't go wrong with any of them.  I personally don't care for the Sako 85 synthetic stock design, so I would favor one of the other 2 if I were looking for a synthetic stocked model.  In wood stocked versions, it would be a more difficult decision.  I like features of all 3 rifles.  All have very good triggers, smooth bolt operation, and generally good accuracy.

 

So, pick the one that feels and looks best to you and has more of the features you like.