I decided to pick one of these up for the $429 they were being offered by EuroOptic. I was somewhat familiar with the Blaser offerings as I had picked up a Mauser M12 Extreme Impact a few years back in .308 for a paltry sum of $500. The M12 impressed me so much with it's trigger and accuracy that I was willing to try the Sauer 100. With that said, here's my opinion on the Sauer 100 from it's initial range visit:
Pros:
1) Magazine - This is probably one of the best attributes about the rifle. It takes the same magazines as the Mauser M12/M18. The short action cartridges can be loaded to ~2.860. Longer magazines can be found if you like seating loads long. I have a long action magazine as well that fits the M12/M18/Sauer 100. The magazine in my opinion is better than the Tikka as you can top-load internally and holding 5 rounds over Tikka's 3 is a bonus. Mags can be swapped with no changes to the mag release.
2) Trigger - The trigger is adjustable down to ~2.2lbs. Mine came from the factory set around 4 lbs. A small adjustment with the supplied allen wrench and it was down around ~2.75 lbs.
3) Weight - Weight was reasonable. All up with an old Leupold Mark 4 M1 3.5-10x40, I was in the low-mid 7 lb. range.
4) Accuracy - The jury is still out on this one. I have managed to find a sub MOA load with 130 TGKs and RL-16. However, most loads have hovered around the inch mark.
Cons:
1) Trigger - This is no Tikka trigger. While usable, it did have some creep and over-travel. This trigger is very similar to the M18 trigger. My Mauser M12 came from the factory with a 2 lb. trigger that was every bit as good as a Tikka (maybe better).
2) Plastic - The safety is plastic which isn't that big of a deal. However, it looks like the Sauers have gone through several revisions that deviate from what's seen on the web. The cocking indicator (while metal) on mine was not painted red and was just a nub sticking out of the back of the bolt shroud. The stock while polymer is usable but somewhat hollow sounding. However, it is somewhat slick in areas. It's unlike the Mauser M12 with the soft touch stock.
3) Etched bolt face out of the box - During CIP testing, I assume Sauer used some hot loads that opened up primer pockets. My bolt face was mildly etched upon receiving it. It won't affect function but is one of those little annoyances that I wish wasn't there.
4) Extraction - If you are using a scope with a large windage turret, know that there is a possibility that casings will bounce back into the receiver. This happened several times to me while at the range.
At the $429 price, I'd say that's priced about right for what you get. I can't see paying much more for this rifle. The threaded barrel was a plus. I'll continue looking for that perfect load with the 130 gr TGKs. It's evident that Sauer was attempting to hit an entry price point with this rifle. While the M12's barrel is thermo-fit, the Sauer 100 is supposedly threaded. I'd be curious to hear/see someone attempting to re-barrel one.
Pros:
1) Magazine - This is probably one of the best attributes about the rifle. It takes the same magazines as the Mauser M12/M18. The short action cartridges can be loaded to ~2.860. Longer magazines can be found if you like seating loads long. I have a long action magazine as well that fits the M12/M18/Sauer 100. The magazine in my opinion is better than the Tikka as you can top-load internally and holding 5 rounds over Tikka's 3 is a bonus. Mags can be swapped with no changes to the mag release.
2) Trigger - The trigger is adjustable down to ~2.2lbs. Mine came from the factory set around 4 lbs. A small adjustment with the supplied allen wrench and it was down around ~2.75 lbs.
3) Weight - Weight was reasonable. All up with an old Leupold Mark 4 M1 3.5-10x40, I was in the low-mid 7 lb. range.
4) Accuracy - The jury is still out on this one. I have managed to find a sub MOA load with 130 TGKs and RL-16. However, most loads have hovered around the inch mark.
Cons:
1) Trigger - This is no Tikka trigger. While usable, it did have some creep and over-travel. This trigger is very similar to the M18 trigger. My Mauser M12 came from the factory with a 2 lb. trigger that was every bit as good as a Tikka (maybe better).
2) Plastic - The safety is plastic which isn't that big of a deal. However, it looks like the Sauers have gone through several revisions that deviate from what's seen on the web. The cocking indicator (while metal) on mine was not painted red and was just a nub sticking out of the back of the bolt shroud. The stock while polymer is usable but somewhat hollow sounding. However, it is somewhat slick in areas. It's unlike the Mauser M12 with the soft touch stock.
3) Etched bolt face out of the box - During CIP testing, I assume Sauer used some hot loads that opened up primer pockets. My bolt face was mildly etched upon receiving it. It won't affect function but is one of those little annoyances that I wish wasn't there.
4) Extraction - If you are using a scope with a large windage turret, know that there is a possibility that casings will bounce back into the receiver. This happened several times to me while at the range.
At the $429 price, I'd say that's priced about right for what you get. I can't see paying much more for this rifle. The threaded barrel was a plus. I'll continue looking for that perfect load with the 130 gr TGKs. It's evident that Sauer was attempting to hit an entry price point with this rifle. While the M12's barrel is thermo-fit, the Sauer 100 is supposedly threaded. I'd be curious to hear/see someone attempting to re-barrel one.
