Picked up a nice Colt-Sauer
- Thread starter Claven2
- Start date
Why waste all that money on a good rifle and top quality scope and not take it hunting? That would be a shame, it's not a target rifle, it's a Hunting rifle. Scratches and dings are part of the journey, and when they build up walnut can be refinished and steel can be reblued.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
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Get yourself some paint/varnish stripper from a hardware store and get rid of that glossy stock finish, then apply a few coats of Birchwood Casey Tru-oil, you can get that at most gun stores. Scratches won't show up much at all. Lots of info through google how to apply it properly, but it's really easy to get a much nicer finish than that blinding gloss crap.
My Sauer 80 has been reblued twice over the years and the stock still looks good with the duller oil finish. Bought in early 70's, it's been to hell and back a few times.
Get yourself some paint/varnish stripper from a hardware store and get rid of that glossy stock finish, then apply a few coats of Birchwood Casey Tru-oil, you can get that at most gun stores. Scratches won't show up much at all. Lots of info through google how to apply it properly, but it's really easy to get a much nicer finish than that blinding gloss crap.
My Sauer 80 has been reblued twice over the years and the stock still looks good with the duller oil finish. Bought in early 70's, it's been to hell and back a few times.
I value your opinion, but economically this is very bad advice. Col-Sauers cost what they do because the Colt collectors go bonkers for them. Like old Winchesters, if you change the finish or butted or whatever, you are turning a (potentially) $2000+ collectible (and work of art) rifle into a $1000 beater.
Honest wear is fine, but stripper, sandpaper, etc. = not.
A regular saucer is different, but the Colt branded guys have a legendary following.
I just came upon this thread. A couple weeks too late it seems.
The Colt Sauer is a rifle I have dreamed about since I was young (when they first came out )
I would have bought that other one instantly. You guys have spectacular rifles, may they bring you years of enjoyment.
The Colt Sauer is a rifle I have dreamed about since I was young (when they first came out )
I would have bought that other one instantly. You guys have spectacular rifles, may they bring you years of enjoyment.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
The Sauer 80 came with a hand rubbed oil finish. Perhaps the Colt stamped version had the varnished stock, seeing as that was always more popular in the US market. I also don't think it's high on the collector list as it's not made by Colt, but yes, you would be altering a factory stock.
If the OP is planning on retaining it as a collectible, he probably didn't need a scope.
Thanks, but ... .
Thank you for the compliment, but I feel compelled to say that I find the Sig SHR 970 to be on par, or perhaps superior to the Colt Sauer.
I never shot the Colt Sauer, but I would be surprised if any production rifle can rival the accuracy of the Sig. I fired one box of Winchester 180 grain 300 Win Mag cartridges through it, and by the end of the box, three round groups were forming a single cluster at 100 meters. The only downside is that it is a light weight rifle and thus kicks like a SOB. I am thinking of reloading some 150 grain bullets to 3000 FPS, to take the edge off. But I have not done that yet.
The following pics are somewhat flat because of poor lighting. I hope you enjoy them in any case, and appreciate the quality of the Sig.
Thank you for the compliment, but I feel compelled to say that I find the Sig SHR 970 to be on par, or perhaps superior to the Colt Sauer.
I never shot the Colt Sauer, but I would be surprised if any production rifle can rival the accuracy of the Sig. I fired one box of Winchester 180 grain 300 Win Mag cartridges through it, and by the end of the box, three round groups were forming a single cluster at 100 meters. The only downside is that it is a light weight rifle and thus kicks like a SOB. I am thinking of reloading some 150 grain bullets to 3000 FPS, to take the edge off. But I have not done that yet.
The following pics are somewhat flat because of poor lighting. I hope you enjoy them in any case, and appreciate the quality of the Sig.
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Those SIGs are as nice a production rifle as you can presently buy, but the Colt/Sauer rifles were made in the early 70's when German arms manufacturing was more a skilled trade than today. Little details on the Sauers like the rosewood accents and the hand-cut checkering (as opposed to laser-cut checkering on the SIG) make the Sauer-made rifles seem more form than function. Also, the non-rotating Sauer bolt has to be the smoothest ever made - it's like it's made of glass.
In terms of shooting, reserve judgement until you have shot both on the same day. In general, the Sauers have excellent reputations for accuracy but like any make, individual guns perform better or worse than the average. Use comparable quality ammunition as well!
The groups I posted were cheap-o Winchester Super-X and it still shot MOA. Using good ammo, perhaps Sierra Match Kings in hand loads, the gun would be capable of much better.
I'll bet you will be pleasantly surprised at your groupings.
And to bearkilr: shooting a collectible rifle doesn't make it less collectible. Altering it, however, may. But if you own a rifle, you are free to personalize it as much as you like - just be aware that can affect value. There's a company advertising on Gunbroker that builds repro Colt-Sauer stocks copying the originals perfectly except the checkering isn't hand-cut. Their stocks start at $500 and go up for nicer walnut, getting one with the original Colt cameo medallion, etc. there is a thriving market for guys hoping to return their alterered Colt-Sauer rifle to "factory". Just sayin'...
In terms of shooting, reserve judgement until you have shot both on the same day. In general, the Sauers have excellent reputations for accuracy but like any make, individual guns perform better or worse than the average. Use comparable quality ammunition as well!
The groups I posted were cheap-o Winchester Super-X and it still shot MOA. Using good ammo, perhaps Sierra Match Kings in hand loads, the gun would be capable of much better.
I'll bet you will be pleasantly surprised at your groupings.
And to bearkilr: shooting a collectible rifle doesn't make it less collectible. Altering it, however, may. But if you own a rifle, you are free to personalize it as much as you like - just be aware that can affect value. There's a company advertising on Gunbroker that builds repro Colt-Sauer stocks copying the originals perfectly except the checkering isn't hand-cut. Their stocks start at $500 and go up for nicer walnut, getting one with the original Colt cameo medallion, etc. there is a thriving market for guys hoping to return their alterered Colt-Sauer rifle to "factory". Just sayin'...
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Yeah, there's a NIB Colt Sauer in 300 WM for $2500 as well on Gunbroker, which is about what they were new way back then and what the 90 series went for, I believe they were about $3000 here in Canada.
They were pricey rifles to start with, I don't think they've appreciated much if any. Regardless, we can both agree they're great rifles and they'll hold their value better than most.
Good Point
I agree with you about the Colt Sauer stock. The shape of the stock is very comfortable. It has a solid feel you can snuggle up with. I imagine it will handle recoil very well.
The checkering on the Colt Sauer is quite superior to the Sig SHR 970. Why is that? I thought laser cut checkering would beat hand checkering. But it is not even close. How can a craftsman beat a laser run off a computer?
And you might be right that I am comparing apples to oranges, because the Sig was built decades after the Colt Sauer. But the astonishing accuracy of the Sig is something to behold. I am not a very good shot and I wonder what someone really good could do with it. The interchangable barrels are the very definition of cool. You can take the rifle down for travel, then snap in various barrels for differing game. I like the Colt Sauer, but the Sig has several advantages and is just as cool, if you ask me.
The question I have is, how did both rifles fail in the marketplace? Perhaps it was poor marketing. Or maybe people do not see it the same way I do.
I agree with you about the Colt Sauer stock. The shape of the stock is very comfortable. It has a solid feel you can snuggle up with. I imagine it will handle recoil very well.
The checkering on the Colt Sauer is quite superior to the Sig SHR 970. Why is that? I thought laser cut checkering would beat hand checkering. But it is not even close. How can a craftsman beat a laser run off a computer?
And you might be right that I am comparing apples to oranges, because the Sig was built decades after the Colt Sauer. But the astonishing accuracy of the Sig is something to behold. I am not a very good shot and I wonder what someone really good could do with it. The interchangable barrels are the very definition of cool. You can take the rifle down for travel, then snap in various barrels for differing game. I like the Colt Sauer, but the Sig has several advantages and is just as cool, if you ask me.
The question I have is, how did both rifles fail in the marketplace? Perhaps it was poor marketing. Or maybe people do not see it the same way I do.
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It is heresy to compare the Sig with the Sauer! The quality and workmanship of the Sauer is light years ahead of the Sig. Hand cut checkering vs laser cut? That is like comparing a machine formed burger patty to a filet mignon!
And about production rifle accuracy the Voere Titan II (later known as the Mauser 99 and Mauser 225) came with a 1/2" at 100m accuracy guarantee. They are amazing rifles.
I don't think these rifles failed in the marketplace. Most people in North America have different versions of an ideal rifle than those in Europe. The price point is also an issue, and the price of these rifles would only have gotton higher had the factories continued to produce them. I remember the Sauer 90 being between $2000 and $3000, depending on the model. The last new Steyr-Mannlicher Luxus S I saw was $3999. In other words, these rifles cost as much or more 25 years ago as their contemporary replacements.
I think most North Americans would rather have a custom rifle at those kinds of prices.
I have to agree, the reason they failed here is that nobody wanted to pay an extra $2000 over a Remington super grade just to get nicer wood, finer checkering, better blueing, etc. To most NA hunters, the rifle is a tool to kill a game animal and a $1000 rifle did that just as well, though not with as much panache.
A good many gunsmiths would also build a very nice custom Mauser 98 for $3000 that would be as nice as a Colt-Sauer in fit and finish if you were willing to wait several months for the rifle to get built.
Nevertheless, if the Colt-Sauer happens to fit your body dimensions, it essentially is a custom rifle that was hand-made in Germany.
A good many gunsmiths would also build a very nice custom Mauser 98 for $3000 that would be as nice as a Colt-Sauer in fit and finish if you were willing to wait several months for the rifle to get built.
Nevertheless, if the Colt-Sauer happens to fit your body dimensions, it essentially is a custom rifle that was hand-made in Germany.
Its all gravy?
If the Sig is hamburger, what does that make Remington and Savage? Bum gravy?
For that matter, might the same be said about the Sako 85? A robot built that, not some aged craftsman trained in old school Europe.
A questioned I asked earlier is, why does hand checkering beat a computer directed laser? I would think a computer and laser would be more precise and detailed than any human hand. But apparently, it is not, if I contrast the Sig with the Sauer.
If the Sig is hamburger, what does that make Remington and Savage? Bum gravy?
For that matter, might the same be said about the Sako 85? A robot built that, not some aged craftsman trained in old school Europe.
A questioned I asked earlier is, why does hand checkering beat a computer directed laser? I would think a computer and laser would be more precise and detailed than any human hand. But apparently, it is not, if I contrast the Sig with the Sauer.
The reason Sauer stopped producing the model 90 was the excessive cost of production. They replaced it by the Sauer 200/202 which is cheaper to manufacture.
True. I seem to recall the 200/202 was about 1/2 the price of a 90, and a Sako AV was about 1/3 of the price of a 90. A 202 with a wood stock will cost close to +$2500 today. Assuming the ratios stay the same, a new 90 would run $5000-$6000.
That kind of money would buy you a very nice custom rifle.
Alfreds,
The reason why laser cut checkering will never beat hand checkering is simply because it's too "perfect". Hand made work always have "defects" and that's why it look more "true".
While the SHR is a real great rifle, it does not have the spirit of a hand polish and fitted rifle. It looks of "modern manufacture". It will never come to the ankle of an old Mauser, or a Steyr-Mannlicher or any other hand fitted rifle.
The "man made" look also misses on a lot of American-made rifles, on which you don't see the workmanship, unless it came through their "custom shops".
Also true is what Claven2 states about Canadians using firearms as tools, not as art work; in most remote Canadian regions, hunting, as a hobby, was not a common man task before the '70s, and it was seen more like a work to do to put extra meat in the icehouse to feed the familly all winter long. And it was far from always been done on a legally basis.
The reason why laser cut checkering will never beat hand checkering is simply because it's too "perfect". Hand made work always have "defects" and that's why it look more "true".
While the SHR is a real great rifle, it does not have the spirit of a hand polish and fitted rifle. It looks of "modern manufacture". It will never come to the ankle of an old Mauser, or a Steyr-Mannlicher or any other hand fitted rifle.
The "man made" look also misses on a lot of American-made rifles, on which you don't see the workmanship, unless it came through their "custom shops".
Also true is what Claven2 states about Canadians using firearms as tools, not as art work; in most remote Canadian regions, hunting, as a hobby, was not a common man task before the '70s, and it was seen more like a work to do to put extra meat in the icehouse to feed the familly all winter long. And it was far from always been done on a legally basis.
I take a differing view on checkering. Lazer checkering is never perfectly smooth, it leaves a "stepped" look to the individual points. Hand checkering is doen with tiny files and comes out perfectly smooth with smooth pyramidal points and always gives a mroe finished look.
