Sauer 100 classic XT - anyone have one?

[168bergersapper]

I was looking to pick up a new hunting rifle, probably 7mm, and
I was hoping to stay under $1500.
The new Sauer 100 has peeked my interest. I was just wondering if anyone can give me some real world feed back?

 

[owlowl]

You probably won't find anyone to answer that.

This is very new and very.... don't get me wrong,.. but plain offering. Basically Sauer 101 and Mauser M12 failed (I'm sorry, but they did. Zero traction on NA market as I see it). Yet it was concluded that Sauer still needs to compete at lower segment, so they made 100 even cheaper than 101. (Cheaper on a Sauer's scale). As a result, it is a cut down Sauer 101 action with "just" 3 locking lugs from 6 on 101. Just a 3 position safety, not a manual de-cocker. It also I think that Sauer 100 locks on receiver, as opposed to 101 locking on a barrel directly. 100 stock is even cheaper junk than 101. And 101 has a very.... budget stock. This is how 101 is:

Both 100 and 101 use Rem 700 bases so it is at least easy to mount optics on. They also have a new quick detach Hexalock mounts. Which are neat, but if you are looking at budget budget sauer won't be appropriate I guess..

Magazine is double stack, 2 column feed, plastic, flush with the stock. Nothing wrong with it. What else - trigger is fine, or so rumor has it. Nothing really to be upset about overall.

There are people reviewing it here and there, but not much really
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrkREkcvz1I

Now this is why you would buy Sauer 100:
- you handled one, and you like it as it was
- you like everything you see on that rifle and require nothing else, you have zero interest in upgrading or gunsmithing anything on it.
- you don't need anything but a decently built hunting rifle, nothing less nothing more. You will shoot a little, but you are not a sport shooter
- for the price you don't mind what you get
- you don't care about resale value.

Why you won't buy Sauer 100:
- there is no aftermarket anything, no stocks, not chassis, no bottom metal, no bolt knobs, no shrouds no nothing
- there will no NO aftermaket
- if anything breaks you will need to wait for parts as a special order
- you think that injection molded stock with a 2 round pins and a screw for a bedding is a bit too little in a year 2017
- you saw Sauer 200, 202 or 404 once and think that Sauer 100 is somewhat close for 20% of their price.

This is how I see it for what its worth. I doubt there will be a lively discussion with legions of Sauer fans beating me on that one.

 

[Umka]

I see these Sauer 100 rifles at around 1k from site sponsors. Watched and read some reviews and got interested as I'm looking for hunting rifle in either 308 or 30-06. I was thinking about getting Tikka T3 or T3x, but found out that, unlike sauer 100 xt, you can't top load Tikka's magazine without removing it and I want that feature.

So I'm raising this topic to see if anyone got one of these Sauer rifles and wouldn't mind to share real world experience with them. Thanks!

 

[dgradinaru]

I have one in 8mm Mauser (8x57). It's a great shooting rifle for the money. Quality and feel are actually pretty good (as long as you don't downgrade from a higher model). I've owned a few tikka's in the past and I actually like the Sauer better. I've used it last fall to harvest a few animals. Deer, bear, and bobcat. I've also taken it out in -20deg and while the rifle froze the barreled action worked fine and shot without any problems. The rifle is more of mag feed type rifle like the tikka, if your in a rush you can pop one in the chamber but that's about it. It's hard to top feed into the mag. Stock feels fine, Better than any ruger, remington, tikka synthetic stock. Overall I'm happy with the rifle.

 

[EJG]

For me overengineered Euro trash, bet it took them a few years to dream that up. There were rumours that the barrel is made by Bergara which would be the best thing about the rifle and they do shoot. However as far as Sauer people told me they can't be re-barrelled. This means many aftermarket companies will not be interested in this rifle. How could one buy a second hand one with unknown round count. Especially in 243 etc. I would not take one into our shop. A throw away rifle. For me the lowest step.
edi

 

[apu]

I have a 101(30/06) and 202(300wby) both are exceptionally accurate guns right out of the box and the 202 is built like Panzer but honestly I enjoy shooting the newer lighter Sauers better and would have no problem buying a 100 in a different caliber. The main difference between the 101 and 100 is the pressed barrel vs screwed, and the bolt on the 100 cams close in the receiver instead of the pressed in barrel of the 101. The bedding looks simplistic but it works exceptionally well. Good point was made about no aftermarket parts and if that is a concern get a Remington 700 but if you just want excellent accuracy out of the box with over the counter ammo you wont go wrong with the Sauer.

 

[farshot]

I bought one in 6.5 CM. Very very accurate and relatively light weight. A good usable gun as it comes out of the box.
The trigger is excellent and easily adjustable in place.
Stock is strong enough ..some flex but no big deal.
Throws the empties ...far.

 

[Umka]

Thank you for sharing guys!

Is there any disadvantage in taking sauer 100 xt in .308 over 30-06 (considering that sauer uses same action length for both calibers)?

 

[Mr. Friendly]

Thank you for sharing guys!

Is there any disadvantage in taking sauer 100 xt in .308 over 30-06 (considering that sauer uses same action length for both calibers)?

only advantage the .30-06 has over the .308 is more powder capacity, which allows it to push a lighter bullet a bit faster than the .308, which is usually negligible. the real advantage of the .30-06 has over the .308 is that it can push heavier bullets due to the higher powder capacity it has.

 

[apu]

Thank you for sharing guys!

Is there any disadvantage in taking sauer 100 xt in .308 over 30-06 (considering that sauer uses same action length for both calibers)?

You will do fine with either caliber. I probably would have picked 308 because I already had rifles in 308 and I did not want another caliber to load for but got an awesome deal on the 3006. In retrospect I am happy with the 3006 for the above mentioned reasons.

 

[Umka]

I'm leaning towards 308. I don't reload and while hunting ammo costs about the same it seems there are more cheaper options for plinking ammo in 308/7.62x51

 

[Umka]

Does anyone know what are torque requirements for bedding block screw on Sauer 100 Classic XT rifle in .308 caliber?

Thanks!