Beauty . . . and a beast
Mark van den Boogaart assess a bold claim by Sauer
In many ways this rifle review has been a long time coming. It all started back in 2008 when I was thinking about buying my first ‘nice’ rifle and by nice, I mean my first dedicated left-hander in a calibre and model of my choosing. Previously as a lefty I’d compromised but now had almost enough money in my pocket to change that. What caught my eye was the Sauer 202 Elegance, a beautiful thing in every way with its timber, metalwork, overall appeal, calibre, operation and performance in a left-hand configuration.
I looked for the best price, counted my readies, recounted and even considered a trip to Melbourne just to see one up-close. That rifle had me running around in circles. In the end logic trumped emotion and I decided there were other options worthy of my attention. I’m not the regretful type but passing up on that rifle is one I do remember.
Fast-forward a lot of years and Australian Shooter asked if I’d like to review the new Sauer 505. Send it this way was my response but, just like my first experience, things didn’t go exactly to plan. As is sometimes the case with a review/demonstrator rifle, when it arrived something was missing but hey, it happens. The good news is local distributor Outdoor Sporting Agencies addressed the issue immediately and soon enough I had the rifle ready to go.
But before taking it to the review bench I let my fingers do the walking and checked the Sauer website. The 505 is clearly the new kid on the block and features prominently on there. It also carries the tagline: ‘Designed to be the most beautiful bolt-action rifle in the world’. Now that’s a big call, yet looking at the high-grade timber (or Elegance models) that’s not mere marketing.
The Model 505 and its many variants are the latest generation of hunting rifles made by J.P. Sauer und Sohn. While now part of the Blaser Group which includes Blaser, Mauser, Rigby, Liemke and Minox, Sauer are Germany’s oldest hunting rifle maker with a legacy stretching all the way back to 1751.
The 505 comes in eight different stock options with the review rifle being the Synchro XT black, part of the Outback package. Complementing the Outback is the Highland package which incorporates carbon fibre stock options, fluted barrels and other weight-reducing considerations. Then there’s the Elegance package which is all about finely-graded timber stocks and highly-polished metal components.
This rifle’s available in a wide section of calibres and, being it’s also a switch-barrel, you could conceivably hunt fox, deer and buffalo with the same base platform. In effect it’s a DIY firearm, with even the tool needed to swap the stock and barrel being stored within the stock piece. And while I didn’t have a chance to change stocks or barrels, I did test the scope-mounting system and its ‘return to zero’ claim.
The scope, a Blaser B2 2-12x50iC, is designed to work with the 505, making use of a quick-release locking system matched to fit securely to an integrated receiver. Mounting, removing and replacing the scope is simple and further adds to the integrated approach of the 505 – different calibres, different stocks, different scopes with the same base platform.
Turning to the rifle itself, the 505 it centred around a newly-designed action. It’s an all-steel receiver and features a substantial and heavily constructed bolt with an integrated sliding safety you engage and disengage with your thumb. It’s fed by an external box magazine with the release button sitting forward of the well and, to prevent it from accidently falling out, the release button can also be used to lock the magazine in place. Like the rest of the 505 the Quattro trigger assembly is modular and highly adjustable. In saying that, the supplied weight setting of the trigger was way too light for me and something I’d adjust if I owned the rifle.
Overall, my early impressions of the 505 Sauer Synchro XT black is that of a well-constructed, high-grade firearm which combines craftsmanship with innovative features to offer something a little bit out of the ordinary. Taking it to the range I assumed the 505 would be a straight-shooter as the reality is most modern rifles perform well out of the box, with MOA accuracy now standard. That being the case, what I really wanted to test was the return to zero function of the integrated, quick-release scope-locking system.
Using supplied factory ammunition I began the process of getting the rifle on paper and shooting it with a level of repeatability. Once happy with the set-up, I fired a couple of three-shot groups and the Sauer performed with confidence-inspiring grouping. With a ceasefire called I made the rifle safe and removed the scope, something I rarely do at the range.
Following the warning siren and announcement to move forward, I checked the targets then headed back to the bench. Soon enough I refitted the scope and fired another three-shot group and through the spotting scope could see this one was tighter. Now it’s not unusual to slowly achieve better results as you become more accustomed to a new rifle, yet what was most impressive was the return to zero function – the system certainly works.
With the rifle on the bench I decided to take a few images as two range staff walked over for a look. Chatting away I offered them a shot, if they wanted, which they happily accepted. Ian, the Chief Range Officer, fired a couple off the bench and was highly impressed by the overall feel and attention to detail of the 505, though did mention the lightness of the trigger weight.
Michael, another RO, decided to shoot from a standing position and while he also mentioned the lightness of trigger he was most impressed by the operation, especially how the 505 handled recoil, suggesting it was one of the smoothest recoiling .308s he’s ever fired.
It’s not easy to sum up the 505 in a few words as it really is a work of innovation and a highly modern interpretation of the bolt-action rifle. Its design leans into a number of current trends like modularisation and DIY customisation then takes those ideas a little further. On testing at the range Sauer look to have nailed it and, with good quality factory ammo, the 505 is a very capable rifle with, I expect, plenty more accuracy and performance to be realised.
Rather than just a rifle the Sauer 505 is a platform and no matter where you start, be it the Outback, Highland or Elegance, what you get for your hard-earned cash is something a little different. It’s a platform you can refine to suit your hunting, whether it’s an elegant and finely featured deer rifle, a lightweight high country stalker or a fully interchangeable system to suit all your hunting needs.
Finally, is it the most beautiful bolt-action rifle in the world? Who knows, though it is a well-finished and superbly presented bolt-action, even in the rough and ready Outback package. Both the Sauer 505 XT Synchro in .308Win (RRP $5590) and Blaser B2 2-12x50iC riflescope ($3969) used in this review were supplied by Outdoor Sporting Agencies.
SPECIFICATIONS
Rifle: Sauer Synchro XT Black (Outback package)
Length: 101.5cm
Weight: 3.520kg
Barrel: 51cm
Action: Bolt
Detachable magazine (supplied): 5+1
Supplied stock: Synchro XT – modular, synthetic, thumb-hole
Mini: .222Rem, .223Rem
Medium: .243Win, .270Win, 6.5x55SE, 6.5Creedmoor, .308Win, .30-06 Spring, 7×64, 8x57IS, 9.3×62
Short Magnum: .270WSM, 6.5PRC, 8.5x55Blaser
Magnum: 7mmRem Mag, .300Win Mag, 8x68S, .375H&H, 10.3x60R