Sauer rifles are renowned for their European quality and hefty price tags that typically run into the thousands of dollars. So it came as a surprise at the 145th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits to find a new Sauer rifle, the 100 Classic, with a suggested retail price of $699. It may be the best value we found in Louisville.
The Sauer 100 Classic has a forged steel receiver and a cold-hammer-forged barrel. A three-lug, full-diameter bolt provides a 60-degree lift, and the two rifles we handled on the show floor cycled extremely smoothly. We also liked the enlarged, fluted knob on the bolt handle. The bolt feeds from a five-round, polymer detachable box magazine (in magnum chamberings, the magazine holds four rounds).
A user-adjustable trigger has a pull weight of 2.2-4.2 pounds. The toggle safety is ergonomic and positive, and its three positions are clearly marked on the receiver. The rear position locks the trigger and the bolt; the middle position locks the trigger but allows the bolt to open for loading and unloading; the forward position is fire. A cocking indicator is visible at the rear of the bolt shroud when the rifle is cocked.
The 100 Classic is available with a polymer or beech-wood stock, and follows the same Ergo Max design as found on the Sauer 101 and 404 rifles. The barreled action is mated to the stock via Sauer’s Ever Rest bedding system, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for Remington Model 700-style scope bases.
“Mini” and standard chamberings include .222 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-06 Sprg., 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55mm, 8x57mm and 9.3x62mm, all with a 22-inch barrel. The 100 Classic is also available in 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag., both with a 24-inch barrel. Weight is 6.7 pounds for the mini and standard chamberings, and 6.9 pounds for the magnum chamberings.
