Sauer’s 505 combines elegance, ergonomics, and accuracy into one stunning package.
With the new Sauer 505, the switch-barrel bolt-action rifle has come of age. Featuring a nearly perfect blend of traditional lines and function with modular versatility, return-to-zero consistency, and impressive hunting accuracy, this model is, in the company’s words, “designed to be the most beautiful bolt-action rifle in the world.”
Building on its 270 years of experience, J.P. Sauer and Sohn engineered an ultra- smooth bolt-action on a chassis-style receiver designed so you can quickly swap stocks and barrels without compromising precision or function. Even the simple tool for making all adjustments is integral with the rifle. The Sauer 505 is sufficiently different and innovative to demand close inspection, so let’s do that, starting with the unusual, skeletonized chassis receiver.
Unlike traditional bolt-action receivers, the 505 is neither flat-bottomed like the Winchester M70 nor-round bottomed like the Remington M700 and its many copies. Instead, the 505 includes a lattice-like magazine box integral with the receiver rings and bolt travel rails. These, as well as the trigger housing, scope attachment bases, fore-end stock mounting platform, and barrel-locking clamp, are all milled from a solid block of steel. The base of the skeletonized magazine box includes the front and rear bedding platforms and bolt threads, making this more of a chassis than a traditional bolt-to-receiver ring stock-mounting system. The upshot is that the fore-end attaches to the receiver only, leaving the cold-hammer-forged barrel floating free.
Changing barrels is surprisingly easy. First, remove the sling swivel from the bottom of the buttstock. The base of this is a hex wrench. Place this in the fore-end attachment screw head, push down, and give it a quarter turn to release the fore-end from the barrel clamp lever that protrudes forward from the receiver. Slide it forward to clear it from the skeletonized bottom of the receiver. Using the same swivel hex wrench, slightly loosen the three tensioning bolts under the front receiver ring, push the clamp lever down, and pull the barrel out. Insert a new barrel, close the clamp lever, and re-tighten the screws. Slide the fore-end back over the receiver/magazine box, turn its mounting lock screw a quarter-turn counterclockwise, and return the sling swivel/mount wrench to the butt.
This barrel connection is so tight, precise, and secure that you can maintain nearly perfect return-to-zero with whichever scope you had mounted and zeroed for that barrel and its preferred ammo. The Sauer saddle mount scope rings clamp quickly and strongly into divots integral with the receiver. This means you can zero one scope for your .243 Winchester barrel and another for your .30-06 barrel, and swap barrels and scopes quickly and confidently. All actions are the same length, accommodating nineteen chamberings from .222 Remington through .375 H&H. Barrels are made at 20, 22, and 24 inches, and are threaded and capped.
Augmenting the repeatable accuracy of this system is the Quatro trigger. It’s user- adjustable (using that same sling stud driver) at four weight-of-pull settings from ¾- to 2¾ pounds. On my test rifle, the feel was crisp and the break immediate with no perceivable creep, drag, or overtravel.
One can’t help but notice the impressive bolt function of this 505. It struck me as the smoothest, silkiest, easiest, and even quietest bolt slide I’ve ever enjoyed. It could be the poster child for the term “buttery smooth action.” Credit this not just to the highly polished bolt body, lugs, and receiver rails, but to the non-cocking nature of the mechanism. The bolt cocks neither on opening nor on closing, but on activation of the safety plunger at the back of the bolt. It is very safe, but it’s not a traditional safety because instead of blocking the trigger and/or firing pin, it cocks and de-cocks the spring that drives the firing pin. The means you can carry a round in the chamber because the firing pin is not “armed” until you push the black cocking device forward with your thumb, exposing the red de-cocking lever underneath–an obvious visual reminder the rifle is ready to fire.
To de-cock, push down the lower, red button. The one negative about this cocking system is that it’s slightly slower and more challenging to operate than a traditional safety that moves with a quick flick of the finger. After a bit of practice and repetition, however, activating the 505’s cocking device becomes routine and quite easy.
The 505’s push-feed bolt sports six locking lugs, which give it a short, quick lift. The lugs lock into recesses cut into the breach of the barrels rather than the receiver ring. The non-detachable bolt face is recessed with a large, spring-loaded Sako-style claw extractor and plunger ejector.
Like most new rifles, Sauer’s 505 uses detachable polymer magazine boxes that load and feed smoothly without denting or bending. A hard push of the recessed button forward of the box releases it. This is unlikely to be accidentally activated, but it can be locked by sliding the push-button forward. The flush-fit magazine holds three standard rounds, or two of the fatter magnum cartridges. An extended magazine holds either five standard or four magnum rounds.
Both the receiver and the 22-inch barrel on my sample were coated with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon), a tough, durable finish that retains a satin luster while protecting against rust. It complements the dramatic figure of the fancy walnut ErgoLux stock. Fine-line, sharp checkering and a nicely swelled pistol grip aid control. A rising comb and raised cheek piece offset felt recoil, and a black Schnabel fore-end tip adds a Teutonic flair that sets this Sauer apart from your typical American bolt-action.
The only flaw I discovered in my test model was slightly rough wood finish in spots, suggesting a rushed job in order to get the rifle in my hands in time for this review. I can’t imagine Sauer would let that finish go out the door on a production model with this grade of walnut.
This is one pretty rifle, and pretty is as pretty does. With its .30-06 barrel from the bench, this rig punched three-shot groups from 1.5 MOA to as tight as ½ MOA. Its favorite load, a Federal Premium 165-grain Trophy Bonded Tipped, clustered .505 inch at 100 yards.
The rifle weighs in at a beautifully balanced 7.6 pounds. Topped with a big, bright 2-10x50mm Minox scope, my test rifle tipped the scales nearly 9 pounds, which is a bit heavier than my preferred weight for carrying in the foothills, so if I were setting this rig up for my brand of mountain hunting, I’d choose a smaller, lighter scope. Either way, I’d fill the magazine with those Federals and be set for everything from the mule deer sage flats to the mountain goat peaks.
