Sauer 505 - Evolution

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Sauer’s latest 505 rifle looks remarkably like the 404 on the surface, but what resides below, in my opinion, is a significant advancement. The rifle is available with walnut, polymer, and carbon fibre furniture, and all types are interchangeable. The cold hammer forged barrel measures 20”, has a 15x1 thread for a moderator, and shows a 17mm diameter. The barrel fully free floats all the way back to the receiver.

New mounts
Sauer has abandoned their old and overly complex proprietary scope mounting system and simply adopted the Blaser system from their sister company. This is an ultra-reliable, quick-release mounting setup with a rotating toggle lever that simply lifts and turns 90º to release your optic. The return to zero is dependable and the system has worked well on Blaser rifles for over a decade. They are available for tubed scopes or ones with an underside rail.
One immediately obvious improvement is that Sauer has adopted a 4mm Allen key fitting for the tensioning adjustment screw, rather than Blaser’s turnscrew fitting. This is a significant benefit, although my review rifle was supplied with a Blaser saddle mount, as the Sauer version had not been shipped to the UK yet.

Solid steel billet
Sauer has used steel for the receiver instead of aluminium, and as well as offering a physically harder material for the tiny scope mounting claws, this also offers a significantly harder and smoother surface internally for the bolt to slide within. The 6-lug, 60º lift, push feed bolt is now a single piece to save weight, and it no longer features a removable bolt head. This reduces cost and aids the smooth operation.
When out of the stock, you can see the machined lattice framing of the single-piece receiver, which, incidentally, is machined from a solid 6 kg billet for exceptional strength and minimum tolerances, and the final weight is 700-grams. The single right-side extractor and left-side sprung plunger ejector worked perfectly throughout the review period, and there is plentiful primary extraction leverage from the spherical-tipped bolt handle.

Barrel swap
The 505 offers interchangeable barrels. With the stock off, simply release the three screws and lever with the SUS tool, and the barrel will slide out. Next, insert a new barrel and headspace it by closing the bolt. The lugs lock directly into the barrel, so the receiver itself is not pressure-bearing.

Feeding update
A three-round magazine is supplied in .308 and there is also an optional five-round unit. These are a single-column design and load smoothly and quietly when removed from the rifle. There is an underside serrated button to release the magazine, and this can also be clicked forward to totally lock it in the rifle. The new polymer mag is precision injection moulded, quiet in operation, and offers smooth feeding and no damage to the bullet’s meplat. There is a honeycomb-type pattern to stiffen the walls to prevent accidental crushing, and it also aids grip during handling.

Quattro stages
There is a bolt release catch rear/left of the trigger guard, and the serrated blade offers an adjustable single-stage pull. The position of the blade can no longer be adjusted, but with the forend off, the left side of the receiver displays the Quattro trigger adjuster. You can adjust the pull weight with the SUS tool, and there are four detented stages offering 350, 750, 1000, or 1250-grams. These are a little lighter than the settings found on the 404, and I like the detents, which allow you to return exactly to your previously desired seasonal setting. So, perhaps select ‘4’ for use in the winter and with heavy gloves, and ‘2’ in the summer when using bare fingers.

Tool included
The forend tip houses Sauer’s SUS sling swivel. This unclips and doubles as the 4mm Allen key to take down the rifle and adjust functions. The barrel fully free floats with ample space within the stiff forend, which is not prone to intermittent barrel contact. It is beefy enough to maintain a good grip while wearing heavy gloves in freezing conditions, too. Removal is straightforward, just place the SUS tool into the underside hole, turn it anticlockwise to unlock the forend, and then slide it off. Obviously, do the reverse to refit it. You notice the precision fit of any stock type here, where the shape is a refined wedge to make sure the gun locks up tight here and on the buttstock.
This walnut ErgoMax shows a slight cheekpiece exaggeration and an otherwise medium radius grip with excellent chequering. The reach to the trigger is ideal at 85mm, and there is loads of space in the guard for a gloved finger in winter.
The buttstock is removed with the SUS tool by pushing it through the lower half of the recoil pad, where it then connects to a full-length steel rod inside. Just slacken it off and the butt comes away without issue. The length of pull is just over 14”. The recoil pad is firm across its entire length and width, without soft spots, and it mounts smoothly and grips immediately into your shoulder.
The recoil from this moderated rifle was not at all harsh, and walnut is probably the best vibration and sound-deadening material for a sporting rifle. Yes, it is a little more expensive, and certainly quite delicate, but it’s very attractive. This one was a grade 5 unit and will cost you a bit more.

In use
The steel has a plasma nitride/blued finish that is proven to be corrosion-resistant, even in harsh rain. I saw this first-hand on a hunt in November last year before the public launch.
Now I have a production variant on test, I can appreciate just how consistently pleasant the Sauer 505 is to shoot, and it performs well with a decent variety of ammunition. The barrel cleans easily and the 1:11” twist rate will cope with a decent range of bullet weights, be that lead or copper. While shooting the rifle, I printed some insane three-round groups, although I was probably lucky not to have any flyers! Either way, I cannot really doubt the 505 when it comes to performance on the range. Also, during the test, I swapped stocks and the zero was not affected.
In use, the bolt operation is exceptionally light and operable with one finger, and it will not jam even if deliberately provoked. I didn’t use the de-cocker much on the range, but I did on the hunting trip, and it’s reassuring to know the gun is totally safe with the bolt locked shut in a dynamic hunting situation, where you need to go from waiting patiently to ready in the blink of an eye. The button is easy to press forward with light pressure when cocking and equally quiet to de-cock, as your thumb automatically eases the downward travel. The red blaze is always visible on a cocked gun and tactile, too.

What’s your favourite flavour
19 chamberings are available for this single action size with a 125mm bolt stroke. As well as the grade 5 ErgoLux seen here, there are non-thumbhole ErgoMax Black polymer and Synchro XT stock options. There will also be a Carbon XTC version that will be visually stunning and mechanically rigid. I have used one of these stocks on a 404 in the past and they are identical/interchangeable without any rattles or wobbles. All the stocks have a decent cheekpiece height and remain slim in order to keep your cheekbone supported, without pushing your jaw to the side. None of the variants transmit vibrations.
I have to say the Synchro XT is my personal favourite, but the ErgoLux is a real beauty to look at and shoot, I just wouldn’t want to scratch it.

Verdict
I have been extremely impressed with the evolved 505, as it handles well, shoots superbly, the bolt is far slicker in transit than the 404’s, and if you need to swap optics, the updated saddle mount system is totally reliable and far simpler to use than the older Sauer 404 unit. Sauer did not change the stocks as they did not need to. The quality and ergonomics are excellent, with great scope alignment, well-cut chequering, and sufficient stiffness to prevent barrel contact. Also, they can be removed and replaced without loss of zero. Although I shot the rifle from rest bags and quad sticks, I would have liked a bipod, but the good news is that Sauer does offer optional extras.

Here is the video:
Watch it here!