By Mike Schoby
Strangely enough, my love affair with the Sauer 505 predates its inception. It originally started with the Sauer 404. I was an early adopter and bought one when they were first introduced in 2015. For a decade, I traveled the world with this rifle shooting game on multiple continents. I fell in love with its accuracy, the smuggler-size when broken down and fitted in its clarinet-length case, and its multiple caliber interchangeability.
So, what is the difference between the 404 and the 505? Honestly, not much. The two rifles at their core are almost the same. Similar action design, same great trigger, same quick takedown, switch-barrel capability. The 505 simply improved upon a couple of items that the 404 was lacking—namely the action is machined from steel, not aluminum like the 404, and the action now takes the Blaser quick-detach saddle scope mounting system. In my opinion, the system is the pinnacle of zero shift in a detachable scope mount.
Sauer 505 Details
This isn’t a rifle for everyone. But for those who appreciate finer things — leatherbound books, fine scotch and rich mahogany libraries — it is a must have. Every line, every curve, it all whispers craftsmanship. Cold hammer forged barrel, precisely machined action, a trigger so crisp it will sometimes surprise you. This is a rifle for those that see a rifle not as a tool but a trusted companion to make memories with.
Like all Sauers, and one of their 274-year legacy hallmarks, the 505 employs Sauer’s smooth action. The 505 doesn’t cycle as much as it glides home smoother than a politician’s lie. The three-lug bolt with a 60-degree throw makes it fast. Unlike the 404, that utilized a removable bolt head to accommodate different calibers, the 505’s bolt head is fixed, meaning you replace the entire bolt with a major caliber change.
Also, an improvement over the 404, and honestly the Blaser R8, is the cocking system. Many German rifles utilize a cocker instead of a safety. It is an excellent, fool-proof, safe design that allows a user to carry a chambered rifle uncocked and completely safe (unlike so many bolt rifles, where the safety is simply blocking the sear or the firing pin and can fail). The downside to most cocking systems is they are hard to engage, especially for the untrained, or for those with weak hands. The 505 is perfect. Cocking it takes hardly more effort that flicking a safety off, and de-cocking it is equally easy.
The trigger is a German work of art. It is crisp and clean in any configuration, but it has four set positions accessed with the standard takedown tool that adjust the preset poundage between .75, 1.6, 2.2 and 2.75 pounds.
Ultimate in portability
The takedown functionality may be the coolest feature of the Sauer 505 and why the 404 won me over so completely. Standing in the delta line at Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, I cringed when I saw the guy in front of me lugging a full-size double rifle case up to the waiting ticketing agent. Not only is it a pain in the ass, but it is also becoming more of a theft and scrutiny issue.
The Sauer fits into a fitted, locked case that if you slapped a “musical instrument” sticker on it most would assume it is a clarinet. New for 2026 is a double case that is not much larger than the original single-barrel case but will hold two barrels with bolts and mags, and two optics, making it the ideal double-rifle battery for safari.
Interchangeability of caliber
Most American’s have not yet bought into the “one gun, multi-caliber” idea…yet. Due to our wonderful access to firearms, as well as the way in which we hunt, it is not a requirement. But for the traveling hunter, it becomes a huge advantage. Going on safari? Throw in a .375 H&H barrel and a .308 and the continent is your oyster.
Since the 505 is so repeatable when changing calibers as well as optics, you can literally (and I have done it) change in the field between hunts. I did this exact thing in Namibia on my last safari. We were shooting impalas and springbucks with a .223 barrel on the 505 and had to opportunity to go after mountain zebra. In under two minutes we had the .375 barrel and pre-sighted optic installed and were hunting — no need to check the zero. For fun, we checked the zero after the hunt and it was spot on, not close, but exactly where it was previously sighted in.
The Sauer 505 is available in 19 calibers from .223 Rem to .375 H&H. The detachable magazine is either two or three, depending upon standard versus magnum calibers, but five-round options are available for both magnum and standard calibers. Magazines are released with a push of a recessed button, but there is also a maglock, which allows the user to lock the magazine into the receiver.
The Sauer 505 is available in multiple configurations and several grades of beautiful wood, and yes, for Cro-Magnon folks, they do make synthetic versions.
Price: starting at $3,500.
Pro: Heirloom quality, compact takedown, multi-caliber rifle in 19 calibers.
Con: After a decade of use with the 404 and one safari with the 505, I can’t find one.
