Reader Test
Sporting Gun takes the Sauer Apollon 12-bore to Oxford Gun to see what two readers think of it
Beau, is first to get his hands on the Apollon. Beau is first to get his hands on the Apollon. “I like the rounded pistol grip. The angle is just right for me, and it would feel great in the hand as a clay or a game gun.” The first thing that strikes Simon is the plain looks of the gun. “I’m not usually a fan of black actions, but with the dark Turkish walnut the Apollon really looks smart,” he says. Doug points out that the action is a different finish from the barrels to be harder wearing, so that the blacking doesn’t rub off when you have the gun broken over your forearm.
When it comes to shouldering the gun Simon says: “It’s got a long length of pull, which suits me, but it won’t suit everyone.” Doug measures the stock and finds that the length of pull if just under 15 inches. “That’s slightly longer than average, and on game guns, which this is, the length of pull is usually shorter because you are bundled up with extra clothing in the winter. However, the stock can be lengthened or shortened to suit the shooter,” says Doug.
Both testers note that the Apollon is heavy when they hold the gun for the first time. However, when they put the gun on aim the weight isn’t a problem. “When it’s shouldered it doesn’t seem so heavy and seems well balanced,” says Simon.
The gun on test has 30-inch barrels, but
both Simon and Beau say the gun is not barrel heavy as some guns with multichokes and barrels that length can be.
On the clay ground Simon is first to shoot. He hits almost every clay on the first stand and passes the gun over to Beau with a big smile on his face. “It is very nice to shoot. It just shoots where you point it. The balance
“You’d be happy to be seen on the peg with this or at the clay ground”
feels right, the length of pull is perfect for me and the trigger is crisp. Out of the box, this is an impressive gun,” says Simon.
Like Simon, Beau smokes most of the targets on the first stand. He is left-handed and is impressed that he can shoot the gun well without making any adjustments to it.
Doug says: “Having no cast on the stock means that it suits both left and righthanders.” Beau, even though he is of a different build to Simon, says the lengthy stock suited him well. “What I would say is that the stock is a bit thin for me, but then I have quite a fat face.” Doug jokes: “You could try dieting or have the stock altered!”
“I’ll have the stock altered, it would be easier,” replies Beau.
The next target is a rabbit and a crosser. This is a bit more of a challenge, but the pair still shoot well. Shooting the rabbit we notice that the pattern of the shot on the earth is very tight. Looking at the chokes we see that the chokes in are ¾ and full. “I usually choose a more open choke, such as ½ and ¼, so I’m impressed that I’m still hitting the targets with the Apollon,” says Beau.
Both shooters notice that when the gun is shouldered it does not feel heavy. “It seems to be a well balanced gun,” says Simon. Beau adds: “Simon and I have two totally different frames, but the Appollon seems to fit us both and we shoot well with it.”
Simon and Beau feel the gun is quite basic. “You don’t get any frills with it, even though you are paying quite a lot of money. However, I really like the way it shoots,” says Simon.
Beau adds that he is still happy he has put a deposit on a new Blaser, but was impressed by the Apollon’s fit and looks. “You’d be happy to be seen on the peg with this or at the clay ground,” he says.