Fascinating pictures. Thanks for posting.

Why did you chose the 30-06?

Andre: As usual, a very nice and informative post. Your selection of a Sauer 202 in .30-06 is most pleasing. A very nice rifle. Andre, just wondering, is the .25-06 Remington in popular use in Belgium? Regards, Tom

Why a .30-06 ? Because it happens to be one of my latest fads. Also, before 2006, military calibers were submitted to lots of red tape in this country, so as soon they were "liberated" I jumped on it and bought a new bbl. for my Sauer, exorcizing decades of frustrations . In practice, I can't see any difference in accuracy and killing power as compared with the 202's original 7x64 caliber.

On these shores, the .25-06 is unknown to the lambda hunter and a very seldom sight in shooting circles, the niche being already occupied by the .270 Win, 6,5x57, 6,5x68.

I have an old Colt Sauer that looks a lot like yours. It is also in 30-06 and it is the silkiest smooth bolt that I have ever cycled. Fit and finish and the wood are very nice as well. Unfortunately, I also have 3rd stage Lymes disease. I have had it for 19 years.

Your Colt Sauer is probably the (still manufactured) Sauer 90. An excellent rifle made to high stds. Of a more classic concept that the 202, lock up is insured by cam actuated rear lugs which give it the smoothest bolt I know of.

I've become so familiar with ticks that I'm able to "unscrew" and pick them off the skin with my bare fingers without tearing off their head. Lyme disease is a terrible disease and it's a pity because it's so easy to cure with antibiotics in its early stage. Every time a tick is removed, one has to watch for the appearance of a circular red welt with a white center on the location of the bite. Then it is time to consult and ask (insist) for treatment (unfortunately few city physicians are familiar with wilderness diseases, which are often under-diagnosed). After a week or 2, the red welt disappears and unaware people forget about it. Unfortunately the disease then incubates for years before breaking out...

Each year I pass a complete medical check-up and I've made it a habit to add borreliosis (=Lyme disease) and Echinococcus multilocularis (fox lintworm) to the exam list .

Thanks for the answer. You read my mind, I was wondering why you would not be using a fast .25 caliber or something even smaller. It's nice and interesting to see your choices and how well you use them.

Someone made a comment about ticks and I had to post a pic. Our deer are ticky now too. I had this guy looking at my trail camera last week.

Andre, you interested in selling your 7x64 barrel? I have one in 270, but would love to have one in 7x64 to go with my Sako AV in 7x64. Lou

Sorry Dr Lou, I'm no parting with it. It's very accurate and has quite a hunting history yet. Besides, I have a full bucket of 1x shot 7x64 Norma brass -enough to last a lifetime, in case I should put aside my .30-06 bbl.