Reasons I picked the M03.

1. A pre-owned as new rifle was available at a good price.

2. Solid real rifle.

3. Used one before and found it quite OK.

4. The Sauer has an alloy action I believe (?) though also steel actions on some models.

5. I like the Sauer takedown models as they are shorter for travelling, but also twice the price I paid.

6. The decocker/safety on the Mauser is sometimes criticised, but I have found it OK. It is not noisy if operated properly and doesn't catch your finger as claimed if used rightly.

7. I probably would find the Sauer acceptable to own as well. Maybe even a Blaser if I played around with one for a while. I don't like the Blaser's low capacity magazine. Nor the R8's combined trigger magazine, which I think is a crazy idea.