Mercury hunting Bolt action rifle Saphire Thumbhole

The model name SAPHIRE stands for Sabatti All Purpose Hunting Italian Rifle. The name alone indicates that the Italian manufacturer has developed its new bolt-action rifle specifically for hunting use. It is therefore fundamentally different from the traditional Rover rifle.

The Saphire offers the possibility to use interchangeable barrels, it also has a comfortable opening angle of 60 degrees and a fine trigger.
The cold-hammered multi-radial barrel (MRR®) made of AISI-4140 (42CrMo4) steel, newly developed by Sabatti, reduces bullet abrasion, achieves a higher exit velocity and is much more precise in bullet guidance.

All model versions are supplied with an M15x1 muzzle thread for the optional installation of a silencer or muzzle brake. The open sight is bolted on so it can be easily removed when using over-barrel silencers. Thus, the user keeps all options open. When not in use, the muzzle thread is covered and protected by an inconspicuous bushing. The barrel length is 52 cm and the outer barrel diameter is approx. 17 mm.

The breech is CNC machined from 55 aluminum. An integrated, two-piece Picatinny rail ensures maximum flexibility when mounting the scope. The locking head made of NiCrMo steel was given particular toughness and hardness through a special heat treatment.

The multi-radial running profile (MRR®)

Comparing a traditional barrel with a polygonal and the multi-radial, the latter is ideal for both traditional and solid bullets.

In multi-radial barrels, two different radii alternate, giving the bullet a geometrically positive hold without putting too much stress on it. In fact, the bullets are compression molded to follow the circumference and are not cut as in the traditional barrel, extending barrel life. Furthermore, there are no sharp corners like in the other barrel systems where debris collects, keeping the barrel cleaner and reducing wear.

All tests that have been carried out show: Multi-radial barrels shoot better and more precisely than traditionally shaped barrels with conventional lead bullets and with solid bullets in caliber 7.62 mm (.308) and caliber 6.5 mm (.264).

At standard pressures, the exit velocity is higher than traditional barrel - up to 12% in certain circumstances. The bullet seals the barrel bore better so that no gas can escape forwards, which optimizes the effect of the propulsion energy. In addition, the friction between bullet and barrel is reduced to a minimum.

Spatial arrangement has continued to improve due to the extremely tight production tolerances that must be met when manufacturing multi-radial barrels. The multi-radial barrel is ideally suited to the cold forging process. The consistency of the run profile generated is excellent and the overall quality of the runs has been improved.

The special barrel geometry of the barrel shank in multi-radial barrels enables a more precise and continuous guidance of the bullet through the chamber neck and the bullet bore than is the case with conventional barrel systems - the bullet hits the barrel bore in the best possible way, which reduces flight abrasion.

All things being equal, there is less copper deposits inside the multi-radial barrels, which means less cleaning is required. And if cleaning has to be done, it's easier than with conventional trains. The user can further improve the performance of the multi-radial barrel simply by applying abrasive paste without fear of ruining the barrel as can be the case with the traditional profile.