The Sauer 200 STR rifle has a factory warranty of 15 years, exempting the use of overpressure (handloaded) ammunition—the 6.5×55mm Pmax piezo pressure is set at 380 MPa (55,114 psi) and the .308 Winchester/7.62×51mm NATO Pmax piezo pressure is set at 415 MPa (60,191 psi) by Sauer & Sohn following the relevant C.I.P.

[1] Due to the Sauer 200 STR modular design, barrel, chambering, and trigger groups can be relatively easy changed by the user with the help of simple tools.

Tight manufacturing tolerances, a high quality surface finish and non protruding locking lugs are the basis for "smooth" bolt action manipulation.

This construction prevents that bolt thrust forces act directly to the receiver that encloses the cartridge with a radial collar that, in conjunction with a gas relief hole intended for pressure relieve during catastrophic ammunition failures, contributes to strength and safety.

The 200 STR chromium molybdenum (CrMo) steel hammer forged match barrels have a 19 mm (0.75 in) end diameter.

[4] The Swedish and Danish associations estimated they had enough supply Mauser M96 and M98 actions respectively to sustain themselves until around year 2000, but nonetheless joined the process.

Subsequently, an open competition was held where amongst others Heckler & Koch, Mauser, Steyr, Winchester and SIG Sauer delivered candidates.

Some of the requirements were that the rifle would be suited for both Nordic bullseye and field shooting, would have a maximum weight of 5.5 kg, and have sufficient precision to produce ten round groups of less than 100 mm at 300 meters (0.33 mrad; 1 moa) using factory ammunition.

On the 4 December 1987 the commission gathered in Copenhagen, and chose the Sauer 200 STR as the new Nordic standard rifle, after changes to the stock material and some other technical details.

Between 2005 and 2015, the DFS tested the Sauer 200 STR rifle in the 5.56×45mm NATO chambering, since this is the new service cartridge the Norwegian Army has adopted.

The 200 STR rifle is also approved by the sister organizations of the DFS, the Swedish Volunteer Sharpshooting Movement Frivilliga Skytterörelsen (FSR) that merged in 2009 into the Svenska Skyttesportförbundet and the Danish De Danske Skytteforeninger (DDS) for use in their shooting events.

The sport is considered a close predecessor to Olympic biathlon, with the main difference being the use of fullbore rifles and paper targets placed in the terrain with time penalties added for misses.

A special Sauer 200 sport shooting variant is a single shot version chambered for 6mm Norma BR.