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Sako rifles

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Topic: Sako rifles
Posted By: tomp
Subject: Sako rifles
Date Posted: August/26/2008 at 22:36
I am not a firearms expert by no means.   Just an average Joe who wants to buy a new gun for hunting.  The only hunting rifle I own now is a Winchester Model 70 .270 (Pre 64). I love the gun but want to treat myself to a new gun with more range for out of California hunting.  I was in a shop today and asked the guy behind the counter what his top three rifle recommendations would be.  His response was, "Sako, Sako, Sako!"   He said it is the best shooting gun out of the box bar none!  I examined the gun and personally found that the black composite stock looked plastic and kinda cheap.   What can you guys tell me?



Replies:
Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: August/26/2008 at 22:45
The Sako 85 Hunter Laminated Stainless is awesome. Silky smooth action. 

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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: August/26/2008 at 22:48
Sako has a well earned reputation for accuracy. Most factory synthetic stocks are cheaply made. Not sure which Sako you were looking at as there are several models out there including the Tikka. Not going to say the counter person was wrong, but he might be a touch too enthusiastic though.


PS. Are you looking for a light weight stainless synthetic with more power than the 270?


Posted By: Tip69
Date Posted: August/26/2008 at 23:02
I'm not a big Sako fan, but I don't have a good reason other than they tend to be a little more pricey than what I like to spend.  For a bolt action, my first choice is the Rem. 700 and then maybe a Savage.  For a semi, my ONLY choice is a Browning BAR!  I also perfer wood vs any synthetic.
 
As you mentioned in your other thread, you'll looking at maybe getting a 300 Win Mag.  I would love to have one of those or even the 7mm Mag in a BAR.  But if you are set on a bolt, the Sako would be fine as would the Remmy or Tikka or even an A-Bolt or Kimber, but I would want it with a wood stock!  As a member mentioned on the other thread, I would go with a lesser expensive rifle and get a better scope.... like a Kahles C or a Zeiss Diavari or a Swaro Z6!
 
As I mentioned in your other thread, I just got my kid a 700 CDL with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 and I was able to get them for a little under $1000.00.   I paid $649.00 for the rifle (new) and like $286 for the scope (this included a price match and some coupons) I don't think you'll be able to get those prices, but I could be wrong.   If you aren't opposed to getting a used rifle and a used scope from the Samplelist here, you should be able to stay within your budget and have a sweet set-up!
 
As a side note, can you own a BAR in Cal?


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take em!


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: August/26/2008 at 23:21
BAR all the way.  Best hunting rifle ever made.

-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 02:37
Sako, Sako, Sako
 
There are so much to choose from. If you can lay your hands on a Heym you would also be buyinga super accurate rifle.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 05:43
if he is use to using an m70 he should get kimber 8400, the sako 85 is damn nice too though

-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 06:34

Sakos are terrific.  There ARE other guns in the world, though..Bucky,  but Sako is a goody!  I, too, like wood .....unless I was planning to really beat it up....and be out in the real wet stuff.

If I was going to go shopping for a "new" rifle I would definitely have a Sako on the gun store's counter, pointing it at the ceiling! I also love to shop the used gun racks and gun shows.  Bandito



Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 06:44
      After using a pre-64 for so long you may find that getting a new rifle that meets your expectations could be chore,but fun.  Gee,sure wish I had that problem!
 
til later


Posted By: BSA
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 09:59
One reason why the SAKOs are rather costly now, is the strength of the Euro vs Dollar.
 
If you can wait a bit, before buying your new rifle, you can perhaps consider on of these 3 rifles due out soon:
 
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=101 - http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=101
 
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=103 - http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=103
 
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=102 - http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/itemimagedetail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=102


Posted By: silver
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 10:00
Check out Dakota and Empire, and the Sako will be just fine.

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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

WWW.formitch.com



Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 12:57
Originally posted by silver silver wrote:

Check out Dakota and Empire, and the Sako will be just fine.


Big%20Grin






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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Big Squeeze
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 13:13
Originally posted by tomp tomp wrote:

I am not a firearms expert by no means.   Just an average Joe who wants to buy a new gun for hunting.  The only hunting rifle I own now is a Winchester Model 70 .270 (Pre 64). I love the gun but want to treat myself to a new gun with more range for out of California hunting.  I was in a shop today and asked the guy behind the counter what his top three rifle recommendations would be.  His response was, "Sako, Sako, Sako!"   He said it is the best shooting gun out of the box bar none!  I examined the gun and personally found that the black composite stock looked plastic and kinda cheap.   What can you guys tell me?
................................Since you be out here in the wonderful "BLUE" (whacko) state of Calif. like me, I`d go with the 7mm Mag, a 300 WSM or the 300 Win Mag. for some extra range. Although the 270 Winny, is a very good longer range round.
 
The guy behind the counter was obviously just a tad biased toward the Sako? Sakos though, are very good and very accurate rifles.
 
Take a good look at the Browning X Bolts as well! Their composites imo, don`t look cheap. You can go to the Browning site and get some real good enlargements of their rifles and play their audio/videos. Though I prefer the shorter barreled compacts, the handling and the feel of the X-Bolts, to me was excellent.
 
If your first preference is composite/synthetic and the Sako`s stock did not appeal to you, take a good look at the Brownings. Always stick with your first impressions, as in most cases they are usually correct.   


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300 WSM/375 Ruger....."All science, is truly the study of God`s wonderful work!"..."Bad news for liberals, is good news for America!".."What liberals hate, I love!".."What liberals like, I despise!"


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 13:18
Originally posted by Big Squeeze Big Squeeze wrote:

 
If your first preference is composite/synthetic and the Sako`s stock did not appeal to you, take a good look at the Brownings. Always stick with your first impressions, as in most cases they are usually correct.   


Good call Squeeze.  Nothing is worse than buying a new rifle and then when you start using it finding out how bad that cheapo stock really is.  It just ruins the whole experience. 


-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 13:24
You can always drop extra dough and get an Alaskan Ti in 7mm. Yippee Excellent H-S stock, fluted barrel and bolt making it very light weight. 7mm here in Cali is a great choice, at least where we hunt.




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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 13:47
Originally posted by silver silver wrote:


Check out Dakota and Empire, and the Sako will be just fine.


Or an Echols Legend.


Posted By: Big Squeeze
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 14:14
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

Originally posted by Big Squeeze Big Squeeze wrote:

 
If your first preference is composite/synthetic and the Sako`s stock did not appeal to you, take a good look at the Brownings. Always stick with your first impressions, as in most cases they are usually correct.   


Good call Squeeze.  Nothing is worse than buying a new rifle and then when you start using it finding out how bad that cheapo stock really is.  It just ruins the whole experience. 
.............Yep! First impressions with anything are critical.....As an example! So far, I`ve had two 450 Marlin BLR`s ordered for me and the stocks with both,,,sucked! No personality in the wood grain with a very bland lighter mapley color. I much prefer the deeper brown burl wood richer type grain.......I`ll do without a BLR then until I find one that appeals to me. 
 
If I`m going to buy a rifle, I`m also going to have to do what else?? LOOK at it too!! Kinda like a woman. If you`re not attracted to her, then don`t go there!! Same way with rifle stocks!


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300 WSM/375 Ruger....."All science, is truly the study of God`s wonderful work!"..."Bad news for liberals, is good news for America!".."What liberals hate, I love!".."What liberals like, I despise!"


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 17:13


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 17:55
Originally posted by tomp tomp wrote:

 I was in a shop today and asked the guy behind the counter what his top three rifle recommendations would be.  His response was, "Sako, Sako, Sako!"   He said it is the best shooting gun out of the box bar none!  I examined the gun and personally found that the black composite stock looked plastic and kinda cheap.   What can you guys tell me?
 
Sakos are nice, well-made rifles with very smooth bolt operation and some neat features.  I would not, however, say they are the "best shooting guns out of the box, bar none."  The person you talked to was either exaggerating or he doesn't know what he's talking about.  I own 4 Sako rifles, and of those, 2 are extremely accurate and the other 2 shoot fair at best.  One of them isn't very accurate at all.  I've talked with a bunch of people who own Sakos, and beyond the ones I own, I've shot a fair number of them.  In my experience, they are on average no more or less accurate than a typical Remington M700.  They are just more expensive to make and have some unique features.  In almost every case, the Savage rifles I have trigger time behind would shoot circles around all but one Sako I've ever shot.
 
Please don't take my comments as a slam against Sako, because I love Sako rifles.  But when it comes to factory rifles, retail price usually has no correlation with accuracy.  One exception is Cooper rifles, where you do usually get better accuracy for their higher price tag, but Coopers are really classified as "semi-custom" rifles, not true mass-produced factory rifles. 
 
I say "usually" because when it comes to factory rifles, accuracy is a crap shoot.  Name any factory rifle, and there will always be individual samples out there that are tack drivers and others that are complete lemons.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: tomp
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 17:55
Thanks everybody for your help and input.  Now I have the not so simply task of deciding what to do with all your info.   


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 18:03
If you are looking for a nicer synthetic stock on a factory rifle, look at the Kimber Montana 8400.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: August/27/2008 at 21:54
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

If you are looking for a nicer synthetic stock on a factory rifle, look at the Kimber Montana 8400.
good stuff roy i agree


-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: Ivanab
Date Posted: August/28/2008 at 09:10

Some friends and I have purchased several SAKO in the last couple of years and they all shoot great.  0.5" groups at 100 yards.  We recently increased are range to 300 yards and have only shot the 300 win mag and shot a 1" 3 shot group at 300 yards. 


You won't be disapointed with the SAKO 75 or 85!


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Deer Hunter


Posted By: heikkiv
Date Posted: September/19/2008 at 04:09
Generally Sako rifles are of great quality.. or were, actually. After the fusion with beretta the overall quality has gone down pretty much. Older sakos, pre-90's are generally considered to be one of the best rifles out of the box one could get. Also, most parts of the sako and tikka come from the same factory, barrels are pretty much the same. For older sakos the ½MOA accuracy was pretty default, but for now it can vary a bit.

I own a tikka T3 varmint s/s lefty that doesn't do so well with factory ammo I've tested. I've been trying to learn secrets of handloading and am getting closer and closer to the ½MOA. As far as remington 700's go, they are not so greatly acclaimed here. I've heard horror stories about remington warranties where they seem to think that 2MOA is "acceptable" for a varmint rifle... the 700 seems to be in same league as ruger 10/22, great rifle if you change everything else than receiver ;)

For me, as a lefty shooter the tikka was natural choice because I could get the lefty action without any additional cost, also the trigger and action are very good for a factory rifle.

Strange thing though, why finnish products cost 50% less in U.S. than in here.. T3 varmint MSRP is around $1600 and for sako 85 varmint almost $3000 with current rates. Same thing with vihtavuori powder :(


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: September/19/2008 at 04:38
Interesting thread there heikkiv (from Funland on your location!!)
I have bought the Remington varmint and the verdict is still out on it. (Also left hand). I stuggled a bit with it, but seems that my reloading dies was not good enough. With new dies I shot a killer group with one particular load. It remains to be seen if I can repeat it, as I only had 5 rounds of this load.
I also wondered if Tikka would not have been a better choice then the Remington.


Posted By: heikkiv
Date Posted: September/19/2008 at 04:54
Of course when trying to find out the optimal accuracy handloading gives the best results, but don't fool yourself with only 5-shot lucky groups. Especially when hunting with the rifle it is essential what your rifle _really_ can do. Finding out this most experts recommend shooting minimum 20-round groups including the "grease shot" (don't know what it is in english, but means the first shot with cleaned bore. The one that usually is apart from the rest of the group:)

Naturally one cannot say that every rifle or every barrel is bad, but unfortunately lots of previously good manufacturers have cut costs in their manufacturing process causing the situation where getting that really really good rifle depends more on the luck than the price in the mid-price category.

remington was my other choice when I choose the rifle, but nobody had yet imported them to finland so I didn't have any user experiences regarding it. Also here in Finland most gunsmiths know sako/tikka actions like their own pockets so in case of failure there's always help.

http://bugi.oulu.fi/~heikkiv/pix/weaponry/tarket.JPG

There's couple of handloading tests compared to norma and lapua factory ammo @ 150 meters. Not so great results, but I've only shot around 70 shots with the barrel and those were my first handloads, so I'm hoping that eventually I'll get to the desired ½MOA with it. Caliber is 6.5x55SE by the way.


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: September/19/2008 at 06:42
We call the "grease shot" the fouling shot.
Yes buying an accurate rifle can sometimes be a hit and miss affair if it is mass produced. I will be trying out the same load this weekend and see if I can get consistent results.


Posted By: timber
Date Posted: September/21/2008 at 00:55
My Sako 85 Hunter has the best trigger of my current 6-7 rifle inventory but only has fair accuracy.  I like it for it's ultra smooth action and quality feel.  You should be aware that it won't cock as easily as your Model 70.  Try to dry fire it in the store and then lift the bolt.  Some of my hunting buddies were turned off of Sako's because of this.  I've just learned to 'hit' the bolt handle and don't even think about it. 

Some folks like me complain about the hard recoil pad and replace it as I did with a Kick-Eez or Pachmayr.  In general I find the Sako to be an altogether different rifle than my 700's and Model 70.  BTW, the laminated stainless is a strikingly sharp looking rifle but I'm partial to walnut.  This is a convenient excuse to post my Sako again.








Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: September/21/2008 at 06:41
Boy, timber, that is a nice looking rifle!  You can "polish" the cocking piece on the back end of your bolt with some plumber's goopy stuff ( kinda like lapping your lugs ) which will reduce the hard bolt lift....somewhat.
 
I had two Sakos over the years--one was a L61R from 1978 or so ( I bought it in '78--it might have been on the shelf for a couple of years--who knows? ) and I had an AV model from the mid-eighties....that one had a recoil pad that would stop a bullet!!  They were both super accurate....the older one was heavy, the AV Hunter somewhat lighter than the other. I sure liked 'em......past tense.......they're gone now.......Sad


Posted By: Dale Clifford
Date Posted: September/21/2008 at 12:11
sako stocks, (design) have always ahead of the times, get a mcmillian sako stock and have the best of both-- never had a remmy (10 or 15 lost count) that wouldn't shoot under an inch out of the box. having a lot of aftermarket options, stocks, triggers, barrels, is an indication of how great the gun is== not a reflection of its deficiencies. numbers of shots fired for group size is almost irrelevant  if half the groups are not shot prone or sitting etc, especially in a hunting rifle.


Posted By: timber
Date Posted: September/21/2008 at 19:06
Ed, thanks for the tip.  The lugs look and feel very smooth.  I've cautiously used a very little Shooter's Choice Grease on the lugs to no avail.  It's not recommended by Sako, only an oily rag.

Dale, I don't care for the Sako 85 stock shape.  It's too skinny in the buttstock, IMO.  But they've changed the recoil lug design and that limits the choices of after-market choices.  The lug's design is interesting but it better fit perfectly in the stock or there's going to be a problem.  I wish they'd have stuck to a traditional lug.  Check this out:

http://www.gunsandhunting.com/Dethroned.html


Posted By: Dale Clifford
Date Posted: September/22/2008 at 08:57
ok get a mcmillian remington stock configuration fitted for the sako action.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: September/22/2008 at 17:01
Originally posted by timber timber wrote:

You should be aware that it won't cock as easily as your Model 70.  Try to dry fire it in the store and then lift the bolt.  Some of my hunting buddies were turned off of Sako's because of this.  I've just learned to 'hit' the bolt handle and don't even think about it. 
 
Hard bolt lift on cocking is common with all 3-lug actions, and for that matter, all short bolt lift actions to some degree.  The reason for this is the extremely steep cocking cam.  The bolt has to compress the firing pin spring the same amount as a 90-deg bolt lift action with a shorter cocking stroke.  This is just one of the tradeoffs with a 54 - 70 degree bolt lift action.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: timber
Date Posted: September/22/2008 at 22:24
Dale, here's a couple of pictures I copied from the article:
http://www.gunsandhunting.com/Dethroned.html

Here's the Sako receiver - the 85 is on the left and the 75 on the right.



Here's the Sako stocks - 85 left and 75 right.



In the first picture the 85's recoil lug is that small rectangular 'nub' (with the bolt hole) a fraction of an inch in height.  That 'nub' fits into the plate (the rectangular slot with bolt hole) shown in the second picture and is held in place by the front action bolt/screw.  The plate is held to the stock by two wood screws.

The engineering principle (as explained to me by a very knowledgeable Beretta Customer Service representative) is that the receiver and plate become one when the 'nub' is secured in that slot but it is critical that they mate perfectly in the same plane. 

At first glance it's an elegant solution but the more I studied it the less I liked it.  I think it could potentially be difficult to have a custom stock made to accommodate that plate  in the exact correct location.  Maybe I'm wrong.




Posted By: snowflake77
Date Posted: September/23/2008 at 00:02
anyone have any experience with the Sako A7? Looking to add a piece to the collection and would like your feedback. Thanks


Posted By: Dale Clifford
Date Posted: September/23/2008 at 00:32
mcmillians fit more difficult problems than this, contact them I'll bet they already have the answer.


Posted By: timber
Date Posted: September/23/2008 at 18:38
Thanks.



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