Author Topic: Sako Question (Read 1330 times)

Guybo · « **on:** October 28, 2003, 08:05:49 AM »

I just had two deals to fall through one on a Remington Classic 25.06 and the other on a Ruger#1B 25.06. I have a Remington Sendero 25.06 but it's just to heavy for my type of hunting and although i'm a big Remington fan and love their rifles the only thing they are making now chambered in 25.06 is the BDL which is the only model they make that i don't like. I could find a mountain rifle but i don't like the 22" thin barrel for the 25.06 caliber. I've looked at Winchester and Ruger but don't like the safety on those so i've decided to take a hard look at the Sako 75 hunter. I know they cost more and thats ok i want a good quality rifle. I've never owned a Sako and don't know much about them other than what i've read and no one around here has one or stocks them but i can order it from a local gun shop. For those of you that have a Sako i need some feedback. I handload so i would be working up a load for this rifle but would you recommend i have the action bedded and the barrel floated before i start? How do they shoot out of the box? I see on the website that the trigger is adjustable from 2-4lbs which is nice also. The gun is running about $850 here is that a fair price or should i go elsewhere?

On another note, if i wanted to build a rifle how would i go about getting a Remington 700 action, do i have to go through a gunsmith or a licensed FFL person? Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any and all replys. Mike

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2003, 11:12:19 AM »

I have had several Sako rifles (we have 3 right now in the family) as have some of my friends. The newer Sako's have free floated barrels. They (at least all I have seen) have no problems shooting 1" out of the box. Besides Tikka rifles, I would doubt that you could do better . . . for the money . . . but of course that is just my opinion. Lots of others have their favorites also. From what I have seen for a walnut/blue 75 Hunter in a non-magnum caliber 850.00 is about average. I have never seen a lower price except maybe closeouts etc... But I have seen them for upwards of 1000.00.

long

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2003, 05:37:41 AM »

I own two Sakos and I love them. I have a problem with my 75 Stainless Synthetic in that it doesn't feed Federal ammo very well, but many think that the problem is with the batch of Federal brass because the gun feeds every other brass with no problem.

Groups average well under 100 yards and, yes, the barrels are free floated. As for the trigger, yes, it is adjustable from 2 to 4 pounds, like the Tikka, and it is VERY EASY to adjust. I adjusted mine down to about 2.5 pounds.

Sakos are excellent guns, but they are expensive. On the other hand, while Tikkas are also excellent guns at half the price (and I own 3 Tikkas) the Tikkas have more plastic in them than the Sakos. The Sakos have 100% stainless Steel internal parts - you pay for quality.

In my opinion, between Sako and Weatherby, I would buy the Sako.

Zachary

socagee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2003, 10:40:24 AM »

I just purchased my first Sako. It is the SS synthetic in 270 Win. I am more than pleased with its feel, accuracy. and performance. It will not be my last Sako.

Redwood · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2003, 12:49:06 PM »

Hello - I sell Sako's and can very heartily recommend them. Not many manufactures have a 1" group claim. There are alot of hidden features built in that most would not see or appreciate at 1st glance. I think the $850 to be a great price, especially since Sako / Beretta just had a price increase. The other gun I would take a hard look at is the Sig 202 or Blaser. Happy shootin!

HHI #4694 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2003, 10:48:56 AM »

If you keep your eyes open, you will see the stainles 75s go for about $650.00, used in nearly flawless shape. I got two at that price. They shoot incredibly well, but I got rid of them both. Thye were excessively heavy and had very poorly designed bolt shroud, striker assemblies.

Redwood · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2003, 02:19:41 PM »

I just bought myself an off the shelf Finnlight in 243 (usig my Beretta employee discount). Out of the box, best 100 yd group was 5/8"; best 200 yd group was 7/8". I was impressed. Used my own handloads. Slightly larger groups with Black Hills Gold ammo. Used a Pentax Lightseeker 3-9x42mm scope, Talley QR rings & bases. I'm sold! Next I plan on a 7mm-08 or 308, either Finnlight or 75 Hunter...

spitpatch · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2003, 04:10:29 PM »

GO WITH THE SAKO!

HHI #4694 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2003, 04:28:15 PM »

The only problem with the Finlight is a barrel that is just too short. Both the Weatherby Ultra Light and the Remington Titanium have full length barrels and weigh less. They also feature real stocks made of Kevlar and fiberglass. The Sako has a cheesy plastic injection molded stock. This is a disgrace on a rifle in this price range. :eek:

longwinters · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2003, 05:45:05 AM »

I would agree that on the Sako TRG series rifles the stock is pretty cheesy. But on the Sako 75 etc... the stocks are excellent. I have had Weatherby, Remington and Winchester. I really like the Weatherby rifles and would always consider them if possible. But the Sako rifles are excellent.

long

HHI #4694 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2003, 01:05:23 PM »

I like Sako rifles myself. The Sako 75 stock fits me very well. Unfortunately, it is in fact injection molded plastic. It is the only rifle in it's price range that is using a cheapo stock.

Zachary · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2003, 04:15:55 AM »

Quote from: HHI #4694

The only problem with the Finlight is a barrel that is just too short. Both the Weatherby Ultra Light and the Remington Titanium have full length barrels and weigh less. They also feature real stocks made of Kevlar and fiberglass. The Sako has a cheesy plastic injection molded stock. This is a disgrace on a rifle in this price range. :eek:

I agree. For that kind of money, you would expect a better stock and a longer barrel. There is no question that the Finnlights are shooters, but who wants a 20" barrel? I'm sure that there are some people out there that do, but Not me. That's why I bought the Sako 75 - standard calibers at least come with 22"+ barrels.

Zachary

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2003, 09:24:50 AM »

I have owned two Sako 75 SS models and one Sako 75 Finnlight. They are very well built (perhaps over built....have a good look at the bolt and you'll see what I mean), they have smooth actions and are very accurate. My complaints were the overall weight and the fact that I couldn't find a mount that got the scope low enough for my liking. I was used to Remingtons and being able to really "hug" the stock with a low mounted scope. I put the Sako rings/bases on one Sako and a Leupold mount on the other. Wasn't really happy with either although the Leupold got the scope lower to the barrel. I ended up trading one of my 75's for a Sako Finnlight and that solved the weight issue.

Just as a word of caution....I have read about problems closing the Sako 75 bolt in extremely cold weather and talked to a guy that had it happen at -20c. I never experienced this but them I stop hunting when it hits -15c. :oops: