Author Topic: Sako 75 Finnlight .280 (Read 1602 times)

jcurrie · « **on:** March 11, 2004, 05:54:45 AM »

I have brownings and remingtons and have recently fell in love with Sakos. I have purchased a Sako 75 s/s 7mm and love it, a little heavy but other than that I really like it. Now I want a Finnlight for woods hunting and stalking. I know the .280 has a 20 7/8" barrel and I am a little concerned about muzzle blast after reading some of the comments. Can somebody with experience really tell me if this is going to be a problem. I spoke with two gunsmiths and they said they didn't think it would be a problem. Thanks for your help. Jeff

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2004, 06:54:31 AM »

The answer to your question is like the subject of recoil - the answer to which is "it varies from person to person."

Generally speaking, most shooters probably won't be that affected by the muzzle blast from a .280 with a 20" barrel. I personally have shot a .270 with a 20" barrel and, while I prefer a 24" barrel, and the muzzle blast would be less with a 22" barrel, the muzzle blast from the 20" barrel was tolerable. Given that a .270 is very close a .280, I would find similar results.

Again, it all varies from person to person.

Zachary

blewis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2004, 08:13:54 AM »

A friend of mine bought that exact rifle. We went to the range and sighted it in one day. Very nice, light weight rifle. Shot pretty decent groups also. It jumped a little on the bench rest but nothing severe. The bolt didn't seem to be as smooth as it should have been for this quality of rifle. He put a Zeiss VM/V 3-12x56 scope on it. It was a big scope but didn't overpower the rifle or throw off the balance. Another friend used it to hunt elk in Colorado. One trip, one elk, seemed to work just fine.

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2004, 03:08:28 PM »

Call me crazy, but putting such a big scope on such a light weight rifle kinds defeats the purpose of the rifle.

I say this because I bought a Tikka T3 and have a Kimber 8400 on order. These are lightweight guns - especially the Kimber. These guns were made for those "mountain hunts" where "every ounce counts."

As such, I will be putting an Elite 4200 2.5x-10x-40mm on the Tikka T3. This scope weighs 16oz, and I think that even that is kinda heavy for the T3's intended purpose.

Personally, even though I like big scopes, I just wouldn't put such a huge Zeiss on such a little, lightweight Sako.

Zachary

blewis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2004, 04:49:50 PM »

I don't know if it's the $1,000 rifle or the $1,500 scope but somebody is always wanting to borrow it. So far there have been no complaints.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2004, 05:01:01 AM »

I have the Finnlight in 270. For a 270 I would say recoil is a little high but not too bad. Out of the box mine would shoot 1/2 inch groups. One thing be VERY careful during cleaning. NEVER use a "scrubing" action when cleaning. Push a patch through and replace with a new patch BEFORE you pull back. I don't know why but if I don't do this my 1/2 groups turn into 2 inch groups. After I shoot about 20 shots my groups will return to 1/2. After a started cleaning like I decribed the groups never changed.

My Sako is at a tie as being my favorite. The other favorite is a Browning 270 WSM. I say if you have the money everyone needs to own at least one Sako. It's so choice.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2004, 04:38:24 AM »

Quote

Personally, even though I like big scopes, I just wouldn't put such a huge Zeiss on such a little, lightweight Sako.

Could not agree with you more on this subject ... that scope better resides on a fullsize rifle in the 7 1/2 lb class and higher for balance purposes. On the other hand it is lighter then most scopes in its tube size and objective size so it may be borderline on that light a rifle.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2004, 05:33:10 AM »

Uuuummmmm-----the Sako Lightweight isn't exactly a lightweight rifle----it just has a shorter barrel and is pretty much the same weight as every other rifle out there.

Sako's tend to run heavy.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2004, 05:51:09 AM »

Go with a short action like 7mm08.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:29:36 AM »

Been Glockin. the Sako lightweight is a lightweight compared to a fullsize Sako Rifle... and at 6 1/2 lbs the same weight as a Remington mountain rifle.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:45:08 AM »

My buddy has a Kimber 84M Montana----that with rifle--scope mounts and scope comes in at 6lbs 2oz.

So Sako calling their smaller rifle a lightweight is a joke.

The Sako is a good gun and I own 2 full sized ones------but don't try to make the smaller rifle into something its not.

jcurrie · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:59:58 AM »

Thanks everybody for your help. I think I will probably go with the short action 7mm-08. It seems to be a better match for the finnlight rifle. Its great to be able to get answers before parting with the cash. Jeff

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2004, 02:17:20 AM »

Been Glockin... I see any gun that weighs in the 6lb area as being a lightweight. A Kimber, Remington TI or something in that class is an Ultralight in my view. In any event a big scope like that Zeiss VM sure throws the balance of a lightweight rifle off. A Rifle like this is better served with a 2-7 or 2.5-8 variable or small fixed scope.

nyrifleman · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2004, 05:20:30 PM »

Spend the extra few bucks and buy a Remington 700 KS Mountain Rifle. I have two, one a 7 Rem Mag, the other a .280. Shoots great, points and carries even better.