Sako: what's the collective opinion?

[Snowdog]

I've been looking for something commercial in 6.5x55 for a while now (who needs anything more for deer, right?) and found that Ruger offers the M77 in this caliber, as well as Sako's Hunter series.

I love the looks of both and know a little about the Ruger M77, but absolutely nothing about Sako other than it being a Scandinavian corporation. I like the looks of the Sako, but I've also noticed a price difference as well.

What do we know about Sako?


Also, does anyone offer this nifty caliber in a single-shot rifle (HandyRifle, Ruger N07, etc)?

 

[JohnBT]

Italian corporation actually...Beretta bought it. Tikka too. And Burris scopes FWIW.

Excellent reputation on the current production.

The only one I have is a Finnfire .22.

The rifles from 40 or 50 years ago have a superb reputation. These are the so-called pre-Garcia rifles. They are the ones made before Garcia began importing them. My Finnfire is from a couple of years ago when Stoeger was importing them. The new ones say Imported by Beretta.

I do like Ruger revolvers though

John

 

[cratz2]

Well, I love Sako rifles - they are among the very best available at anything resembling a decent price. And the Tikkas are just a slight step down but still generally ahead of Ruger/Winchester/Remington/Savage etc...

I really like the Ruger rifles... then Winchesters, then Remingtons. Some folks don't like the cast receiver but I can certainly live with it. Very decent rifles for the price. Sometimes the trigger is a bit rough but if you ask around, there's a pretty good chance someone in your area can clean it up and get you a good, crisp 2.5 lb pull - money well spent.

The Sakos are pretty much superior to the Ruger but the price is going to be generally three to four times as much. Not really in the same ballpark. If you can foot the bill for the Sako, get it. Another rifle in the general price range, a but higher, is the SIG Blazer R93. Very neat rifle, very accurate. The Sako and the Blazer are pretty much perfect right out of the box.

 

[HerbG]

I've been shooting Sako rifles since 1965, and currently own six. They are outstanding rifles IMHO, and well worth the cost. You can find some good buys on www.gunsamerica.com on both new and used Sakos.

 

[Airwolf]

I’ve got a Tikka Whitetail in .30-06. Fit and finish are superb. Bolt operates like glass and the trigger is outstanding. I put a Nikon Monarch 6.5-20x44 scope on it with Tikka rings/bases and a Harris bipod. Results were around 1.5-2MOA with mil-surp ammo on the first trip to the range (100 yards prone w/bipod only) and I’m an absolute tyro when it comes to rifles. I fully expect a benchrest setup to yield 1MOA.

Given the fact that a Tikka is a “poor mans Sako†I can only imagine what a real Sako would be like.

Needless to say I have one on my “must buy†list.

 

[Preacherman]

Sako's are excellent rifles, and IMHO are superior to any current mass-production rifle from Remington, Winchester or Ruger. The Tikka line is made by Sako at a lower price, and is still superior to anything from the American Big Three (again, IMHO). I'd recommend either a Sako or a Tikka to anybody. If cost is a factor, the Tikka gives 90%+ of the performance of a Sako for rather less money - worth thinking about.

 

[diyj98]

Amen to what the Precherman said. I agree 100%.

 

[0007]

See my post under "new rifle". Sometimes you get lucky. Ditto to Preacherman. Smoothest action you will ever feel, and triggers that break like the preverbial glass rod out of the box - at least on the old ones.

 

[PJR]

The Sakos are pretty much superior to the Ruger but the price is going to be generally three to four times as much.

Not at the stores where I shop. The Sako is about 50 per cent more expensive and is at least 100 per cent more gun than any bolt action made by Ruger and I've owned both.

I too agree with Preacherman.

 

[BHP9]

Sako's were always known for outstanding workmanship and quality materiels (in the older models). Although I do not own one of the redesigned newer models most Sako purists prefer the older model L series rifles.

Design wise they were not the equal of a good 98 Mauser and even the older Sako's had some very poor looking wood in them.

Still you cannot fault the workmanship, quality of materiels and acccuracy of the older models. I think think as time goes on we will find out if the newer and changed design of the new models are the equal of the older ones but I for one would not hold my breath.

 

[TIMC]

I have a Sako 75 Hunter chambered in .300 Ultra Mag. Most accurate out of the box rifle I have ever owned. Yes they are expensive but I feel woth the money.

 

[Robby from Long Island]

My first varmint rifle was a heavy barreled Remington 700 Varmint Special in .243 that I purchased new in 1968. A few years later bought one in .222 and even later a .223, all Remington's. Basically, they were what I considered my limit of affordability.

Then, about 8 years ago I was in my local gunshop and found out they had a couple of older Sako's sitting in their original boxes in the back of the store that nobody seemed to have an interest in.

I had always admired the quality and beauty of Sako's but could never justify the price. Figured it was about time to splurge. The owner brought them out, I examined them and bought both.

They are the older model Sako Vixen's Varmint/Target rifles with the (L 461) action. Both are single shots with fully adjustable triggers that were taken down to 1 lb. One is chambered in .22PPC and the other in 6PPC. Barrels are even heavier than any of my Remingtons.

While both guns cost a total of $2600, felt it was a bargain as they are without a doubt the most accurate rifles I ever shot. I put Leupold 36X target scopes on both guns and amaze myself with the groups that occur.

Safe shooting.

 

[Beer Drinker]

Still made in Finland, owned and imported by Italian Beretta.