Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I am finally getting down to business about buying a .338 win mag. I am defintely choosing a stainless synthetic instead of wood for this rifle. I am trying to decide between a Browning A-Bolt, Tikka or Sako. Cost is not really a factor, I am just trying to decide which would be more accuracte in a .338. I currently have a Browning A-Bolt in 7mm which has great accuracy. Also, I noticed the Tikka is quite light in this calibre.......less than 7 pounds in fact, which I assume could result in a significant kick from the .338. Then there is the Sako. I looked at one of the new Sako 85's the other day and am not sure if I like the new look?? Besides, the store didn't have the Sako 85's in .338 win mag yet....and no Sako 75's left.

In all honesty, I would prefer to go with the Browning, since I am so familiar with it already, but since the .338 win mag is not known for the pinpoint accuracy of say a .270 WSM, I was thinking the Sako or Tikkamay give me the advantage from an accuracy standpoint.

Another thought that went through my head was, go with the Browning, and if the accuracy isn't quite there, spend a few hundred bucks at the gunsmith for fine tuning.The price may end up being the same, but I get the rifle I'm comfortable with.

Thanks in Advance.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Sako or Browning. Sako's are about twice as expensive however.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I dont know about your neck of the woods but around here the Sako M75's are being discounted a couple of hundred dollars, the wood/blued versions are going at $800 and change while the synthetic/stainless ones are just under $1000. I would rate them the best of the 3. Now finding one in 338 Win might take a little foot work.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I am on my second Sako and would buy an 85 if I had the need. I see they have controlled round feed... that is important to some, depending on whether or not the critter hunts back. Some tote 338's for that. Also, since I am in various climates it is important to me to periodically take everything apart and clean/lube as needed. Can't do that with browning bolts, unless they have changed that aspect.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

My vote would be for the Sako 75 although I still haven’t looked at the 85 yet. I was surprised on how the 75’s keep coming up for sale around here at discount prices but as previously mentioned the 338 Mag might be hard to find...

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I would have no hesitation in choosing the sako.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Tikka is a SAKO just a cheaper model. The best of the three is definately the SAKO 75then the SAKO Tikka version. Could not give me the browning. Well guess they could then I would just trade it in on the SAKO.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I have a Sako and a Tikka and have owned a couple of .338's in the Browning also. All excellent choices and shooters. I would caution on the Tikka in .338 if you're looking at the T3 which is quite light for that round. Buy whichever fits you best when you snap it up while wearing your hunting clothes, not just a T shirt.
And the Sako and Tikka while both owned by the same company are "NOT" the same rifles at all. Totally different stocks, actions and triggers. They share the same barrels though.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I have to throw my vote in for browning a-bolt.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

IMO, the Sako is the best of the bunch. I like Tikka's o.k., but they are not nearly the gun Sako's are. BTW, I have both. I did check out the Sako 85's and found them to be very nice. I am partial to my 75 though.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

If I had to own a 338 it would be a Browning. Then I would trade it for a Remington 270.;), Or a Browning 270. Or a Savage 270. Or any of the above in 7MM-08.:D

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I have not owned a Tikka, but I have owned Browning A-Bolts and Sako 75's. By a large margin I wouldsuggest the Sako over the Browning.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I'd say get something thats not just a lil peanut popper and go for a 375 H&H..........Then again, I can suggest that because it isn't my shoulder.....:D

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

I would vote for the Sako even though I have an old one (13 years old...L691) and don't know much about the new ones.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Rammer...... my trusty M75 in the 375 isnt bad at all on recoil. Either 270gr TSX's or 260 Accubonds behind 4350 and R-19 shoot very good. A great gun and caliber. If I had to leave anytime, any place for anything it's a "go to" gun for sure.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

doubleA - Now that is a good paper shooting rig there! :DI've never shot a 375 yet, I have shot a 300 H&H, that was the closest I've come to the big boy. I've also shot a ton of full power 45/70 handloads out of a Ruger #1. How would that compare to the 375? Good shooting BTW!

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Rammer, the 375 H&H is going to fall in between the two, more than the belted 30 and less than stout 45-70 loads in recoil.It really suprised me when I first started shooting it. I even have a bud that's recoil sensitive shoot it a few times and he didnt complain.......well not that much anyways:D

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

As Terry eluded to the T3 Tikka would not be on my short list, IMO to light for the likes of 338wm. In fact a guy I know just traded his 300wm T3 off on sako 75 in the same 300wm on the account of the boot he received on the bench. I had the opportunity to shoot that rifle last year as well as a couple 300wsm in the same flavor they were not terrible butyou knew they were theirand the muzzle jump was plenty off the bags.

Of the list without hesitation the Sako. I have owned a couple browning abolts including the SS Stalker and it just isn't my favorite rifle to shoot. Reason cheap stock, not great SS finish IME for the asking price.A couple of personal fo's -fit isn't perfect for me so I feel the recoil with abolt stalker more then others, mag system (DM and hinged floor plate-just silly...why???),tang safety and bolt take down is fairly complex! That said they all have shot good out of the box and served the purpose.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Skeeter - Could you clarify what you mean about the difficulty of the tang safety. This is in fact one of the reasons I like the Browning. It is nice and low where it can't be bumped and is in a natural position for my thumb. Or are you referring to difficulty when you are dismantling the rifle?

In my research, I read an article by Chuck Hawks who recommended the Browning Stainless Sythetic and referred to it as one of the best out there. Did you have some rust issues with your Browning? I tried to find the link to the article, but am coming up short right now.

I agree with many of the comments that the Tikka is too light for the.338. But I am still trying to decide between the Browning and Sako 85.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

RDJ, I don't like tang safety, personal nothing more. As far as the difficulty it is in regards to the bolt disassembly.

As I said the finish of SS just isn't spectacular for the prices they fetch up here, but I did have a problem on the underside of the barrel/action on a damp moose hunt.I have hunted the same conditions withother rifles(blue and SS)and never had this happen. I guess with price tag of close to a G note I expect more.

All just personal, much like Chuck Hawks opinion of the SS Stalker being one of the best to buy.

RE: Browning, Tikka or Sako in .338 Win Mag??
 

Skeeter - thanks for the honest feedback. I'll take it into consideration when making my decision.