fisherprice1

What are the diference between the Optilock scope mounts and the Conetrol ? Why wouldn't you just Weaver type?

Solitary Man

First of all, I'm assuming the Sako is a 75, which has integral tapered dovetail scope mounts as part of the receiver. It will not accept a conventional mounting system that screws to the receiver because there are no screw holes. A Weaver type base will not work to my knowledge unless you have the receiver drilled and tapped. Personally, I would not want to do this.

The Optilocks are made by Sako specifically for the integral dovetails. They are rock solid. They have a polymer insert that wraps around the scope and fits inside the rings. I like this a lot because it doesn't leave rings marks on your scope and it eliminates any alignment problems that might exist between the front and rear mounts. But as I mentioned, they are higher than most other scope mounts. I prefer the scope to be mounted as low as possible. Oh, one more thing I don't like about the Optilocks: the ring screws are too soft in my opinion. After two or three scope changes the hex heads become buggered and are virtually impossible to get tight enough. At least that's been my experience. I've had to order new screws from Beretta/Sako and they want $4 apiece for them. If I could find a Torx head screw like Leupold uses I would use those, but I have not been able to find the correct size to fit the Optilocks. They require metric screws and the Leupolds don't come in metric sizes.

Conetrols are an excellent scope mount also. I may end up putting these on my other Sako as well. Conetrol makes bases that work with the Sako's dovetails, so no holes are required in the receiver. The Conetrol mounts are very handsome because the rings are projectionless. That is, they don't require any screws, except were they attach to the bases. This makes for a very sleek design. A scope can be mounted lower to the receiver with these mounts and I like that. The medium Conetrols, for instance, are lower than the low Optilocks. The only knock I have on these mounts is how difficult it can be to mount a scope in them. But once you get a scope mounted in these, it ain't going nowhere.

Talley also makes mounts for the Sako. I don't have any personal experience with these, but I understand they are excellent. Leupold and Millet make mounts for Sakos too, but these would be my last choices, especially the Millets.

I hope this helps you out. Here's a couple of links so you can see what I'm talking about:

www.conetrol.com
www.sako.fi/accessories_optilock.html

CalNewbie

Go for the Sako. I haven't shot the T3 but do have a Sako 75 30-06 and a Tikka Whitetail Hunter 7mm-08. The Tikka shoots well, the Sako shoots better. So far the Sako likes everything except 180 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.

I have the Optilock mounts on both rifles and love them. The installation was a breeze they're rock solid. I haven't had to take them apart, so I can't speak to any problems with soft screws.

Warne also makes scope mounts for the Sako and Tikka grooved receivers. Check them out at www.warnescopemounts.com. I have their Premier rings on a new Savage varmint rifle that I haven't put through the paces yet. I found them to be a bit of a pain to install. Instead of a top and bottom ring you get a left and right half. You need to deal with the ring spacing, leveling, tightening, etc. all at the same point. I would have prefered attaching a lower ring to the base, then dropping in the scope, then the upper ring.

bmullin57

bugsNbows

The Tikka T3 is indeed available in either 270 WSM or 300 WSM however, due to demand, they are hard to get. Ammo is more expensive also. The Tikka Whitetail hunter is not available in any of the WSM's but can be had in 270 Wby Mag or 300 Win mag or 338 Win Mag. The Sako Stainless synthetic is available in 300 Rem Ultra Mag, 300 Wby Mag, 300 Win Mag, or 338 Win Mag. The Sako 75 Hunter is available in 300 Rem Ultra Mag, 300 Wby Mag, 338 Win Mag and 340 Wby Mag. Lots-o-choices. The Sako is a notch above the Tikka but both are really good. For the $ (value) the Tikka is a better choice but for the extras, the Sako is a dandy.

Solitary Man

I forgot about the Warnes that CalNewbie mentioned. I've got these on my Knight muzzleloader, but I'm not too crazy about them. They would be my fourth choice behind Conetrol, Sako Optilock and Talley.

340WBYMAG

May have some bad news for you. Unless you already have a Sako 75 SS in 300 wby in stock you might have a problem getting one directly from Sako. I recently was going to order the same rifle from my local shop and Stoeger in Canada indicated Sako was cutting back on hard to sell calibers??? The 300 wby was one of them. I did locate one through another dealer, luckily, so I didn't worry about it.

Based on the two rifles you mentioned and not including the T3, only the older Whitetail hunters. The Sako is a much nicer (rolls royce) finished rifle compared to the Tikka Whitetail Hunters (Cadillac) comparison. But they should both shoot well, with my nod going to the Sako.

340,

oldelkhunter

It would be nice if you compared apples with apples ...but a powerpoint with a Failsafe ...I buy 7 wsm PP ammo at walmart for 20.00 a box if that.

oldelkhunter

These prices are from www.grafs.com and are for federal ammo

FDP300HA FED AMMO 300H&H 180gr NSL PART.Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $38.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300RUMC FED AMMO 300 ULTRA 200gr PART. NIK. V-S 20/b 10/c $37.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300RUMS1 FED AMMO 300 ULTRA 165gr S.B. NIK. V-S 20/b 10/cs $33.79 No Buy View Cart
FDP300RUMT1 FED AMMO 300 ULTRA 180gr TBBC NIK. V-S 20/bx 10/cs $44.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WA1 FED AMMO 300WIN 180gr NSL A.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $31.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WBA FED AMMO 300WBY 180gr NSL PART. NIK. V-S 20/b 10/cs $47.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WBS1 FED AMMO 300WBY 180gr NSL S.B. NIK. V-S 20/bx 10/cs $29.59 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WBT1 FED AMMO 300WBY 180grTBBC NIK. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $48.79 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WD2 FED AMMO 300WIN 180gr NSL PART.Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $33.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WK FED AMMO 300WIN 165gr NSL PART.Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $33.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WN FED AMMO 300WIN 165gr NSL B.T. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $28.39 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WP FED AMMO 300WIN 180gr NSL A.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $37.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WS1 FED AMMO 300WIN 165gr NSL S.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $25.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WS2 FED AMMO 300WIN 180gr NSL S.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $25.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMA FED AMMO 300 WSM 180gr GRAND SLAM 20/bx 10/cs $37.79 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMA1 FED AMMO 300WSM 180gr NSL A.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $31.99 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMB FED AMMO 300WSM 180gr NSL PART.Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $38.39 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMD FED AMMO 300WSM 150gr NSL B.T. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $28.59 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WSME FED AMMO 300WSM 165gr NSL PART. Vital-Shok 20b 10/c $38.39 Yes Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMF FED AMMO 300WSM 180gr 3-X BARNES Vital-Shok 20b 10c $37.99 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMS1 FED AMMO 300WSM 165gr NSL S.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $26.39 No Buy View Cart
FDP300WSMS2 FED AMMO 300WSM 180gr NSL S.B. Vital-Shok 20/b 10/c $26.39

As you can see they are offering more choices for the 300 wsm then they are for other 300 whatevers out there.

Power

The Tikka T-3 is not as nice a gun as the Sako. Same barrels and triggers and both accurate but giving the choice I would opt for a Sako or, if you can find one, the Tikka Whitetail Hunter.