Sako Reviews...
 

So, I have seen a lot of information (mainly negative) regarding Sako's Finnlight model.

Does anybody have any experience with some of the other models? Specifically, the Sako model 75 Hunter or Deluxe, chambered for 7mm Rem Mag?

Cheers

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I finally caved in and got a Eurotrash sako 75 stainless synthetic. And dad gone, I hate to admit it, its one of the finest guns I have ever owned. There I said it.

But the finnlight I have shot has been good quality but accuracy wasn't on par with the full size version. But what I have found is ultralights like the Ti and even browning for that matter sometimes have these issues. I liked the finnlight, but didn't like the stock very much.

I wanted the kimber or really wanted the NULA ultralight but it never happend. So I became satisfired with the Micro medallion.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I have a Sako 75 stainless synthetic in 30-06. It is a very very nice rifle, accurate and smooth.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I've got two 75's, a .300 Weatherby Hunter Stainless (stainless barrelled action, walnut stock) and a 7mm Rem. Mag. Hunter. I've had the Wby. 4 or 5 years and the 7mm about 3.

I've been really, really happy with these two rifles. The fit and finish is better than your typical Remington, Winchester, etc... and accuracy has been outstanding. I have to add, though, that I've bedded both, so the accuracy I'm getting may be a tad better than an off-the-shelf 75. I generally get groups in the 1/2 to 3/4 MOA range with my handloads. Other features I like about em' are the easily adjustable trigger, the fixed ejector, the 70 degree bolt lift (instead of 90) and a safety that blocks the firing pin.

If you're considering buying one and it doesn't already have scope mounts, you should consider buying Conetrol mounts for it. I've got the Sako Optilocks on one of mine and Conetrols on the other. I like both, but I give a slight lean to Conetrol. They look really nice for one thing and they're lower to the receiver. I like my scope to be as low as possible and the Optilocks are just a tad high. Also, the ring screws Sako uses are not the best in the world.

These are nice rifles and if you buy one I'm quite sure you'll be happy with it.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

Where do you find those Conetrols? Never seen them for sale before. In fact where can you buy optilocks? Mine are a tad tight on my 75 with a 50mm scope. Thought of getting some higher ones.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I've got a Sako 75 Hunter chambered in 30-06. It's my favorite rifle. The fit and finish is very good and its action is very smooth. It has a detachable mag which I also love. You could do alot worse!

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

bc, I bought the Conetrols directly from the source. They've got a website, which is www.conetrol.com and you can go there and see what they've got as far as mounts are concerned. However, I think you have to call to actually order. At least that's what I did.

A word of warning regarding the Conetrols: they're harder than most other mounts to work with. It's tricky mounting a scope in them, you almost need another pair of hands. But I think the end result is well worth the effort.

Optilocks can be found at www.accuflite.com or www.dnrsports.com I believe. I've never actually bought from either one, but they will probably be less expensive than buying from Beretta. I bought mine from Stoeger because they were still importing the Sakos at that time. I probably paid too much, but I didn't know where else to go at that time.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

bigcountry, If you do end up looking for optilock rings you can verify which rings to use with the link below. I did find that the lowest optilock rings were still a little high as Solitary Man mentioned.
http://www.berettausa.com/product/sp...ako75_main.htm

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I've got an older Sako AV with the mannlicher stock configuration in 7mm mag. Owned it almost 20 years, probably shot it 10 times. It is very accurate.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I thought these sakos came with medium rings already. But from the chart, it looks like I got low. I have maybe1/8" clearance with my barrel with a Vari-X III 3.5-10X50mm.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I'd be pretty happy with 1/8" clearance. I'd be happier with even less. When I had my 4.5-14x44 Conquest in medium Conetrols on my 7mm mag Sako 75 I had no more than 1/16" clearance and I thought that was about perfect. Since I sold that scope and now have a 3-9x40 (Conquest, of course) on it, I've got about 1/8" or maybe 3/16". I can live with that.

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Oh yea, as long as it doesn't hit when fired all that matters.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

Mustad

I have used Sakos for years because they (the stock design) fit my body so well. Mine are mostly the pre-75s, the Lt Wt Hunter model in calibers .300 up to .416. I have a new model 75 stainless/wood in a magnum. A real oinker to carry (over 10lbs w/it ready to hunt with). Being so heavy, it's pleasant to shoot.

I had one Sako that wouldn't shoot. A .338 WM. The best I ever got out of that one was about a 2" group, most were 3 1/2 to 6".... I tried everything I could think of to make it shoot. Powder, primers, brass, bullets. In desperation, I totally freefloated the bbl. Finally, I got rid of it.

Other than that one, They have been good for me.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

Gadd Zooks,

That's interesting that you mentioned you had lousy accuracy with a 338 sako. I am considering purchasing a Sako 75 SS in 338 Win Mag. Has anyone else out there had any problems with a 338 Sako? And to add to that, I would be interested in hearing any accuracy stories that people have with the 338 Win Mag with rifles other than Sako.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

RDJ

The problem child .338 was the Hunter Lt Wt, the forerunner to the current 75 model. Sako brought out this model in the .340WeaMag and I purchased it after getting rid of the .338 It shoots fine.

Recently, the New Model 75 in .338WM was put back into my battery as I wanted a S.S. model for the rain and snow. Plus I have another .338 (blued). I always bring 2 rifles whereever I go hunting, in case one rifle fails (horse brakes the stock, scope damage, etc). It was time for me to get the S.S., as a backup and for bad weather usage. Plus, I wanted a second rifle in the same caliber. The S.S. .338WM shoots 1 1/2" groups when I do my part with the Federal's H.E. 250gr Noslers. I haven't Chonographed them yet, but when I do, I'll post here. (After the Big Thaw)

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I took a look at the model 75's today in the hunter, deluxe and SS today. I think I'm sold on the SS model. I didn't think I would like it, but was really impressed with how dull the stainless steel barrel was. I think the synthetic stock will work very well for me, especially for Moose and Caribou hunting.

Chambered in 7mm rem mag, I think I'll shop it around a bit and figure out where I can get the best deal. The only version I didn't look at was the Finnlight, which I think is what you bought GZ, true? I didn't think the model 75 SS was going to present any issues in carrying around, so I think I'll just stick with this.

Thanks a ton for the great advice.

Cheers

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

mudtad

The Sako 75 which I bought wasn't the 75 Finnlight. It was their regular 75 SS model, with a wood stock (I wished I would have gotten the Synthetic). Both of the models, wood or synthetic, weighed around 8 1/2+ lbs! No scope, no rings, no bases, no bullets, no sling.

After a day of humping Miss Piggy up and down the mtns, you'll start looking like "Arnold".

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I have the Finnlite in 7mmrem mag. It shoots 1/2" groups with 2 different load/bullet weights. Best rifle I have ever owned. In the last 3 seasons I have taken 2 caribou, 2 pronghorn and 1 bull moose. All 1 shot drop in your tracks kills. I used to shoot a rem 700 in .338 win mag for moose and I don't miss it at all! Just make sure you check serial # on Finnlites as there is a recall out on some of the newer ones. I love the trigger, clip and safety on the new sakos. I went with the Sako Optiloks on mine.

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Did any of ya'll get iron sites on the rifle when you bought it. I'm thinking about a Sako 75 Hunter in 300 Win Mag, but I think I would prefer it to have iron sites even though I will mount a scope. My thinking is if you knock the scope, you can always take if off and use the iron sites. Any thoughts, comments?

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

I can't shoot so great with iron sights anyways. I also only use leupold scopes so have never had a malfunction yet. We always have at least one spare rifle in camp so I don't worry much about that.

RE: Sako Reviews...
 

Bone you hit upon a point that alot of guys dont think about on a travel hunt. Iron sights are ok but you are limited in most cases too about 100yds with them. The entire phylosophy behind high quality quick detachable mounts like Warne, QR from Leupold and mounts like Tilley is that when on a hunt if you experience scope problems (either mechanical or impact/accident) you can quickly replace the scope. Thus ideally you would take 2 scopes (that obviously were both pre-sighted for the rifle and loads you are using) on the hunt and be prepared. Rarely will you damage a rifle too the point that it is out of commission (the aforementioned broken stock from a horse falling on it would obviously pose a problem!) but breaking even a quality scope is a distinct possibility for us flat landers when we start heading up in the rough stuff for game.

Good luck,
RA

ps
As for the Sako, I still consider them THE finest "out of the box" rifle on the market. Getting more accuracy out of a hunting rifle is difficult at best and realistically un-needed for all but 1 in 1000 situations. Its funny, alot of guys spend ALOT of extra money on their hunting rifles after purchase in attempts to make them shoot under 1" @ 100yds. The Sako isnt boxed and shipped unless it DOES it at the factory. I dont think they are overpriced one penny.