Long Action Hunting Bolt Rifle

utahvarminter · 06-28-2009, 08:41 PM

I have a Savage 10FP, and love it for it's accuracy. I take some issue with the fixed extractor - I've been having issues with clean ejection, and want to look to a different gun for Deer/Elk/Antelope/etc.

Not a Winchester, Remington, or Weatherby fan by any means. A friend has two Sako 75's one in 30-06, one in 7mmRM. He swears by Finnish QC and Accuracy out of the box.

I've been looking at a the Browning A-Bolt, Sako 75/85, and Tikka T3.

Would love feedback from users of any - Accuracy, Reliability, Customer Service (Heard Sako's is just stellar).

FortyXDM · 06-28-2009, 09:36 PM

Utah - There are more than a few Sako owners on the site, as well as Browning and Tikka. You probably know that Tikka is merely and economized Sako, but shares the Sako barrels. I have owned two Sako's. The first in 1972, A sako forrester, and a Sako 75 .308 I have had for about ten years. I handload, and have worked up loads in 168 gr match ammo, and 165 gr hunting loads that are the most accurate I have ever obtained from a gun that I have owned. It is all but impossible to find a previous Sako owner who has anything bad to say. I should note that there are indeed many other fine rifles. I think the cnc brought to us with the computer age has made quality of the better rifles a thing of great consistency. With sako, I also like the ring mount system for a scope which is very strong, and eliminates the need for any "bases".
Visit the "Sako" section of the forum under "Manufacturers for more info on the Sako and other rifles. Let us know what you end up getting.

Tom

rimfirenut · 06-28-2009, 10:05 PM

If you have the jingle in your wallet Sako is your best bet, The fit and Finish is excellent and accuracy is 2nd to none. For a few dollars less the Tikka is also excellent!

ArkansasHunter · 06-28-2009, 10:14 PM

I'd seriouly take a look at the new Ruger Hawkeye bolt rifles, several here have one two or three including me.
Mines a 308 caliber that shoot's 3 shot groups overlapping. The action is a great design and the trigger is beyond outstanding.
The price is reasonable but should cost way more than it does. But hey you may want to pay more for a rifle that prolly want be as nice as a Hawkeye...A.H

338RUM · 06-28-2009, 11:17 PM

there is also the CZ rifles and if you want a long action bolt try the CZ 550 that is a hard gun to beat!

wirehunt · 06-28-2009, 11:28 PM

I had a Sako finnlight 75, a bloody good rifle it was to. Can't go the newer 85 models though, so far over priced it's silly and just don't seem to be as well put together as the 75.
I also had the A-bolt before the sako, another very nice rifle that shot at least as well as the Sako and maybe a touch better.
T3, yes well. I've used one and they can shoot, no if's, buts or maybe's about that. If they didn't have such a useless magazine there would be one in the safe. But that magazine. We were out after goats and I thought I'd hit the mag release by accident, wrong, the magazine had come apart in the middle

And as for the size of the bloody thing, right where you want your hand when you go walking.
If they ever fix this MAJOR floor (the T4?) I'll be the first in line, but till then...

SwedeSteve · 06-29-2009, 04:13 AM

I've had Sako's for the past 30+ years. The only other rifle I've handled that comes close is the CZ.

thebigitch62 · 07-04-2009, 12:06 PM

why don't you see your gun smith about putting a sako extractor in you rifle. I had one put on my rem 700. and it wasn't near the cost of a new rifle.

nathangdad · 07-04-2009, 12:09 PM

how many times have you fired the gun? Often an action with a sort of rough start gets better with use.

I'm not saying this will happen with your gun but it is a possibility.

The other guns mentioned are all excellent actions.

big shrek · 07-04-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utahvarminter

I have a Savage 10FP, and love it for it's accuracy. I take some issue with the fixed extractor - I've been having issues with clean ejection, and want to look to a different gun for Deer/Elk/Antelope/etc.

Not a Winchester, Remington, or Weatherby fan by any means. A friend has two Sako 75's one in 30-06, one in 7mmRM. He swears by Finnish QC and Accuracy out of the box.

I've been looking at a the Browning A-Bolt, Sako 75/85, and Tikka T3.

Would love feedback from users of any - Accuracy, Reliability, Customer Service (Heard Sako's is just stellar).

U might want to check out the Marlin XL-7 in .30-06 Price is less than anything else and the quality is Really Good for an inexpensive rifle.

Plus, the New adjustable trigger Marlin put on the XL-7 is pretty similar to Savage's...so you won't have any real learning curve.

Noticed Academy has 'em on sale for $299!!!

BEAT THAT!!

samuel · 07-04-2009, 07:16 PM

You better get to looking,only about 2 1/2 mo,s to decide and get sighted in. ,,,sam.

sniper1958 · 07-04-2009, 08:52 PM

I shoot a SIG SHR 970 in .30-06. Check GB or GA sites. There aren't any new ones around, but a good used version that's ween pampered are around, usually for less than $700. Very, very accurate and well made. Sako/Tikka is a very good rifle too. I've heard good things about the Mossberg and Marlin offering, but most are a little rough out of the box. One thing about the Sig - it's HEAVY. Loaded with a scope you'll top the scale at just over 10#, yet it's "carry-able." I use it for elk at 8,300 feet and it's not that bad.

Packerfan2600 · 07-07-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utahvarminter

I have a Savage 10FP, and love it for it's accuracy. I take some issue with the fixed extractor - I've been having issues with clean ejection, and want to look to a different gun for Deer/Elk/Antelope/etc.

Not a Winchester, Remington, or Weatherby fan by any means. A friend has two Sako 75's one in 30-06, one in 7mmRM. He swears by Finnish QC and Accuracy out of the box.

I've been looking at a the Browning A-Bolt, Sako 75/85, and Tikka T3.

Would love feedback from users of any - Accuracy, Reliability, Customer Service (Heard Sako's is just stellar).

Heard good things about Sako. Supposed to be great. Also heard really good things about the a bolt and the T3 espcially.

06-28-2009, 08:41 PM	#1
utahvarminter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 492	Long Action Hunting Bolt Rifle I have a Savage 10FP, and love it for it's accuracy. I take some issue with the fixed extractor - I've been having issues with clean ejection, and want to look to a different gun for Deer/Elk/Antelope/etc. Not a Winchester, Remington, or Weatherby fan by any means. A friend has two Sako 75's one in 30-06, one in 7mmRM. He swears by Finnish QC and Accuracy out of the box. I've been looking at a the Browning A-Bolt, Sako 75/85, and Tikka T3. Would love feedback from users of any - Accuracy, Reliability, Customer Service (Heard Sako's is just stellar). __________________ When you argue with forum trolls, they win.

06-28-2009, 10:14 PM	#4
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 16,943	I'd seriouly take a look at the new Ruger Hawkeye bolt rifles, several here have one two or three including me. Mines a 308 caliber that shoot's 3 shot groups overlapping. The action is a great design and the trigger is beyond outstanding. The price is reasonable but should cost way more than it does. But hey you may want to pay more for a rifle that prolly want be as nice as a Hawkeye...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

06-28-2009, 11:28 PM	#6
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 779	I had a Sako finnlight 75, a bloody good rifle it was to. Can't go the newer 85 models though, so far over priced it's silly and just don't seem to be as well put together as the 75. I also had the A-bolt before the sako, another very nice rifle that shot at least as well as the Sako and maybe a touch better. T3, yes well. I've used one and they can shoot, no if's, buts or maybe's about that. If they didn't have such a useless magazine there would be one in the safe. But that magazine. We were out after goats and I thought I'd hit the mag release by accident, wrong, the magazine had come apart in the middle And as for the size of the bloody thing, right where you want your hand when you go walking. If they ever fix this MAJOR floor (the T4?) I'll be the first in line, but till then... __________________ Happy Hunting Another kiwi bumming around Aussie (west island) welding shit up....

06-29-2009, 04:13 AM	#7
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,158	I've had Sako's for the past 30+ years. The only other rifle I've handled that comes close is the CZ. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

07-04-2009, 12:09 PM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,087	Out of curiosity, how many times have you fired the gun? Often an action with a sort of rough start gets better with use. I'm not saying this will happen with your gun but it is a possibility. The other guns mentioned are all excellent actions.

06-28-2009, 09:36 PM	#2
FortyXDM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Gladstone, Mo. (kc area) Posts: 3,554	Utah - There are more than a few Sako owners on the site, as well as Browning and Tikka. You probably know that Tikka is merely and economized Sako, but shares the Sako barrels. I have owned two Sako's. The first in 1972, A sako forrester, and a Sako 75 .308 I have had for about ten years. I handload, and have worked up loads in 168 gr match ammo, and 165 gr hunting loads that are the most accurate I have ever obtained from a gun that I have owned. It is all but impossible to find a previous Sako owner who has anything bad to say. I should note that there are indeed many other fine rifles. I think the cnc brought to us with the computer age has made quality of the better rifles a thing of great consistency. With sako, I also like the ring mount system for a scope which is very strong, and eliminates the need for any "bases". Visit the "Sako" section of the forum under "Manufacturers for more info on the Sako and other rifles. Let us know what you end up getting. Tom

06-28-2009, 10:05 PM	#3
rimfirenut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 558	If you have the jingle in your wallet Sako is your best bet, The fit and Finish is excellent and accuracy is 2nd to none. For a few dollars less the Tikka is also excellent!

06-28-2009, 11:17 PM	#5
338RUM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lonaconing, MD Posts: 1,024	there is also the CZ rifles and if you want a long action bolt try the CZ 550 that is a hard gun to beat!

07-04-2009, 12:06 PM	#8
thebigitch62 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Port Orchard Wa Posts: 146	why don't you see your gun smith about putting a sako extractor in you rifle. I had one put on my rem 700. and it wasn't near the cost of a new rifle.

07-04-2009, 07:16 PM	#11
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10,797	You better get to looking,only about 2 1/2 mo,s to decide and get sighted in. ,,,sam.

07-04-2009, 08:52 PM	#12
sniper1958 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 260	I shoot a SIG SHR 970 in .30-06. Check GB or GA sites. There aren't any new ones around, but a good used version that's ween pampered are around, usually for less than $700. Very, very accurate and well made. Sako/Tikka is a very good rifle too. I've heard good things about the Mossberg and Marlin offering, but most are a little rough out of the box. One thing about the Sig - it's HEAVY. Loaded with a scope you'll top the scale at just over 10#, yet it's "carry-able." I use it for elk at 8,300 feet and it's not that bad.