Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Most likely tack-driver: Model 70 or Sako?

Most here (that know me) know that I'm very biased toward the model 70. However, I wouldn't put money on the new Winchesters being more accurate than a sako out of the box. I personally put quite a bit of work into my winnies to make them shoot lights out. I've owned about 5 FN's and 4 of the 5 needed bedding work right off the bat. The triggers have all needed spring kits as well. If going for best out of the box accuracy, I'd opt for the Tikka or Sako..

I own both over the years. I have found them to shoot about equal. I do have a high end Winchester that is more accurate than either of my past Sako's or Winchester M70. The new M70 from Carolina are top notch.

The fact that the OP didn't refer to steyr showed he has no idea what real accuracy from a factory rifle is.
200 yards, 20" 376 steyr shooting 270 flat based soft points with a 7x scope...

Various 308 carbines...

5 shot group

Geedubya,

Nice looking scope mounting. Are those Burris "drive on" dual dovetail bases? Burris or Leupold rings? I think the rings look like other Leupold rings that I have.

Those are nice clean looking mounts and I might look into using them on one of my Sakos!

Also, that picture nicely shows how good the oil finish is on Sakos. I don't know why more manufacturers don't use a real oil finish like this. They look great, and are easy to touch up when field use puts a few scratches on a stock! Maybe cheaper wood looks better stained and poly finished...?

John

Never have driven tacks but my 1 1/2" rifles have killed an azzload of critters, M70's, M77's, M700's and lame azz Mauser's being in the mix. I say M70 on your case. Never warmed up to Sako's.

No doubt that Steyr are fine rifles.

But then again its hard to be a renaissance man these days, and we all have our individual biases and preferences.















[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN0381.jpg[/img]

and I like to have an exit strategy.

Very little trouble extricating ones self from a Sako.

Best,

GWB

I agree above,......Most of our love with our rifles go way beyond just accuracy. Its easy to fall in love with the lines of a rifle or beauty of a stock. Some rifles will always be more accurate than others due to a host of factors even with in the same brand. Some of these factors can be corrected and others may not be worth it. If you get too technical or anilitical, its easy to kill the joy of the rifle. I think that is the difference between us guys that never sell our guns or those that trade them all the time. Once you reach a acceptable level of accuracy for the task at hand, you learn to overlook some of its shortcomings and chalk them up as character.

jpb,

those are Redfield Bases and Leupold Rings. Never had a problem with either, but I don't toss my rifles into creek beds or onto a pile of rocks nor shoot at a grand.

As to oil finishies, I prefer and oil finish. As you say, one can touch up the character marks at his pleasure.

I've been surprised a the timber that can be found on some of the older Sakos once the old finish has been removed.






Here is a beater that I stripped the old finished and re-finished with numerous coats of Tru-oil.










and a Deluxe that was a mess when I got it. Tru-oil finish once again, just gloss not satin.

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN4719.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN4726.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN4727.jpg[/img]

Best,

GWB

Awesome shooting GWB!! I don't have a problem getting my Winchesters to shoot or even my Rugers for that matter. From what I've personally seen with the new FN's, I'd still take a Sako for out of the box accuracy. It's not a matter of personal preference here as I much prefer my pre 64's, but that wasn't on the list.

Mystro,

10/4 on what you said. I do find in my old age two things.
First I can't shoot as good as I used to.
Second I'm not as anal about small groups as I once was.

I have two Merkel K-1's and a Blaser R-93. I've not yet acquired a Steyr. Several have called out to me, but so far I've been able to resist their siren song.
I passed on a pro hunter the other day, it was in 7 mag and at a very attractive price. I've kicked myself a couple of times but at the moment I was financially embarrassed (broke). I do believe there will be both a Steyr, most likely a Mannlicher, and a Sauer 202 in the gunsafe before too long.

Best,

GWB

GWB, Very nice rifles you have there. As mentioned earlier, I have an Finnbear circa '68-'69 in .270 Win. Now, I'm on the prowl for the same model in 25-06. Gotta like those Sako's.

BSA,

Each of the groups pictured were from dead stock Sakos. The one rifle I've had built was on a Sako S-491 action. The gunsmith I had chamber and screw on a barrel commented on how much he enjoyed Sako actions. Seems he doesn't have to do anything to true them.


Best,

GWB

Do any of you guys know where I can find/buy a Sako recoil pad for the Finnbear model? Thanks.

Love my old Sakos (as well as my model 70's) What caliber is the Sako on bottom? The beavertail forend looks cool. I like it.

Easy Sako, and in the extremely unlikely event you get one that will not shoot it is covered by the guaranty, which is just an insurance policy. If you get a M70 that won't shoot you are facing $ to try and get it there which can be $$$, or a deep discount to sell to someone that thinks they can get it to shoot, or find someone who does not care about accuracy (getting harder to do), and in my case this is always after spending a fortune in brass, powder, primers and bullets trying to find the one magic MOA load.

I've heard that too. I have to say, I love your older sako's. I've been eyeballing an older 7mm rem mag L61R Finnbear(I believe). A friend has it and it shoots lights out. He's selling it on the cheap too....Too damn many guns to be bought and not enough money

Sir,

I've told the tale often that when I was born, my folks were so poor that they couldn't afford a name for me, only ititials.
My dad nor none of his brothers hunted. His whole life he had a Browning sweet 16. That was the only gun he bought for himself and did so in 1958. I have it now.

Growing up I was able to score second hand gun rags from a kid down the street whose dad hunted and owned guns. I swore to myself as a kid that if I ever made any money I'd own some rifles. I guess you could say I've gone off the deep end.

The first rifle I purchased when I started collecting was an old wood stocked Savage 112 FV. The stock had been spray painted black, none to carefully. IIRC, paid $175 for it and +/- $20 for a Simmons scope.
The next rifle I bought was the heavy barreled Sako l61r Varmint in 7Mag.


I've never looked back. Sakos were my first love and I've owned a bunch. Out of the 20+ I've owned, only three have been purchased new. Pre-enjoyed Sakos can be great bargains, although it seems the price has been driven up lately.

Good luck on your quest. Hope you find a gem.

Best,

GWB

I stand to be corrected, but most likely you will need to use a grind to fit pad.

Best,

GWB

That is an l61r Varmint, chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag. It was the first Sako I bought and my kids will have to fight over it. Got it from an old bench rest shooter.

Best,

GWB

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I want to be Geedubya's favorite grandson!