Adding another rifle to the arsenal and narrowed it down to these 2. Rifle will be used mainly for deer hunting with shots in the 100-250 yd range. I will be topping with a Swarovski Z6 that needs a new partner.

Which rifle would you choose? Why?

I don't believe the Steyr can be rebarreled unless shipped back to factory. It is press fit into the receiver. That makes it a disposable rifle in my opinion. Depends on how much you shoot though...

Doubtful it would ever need to be but they are not. The ssg was.
The Steyr is threaded with a chamber extension that keeps all burn forward and are pressure tested to 120000 actual.

Check with Birmingham pistol for the best steyr prices.
You should be able to pick up one with a new Zeiss for 1100 or bare for 700 or so.
If you want Steyr info pm me your number. Don't know about the new style sakos but they are more money for sure.

The Steyr Pro Hunter did everything I needed a rifle to do very well. I had a few pass through my hands when I could pick them up for $350 that my friends ended up with. The ones I had were 308...I can't see 7mag for deer at 150yds.

You could save $1500 by going with a RAR with a Leupy or Redfield on it with a good fov.

Sako is a lighter rifle has the better stock, has less bolt lift which may or may not affect your ring height and a better trigger.

Accuracy out of both should be a wash. One advantage the steyr has is the barrel length.

If you can buy the Steyr for a few hundred less go that route.

Cant speak for the Steyr but I did handle an A7 Roughtec and I would not have one, I was excited about this new offering from Sako until I got My hands on one, I found it heavy and the thick bulky stock felt like shyte......I gladly handed it back to the Bass Pro sales clerk..............Good luck....Hb

Wait a minute. You're telling me that a Bass Pro sales clerk behind the firearms counter actually handed you a gun? I'd swear the ones around here are specifically trained not to help people. Maybe that's just a pioneer program they've been testing at the home store before running with it nationwide.

The stocks on the new Steyr's are not the flimsey ones of old. They are Corbin fiber reinforced. The last synthetic...no...the one before that was a new one and it was as stiff as any stock I've held. Shot 5 into .6 out of the box with a factory zeroed Zeiss in Tally's. Group was exactly 2" high, a little left.
Plus is, seeing the OP is from AL...
Steyr Arms Inc
Gun Shop
2530 Morgan Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 417-8644

He can walk in the door and buy direct.
Try these on for size...
http://www.steyrarms.com/store/index.php/accessories/steyr-sale-specias.html

Tell Jeff and Mr.Hoff hello for me.

lmao! Very true........Hb

I have a couple of the prohunters. They are nice rifles but I don't care for the safety wheel design and the bolt handle if you are hunting with gloves on. With bare hands or thin gloves it's not an issue.

Try open hand palm up to operate the bolt.
If the distress continues you have 2 choices...convert them to a knob or call me and I'll take them off your hands.

Per Steyr Arms in AL, they are no longer offering a Pro Hunter in 7mm mag. They are only offering 308, 30-06, 270, 7mm-08 and 300 mag.

308 Mountain Stainless

You haven't bought one already?

Have you handled one of these yet?

You will either like it or not.

I went through several of them...I bought them for my own use, but I made the mistake of letting my buddies shoot them... they all made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I bought the last one in 30-06, but that didn't seem to make any difference.

They didn't cost much back then, because the dollar was stronger...hell of a deal and if you have a certain body type, the stocks are very ergonomic.

I liked the rifles, but they fell off the radar, and there area a lot of other good choices in the same price range.

Get the 7-08 and load it hot as the brass. An handle.
You won't be far from 7mag.