Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako vs mrc

Hello all, New comer here. I'd like some opinions and feedback, I'd like to get a medium bore rifle and these manufactures are what I'm looking at. First off I'm left handed, but really like the looks of the sako black bear in 9.3x62. There's also the Hunter model in the same chambering which can be had as a lefty.
I'm also very interested in montana rifle company, specifically the x2 model in 338 win mag, left handed of course. What are the pros and cons of these two rifles? Any first hand experience is great. Now I don't really need a medium bore, but I'm a rifle Looney and I've been wanting one.
Oh and price is not a big deal, rifles are the only thing I like to spend money on.

Thanks in advance! Jack

Jack:

First, welcome to the 'Fire.

Second, I have a Sako Black Bear in .308 and like it a lot. Had a Swaro Z3 mounted using Recknagel QD mounts so I could access the iron sights if needed. Accurate, handy, slick and very well made. Only drawback is the muzzle blast from it's 20" barrel.

The 9.3x62 is an awesome cartridge . I would have bought a Black Bear in 9.3x62 if I didn't already own two other rifles in that same caliber. A friend bought one in 9.3x62 and was well pleased with it. On his first hunt with that rifle he used it to shoot (of all things) a black bear!

I have no opinion on the MRC.

Hope this helps.

Thank you, I will have to find one to handle, I've only handled the sako Hunter which seemed fantastic.
Those z3 scopes really are something, have one on a kimber 84l.

I would buy the MRC .338 Win. Have a MRC in .338 RUM and I love it.

The Sako dovetail gives you limited mounting and may not work well on a long action with short tube scopes. There have been ejection problems reported on the 85 long actions. Mostly the Sako is a solid gun. I don't know much about the MRC. Best to handle both and let that decide you. I would want to know what mounts are available for the MRC. A picatinny solves lots of issues.

I believe Talley makes one piece light weight mounts for the MRC, and I understand the dovetail dilemma. I just got an l579 that I'm having trouble finding mounts for. I would really like to handle the montana but have not seen one in any gun stores.

MRC uses the same mounts as a Winchester M 70.

As stated in my post, I had Recknagel QD mounts installed on my Black Bear (including their bases). This is a perfect solution to the Sako mounting issue and gives quick access to the iron sights if required. The excellent iron sights that come on the rifle are actually made by Recknagel as well. I agree that the Sako Optilock mounting system is suboptimal.

My Dakota 76 African in .416 Rigby also has the same Recknagel QD mounts and bases installed. They withstand heavy recoil with no issues. We fired 6 shots at 100 yards, removing and reattaching the scope between each shot. The rifle shot it's usual 1" group and there was no discernible change in the point of impact shot to shot. They exhibited no issues on several safaris. While I have not performed the same experiment with the Black Bear, based upon my experience with Recknagel QD mounts, I would expect the same result.

I bought a Sako 75 in .300 Win mag with a Swaro Z6i to take to Zim in 2007. I acquired the rifle shortly before departure. An Ed brown Savannah 704 that I intended to bring turned into a disaster and was sent back to the maker for a refund. There were issues before departure with the 75 failing to eject fired cartridges, but there was no time to get another rifle. Ejected rounds were hitting the scope and bouncing back into the action. This trend continued in Africa and I simply put that rifle away and used my .416 Rigby for everything. I sold the 75 upon my return.

That said, my friend has reported no ejection problems with his Black Bear in 9.3x62. I had no ejection problems with a Sako 75 in 7-08 and my Black Bear in
.308 has functioned perfectly. However, those are medium actions. Ejection problems with Sako 85 long action rifles are well known. Apparently, not every long action Sako 85 suffers from that problem, but some certainly do.You can do a search here on the 'Fire to learn about the experiences others have had with Sako 85 rifles.

Personally, I would not hesitate to buy a Black bear in 9.3x62. YMMV.

Wow those recknagel mounts a very impressive, and pretty pricey. I might have to end up getting both rifles, but the second one would be down the road a ways. The ejection problem is a bit disconcerting. Are there any others comparable rifles that at left handed?

Yes. You might look at a Blaser R-8, which is available in 9.3x62. There is no upcharge for a left handed bolt. I have the older R93 with a 9.3x62 22" barrel and it shoots .5" with factory ammunition.

I would suggest the R-8 in the Professional S variation. That does not have the detachable trigger which I do not care for.

I would absolutely love a blaser, but I don't know if I can justify spending 4k on a rifle, although I do lust after them.

Split the difference and buy the 9.3 x 74R in the Merkel half stock!




ya!


GWB

Holy smokes geed that is a pretty rifle, hows the recoil?

I think the tariff on a Blaser R8 Professional S is about $2.8K, not $4K, if that makes a difference.

The 300 win mag in this model is not fun. This one comparable to a 30-06. On game I don't remember thinking about the recoil after the shot.

GWB

Picked this pre-enjoyed R93 Blaser Prestige with a 243 Win barrel, here on the fire for about 23 Benjamins.



came complete with bolt head, saddle mount and case,(scope not included)



Its a shooter and works well on hoglets, but I'm much more inclined toward the 9.3 x 62. I plan to purchase a barrel in that chambering as soon as I recover from my present state of financial embarassment..

ya!

GWB

I've enjoyed my Black Bear in 9.3. Will kill a deer with it this fall if things go as planned. I have 3 Sako 85M length rifles and no issues with ejection, but maybe I've been lucky.

I see them for sale do 2200, that is a great price for a blaser.

I've owned two MRC rifles, both the wood stocked versions. One was a 300 WSM and being as I'm getting old I can't remember what the second was. I've lost count on how many Sako's I've owned. I'm a Sako slut and very partial to the brand!



Custom Sako AV, 280 AI, 140 gr Nosler Accubonds @ 175 yds

Sako Bavarian Carbine, 30-06 Springfield, 168 gr. TSX in factory Remington Hog Hammer @ +/- 120 yds.

ya!


GWB

All this information is fantastic guys, really appreciated.