Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which Sako for Calling Coyotes?

My son is just about ready to take over my current 22-250 (Rem 700 ADL) and I am in the market for a new one. I have a Sako 75 in .300 Win that I really like. I would like to consider another Sako for my main coyote rig. Now, I call coyotes much more often than I hunt big game (Don't need a tag for coyotes in NM!), so I don't mind investing in a rig that will last me the rest of my lifetime. Don't need a tag for coyotes in NM!

Here are the two models I was looking at (in .22-250):

1) Sako 85 Varmint Laminated Stainless
2) Sako 85 Hunter Laminated Stainless

The gun will be primarily used as a calling rifle, however there are times when we will seek out a specific den and go after them, and we could end up hiking quite a bit.

The varmint model seems to be a bit heavier than the hunter model, but is it heavy enough that I should rule it out? Like I said, most of the time will be spent with us sitting and calling, with the gun on a set of shooting sticks waiting for something to come in. Does the varmint model offer anything significant over the hunter model? Other than the beefier stock, I see a fluted barrel and the option to use the trigger as a set trigger.

Just looking for opinions and any practical experience with either rifle.

Thank you!

I would buy the hunter. The varmint is pretty heavy.

Dink

If I had to go with one of those choices it'd be the Hunter model. Personally I'd go A7 or T3 and save a chunk of change and they'll shoot lights out.

Dober

I have not shot the Varmint, but I have shot the Hunter. I thought that it balanced VERY nicely!

Had a great trigger too.

John

I'd go with the Varmint, just for the heavy barrel, and get a good sling for hiking.

As per Dober, I'd also check out the T3 Varmint, or even better the Tikka 595 Master series if you can find one.

I'd go a 1-9 twisted T3 over a 22-250.

I'd look around for an old Sako L579. I've been told they make a fine coyote rifle.....grin!

Dang, that picture is making me homesick for the Shilo military base in southwest Manitoba I used to hunt for deer!

No deer where I am now, but fortunately I like moose meat better than deer anyway!

John

From what you listed, I'd get the Hunter. I'd also strongly consider an A7 in .243. Pretty much an ideal coyote gun in my opinion.

AGAR- listen to scenar shooter. an l579 or and l461 pre garcia. the 85s are twice as much.

The old 579 was in pretty good shape when I took this pair...

Still had the original barrel. They came with a 23" medium weight barrel. This one is a .220 swift. Close enough to a '250' to be the same. At the time I ran a straight 8X Leupold with tapered crosshair and a dot. Killed a lot of dogs with that rifle and still use it occasionally. Old Sako's are a work of art...

Very very nice rifle Pat...

Thanks Ben! Some of those dogs were taken not too far from your country. I used to go to the breaks and trap and hunt coyotes out of a wall tent for a month every fall.



My young ones with the old Sako..

How do you use a rifle to call coyotes? I'd be afraid my lips would stick to the barrel in the cold.

Randy

I remember reading a lot Of Gerry Blair, when I was a kid, in the Trapper & Predator Caller, always made me want a Sako and a Mag 10! Well it took me a while but I am now the proud owner of a Vixen in a triple duece and a L579 in a 243! To me there's nothing more classy than a Sako calling rifle! Both of your choices would definitely put fur down, you just have to decide are the majority of your stands close to the pickup or do you hike in a bit. The Varmint is heavier but not a beast and will definitely settle down in the sticks and the set trigger might be nice on a dog that hangs up but might not get used all the time, cold gloved hands etc. The hunter might be nicer for tighter quarters. Then there is the other options like the A7, the older L 579 and AII... Whatever you decide you'll be doing good as long as it comes from Finland!!!!

Just another reason to KICK myself for sellng my L579 and AII sporters in 243!!!

Pat, I too ran an 8x on my Forester, the 36 non-ao, but most often a 7.5x was used, and it was a PERFECT combo for that rifle, pitted bore when I got it, it always shot consistent once fouled.

Agree, you just don't find much better workmanship/materials than the pre-G Sakos.

L461 Vixen in 222 Mag is my reach for coyote rifle.

Also,have a L579 Forester in 250 Sav Ack........never could get the original 243 barrel to group but it only cost me $127.95 new in 1967 so i feel i'm still ahead.

The new Sako's (from the 80's onward) are great rifles but lack the "feel" to me of these elder Sako's.

Going the older Sako route isn't a mistake either.

Thanks for all of the input! I really like my Sako 75 model, but haven't handled an 85 yet. I am not dead set on a newer model...I guess I just didn't think about trying to find an older.

Thanks again!