Thoughts and observations from those who have handled/shot/owned one?

Worth the extra moolah compared to say a CZ550 or Ruger African (Africans have gone up in price, it seems)?

It's set up just how I would do it and i really like my cheap Sakos (Tikkas).

Thanks.

I have been curious about them as well....anxious to see if you get any responses

I've been involved with getting a Black Bear imported from the beginning. Have/had the other rifles you mention, still own a Ruger and a CZ, they are solid. My personal Black Bear has been stellar, I've been greatly pleased. The ergonomics fit me well and it is a favorite. Not sure if I'd want one chambered other than a 9.3x62. It is basically a tricked out black Finnlight. If I were looking for one in a smaller chambering without any need for fixed sights, I'd look at a Finnlight.

Here's the thread I started on the Black Bear from the beginning:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ew_Sako_85_Black_Bear_9_3x62#Post4843785

Best

How's the muzzle blast with the 20" 9.3?

Not a factor with any loads I've shot so far. I've previously owned a carbine length rifle having a notable degree of muzzle blast, but the 20" 9.3 goes unnoticed compared to my longer barreled 30-06 rifles.

It's an amazing rifle. I shot one in 9.3 without a scope.The recoil was as incredible as the rifle that delivered it. Cz or Ruger don't hold a candle to the Black Bear.

This is one rifle that could fit that 'if I could only own one hunting rifle'

Been on my radar....

I have one in 9.3x62 with a Burris Eurodiamond 1.5-6x. I'm not a big guy (5'6" 160lbs). Recoil is fine..much like a break action 12 gauge vs a WSM.
Typical Sako superior build quality and accuracy. I did however fill the buttstock with foam wedges to reduce handling noise. If I had to become the one gun hunter, this would be my choice.

To the OP, I am a Tikka fan as well and had a Tikka Battue in the same caliber. The BBear trumps the Tikka in every aspect and is well worth the extra $ imho.

I love Sakos and the 9.3x62 as much as the next guy, but I can't see dropping $1600 on a gun with a $20 plastic stock. For that kind of money it should have a Micky or similar quality stock.

I currently have three McMillans, including an Edge, but I actually like Sako's "$20 plastic stock". Though they like to call it a two step injection molded soft touch stock with grip panels. You can buy one through Brownells, but even at dealer cost, they are fairly expensive and are by no means cheap.

For me, the shape and ergonomics of the Sako stock fits me like a glove. Cannot speak on its fit for another, but for me, I cannot stress enough how well the Sako stock fits me. The Sako stock is surprisingly light, much lighter than I had expected, so I'd reduce little to no weight with an Edge. The Sako soft touch surface and grip panels work extremely well. In cold wet hands, the soft touch is actually better functioning in the field than the surface finish on my McMillans. The Sako stock is surprisingly stiff and appears very durable. The action screws hold torque and the barreled action doesn't walk around, resulting in excellent repeatable accuracy. So, switching to an Edge at this point has little value being I'd lose little to no weight, it would give me no greater durability, it would give me no greater accuracy, it would give me no better ergonomic fit, and it would actually reduce performance in wet and cold conditions.

Of course to satisfy the snob factor, it would be nice to have a custom layed up stock, and I probably would get an Edge if the factory stock ever breaks. But, for pure fit and performance, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the "$20 plastic stock" on my Black Bear. It rocks

One of these in 308 or 30-06 would be very tempting.....

I like Sako stocks for the same reason, the fit. It's the crazy price they charge for a rifle with an injection molded stock that rubs me wrong.

Thanks, Gary. I knew someone on here had one but couldn't remember who and I never have good luck with the search engine.

I built a 9.3 on my old 700 with a 20" #3 but I'm just not overly enamored with it. After my SA 700 and Tikkas the action is way to 'gummy' feeling even after polishing and the setup isn't blowing my skirt up.

I've looked hard at the Africans...really like the look and reliability of the Rugers. By all accounts they smooth up, are accurate and quite the rifle. I would prefer a shorter barrel, though and probably syn stock. Plus, the Africans I see online now are running over a grand so they're closing in on the Sako (perhaps due to Ruger dropping them).

As far as your stock comments, I don't know if the design/shape is the same on the Tikkas but I love the way my T3's fit me. Everything about the dimensions click for me and due to their stiffness and weight, I, too, have found no need to replace them.

Anyway, thanks to all for the input. Might need to sell a couple of rifles and get my 'one and done' 9.3 BG rifle!

Chris

Weren't these the guns that were having problems with the brass hitting the scope on ejection?

Allegedly, but if you look at Gary's link you can see his video of him shucking brass with no problems. No vids or pics from the 'other side'. Take it as you will. The one disadvantage of the BB I see is that I can't handle one before buying, but Gary's description and photos are pretty comprehensive. YMMV.

Missed these when they came out apparenlty. Saw one just today on gunbroker and it really got my interest up.

Outstanding rifles those BB's as are the Sako Brown Bears......
Their current stock is a peach IMO and I would not even think about a Edge or another aftermarket stock over it. I have had an Edge, never again! Sako stocks have a 14" LOP and when a LS is added 14.25" which suits......
IMO they're the NEW DESIGN rifle of the decade and I'm saving$ ......

Any updates to this thread ? Specifically any comparisons with the Tikka Battue? Looking at 20" 9.3x62 to use as black ti.ber elk rifle. LOVE the Sako but is it really $700 better than the Tikka?

Proceed with caution on Sakos. Their ability to eject brass with a scope onboard is highly suspect. On the other hand, I'd but the Tikka version in a heartbeat and save the money. I had two beautiful and wickedly accurate Sakos, in .204 Ruger and .270 Win. that were traded for their lack of reliably ejecting brass using one-inch scope tube bodies. Clearly a design flaw that Sako will not address.

I have standard Tikkas and very impressed with them....but....the Sako black bear feels (I have not fired one) balances and looks just right to me! Is the ejection issue ALL examples of just some?

I have one in 308. It shoots one hole ragged groups. It’s in my top three.

This sentence is hard to interpret. I can only speak for the two I had. Others have chimed in here throughout many months with the same issue. It appears older Sakos had a different setup. The Black Bear is a beauty and I could easily see one in my safe. But after the two examples, that yielded the same problem, that was a complete rejection. Put it this way, if you are willing to rotate your scope tube 180* to the right to keep the windage turret from becoming an obstruction, then process without worry. Search UTube for examples of the problem. Keep in mind that Sako will not acknowledge the problem and consider the scope to be at fault!
Good luck.

Just got a Black Bear in 9.3x62. Took it to the range for first time this weekend. VERY impressed! "feel" is fantastic short handy balances very well. With 4 different UN-tuned loads it shoots everything into 1.5 and couple loads sub-moa, these are full power 250gr-386gr hunting loads. Brass does hit bottom of scope but IS extracted and ejected clear of the rifle.

https://www.eurooptic.com/sako-85-black-30-06-spr-jrs1c20.aspx

Not a Black Bear, but very similar.
I am using the 'Near' weaver scope base to aid brass ejection into a right hand direction (other than straight upwards).
Lack of iron sights (like the Black Bear) is just something to accept.
The cheap plastic stock is very good.
Price is fantastic!