New hunting rifle opinions

[michiman]

Looking to buy a new hunting rifle and was thinking about the Sako 85 Carbonwolf. The rifle is about $3k comes with a full carbon fiber adjustable stock. Do any of you have any experience with this rifle? Would you recommend something else? I don’t want to pay any more than this ($3k is actually really pushing it, but I love the carbon stock).

I haven’t decided on a caliber. Either 6.5cm or 300 wm. I have 3 other rifles. A Remington 700 sendero sfii 300wm, Sako trg 22 6.5 cm, and a sig sauer 716 dmr 308. I reload for my 6.5 cm, which makes me favor going with the 6.5 cm, but I also like to have the extra power of the magnums. A 300 prc and 6.5 prc REALLY peak my interest, but they are not offered in the Sako. I would take either of those calibers if they were offered.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CStroud]

No experience with the Sako, but the Seekins Havak PH2 sounds like something you might be interested in.

 

[b6graham]

If that's your budget

Bighorn Origin (short for 6.5PRC or long for 300PRC) or SR3 if you want to run a wyatts nit a magazine
Manners EH1 or McMillan Game Warden/Scout
Proof Barrel (prefit available) or carbonsix

 

[jmw]

Cooper rifles are excellent

 

[Alabusa]

Sako makes fine rifles! I have a Sako 300 WM and it shoots .5 moa with no mods but a tuned trigger. Now with my handloads, it will shoot under .5 moa when I can.....I'm half blind and old.

If you like the Sako, get it and dont look back. It is a real Cadillac.

 

[RNWRKNP]

Looking at the wolf myself....not that I need another Sako? Just good guns.

 

[michiman]

Looking at the wolf myself....not that I need another Sako? Just good guns.

I love my TRG 22 6.5 cm, and that’s the main reason I want a Sako 85 to hunt with, but for that price I can also get a trg 42 338 Lapua (which I really don’t need but really want). I just with they had a few more caliber options.

 

[beetroot]

The Carbonwolfs are reported to be very nice rifles, but whether they are worth the price is another matter.

I'm not in the US so it may be of little help too you, but in New Zealand there are a lot of manufactures of Carbonfire stocks for most factory rifles, but the Tikka is by far the most popular.
If you like what the Tikka offers then buying a Superlite (fluted barrel) then dropping it in a carbon stock will get you very close to the Carbonwolf at half the cost.

Provided you can get a carbonfibre stock the best way would be too buy a donor rifle (or custom action) drop it in a carbon stock and have a custom barrel made to the cartridge of your choosing and to the weight that you want.

 

[spearknives]

I have a Sako 85s Finnlight in 308 Winchester.Without a doubt the best I have ever handled.The ejection problems seemed to be with certain long and short magnum actions.My rifle has never had any issues.Some will complain about the optic mounting system.I'll admit finding a nice system can take some experimenting.I settled with Conetrol mounts and rings and a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 x whatever.Scoped up AND loaded it's a C hair over 7 pounds.IMHO that's a dream compared to the 10 pound 444Marlin I used to lug around.
I don't think I need to look for something lighter that may not fit and function as well to knock off a pound or two.That money would be better spent getting LIGHTER BOOTS.Carrying a seven pound rifle never wore me out.But heavy shoes will.Save your money and get a standard Finnlight NOS.I've seen them going for under a grand which is a steal.BTW I'm average frame 6ft 160lbs and the Finnlight is "right there" when you pull it up.Big advantage there if you need to shoot fast.

 

[spearknives]

Double post.

 

[spearknives]

Double post.

 

[Swampr42]

I would lean towards a Finnlight and put the leftover money into a nice scope.
You could also build a very nice custom rifle with a premium barrel and carbon stock for $3k.

 

[TRG65]

I have a Sako TRGS for a hunting. It shot so so when I got it in 7RM and the stock was cheap. But the trigger was good and I liked the short bolt throw. A trip to Crescent Custom for a McM Game Scout and a Bartlein barrel cured those issues.

Even though I hunt with a Sako and use one for matches (TRG-22), I don’t recommend them now. Too many other options on the market. I’d buy a tikka to hunt with (action is smooth and money left over for a barrel or stock or both) and build a match gun off a custom action that fits a Rem 700 footprint with a short bolt throw.

 

[Diesel65]

I am in the same boat, and leaning towards a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 30-06. At under 2k, leaves extra for optics. My CA 6.5 is light, and super accurate.

 

[Graywolf.260]

I have a Sako carbonlight, it's an even lighter version with fluted barrel and without adjustable cheekrest (about 5.2 lbs naked). I got it for remote mountain hunting but I find I use it more and more. It's a great handling accurate rifle for a mild caliber like 6.5 CM. Mines a .243 win.

 

[RNWRKNP]

I love my TRG 22 6.5 cm, and that’s the main reason I want a Sako 85 to hunt with, but for that price I can also get a trg 42 338 Lapua (which I really don’t need but really want). I just with they had a few more caliber options.

Bought a 25-06 A7 for like $700.00 on sale and for the first time in a lot of years of using Sako’s, the fucker wouldn’t shoot with hand loads or factory. Sat in my safe for over a year and I kept thinking I’ll trade it off or sell it but the action and trigger were so smooth I couldn’t do it. Had a smith throw a Krieger on it and rebarrel and chamber to a 6.5x284.......money. Feeds flawlessly, can load long and it’s a tack driver. Currently my favorite. Had an 85 in 243 that I traded off and wish to hell I hadn’t, loved that rifle as it was a tack driver straight out of the box with no mods. 6 Sako’s over the years with 1 that started out badly but ended really well. Don’t need an 85 Wolf but that never stopped me?

 

[michiman]

You guys have made this even more difficult haha

 

[Swampr42]

You guys have made this even more difficult haha

Sorry Man. To many really good options out there.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

You guys have made this even more difficult haha

Or we made it easier - you will rarely find someone who hates their Sako. I have an 85 varmint that is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned, and I've drug it through mud and mosquitoes chasing song dogs. Never hiccup'd.

Sounds like you want one, and if the stock fits you and you can afford it, go for it. You don't want to get something else and still dream of the 85...