Hey guys I'd like to hear your opinions on the two rifles i am trying to decide. Thanks ahead of time! So I'm looking for a rifle to use in one of the two pieces of land I deer hunt. The first area is pretty open, I usually hunt the corn and bean fields from my stan and use a Winchester m70 supergrade in 300 winny. The second place I hunt is almost all thick-ish woods with a few ravines and old river bottoms. The rifle i want should be light, accurate, have a nice piece of wood on it and will be used almost exclusively for deer and maybe a black bear. I know i want the caliber to be the 338 federal round. I think its a good choice for the woods; short action (lighter rifle) , plenty of oomph for deer out to 150 yards which will be the very longest shot with most under 75, fairly mild recoil, and there is less of a chance the bullet will be deflected as easily as say a 308 or 7mm-08 if i were to hit a twig or small branch. I've narrowed my rifle down to these two and these two only, a sako 85 classic or a kimber 84m classic select. I just cant decided! The sako has a detachable box magazine that I favor slightly over the kimber top load. The sako is better looking with the higher grade stock and rosewood tip. And from what I have read on forums the sako is almost always an accurate rifle out if the box whereas I've heard horror stories of some kimbers being hit or miss as far as accuracy goes along with poor customer service. The only pros I think the kimber has over the sako are its about $800 less and its American made meaning IF the rifle needs to be sent back or I need parts it'll probably be easier/cheaper with the kimber. I plan on putting a Leupold vx-3 1.5-5x20 scope on whatever I take home. Anyone with experience on these rifles? Pros and cons
kimber vs sako
- Thread starter dubya450
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Oh and the other advantage the kimber has over the sako is weight. The manufacturer websites list the kimber at 5 pounds 10 ounces and the sako at 7 pounds flat. I am a bit concerned that the kimber might actually be too light and whippy affecting accuracy.
Yeah I'm kinda leaning toward the sako. Last year I was in the market for a synthetic/stainless 308 and decided to go with the Winchester extreme weather since I had 2 other model 70's and love them but I kinda regret not buying the tikka. Nothing wrong with the Winchester at all but i know the tikka is awesome. I'd probably pick up the sako and the tikka this year but with our first baby on the way this fall the girlfriend made me promise only one more gun for awhile lol. Women just don't understand ...
I just felt I had to reply to ths post, and I'll admit I had a few St. Paddy's day beers. First off...338 Federal for deer at under 150 yards, seriously?? How about a 30-30? What is the point of a 338 Federal for anything?? Hunting deer with a rifle over 30 caliber is ridiculuous unless your're preparing for a trip to africa or an elk hunt or something. Now if you're a big guy and you like the sako's long LOP, and if it fits you, by all mean buy it, but you are talking about two different classes of rifle. The Kimber is a lightweight "mountain rifle" and the Sako is a standard weight rifle more comparatle to a winchester 70 or a remington 700. Not the same class rifle at all. If you want to buy a sako because it fits you well, by al means buy one. It is not in any way superior to a kimber or a winchester though. In fact, I believe the kimber and winchester rifles to be superior to any sako or tikka toy. you should compare the sako to the winchester 70 and I think you'll find that the Winchester 70 is better and less expensive and made in the USA.
Yes you heard me correctly, the 338 federal IS a great round for deer within 150 yards. It will destroy far less meat than a smaller faster bullet that expands rapidly. A 338 federal with a solid bullet, not a hollow point, will most likely expand a little and punch clean through the deer which, to me and i think alot if people will agree, is ideal for a situation where you want minimal meat damage and two holes that will pump more blood out giving a good blood trail. Maybe you think I'm talking about a 338 magnum which yes is WAY too much for a deer or maybe you just had a few too many beers lol. And i agree that a Winchester m70 is an awesome gun. In fact its my favorite rifle and that's why I own 3 and hunt with two if em. A supergrade 300 mag, extreme weather in 308. The one I don't use or shoot is a 50's sporter that my grandpa gave to me. One thing I forgot to mention was the LOP on the kimber seemed a little short but figured it might be okay while I'm wearing my thick hunting jacket. You said something about the sako being big, I haven't had the chance to play with one a whole lot. Do you know what the LOP is or what did you mean that its big?
gamestalker
member
338 is not at all a 150 yd. deer rifle. Even the 300 Win is stretching it a bit when considering the animal and distance oyu are using it for. For that kind of hunting, I even find the need for a super expensve actio to be a bit of a stretch. Why not pick up a good Savage, Rem., Win, or ther quality action chambered in something like .270 win.. It will also save you a bunch of money in ammunition.
A deer isn't going to know the difference between a 338 and 30-30 for that matter at 150 yds. And if you like to eat the deer you kill, the .270 will leave more edible meat to enjoy.
A deer isn't going to know the difference between a 338 and 30-30 for that matter at 150 yds. And if you like to eat the deer you kill, the .270 will leave more edible meat to enjoy.
Thank you LoonWulf, I'm not sure if some of the poster's realize that 338 federal is a far different round than the 338 mag. I really do like the kimbers and I've been going back and fourth for a few months now. Do you own one? I don't know anyone who does but I've read some bad accuracy with kimbers every once in awhile. I may just be people bad mouthing them for all I know. And they are 800 less than the sako... hmm
tundraotto
Member
Sako - if the weight is important, I would go for the Tikka T3 Lite - I believe its even lighter than the Kimber. Go pick them all up and see how they feel, the actions are like silk on the Sako & Tikka and the detachable mags are a nice feature to have. My T3 hunter has a nice walnut stock on it and cost $570
CaliCoastie
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Well I love sako, but for what your doing can I make a suggestion on a Marlin in 35rem? Them you can contact Macon gun stocks and use the balance of the money in a pretty piece of wood. Good luck with your choices.
The Tikka is a nice budget rifle, but with all the plastic doesn't belong in a conversation with Kimber or Sako. It is also over a pound heavier than the Kimber.
Either are excellent choices. Both are quality rifles, very accurate and reliable.
The Kimber is USA made, much lighter, has a true CRF action, and some of the best wood I've seen on rifles.
The Sako is foreign made, but excellent quality. A heavier gun with a modified CRF type of action.
I own and like my Kimber quite well. The light weight requires a little more skill and attention to shooting form, but the rifles themselves are as accurate as anything made.
Not a big fan of the 338 Federal though. You'd be better off with a 308 or 7-08. Ammo is much more readily available, and there is absolutely ZERO difference in one or the other doing better in brush. The best brush guns are he ones with laser like flat trajectories to shoot through small openings in brush. Hit a twig with any of them and all bets are off. With modern bullets the heavier, larger diameter bullets offer no advantages. I'm loading 130 gr Barnes TTSX's at 3100 fps in my 308. They shoot flat as a laser to 200 yards and will give complete pentration on any black bear with excellent expansion.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
1. There is no such thing as a bullet which will not deflect on brush. Even a .338 can easily veer off-aim enough for a miss or a survivable but crippling wound.
2. If you don't shoot Bambi in the eating part, you don't ruin meat. I've found that to be true with some truly destructive bullets from my .243 and my '06.
2. If you don't shoot Bambi in the eating part, you don't ruin meat. I've found that to be true with some truly destructive bullets from my .243 and my '06.
of the 2 the op mentioned, i'd get the sako and never look back. i have owned 3 kimbers (2 cf and 1 .22) the .22 was exceptional, but the 2 cf rifles were gone quickly due to lack of accuracy, poor quality control, and cycling issues. imo, the sako looks better and out performs the kimber. others may differ.
tundraotto
Member
I stand corrected Tikka 6-3/16 pounds, Kimber 5pounds-10oz
Well,here is a piece of advice you don't want to hear.The girlfriend is pregnant.Spend your rifle money making sure she has everything she needs and get married.It's time to step up now and be a man.There will be plenty of time later for nice rifles.
Kachok
Member
That is a no brainer, Sako over Kimber ANYDAY, while both are quality built the reputation for the Sako is remarkable consistant accuracy, the reputation for the Kimber is much like Remington while some are great shooters there are alot of them that people cannot get to group well at all. No matter how you see the magnatude of that you have to admit that the Sako has as good a reputation as any for accuracy. So my anwser is simple, for my money skip both of them and get a Tikka 
If you want something light kicking and plenty of killing power here is the list 7x57, 7mm-08, 6.5x55 and 260 Rem I like the Sweed the best absolutly fantastic cartrage, I can shoot my featherweight all day long with no shooters shouder, and perfromance on game has been every bit as good as my 270.
If you want something light kicking and plenty of killing power here is the list 7x57, 7mm-08, 6.5x55 and 260 Rem I like the Sweed the best absolutly fantastic cartrage, I can shoot my featherweight all day long with no shooters shouder, and perfromance on game has been every bit as good as my 270.
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Longrifle2506
Member
Sako.......Big Time! Sako is the Ultimate.
BluegrassDan
Member
I can't stop saying how much I love my Kimber. It's light and shoots very nicely. MOST importantly though is that the gun fits me well and is comfortable to handle (I'm smaller in stature at 5' 7". No problem hiking through the mountains with it.
I suggest handling both the Sako and the Kimber (or anything else for that matter) and deciding based on which gun fits you better. You'll be more likely to enjoy the gun, shoot it more, and shoot better with it.
The last thing you want to accidentally lose in the woods is a detachable mag! I prefer top loading with a floor plate for that reason.
Kimber is all steel and wood. No plastic or aluminum (not that it's necessarily bad or anything).
Here are some inspirational photos of my Kimber 84 in .308 with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36. Enjoy!
I suggest handling both the Sako and the Kimber (or anything else for that matter) and deciding based on which gun fits you better. You'll be more likely to enjoy the gun, shoot it more, and shoot better with it.
The last thing you want to accidentally lose in the woods is a detachable mag! I prefer top loading with a floor plate for that reason.
Kimber is all steel and wood. No plastic or aluminum (not that it's necessarily bad or anything).
Here are some inspirational photos of my Kimber 84 in .308 with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36. Enjoy!
Wow thanks for all the replies guys. I didn't expect so many different opinions. Regardless of what some think I'm going to stick with the 338 federal, from the research I've done I feel it'll be exactly what I want and need. Another reason why I want the 338 federal is it gives me a reason to get another gun lol, I already have alot of the calibers people mentioned instead of the 338f. I have 7-08,308, 270 and 300 mag. But back to the guns I'm still just as stuck trying to decide between the two. Ill be going to cabelas later today and ill check them out once more and put one on layaway. I know they have a few kimbers but not sure about sako. I just need to get one and quit thinking about it either one will make me happy. Bluegrass Dan, thanks for the pictures, that is exactly the rifle ill probably be getting ( but in 338F). Being so light did you have a harder time getting used to it? I'm only worried about the weight because it seems like it might be hard to keep something so light steady in real hunting situations where I might not have a rest to steady the gun. Thanks again everyone!
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