Question for tc54, do you know what year your kimbers were made? Ive heard that the feeding and accuracy issues may have been fixed in the newer made ones. The fear of spending 1200 on a rifle that doesn't group is the only thing that has stopped me from picking up a kimber. If Winchester chambered 338 federal in the model 70 featherweight I have to admit that it'd be in the gun safe right now.
kimber vs sako
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BluegrassDan
Member
Offhand standing, I can shoot my Winchester 94 more accurately than the Kimber. Sitting down in the woods with some support, I see no reason why the Kimber would not kill a deer or bear with very much less accuracy than something heavier.
I've owned both and prefer the Sako 85 Classic. My Kimber was very accurate but had feeding problems. The Sako is a very well machined rifle when taken out of the stock. The Kimber is basically a round pipe action just like a 700 with a washer type recoil lug. The Kimber has a threaded on bolt handle while the Sako is a one piece bolt and handle. The Sako uses VERY dense slow growing European walnut. The only thing I like better about the Kimber is the weight and price. The Sako wins in all other categories IMO.
Well I just got back from cabelas and looked at a kimber, the bolt surprisingly had alot more play in it than I expected. It also almost seemed like the lop was better suited for a smaller guy or female. It almost felt like a youth style stock. They didn't have the sako, said it'd have to be a special order. The sako seems like what I'm looking for I just want to find one i can play with in person now. There's just no way I'm going to order one at 2 grand before a good inspection. Anyone know of a shop that regularly stocks sako 85 classic's in Minnesota?
If you are set on getting one give eurooptic a call.
Personally I like the older ones better.
Sako 75 in 270 Win.
Sako L579 in 243 Win.
As much as I like these my next purchase will be a Kimber Montana in 257 Roberts,just because of the light weight.
Personally I like the older ones better.
Sako 75 in 270 Win.
Sako L579 in 243 Win.
As much as I like these my next purchase will be a Kimber Montana in 257 Roberts,just because of the light weight.
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BluegrassDan
Member
Good for checking it out. That play in the bolt goes away when you chamber a round.
I agree, in spite of owning a Kimber, the Sako is a finer gun. Hope it works out for ya.
I agree, in spite of owning a Kimber, the Sako is a finer gun. Hope it works out for ya.
tundraotto
Member
+1 this
BrocLuno
Member
Sako 
squarepants33889
Member
Hey dubya.
I wish I could say I've had experience with both, but my Sako 85 Hunter Laminate Stainless is my only Centerfire Rife.
Chambered in .270 Win, I have found a load that puts out .88" groups consistently using a Leupold VX-3L 4.5-14x50. Remington corelokt 130gr factory loads never failed at about 1.2".
Others on the board have listed many great features of the rifle, so I'll try to stick to fresh material.
The 22" barrel on mine swings beautifully.
The "perchbelly" feel on the fore stock fits my hand like a dream
The bolt throw is butter smooth, and fast. And tailored in length for cartridge families.
The optilock scope rings and tapered scope rails are, imo, fantastic.
Trigger pull rivals most other high end firearms I have been fortunate enough to fire.
The "Total Control Latch", although finicky at first, is as solid as anything I have used. I have, fortunately, never found myself with a lost detachable magazine. I do prefer it when jumping out of a vehicle for an opportunistic shot at a coyote.
I would recommend mine to anyone I know.
The only caution I could provide is to check it for length of pull. I find mine to be perfect, but I am 6'5". That could prove to be different for someone 5'7".
Hope this helps. Regardless of what you get, enjoy!
And go out and shoot that darned thing!
I wish I could say I've had experience with both, but my Sako 85 Hunter Laminate Stainless is my only Centerfire Rife.
Chambered in .270 Win, I have found a load that puts out .88" groups consistently using a Leupold VX-3L 4.5-14x50. Remington corelokt 130gr factory loads never failed at about 1.2".
Others on the board have listed many great features of the rifle, so I'll try to stick to fresh material.
The 22" barrel on mine swings beautifully.
The "perchbelly" feel on the fore stock fits my hand like a dream
The bolt throw is butter smooth, and fast. And tailored in length for cartridge families.
The optilock scope rings and tapered scope rails are, imo, fantastic.
Trigger pull rivals most other high end firearms I have been fortunate enough to fire.
The "Total Control Latch", although finicky at first, is as solid as anything I have used. I have, fortunately, never found myself with a lost detachable magazine. I do prefer it when jumping out of a vehicle for an opportunistic shot at a coyote.
I would recommend mine to anyone I know.
The only caution I could provide is to check it for length of pull. I find mine to be perfect, but I am 6'5". That could prove to be different for someone 5'7".
Hope this helps. Regardless of what you get, enjoy!
And go out and shoot that darned thing!
squarepants33889
Member
Well I checked the eurooptic website as someone had suggested but apparently there won't be any classics offered in 338 federal anymore. Seems strange considering sako was the company that teamed up with federal to design and release the round. And they also stated the rifles wouldn't be available until at least August and in very limited quantities. Ill just go with the kimber and stop driving myself crazy thinking about it lol. I need to get one fairly soom,soon, waiting till August won't work in time for deer season this year since I will be extremely busy with work this summer/fall and the baby will be here in September. I just need more time to break in, sight in and practice. Oh well maybe someday down the road ill find a decent used sako for a fair price. Thank you all for all the good advice and mixed opinions. Its nice to hear from folks that have first hand experience.
Cory
Cory
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atomchaser
Member
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I don't have any experience with Kimber's other than seeing people having fits with them at the range. That was a few years back, so their QA may be better now. I do have a few Sakos, however, and you can't go wrong with them. If you are still interested in them, I suggest you call Eurooptic on the phone. I ordered one the Sako's that they had advertised as not being available to August (Grey Wolf 300 WSM) but they apparently got it a week after I ordered it and it's showing up at my FFL tomorrow.
Kachok
Member
I think the vote is overwelming, Sako makes the better gun, sure they cost a little more, but if you were looking to save a buck vs the Sako don't get Kimber, get the Sako's little brother the Tikka and save even more. Sako barrel, Sako action, Sako trigger and a really nice friction bedded Fiber/Matrix stock all for less then $500 even less if you catch one on sale, I only paid $408 for my stainless 6.5x55! I would have bought a dozen more in every caliber I love had I known I would be so thrilled with it.
BluegrassDan
Member
Sako over Kimber, but not Tikka over Kimber. IMHO
Kachok
Member
^ I'll put my $400 Tikka aginst a $1200 Kimber at the range or in the woods anyday, unless we are talking about a beauty contest in which case I would loose hardcore I would however put a $750 CZ up against the Kimber for looks though.
I would however put a $750 CZ up against the Kimber for looks though.
I said Sako earlier, but the more I think about the question the more it bothers me the two rifles are even in the discussion of being equals.
This convinces me, more than anything, that Kimber is all show and no go. Their marketing department creates some slick advertising and everyone gets all juiced up over them because they "look" nice.
How long have the two companies been making rifles?
Look at the lapses in component and overall quality in their pistol line.....
I'm sure there are folks here who have nice Kimber's and love them. They're far from a proven quantity in my view.
I'd be interested in how many Kimber rifle owners also have Kimber pistols.
This convinces me, more than anything, that Kimber is all show and no go. Their marketing department creates some slick advertising and everyone gets all juiced up over them because they "look" nice.
How long have the two companies been making rifles?
Look at the lapses in component and overall quality in their pistol line.....
I'm sure there are folks here who have nice Kimber's and love them. They're far from a proven quantity in my view.
I'd be interested in how many Kimber rifle owners also have Kimber pistols.
- Sako
- Tikka, and replace their plastic parts with aftermarket metal parts. Live with subpar stock
- CZ, and some polishing to remove bolt or trigger grit (if necessary)
- Winchester Supergrade
I think most would agree those are pretty comparable. Kimber need not apply. If you demand a pretty stock, get the Sako or CZ.
Kachok
Member
In an age when there are several companies that offer fantastic super accurate, highly reliable rifles for $500 or less I fail to see how Kimber can charge more then twice that for a rifle with an iffy reputation. I would personaly rather have a Savage 110, Weatherby Series II, Tikka T3, TC Venture, or Marlin XS-7 all of which have fantastic reviews at the range and in the woods. I have owned several of those and will tell you that they do in fact live up to the hype especaly the Savage and Tikka which consistantly give me groups well under an inch, and have yet to give me the first seconds worth of trouble in the woods.
I know a bunch of people that gripe about the "plastic" parts on Tikka rifles, but have yet to hear about any of them breaking, that is because that "plastic" is actualy a very strong fiber re-enforeced composite, much like the body work on a Ferrari, anyone that has worked with that stuff before knows it is very very tough stuff, though I will admit it is not as attractive as hardwood and steel.
I know a bunch of people that gripe about the "plastic" parts on Tikka rifles, but have yet to hear about any of them breaking, that is because that "plastic" is actualy a very strong fiber re-enforeced composite, much like the body work on a Ferrari, anyone that has worked with that stuff before knows it is very very tough stuff, though I will admit it is not as attractive as hardwood and steel.
Valnar, you mentioned a supergrade. I have one in 300 mag (new FN built) and love it BUT fully equipped with scope sling and ammo it weighs over ten pounds. The sako is 7 and kimber I'd a tad over 5 1/2. As far as the tikka that many people are suggesting, yes its light and i have no reason to think ots not a great, accurate rifle, but its UGLY! I very much prefer wood stocks like I stated in the op which is why i only listed the kimber and sako as my choices. Both are great looking, accurate (if you don't get a lemon) and are light. Both under 7 as a bare rifle. I do own one synthetic and stainless a extreme weather m70.
tundraotto
Member
+1 I'm glad we can agree on something!
Kachok
Member
Finally LOL
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