kimber vs sako

Status
Not open for further replies.
As always im about to prove a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing....but what caliber were the kimbers in that had feed issues? I had heard about so-so accuracy, but not any issues with feeding. The only ones ive seen were .30-06s...two actually, father and son.
If it was in the WSMs i could maybe understand that, a couple guns ive seen have had issues with them. Also my experience with the WSMs is limited to a hand full of rifles, so i dont really hold any prejudice there.
 
I don't get the fuss over the WSM feeding, mine worked just fine, not as smooth as Sako/Tikka but really nothing else is that smooth. You could spray teflon lube on black ice and it would not be as slick as my Tikka :D I cannot feel the difference between dry cycling and chambering a round, I always look when I have my earplugs in.
 
LOL, friend of mine has a T3, that IS a lovely rifle. I like the Idea they come in 6.5x55 also :D

The WSMs i saw problems with were older, one winchester and one browning, in both cases the round wouldnt come up quite enough for the bolt to catch the rim every time. If it missed it would either ride over or hangup on the way into the chamber. But like i said, i have very little experience with them.
 
The 6.5x55 appears to be on something of a comeback, several years ago I could not find one anywhere, which bummed me out because I have been a fan since early childhood, grandpa had an old Mauser that I was in love with. Now we have Sako/Tikka importing them, Ruger and Howa started chambering it, Winchester and Savage did some limited runs, and of course the absolutly stunning CZ which makes me drool a little.
 
Sako over Kimber, I own both. I had to send the Kimber back to get the barrel replaced because it shot patterns due to incomplete rifling in the barrel (should have checked it closer before purchase). I love my Sako Finnbear.
 
Sako over Kimber, I own both. I had to send the Kimber back to get the barrel replaced because it shot patterns due to incomplete rifling in the barrel (should have checked it closer before purchase). I love my Sako Finnbear.
WOW! $1,000+ guns and they did not check to see if the barrel was grooved! They must get their QC guys from Remington :D
 
I think so. I will not be buying any more Kimbers, thats for sure. Done with them and their crappy QC. I do have a Tikka T3 Hunter and love it so I would either go Sako if money were not an issue or get another Tikka T3 Hunter. I have one in 7mag and it is a lazer. I had one in 308 Win and let it go, I miss it, was also super accurate.
 
Last edited:
Have both Kimbers and Sakos and they have proven to be great rifles. Get either one ,it's a toss up for individual wants and needs. I had a Tikka T3 and it was the worst shooting gun I ever owned, total %$#@.
 
Have both Kimbers and Sakos and they have proven to be great rifles. Get either one ,it's a toss up for individual wants and needs. I had a Tikka T3 and it was the worst shooting gun I ever owned, total %$#@.
??? Very odd, I never run across anyone that had poor accuracy out of a Tikka, half the local long range shooting club swear by them, including the guy who ownes the range, I get spectacular accuracy out of mine. What were you feeding it?
 
Just for an update I finally ordered a kimber 84L stainless classic select grade in 270 Winchester. I originally wanted a rifle chambered in 338 federal but after holding a 84m the LOP seemed a little short. The 84L that i ordered is the same LOP as my model 70's (13.75 inches) so i know it'll fit pretty well
 
4sixteen now you're just teasing me! I'm sure ill end up with a sako eventually. I made a deal with the fiancée that ill buy no more than one gun a year now lol. But I think ill get a sako or Cooper next year and maybe an AK in the next few years just to have one. If sakos were easier to find in stock at the LGS's I probably would have went that way this year, it basically came down to what I was able to check out in person. Thanks for all the input guys.

Cory
 
Never really have a problem with Sako's accuracy claims, heck even my 375 H&H pictured below shoots decent. (middle rifle Sako M75 not to be confused with 338 Lapua or 416 Rigby)

IMG_7549650.jpg


Sighted 2-2 1/2 inches high at a 100 this is another "goto" rifle I grab to hunt anything, anywhere, anytime. Barnes 270 TSX handloads.

IMG_4440rx.jpg
IMG_5243rx.jpg
IMG_5248rx.jpg
 
I would take the kimber over sako85. But I would take sako 75 and the old Sako L61R over Kimber.
 
Kimber makes a sweet handling, light rifle with many nice features. The problem in the past has been QC issues and a crap shoot as to whether you buy a shooter or lemon.....a $1000+ gamble that I have not wanted to take.

I've owned numerous Sako's and Tikka's and out of the box accuracy has been exceptional....clean barrel, mount scope, bore site, easily find a hunting load/ammo that groups well and go hunt.
 
I have neither rifle, but my brothers have Sako rifles in .223. 243, and 22-250. I have shot all 3 and they are amazingly accurate and reliable. I don't know the models, but I plan to buy a Sako for myself soon.
 
I was wary about ordering the kimber because of the same reasons 6.5swede stated, qc issues and taking a gamble spending 1500 bucks and getting a lemon. But after talking to a few people, in person, that own multiple kimber rifles I'm convinced that the issues have been ironed out and they were more so on their earlier guns. What I wouldn't do is buy a used kimber, one that's been sitting at a gun shop for any amount of time and most of all buy one offline just because the used one online could very well be a lemon the seller is trying to dump on an unsuspecting buyer. The downside is I have to wait 5-6 months for kimber to make and ship mine. Oh well.
 
So the next question is what do I get next year? The same Sako 85 classic or one of the model 52 Cooper rifles? I just need to quit dreaming of nice rifles lol...
 
I've heard better QC and more consistent accuracy on the newer Kimbers as well. That's great news because it really is a nice rifle.

Dreaming is good! Lol.......tough choice between those 2. Make sure you handle the Cooper. Great rifle but the only thing that I don't like about them is the stock feels "clubby" to me.
 
You're exactly right about the clubby feeling stock of the Cooper. I was at the cabelas gun library looking at a really nice Cooper and thought the same thing. The action was very smooth though and the bolt lift was only 60° (I think) which I liked alot. Are most wood stocked coppers the same style as the "clubby" feeling ones?
 
I think that may be the style of stock design they are using, I kinda prefer rounder stocks, but i can understand how they can feel like a club.
 
Yeah I really like the classic feeling stocks and it seems like the Cooper style could add unwanted weight. That isn't necessarily bad considering I already have my "walking" deer rifle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top