Sako 85 Varmint or M70 Extreme Weather

[ALDA BERGR]

Which one would you choose and why?

The M70 would be in 308 win, and the Sako in 260 rem.
The Sako is the laminated stainless version and the price is the same. Both are new.

I have a Sako 85 and a Winchester M70 currently. Love them both.

Will be used maily for hunting small and medium sized game. Also a trip or two to the gun range.

Pros for the Sako the way i see it. The stock. A little thicker heavier barrel. A better trigger, this one happens to come with a set trigger.
Maybe, just maybe a little better finish. Not sure though.

On the other hand, the M70 has the controlled round feed ( no matter what Sako says, the 85 lacks that feature). The three way safety. Also i prefer the 308 win. It would make life a little less complicated. However i do reload so, not a big problem.

So, what are your thoughts? Remeber, same prize more or less.
Acctually im leaning towards the Winchester.

 

[edwardware]

I think Sako/Tikka has the best reputation of any factory barrel maker out there. . . unless the Sako is grossly ill-suited, I'm going for the better barrel.

 

[gotboostvr]

I think the Sako sounds like the better fit. Slightly flatter shooting cartridge, better trigger, and (most likely) better barrel and stock for utmost accuracy.

I don't care much one way or the other if it's a push or CRF action. Having a safety you can jive with is important however. I'm of the opinion that as long as you can live with it, it's fine. Having my favorite type of safety is icing on the cake.

 

[jmr40]

The 260 was never a popular round and with the introduction of 6.5 CM is dying fast.

99% of the time CRF isn't a factor, but the same could be said of seat belts in a car. But when they're needed, they're needed. I have rifles with both PF and CRF actions. If on a wilderness hunt in harsher weather conditions CRF wins every time.

Laminate stocks can be heavy. The B&C synthetic that comes on the EW is one of the better synthetics. It isn't a high end like McMillan, but pretty good for the money. Winchester stock wins this easily.

If the Sako were in a different cartridge and another configuration it would be a close call. But I would have no use for a heavy varmint weight rifle in a dying cartridge.

My EW in 308 elk hunting at 11,000' in Colorado. I did replace the factory stock with a McMillan Edge stock. This one is extremely accurate and about 7 1/4 lbs as pictured. Add about 1/2 lb if it were in the factory stock.

 

[ALDA BERGR]

Is the floorplate a 2 piece on the extreme weather? Its one piece on my Safari Express. Not that that would matter..

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Sako, not even close. Smoothest action you will ever operate, accurate, and a great reputation for quality. If the Sako were $200 more, it would still be a better deal, but for the same price, buy it and you will never regret it.

 

[Nature Boy]

M70

You’re leaning that way for a reason, let me give you a gentle push....

It’s chambered for the greatest round ever devised!

 

[Gtscotty]

How long is the mag box on Sako 85s? I wouldn't want to be stuck with a short mag box on a .260, although come to think of it, I believe my M70s had short-ish mag boxes and a .308 will be just as stunted with heavier bullets as a .260. of the modern production M70s I've had, two were very good shooters (.243 Featherweight, .270 Ultimate Shadow), one was good enough (.30-06 Extreme Weather), two were kind of poor shooters (.308 Extreme Weather x 2).

How much heavier is the Sako than the M70? M70s usually aren't terribly light rifles, for most hunting duty, even more weight wouldn't be a plus for me. If you're already leaning towards the M70, and currently own examples of both, maybe that's the way you should go.

 

[ALDA BERGR]

Well..i might skip this deal, after som thought. Perhaps the money is better spent on powder, bullets, hunting, beer and women.

I dont know, we will see i guess.
As for now, this evening that is, im happy with my Browning made M70 in 375 H&H and my Sako 85 in 9,3x62. Dont really need another one..or do i?

They both are lovley well made rifles, thats for sure. One cant go wrong with either, so if i decide on buying, it will be fine, no matter what.