Sako 85 vs. Ruger M77 MK II in 30-06?

[Cato the Younger]

Dear All-
I have been saving for a long time, and I now think it is time to get a nice deer rifle. I already have a Marlin 30-30 for close range, but I would like a scoped bolt-action rifle for longer range. I am young (23) so whatever I buy will last me for another 50 years of shooting. Additionally, I like the 30-06 because I can use it for any game in North America I could conceiveably hunt (if I ever have the money for an Alaskan Grizzly Hunting, I think I will be able to afford a new rifle). Having said that, I know that I want a controlled-round feed type rifle (I love the traditional Mauser action), which takes the Remington 700 out of play. My brother has a CZ 550 in 30-06, which is nice, so I know what I would be getting with that. However, how do the new Ruger (M77 MK II Hawkeye) and the new Sako (the 85) compare to these guns? What am I getting in the Sako for the extra $7-800 MSRP over the Ruger or the CZ?

Thank You for your help.

 

[jack the toad]

Off topic and not answering your question but I think Remmy offers a controlled round feed, a Model 798 or something like that. I think it's made in Serbia (former Yugoslavia) by Zastava.

 

[Dan360]

You'll really have to ask yourself what is most important. To me, reliability is first, with fit and finish second. Accuracy on factory rifles will be fairly similar and adequate accross the board. Both the Sako 85 and Ruger 77 are very reliable. The Sako 85 isn't a controlled-feed action. I don't think it matters on a deer rifle. I think controlled-feed only becomes necessary on dangerous game rifles. The Sako 85 is miles ahead of the Ruger in the Fit and Finish area. Rugers are rough in comparison. If you want a rifle that looks as good as it functions, I would move away from the Ruger. If the Ruger looks good enough for you, I'd take the savings from choosing a Ruger and buy high-quality optics. Again, accuracy should be adequate with any off-the-shelf factory rifle.

If you have the money to buy a Sako 85, why not look at the Kimber 8400? I have a Winchester M70 Classic in 30-06 and a Kimber 84M in 308 Winchester(Smaller than the 8400, but same action more or less). Both shoot great and look beautiful. If I were to buy a controlled-feed rifle, I would buy a Kimber because I have found them to be plenty accurate for any big game hunting out to 400 yards. Also, their fit and finish is far ahead of another else off the rack. The price will be between the Ruger and the Sako. Also, The Kimber will run at least a pound lighter than either the Sako or Ruger.

Any of the rifles you choose should make you happy. I would make a short list of rifles that fit your bill and go to the store and feel them up a little. Find out which one "talks" to you and tells you to take it home. My Winchester M70 talks to me every time I pick it up. If you can wait until next summer, Winchester M70s will be back in production. They were the original in the American controlled-feed hunting rifle market.

 

[CB900F]

Cato;

Catch the thread also here in the rifles section entitled "General Opinion Of CZ Rifles". The replies are positive, very positive.

All of the possibilities you've mentioned are good solid guns with excellent reputations. The viable choice you didn't mention is Tikka. The Tikka is made by Sako, to a price point several hundreds of dollars lower than the 85. They too enjoy an excellent reputation, but as with the Sako, don't employ a true Mauser type action.

Really, I don't think you need to look too much farther than CZ to fill your need. I've got two, & as soon as they release the 550's in LHB, I'll have more.

900F

 

[Reyn]

I bought a MKII in both 300mag and 30-06 last year. They are both stainless. I shyed away from Ruger because of reported accuracy problems but couldnt pass up the price. They both shoot as good if not better than any of the other factory rifles i have which is Rem.700 ADL,BDL,and Savage 110. Every manufacturer has had a lemon in which you will hear a horror story. Im looking at a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 now but have also heard of accuracy problems with some of those. My Rugers AVERAGE about 1.25-1.5 in at 100yds. I shot 2 4shot groups back to back at 103yds 2days ago with the 30-06 that were .75in. Thats under 1MOA but it wouldnt be fair to say they do that consistently. I was shooting 150gr Cor-lokt factory. I wouldnt heisitate to purchase another Ruger.

 

[Hoof]

Few years back, I bought a Ruger MKII in 300 WinMag, for elk and mule deer.
Everytime I take it to the range I am impressed- 3/4 MOA with 180 gr Fed Fusions. I cannot handload any round that beats it. This is probably the luckiest gun purchase I have ever made. The Timney trigger I installed sure helps too.

 

[jack the toad]

I thought the weak link with the Ruger 77 was the trigger. I heard the Hawkeye has addressed that though.

 

[KI.W.]

I can tell, that Sako 85/Beretta is no any more Made in Finland "Sako" high-quality. Don´t to bue it. Much better is Sako 75 if You must to have Sako.