Sako Finnlight vs Winchester Extreme Weather
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Abel
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The Sako has a plastic stock, so EW edges it out slightly IMO.
I have not seen ANY stock Winchester that comes close to the build quality, action smoothness, aesthetic design and (likely) repeatability of ANY Sako. I own Tikka's only because there are very few Sako's in LH but the same is true for Tikka's versus Winchesters.
But Sako's are quite a bit more and there are far fewer aftermarket parts so you have to decide if it's worth it to you. It is for me.
Flame on,
B
But Sako's are quite a bit more and there are far fewer aftermarket parts so you have to decide if it's worth it to you. It is for me.
Flame on,
B
Have not seen a EW Winny, but do have a few Tikka's, which are "the poor man's Sako". They are awesome guns. SMOOOOOOOOTH and accurate.
I am sure the Winny will be accurate too.
The Sako synthetic will be fine. Tikka's plastic stock is the best on the market.
Caliber..........both are awesome. I prefer the 6.5 because it is the "oddball" in the bunch.
I am sure the Winny will be accurate too.
The Sako synthetic will be fine. Tikka's plastic stock is the best on the market.
Caliber..........both are awesome. I prefer the 6.5 because it is the "oddball" in the bunch.
Coltdriver
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Not sure where you are hunting but a 270 will sure shoot a lot flatter than either of the calibers you are looking at.
That said I looked long and hard at the Winchester vs a Sako, both in 270 WSM.
I bought a Sako because I could not find a Winchester at the time. I did not get a Finnlight but got an A7 Tecomate.
The Sako is a fine rifle and the A7 was right at the same price point of the Winchester. They still show the Tecomate in their lineup on their website. If you can find one the stock is a notch up over the Winchester. I did find and hold a Winchester in 300 WSM at Gander Mountain and the stock is flimsy by comparison to the Sako. The Sako is also a fully floated fluted stainless barrel and the action is bedded to an aluminum block in the stock. The Tecomate comes with weaver blocks for scope mounting so I could use my Leupold QDR's. The regular Sako scope rings are very unique and pricy.
Either way you'd be happy, I sure like the way the Winchester EW looks and I have heard and read all good things about them. I do think Sako is a notch up in every department but I have never shot a Winchester.
That said I looked long and hard at the Winchester vs a Sako, both in 270 WSM.
I bought a Sako because I could not find a Winchester at the time. I did not get a Finnlight but got an A7 Tecomate.
The Sako is a fine rifle and the A7 was right at the same price point of the Winchester. They still show the Tecomate in their lineup on their website. If you can find one the stock is a notch up over the Winchester. I did find and hold a Winchester in 300 WSM at Gander Mountain and the stock is flimsy by comparison to the Sako. The Sako is also a fully floated fluted stainless barrel and the action is bedded to an aluminum block in the stock. The Tecomate comes with weaver blocks for scope mounting so I could use my Leupold QDR's. The regular Sako scope rings are very unique and pricy.
Either way you'd be happy, I sure like the way the Winchester EW looks and I have heard and read all good things about them. I do think Sako is a notch up in every department but I have never shot a Winchester.
headoftheholler
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The Sako is far and away a better built rifle. To boot, the 6.5 swede is an awesome round to hunt deer with.
Hokkmike
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I shoot the SAKO Finnlight in 6.5x55. It is an excellent gun. I am not familiar with the Winchester you describe. I have shot a Winchester Sporter in 6.5x55 as well as a Featherlight and they were both nice. I actually would have kept the Sporter but it weighed a clear 2.5 pounds more than the Finnlight.
All three are accurate.
As far as the plastic stock comment goes there is not a problem. There is no hollow ring or cheap feel to SAKO synthetic stocks. The grips have adhering surfaces where the hands make contact and the SAKO palm swell for gripping.
My obvious choice by right of ownership is the SAKO. They are the BEST off the production line quality rifle in my opinion.
Incidentally, the Finnlight was so name so that there could be no confusion about it NOT being of Japanese manufacture. (a little free trivia)
And, I have NEVER had a problem finding off the shelf ammo.
All three are accurate.
As far as the plastic stock comment goes there is not a problem. There is no hollow ring or cheap feel to SAKO synthetic stocks. The grips have adhering surfaces where the hands make contact and the SAKO palm swell for gripping.
My obvious choice by right of ownership is the SAKO. They are the BEST off the production line quality rifle in my opinion.
Incidentally, the Finnlight was so name so that there could be no confusion about it NOT being of Japanese manufacture. (a little free trivia)
And, I have NEVER had a problem finding off the shelf ammo.
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red rick
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Those who have the Finnlight in 6.5 , I see that the barrel length is listed as 24 3/8" and at 22 7/16" on other sites . Can you tell me what length your barrel is and if they have changed the length since you bought yours ? I don't think I want a 24" barrel so I might go with the 7mm-08 .
Gtscotty
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I had a 6.5x55 Rem 700 and I was always frustrated be the lack of modern action reloading data, also I was never quite satisfied with the velocities I was able to get with 140's. My. 243 has worked like a charm this season, but I think If I get another rifle in that caliber range I'll probably opt for a 7mm-08.
As for the rifle choices, I have an extreme weather that I've had some accuracy problems with, although I think I'm getting those worked out. To be fair, this rifle was used, and my bought new featherweight has been an awesome rifle in every way.
All of that said, if I saw a finnlight and an extreme weather on the shelf for the same price, I'd snap up the finnlight, they are a beautiful rifle and are definitely on my rifle bucket list.
As for the rifle choices, I have an extreme weather that I've had some accuracy problems with, although I think I'm getting those worked out. To be fair, this rifle was used, and my bought new featherweight has been an awesome rifle in every way.
All of that said, if I saw a finnlight and an extreme weather on the shelf for the same price, I'd snap up the finnlight, they are a beautiful rifle and are definitely on my rifle bucket list.
Coltdriver
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If you go with the 6.5 and you want loads for a modern receiver (since most of what is available is for the Swedish Mausers) just go look for European loads at places like the Norma site, or Vitavouri etc.
I have a modern 6.5X54 that I load to Euro spec for the 6.5X55 and you can get them to shoot much flatter than the old Mausers.
The magic of the 6.5X55 is that the 160 grain bullet has the highest sectional density of any bullet out there. Nothing else compares. Just make sure you get a rifle with a 1 in 8 twist or you will be stuck with 140 grain bullets.
I have a modern 6.5X54 that I load to Euro spec for the 6.5X55 and you can get them to shoot much flatter than the old Mausers.
The magic of the 6.5X55 is that the 160 grain bullet has the highest sectional density of any bullet out there. Nothing else compares. Just make sure you get a rifle with a 1 in 8 twist or you will be stuck with 140 grain bullets.
Abel
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Both are better than just decent. The one factor that matters most, is how does it feel to you, in your hands.
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red rick
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That's a question I can not answer until I buy it . It is going to have to be ordered . I know that is a risk . I once bought a highly rated 1911 without holding it and I hated the feel of it . I ended up selling it 2 years latter, unfired for $50 less than I paid for it .
Float Pilot
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The model 85 Sako Finnlight comes in various chamberings it you are ordering:
Although I too am a huge fan of the 6.5x55mm if properly hand-loaded.
ACTION SIZE / CALIBER / RATE OF TWIST
Short action / 22-250 Rem / 14"
Medium action / 25-06 Rem / 10"
S / 243 Win / 10"
M / 6.5x55 SE / 8"
S / 260 Rem / 8"
M / 270 Win / 10"
S / 7mm-08 Rem / 9.5"
M / 30-06 Spr / 11"
S / 308 Win / 11"
L / 7mm Rem Mag / 9.5"
Short magnum / 270 Win Short Mag / 10"
L / 300 Win Mag 11"
SM / 300 Win Short Mag / 11"
The Model 70 Extreme has a couple features that I like...
1. The 3 position bolt mounted safety that locks the firing pin.
2. The long claw extractor which gives true controlled feed.
Although I too am a huge fan of the 6.5x55mm if properly hand-loaded.
ACTION SIZE / CALIBER / RATE OF TWIST
Short action / 22-250 Rem / 14"
Medium action / 25-06 Rem / 10"
S / 243 Win / 10"
M / 6.5x55 SE / 8"
S / 260 Rem / 8"
M / 270 Win / 10"
S / 7mm-08 Rem / 9.5"
M / 30-06 Spr / 11"
S / 308 Win / 11"
L / 7mm Rem Mag / 9.5"
Short magnum / 270 Win Short Mag / 10"
L / 300 Win Mag 11"
SM / 300 Win Short Mag / 11"
The Model 70 Extreme has a couple features that I like...
1. The 3 position bolt mounted safety that locks the firing pin.
2. The long claw extractor which gives true controlled feed.
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As a finn someone might regard what I say as a high treason, but you're somewhat right. Sako rifles are fantastic guns, build quality is second to none and accuracy is great, but prices reflect that a bit too much in my opinion.
It's been a while since I've considered a Sako and even longer since I've actually bought one, mainly because of two things: In larger calibers, my all-time favorite is Weatherby Mark V action, and in anything up to 300/338WinMag, there's Tikka - which has the accuracy and build quality of Sako without the price tag.
As far as calibers for deer hunting are concerned, it's pretty much a coin toss between 6.5x55 and 7mm-08.
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red rick
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I would rather have the 6.5x55 caliber but not everyone offers it so that is why I throw in 7mm-08 as a choice .
I could have bought the Sako for $1300 and the Winchester for $962 . That is not much difference to me if you are getting a little better product .
I could have bought the Sako for $1300 and the Winchester for $962 . That is not much difference to me if you are getting a little better product .
Coltdriver
Member
My Steyr has just a 20" barrel. I can get 2500 fps with a 140 grain partition.
That gives me a point blank range right at 200 yards. I shot a deer last year and it was a bang flop. For a deer rifle I think the 6.5X55 is about perfect.
The only other problem you may run into is the throat will probably be set for the 160 grain bullets. So a longer bullet like a Berger would be excellent. I have found that using the optimum charge weight method largely negates any bullet jump you may be forced to deal with.
That gives me a point blank range right at 200 yards. I shot a deer last year and it was a bang flop. For a deer rifle I think the 6.5X55 is about perfect.
The only other problem you may run into is the throat will probably be set for the 160 grain bullets. So a longer bullet like a Berger would be excellent. I have found that using the optimum charge weight method largely negates any bullet jump you may be forced to deal with.
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