Sako 75 finlite ss or Kimber or a rem700, I want quality with as many goodies I can get without going custom, and in 7mm rem mag. Which I dont think Kimber offers?
Thanks
Elmer

el,forget the 7mm and go 300wm.They are all nice rifles.I have not tried the Kimber.Go with the sako.

Rem. 700 is the gun used by military and police snipers. It's legendary for being tough, accurate.

I don't believe the kimber makes the 7 Remington mag. either but Remington and Sako do. Between the two I've only owned the Rem. but all the Remingtons I've owned have been shooters. Between the XCR and the CDL I don't believe you could go wrong. It's just wood or synthetic. Sako's are nice rifles but tend to run on the heavy side. Also if you handload Remington has the TI which comes in 7mm SAUM which is comparable to the other 7's but brass may be limited so you would have to stock up on some. And as 45/70 Govt. said " Rem. 700 is the gun used by military and police snipers. It's legendary for being tough, accurate."

Military contracts go to the Lowest Bidder!

I personally could care less, and don't have the big issues with a Rem, I would choose something different (would be a M70 if I could come up with it). Bang for the buck has a lot to do with perception.

On a 700 you'd need a Sako extractor, new trigger, and as long as a smith is there messing with it, have it set back & rechambered. Facing the action while it's apart. As long as you're there you may as well spend the $250 bucks for a better barrel. (Krieger, Schnieder, Hart, McGowen)

Or buy a FN Patrol on a .300WM and wear out the barrel on it. Then if you still want a 7mm, a new tube isn't as much money and your way ahead on the features. Not positive on what calibers are available. Nate

Ooops! to answer your Q, I'd pick a Kimber first , then the Sako.

Elmerdeer,
If you are asking for suggestions, I would like to put a vote in for a Tikka!
Gotta go with Shootaway on the 300WM. I have both and the 300 can do and outdo the 7RM.
If it is up to the three you listed, Sako then Kimber I would pass on the 700 myself.

Well my vote is the rem 700 but i have no experience with sako

I have 2 sako finnlights that are wonderful rifles, thats what I would go with. They have stopped making them, so you best get shopping.

quote:

On a 700 you'd need a Sako extractor, new trigger, and as long as a smith is there messing with it, have it set back & rechambered. Facing the action while it's apart. As long as you're there you may as well spend the $250 bucks for a better barrel. (Krieger, Schnieder, Hart, McGowen)

I find this at least reasonably amusing...

My BDL 7RM is 100% vanilla stock. I have yet to have a problem with it, and it shoots my 162-grain Nosler SB load to one hole when I do my part... It has no extractor problems, the trigger is 3.6# and crisp, there is nothing wrong with the chamber, and it cost me a screaming $325 before I added the laminated takeoff stock... Now I am going to have to spend a whole lot of money. I never realized I needed all this stuff done!???

And isn't the Timney trigger a modified Remington? Sure appears to be...

Sako model 75 SS (my preference) or Finnlight are my first choices. If not look at a Tikka T3 in the LS model. Great shooters!

Not to familiar to comment on the Kimbers.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:

I find this at least reasonably amusing...

My BDL 7RM is 100% vanilla stock. I have yet to have a problem with it, and it shoots my 162-grain Nosler SB load to one hole when I do my part... It has no extractor problems, the trigger is 3.6# and crisp, there is nothing wrong with the chamber, and it cost me a screaming $325 before I added the laminated takeoff stock... Now I am going to have to spend a whole lot of money. I never realized I needed all this stuff done!???

And isn't the Timney trigger a modified Remington? Sure appears to be...

Me too. My point isn't really a put down. His question was "bells and Whistles" for the money.

Of course now that I'm educating myself on the internet... ....I've learned that the Rem has an unsafe trigger, won't extract, bolt handles fall off, chambers are eccentric, and the barrels are rough.

If a guy want's a semi custom then the suff I listed would be just that. If you need a Sakop extractor, Sako's are still available. This is another of the Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge kind of thing. I happened to like the M70, and because of this I'd go with something like it.

How much practice is way more important when the chips are down than the method/ model of implement employed. Nate

I just read an article in Rifle magazine about the remington 700. Apparently adding a Sako extractor actually WEAKENS the design of the 700.....not add strength.

I own lots of different bolt action rifles including Remington 700s,Tikka, M70 classics & push feed, Ruger M77 Mark I & II, Remington 700s & a few mausers. Hands down the most consistent & accurate bolt rifles I own are all Remington model 700s. Mostly bone stock. The most accurate rifle I own period is a LH M700 BDL in 7mm Rem mag.



This rifle will shoot most anything into at least an inch. And shoots several factory & handloads into just under 1/2 ". And it does this without changing zero from season to season.

Since the Winchester model 70's are no more,or extreemly hard to find.I would say go with the 700 Rem. But thats just my opinion,,(never had a sako in my hands that I liked).Why 7mm Mag? I'd opt for a 300win mag.or possibly the 300 W.S.M. again , just my opinion.

quote:

The most accurate rifle I own period is a LH M70 BDL in 7mm Rem mag.

??????????????

The most accurate rifle I own isn't a Rem. I've sold off all of mine except a Model 600. That doesn't mean a 700 isn't just fine. It also doesn't mean all the others aren't just as good in one rifle or another.

Depending on what threads you read the most accurate rifle with the best rep is always the guy's favorite that starts the thread.

I have a cheap M70 CRPF in .25-06 that shoot's very well. It certainly doesn't mean I'll be trading off everything except that one.

The question is for opinions on whats the best deal for the money. It's all subjective. To me it would seem he needs a rifle that fits his needs, is comfortable, with a good scope. If there's money left in the budget, why not go for upgrading certain components?

I've got bone stock Ruger M77's that shoot as well as most peoples beloved Rem 700's. It just means that most people can't shoot, I can shoot, or just possibly a bit of both.

This all comes back to what one hunts, where, and what features are important.
These threads always turn into a pssn match. Nate

My 2cents worth:

Older Remingtons are far better made than current ones. They have been Walmarted down and aren't put together near as well as they used to be. Buy one if you want to make your gunsmith happy.

Sako's are Smooth, have great triggers, feed slickly are guaranteed 5 shot 1 MOA rifles. One of the best European rifles you can buy. Since we are posting groups on this thread:



Thats a 3 shot 200yd group from my 300 Ultra. I have several other M-75's that shoot just as well. The Finnlites are lighter than the std. M-75's if that's an issue and they shoot just as well. One of our local shops had a Finnlite in 7 mag last time I was in. If you like a Monte-Carlo stock buy a Sako

Kimbers are the finest American Production rifle since the 1950's Model 70's. You can get them with pretty wood or in an very lightweight synthetic stock. They are just now coming out with a model in 7mm Remington mag. I personally would prefer a 7 WSM in a Kimber - I had one that shot great and unfortunately sold it. I've had 8 or 9 Kimbers and all shot MOA or much better. Buy the Kimber if you like a claw extractor, prefer American made or prefer a Classic style stock.......................DJ

DJ, that is some fine shooting! I don't typically shoot at 200, but somehow suspect my 700 wouldn't do quite that well.

Congrats. That one shoots!!

I think the sako is a better rifle,
but you can buy 2 700s for the price, or get a hell of a good scope...tj3006

I own a REM 700 in .300 RUM and the stock tigger was garbage in my opinion. I added a Jewell drop-in trigger and my accuracy improved immediately.

Well why would you want to cut a big chunk out of the bolt to install a Sako extractor unless you had to??? If it would do anthying it would hurt accuracy, due to bolt flex....

Good thing Rems are so cheap. You can have the sucker trued up and rebarreled by Hart or Pac-Nor and still be in the same price range as either mentioned. Since they are all cooper fouling pieces of shit.Heck until you have them trued and rebarreld with a new trigger in a new stock, the wont put two shots with in a foot of each other, unless Christ himself was shooting. Military might buy the cheapest stuff, but it has to make a set standard to get in for the bid.

All will need bedding. He wants a 7mag so takes Kimber out unless he wanted to go short mag. I would trust my face on a SUKO, remember the blow up, fuck yeah give me two of those. Lets do a search of all the guys bitching about Kimbers. DJ and 99 Savage must have bought up all the good ones. Do not forget about the Remingtons with the gremlins in the trigger that makes them go off for no reason. I can name no less than 6 guys that had to have their Cooper 17Mk4s rebarrelled by the factory after a new gun not shooting, and I could go on and on. By the power of the internet and an a buddy of mines friend, shit gets blow way out of shape. Next Brand new hunting rifle I buy will be a Kimber, unless I get a slamming deal on a Sako. In the mean time my Remingtons do everything I ask of them, while waiting to send my VZ24 off to get the metal started.

Sorry I could not help it, X-mas shopping with the wife and three kids must have worn off the medication. LOL

Now.... all mentioned are wonderful rifles. I do not know what your expectations are. My Rems are Ackleys and they still feed like they are greased. If accuracy is what you want then any of them are very capable. Go handled them all and buy the one that feels right. It will jump out, none of what you mentioned are junk by any stretch. Anything mass produced is going to have a screw up somewhere. I would be very confident buying any of them.

Nate,

Don't take this personally, but if you think that the M-40s and M-24 military sniper units are built by the lowest bidder, you need a padded room, my friend.

HS Precision stocks, 10X barrels, trued and tuned from the ground up. I have a buddy that has served as a Army sniper and special forces since 1980. He has shot with other snipers from all over the world. He will tell you that with the possible exception of Accuray International rifle, there is no more consistently - shot after shot - half MOA rifle made in the world.

quote:

Originally posted by Beartrack:
Nate,

Don't take this personally, but if you think that the M-40s and M-24 military sniper units are built by the lowest bidder, you need a padded room, my friend.

HS Precision stocks, 10X barrels, trued and tuned from the ground up. I have a buddy that has served as a Army sniper and special forces since 1980. He has shot with other snipers from all over the world. He will tell you that with the possible exception of Accuray International rifle, there is no more consistently - shot after shot - half MOA rifle made in the world.

So I need a rubber room.

Just because this gun shoots well, do you honestly believe noone else can build one?

How do you know the awarded contract wasn't to the lowest bidder? Just because the rifle costs us $3500 doesn't mean the next closest competitor wasn't $5500. Most military equipment has requirements that must be met. Contractors offer a sample platform to meet these requirements and testing. Who actually gets awarded a contract is rarely assocciated with which one was the absolute best performer. Politics, bribes, and who's who in Wa have more to do with it.
There are a good many companies who could build as good of a rifle.
The Marines have Armorers building rifles. The Navy SEAL's requested a SS/Syn version. The Army required back-up irons.(smart move IMO) The scoped M1-A1 is still being used as a DMR. The 700 was adopted back in the late 60's by the military. It has safely enjoyed it's tenure and has served well. What were they using before?

Consistant shot to shot performance is good. Our servicemen deserve the credit. I have witnessed however a Sako made (TGR?) rifle being used that was so scarily accurate in the hands of the marksman than it would not have mattered the opponents equipment. It was being fired by an Israeli woman. If her weapon was of lower quality than the beloved 700 then she was truly an amazingly skilled shooter.

Like I posted earlier. I don't really care one way or the other, and think these always turn into heated name calling debates because someone's pet brand is being insulted. How much skill you poses is more of an issue in most situations than what equipment you're using. I do think Rem's quality has gone south long ago, and I suppose it may have with others just as much. I think when you buy some things your paying for the name. Nate

One more thing that came to mind. One of the most celebrated snipers of all time started out with a M70. Check it out. Nate

Well I don't know about all the other wild stories but my vote goes for the Rem 700. I'd count a Savage too if you want bang for buck. I have three Rem 700's now and each one works great and no extraction problems. I have a Ruger MK II, a Savage 11F, and recently got my first M 70 Win. They all work great and are accurate when I do my part. Accutrigger on the Savage is nice though.

One more thing...



Looks like one is lurking here

go with the sako, dont think there will be many finnlights left. try the sako 85 in SS. i read a review over here and he said all the changes have been for the best

Probably get chastised for this but you can get a stainless ruger MK11 in 7mm or .300 wm if you want to go that way, they are the toughest rifle around I reckon.