Hi Guys,
It's happy time I'm in a position to do a bit of trading and get a new gun.
The choice has bee narrowed down to two and they are either a Sako Finnlight in 7mm-08 Rem or a Weatherby with a Mk5 action Krieger Criterion barrel in 280 Rem.
Help, which should I buy and why?
Thanks,

Weidmannsheil.

Man that's a tough one Oldun! I am a SAKO fan, but really like the Krieger barrels. In fact my go to rig is a finnlite with a Krieger in .270

I like both calibers you mentioned, maybe the 7-08 is a little more versatile in terms of available components?

I will say this, I hate the factory stock on the Finnlite, all of mine have been restocked with a McMillan or a Serengeti.

Good Luck and good trading!

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Man that's a tough one Oldun! I am a SAKO fan, but really like the Krieger barrels. In fact my go to rig is a finnlite with a Krieger in .270

Do not confuse the button rifled criterion barrel with the well respected cut rifled kreiger barrel.They are not the same barrel although I am sure that weatherby would like use to assume that they are.
As for choosing between the sako and the weatherby,I prefer the sako.I have never fired a sako that was not accurate yet the two weatherby mark Vs that I owned were very dissapointing in that respect.

Tough desicion! I'm very partial to Sako based on my Tikka experience, the T3 and Model 75 are very similar and both are fantastic. The Weatherby is a Weatherby and that abut describes that. I've personally have never shot a Mark V that was not fantastically accurate. I would, however, normally chamber a Weatherby with a Weatherby, but that is personal opinion and the Weatherby Magnums aren't suitable for all shooters and hunting situations.

I would probably opt for the .280 over the 7mm-08, but either should perform just fine. The .280 will give you maybe an extra 50-75 yards MPBR at best (comparing 22.75" 7-08 to 24" .280 in the Sako and WBY). It will also let you use heavier 7mm bullets without occupying extra powder space, so that would be my choice.

Pretty much a dead heat. See which one fits you best and points most naturally.

lawndart

Sako. I have had to spend big $$ to get my Weatherbys to deliver. Every Sako I have bought has delivered.

Stubblejumper,
Thanks for the info on the Criterion barrels.
Yes I think you are right about the Weatherby people and the use of the Krieger name.
Kriger own Criterion but they are separate companies, manufacturing different quality barrels.
S'pose it would be like saying Berreta Sako rifle. Would that be a negative not a positive conjuction?

I have had great luck with SAKO rifles and I really like them (including the new 75's). They have all been very, very accurate and super reliable. This is true of everyone I know who owns and shoots SAKO rifles. I also like the integral scope mounting system. I have not had as much experience with Weathergy rifles, but I have a brother who has owned many (he has also owned many SAKO's). Accuracy and function of his Weatherby rifles have not been as good as those of the SAKO's. He now owns many SAKO's and no Weatherby's. I would go with the SAKO.

Both great rifles.

The SAKOs are known for being more accurate than the Weatherby but, alot of the Weatherby rifles are tack drivers as well.

I'd get the Sako due to the much higher resale value. It's kind of like buying a Ford Ranger or a Toyota Tacoma, they'll both do basically the same thing but, that Toyota will certainly bring more $$ down the road.

Have a Good One!

Reloader

I own Sako and Weatherby rifles, and find both to be smooth, reliable, and accurate. With that said, I think the Sako, especially the new 75s, are better engineered. Best, Starcharvski.

Wasn't Sako the same company that had "exploding rifles" earlier this year and their Management refused to issue a Recall for about 5-6 months? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You are right and as nice as some of their rifles are, it kinda sorta makes me, for one, nervous about buying one. Of the two mentioned, I would lean to the Weatherby for this reason alone as companies that do not immediately stand behind their products don't impress me much.

I prefer the .280, in fact, it is among my top five calibers and my pick as the best (for handloaders) cartridge for hunting anything except maybe Grizzlies and big bull Elk in dense cover where a .338 has some advantages for those who can shoot it well.

I can give you 4 reasons why to purchase Weatherby over Sako.

1.] Made in America
2.] Best guarantee
3.] Best Customer Service
4.] Accuracy equal to or better than Sako/Tikka

Add to the above that one look and others will know you are shooting the best rifle made, Weatherby. Lawdog

Never fired a wthby that was worth more than 1moa,..not to say that I havn't "heard" of those that do better. The sako's I have fired have been very accurate right out of the box.

9 locking lugs is foolish any way you look at it. I would rather have 2-3 large ones which can be lapped easily than having to try and lapp 9 of them (been there, done that).

strength wise and trigger wise,..both are about the same.

I do have a wthby MK V that shoots very well,......because it now wears a remington barrel and has been lapped and trued and placed in a borden rimrock stock. But this kind of makes it not really a wthby at all doesn't it. YMMV

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2.] Best guarantee

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4.] Accuracy equal to or better than Sako

Weatherby guarantees 1-1/2" 3 shot groups.
All sako and tika rifles must shoot 1" groups before leaving the factory.

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Add to the above that one look and others will know you are shooting the best rifle made, Weatherby. Lawdog

If you honestly believe that weatherby sells the best rifles made,you have led a very sheltered life.They haven't been proven to be the best mass produced factory rifle and when you take into account the rifles made by the specialty companies such as h-s precision,mcmillan,lazzeroni and many others they fade by comparison.For the same price as many weatherby rifles,you can add a real kreiger barrel,and a high quality stock to a blueprinted model 70 or 700 action and end up with a much better rifle.Even a lowly tikka rifle costing half as much, must shoot 1" groups before being sold,compared to the mark V's 1-1/2" accuracy guarantee.

This is all about feel baby, go to a shop take some time to handle them both, throw them up, cycle the bolt from your shoulder etc...

Both are fine makes, make it a feel thing not what it says on the barrel.

Just my thoughts

MD

The deal is done.
I've gone for the Sako.
There are a few reasons.
Not least the fact that I like the 7mm-08, ammo and cases are avaiable in most gun shops. Nobody has 280 Rem ammo around here and cases for reloading aren't available either. The shop selling the 280 did not have any 280 ammo in stock
The shorter barrel on the Sako is better for bush stalking.
The Weatherby is a tad light for my liking.
The weatherby is NZ$300 more expensive and I just could not see that it was worth the extra but it did have a pair of rings and bases. But when the salesman threw in a pair of Optilock rings we shook hands and hey presto, I plumped for the Finnlight.
Thank you all for your comments.

I have used a Sako 7mmRem mag for 16 years , you made a good choice. I bet you will be real happy.

sounds to me like you made a good choice, good for you I hope it all works well for you! No doubt it will.

MD

Very good choice oldun. Good Hunting. Starcharvski.

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Originally posted by stubblejumper:

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2.] Best guarantee

quote:

4.] Accuracy equal to or better than Sako

Weatherby guarantees 1-1/2" 3 shot groups.
All sako and tika rifles must shoot 1" groups before leaving the factory.

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Add to the above that one look and others will know you are shooting the best rifle made, Weatherby. Lawdog

If you honestly believe that weatherby sells the best rifles made,you have led a very sheltered life.They haven't been proven to be the best mass produced factory rifle and when you take into account the rifles made by the specialty companies such as h-s precision,mcmillan,lazzeroni and many others they fade by comparison.For the same price as many weatherby rifles,you can add a real kreiger barrel,and a high quality stock to a blueprinted model 70 or 700 action and end up with a much better rifle.Even a lowly tikka rifle costing half as much, must shoot 1" groups before being sold,compared to the mark V's 1-1/2" accuracy guarantee.

When I said "2.] Best guarantee" why did you think I meant accuracy guarantee?

I own 3 Sako rifles(I bought them back in 1978-79) and 11 Mark V Deluxe’s and never had a reason to contact either manufacture but I do know a few friends that have had reason to contact both Sako and Weatherby. I know what they went through to get the problems solved with both companies. In the three cases where my friends that had problems with their Sako's they had to answer a number of questions to satisfy Sako before the rifles were fixed. In the case of the Weatherby all my friend had to do was call the company and send the rifles back with a letter explaining what was wrong and the rifle was fixed and sent back within two weeks(Weatherby also refunded his shipping cost). As for the accuracy guarantee, Sako only started their “guarantee in writing†a couple of years ago before that it was a “company standardâ€. Weatherby’s accuracy has been “guaranteed in writing†for many years. You show up at the range with a Sako and many won’t even know what you are shooting. Show up with a Weatherby and everyone knows what you’re shooting. I never said Sako wasn't a excellent rifle, I said Weatherby was the best when you take everything into account. Lawdog

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Does anyone know what ammunition Sako use to test their rifles with for the 1 inch groups?
I assume it's their own.

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As for the accuracy guarantee, Sako only started their “guarantee in writing†a couple of years ago before that it was a “company standardâ€. Weatherby’s accuracy has been “guaranteed in writing†for many years.

If you are buying a rifle now does it matter how long the sako warrantee has been in writing?

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You show up at the range with a Sako and many won’t even know what you are shooting. Show up with a Weatherby and everyone knows what you’re shooting.

Perhaps the people at my local range are more knowledgeable about guns,but most do recognize a sako when they see one.

ok i'll chime in , oldun you totally made the right choice i have been there done that , living in new zealand is to far from either factory to have to send a poorly shooting gun back , i have owned two finnlights one in .708 and one in 270wsm both shot 3/8'' , and are gems of guns however i know its a small sample but i owned a weatherby mark v ultralightweight in 7mm weatherby mag , and that thing shot like shit , it had numerous things wrong with it that i had a gun smith friend iron out , then we finally got some pretty good groups with only problem was it was so fussy the only projectile it would group were 150gr sierra matchkings and paper punching is not what i bought the gun for

I have seen a few sakos but have only owned a weatherby. I never regreted buying it, only selling it. Their customer service and rifle package appearance are top notch as well!

Sako are Great!
After cleaning the barrel and firing 2 dirtying shots the little rifle's first 3 shot group at 100yards was 0.82 inches.

The ammunition?
REMINGTON FACTORY 140 grain Nosler Partition.

I'm Happy Happy Happy, like a kid with a new toy and there's a very big smile on this old dog's face.

Once the cows have finished calving it will be down to the woods for me.

hans down SAKO! i've been taken by weatherby twice there will not be a third. the only weatherby i'll buy isn't made by weatherby.

supposed to be hands...

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hans down SAKO! i've been taken by weatherby twice there will not be a third. the only weatherby i'll buy isn't made by weatherby

That is a safe bet since weatherby does not manufacture their own firearms.They contract the manufacturing out.SACO currently builds the mark V's,and howa builds the vanguards.

stubblejumper

I don't think SACO makes Wbys anymore. The name of the company escapes me at the moment but the current makers of Wby Mark Vs was the company that was making the small 6 lug 30/06 Mark V and are now doing the lot.

Mike

oldun, as the owner of Sako rifles myself, I know you'll be pleased over the long run with your choice. Good luck with it.

Oldun, Congrats on the Finnlite. I think you made by far the best choice.
One little idea for you to think about. I have 2 Finnlites that shoot great but I didn't like the hollow sound of the stock. I took off the recoil pad and squirted in some insulating foam called "Great Stuff" that I bought at Lowe's. It will ooze out the back so you just wait for it to harden, trim off the excess and reinstall the recoil pad. It may have added an ounce or two but took out the hollow sound and made the gun feel more solid. The normal 75's don't seem to have this issue. Just an idea............DJ

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Originally posted by djpaintles:
. I think you made by far the best choice.

To that I would say BULLSHIT. That he made a good choice ok, but "by far" no way. jorge

I have never owned a Weatherby. That said I own three Sakos -- 22lr and 338 lapua magnum with a lever action .308 in between. They are different. They are better than anything than a Steyr. I really like Sako. Hardest steel in the business and they shoot. I really want one in .222.

Jorge, Before you say Bullshit, have you owned both a Finnlite and Weatherby Ultra-light? I have.
The Finnlites are far smoother and better finished. They are totally stainless including the triggers. etc. etc.
The Weatherby's probably have the better stock but I don't like the shape of either that much. I've handled dozen's of Weatherby's and as their manufacturing has shifted from place to place I've seen a lot of variance in quality control.
I respect your opinion and know you like Weatherby's Jorge, but I've owned both and shot them quite a bit and from my personal experience the Sako is a far superior rifle................DJ

My SAKO rifle is a 375 H&H and that rifle put three bullets threw the same hole at 200 yds. Ithink that SAKO rifles are made to shoot.

Dj: I appreciate your kind words, but I still have a big issue with the "far better" comparison. So let's just leave it at that. The last Weatherby I purchased was about 2 years ago. an Accumark and I'm here to tell you that any Sako doesn't even come close. Now if as you say they've changed manufacturers yet again and that's brought on some quality issues, well then I'l; have to rethink my position, but until then the words "far better" is stretching it. jorge

One good feature of Sako is that if you have a blow up at least you do not have to worry about the quality of the repair job as the whole rifle from one end to the other is gone

We had several cases in Australia of custom stainless fluted barrels going full length like the Sakos but the actions were fine. With the Sakos it was almost as if the barrel acted like a wedge and split the actions in half.

When Sako has low quality control issues at least they don't fuck about small time

Mike

I have seen sakos at the BR matches,..never seen a weatherby though.

Had them both,..and I would sell a wthby to buy a sako any day of the week. I am glad there are wthby collectors,..they make my job easier.

very well put justc!!