The following on the Sako web site sounds very interesting:

quote:

This set included a unique pair of Sako Safari rifles especially made for the SCI convention auction in 2002. The pair was based on the technology designed for Sako 75 rifles. The calibers for this rifle pair were chosen to cover the requirements of any Safari. The bolts of the pair are interchangeable between the two rifles. The rifle 1/2, intended for dangerous big game in cal. .416 Rem Mag. The rifle 2/2 for plains game, chambered to .300 Win Mag. These calibers can be considered as modern classics and very good choices considering performance and availability of ammunition.

In a recent edition of a SA hunting magazine mention was made of the new Sako 9.3 x 66 to be launched soon as a competitor for the .375H&H. The author was quite impressed with the rifle on a recent Sako promotion in Finnland.

I'm still using a Sako Finnbear 7mm Rem Mag made in 1969 with great success and satisfaction - in perfect condition after all these years of regular use.

.

ALF wrote:

quote:

As far as I know the 9.3x66 has been around some months now and they can be bought from Senwes in South Africa.

Quite possible as the author stated that the promotion days took place in Helsinki on 26 October 2005 and the few days thereafter.
(I find it peculiar that a world wide known company like Sako would have selected a company like Senwes, trading and located in only one province of South Africa, namely North-West, as a distributor for their products in the RSA!)
Anyhow, the author of the article, André van Dyk editor of SA Hunt, also stated that "African Hunting Supplies" is the new agent for Sako in South Africa.

Any views on these two?

quote:

The bolts of the pair are interchangeable between the two rifles. The rifle 1/2, intended for dangerous big game in cal. .416 Rem Mag. The rifle 2/2 for plains game, chambered to .300 Win Mag.

.

"Actions: Both of these rifles feature a Sako 75 action with controlled round feeding modification. World´s first rifle pair with 3-locking lug bolts featuring controlled round feeding."

Sako had a CRF 75 or whatever a few years ago and it died out. Perhaps it will sell some guns if they are all made that way.

Of course Sako had a containment action gas wise before. Don't know if the so called CRF version will handle gas the same.

Sako made wonderful rifles (especially the AV) until the introduction of the Model 75 and their purchase by Beretta. They were my favorite push-feed.

However, they do not have the manufacturing capacity to 'take over' from Winchester(USRAC) and Remington.

Their version of CRF will have to prove itself under the most demanding conditions (African jungles and savanna, Alaska, etc.) before it becomes a player in the DG field (Mausers and Model 70s still rule).

As for the 9.3x66, according to Sako's ballistics table, it will propel a 286gr. bullet at 780m/s (~2560fps); the .375H&H propels a 300gr. bullet at the same velocity. Where is the 9.3x66's advantage?

Still, it's nice to see Sako making left-hand rifles again; maybe I'll pick one up in 9.3x62.

George

As the proud owner of two Sako's, I can say I love them to death. The biggest reason why they will never ursup Rem. or Win. is cost. On average you will pay twice what a box winnie would cost.

As for DG, the safari action (being re-introduced as the Sako 85), is too similar to the Savage action which pittered away a few years ago. For the DG I have a Winnie Safari Express in 458 Win Mag and a second in .375H&H. I don't think either Remington or Winchester will fade into the distance. More than likely we will have Japanese Winchesters (actually I have a Japanese winchester).

John

Alf,

quote:

Will the 9.3x66 be a challenge for the position of the 375 H&H ?

Sure. In as much as the 9.3x64, .376 Steyr, and 375 Taylor are. You can see what a dent in H&H sales these three contenders have made....

Some classics never die; they work too well and have done it for too long. Contenders come and go; but some, like the 375 H&H remain.

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Sako made wonderful rifles (especially the AV) until the introduction of the Model 75 and their purchase by Beretta. They were my favorite push-feed.


Their version of CRF will have to prove itself under the most demanding conditions (African jungles and savanna, Alaska, etc.) before it becomes a player in the DG field (Mausers and Model 70s still rule).


George

If you're looking for a fantastic CRF Sako, the older pre-72 models were CRF. My 375H&H is superb. If the new ones are anything like the older actions, they would prove themselves quickly.

.

It seems as if it is a question of either you like Sako or you don't like Sako and nothing else really counts, that's it!

However, people have noticed the new Sako 9.3 x 66 and are talking, even building it!

From all the positives I have experienced with a Sako rifle I can only say time will tell whether their new 9.3 x 66 will have an impact on the other rifles' sales competing in this category.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
George

Hah ! but if Winchester and Remington shut shop than Sako with their small production would beat them even if they make just one rifle a year. Not so ?

True, but how would Sako 'take over' when they cannot fulfill the demand of the U.S. market?

And since the 9.3x66 will probably not gain wide acceptance here (U.S. hunters certainly make up the bulk of safari clients in sub-Saharan Africa), how would it 'take over' from the .375H&H?

George

Beretta certainly has the financial muscle to expand production of the Tikka line to meet a significant portion the mid-level price point demand of the American market.

LD

.

The 9,3x66 operates with higher pressure than the old 9,3x62 version thus the 200fps extra. The advantage over the 375 is supposedly att 100yards where the Sako has higher speed and higher energy than the H&H round. This is because of the higher ballistic coefficient.

I dont believe the 9,3x66 will make the 375 obsolete for obvious reasons. 9,3mm is not as popular in the US. Here in Europe the 9,3x62 is, I believe, more popular than the 375H&H and sales are increasing.

I would like a 9,3x66 but since I already have a Sako 9,3x62 that I can reload to modern pressures I dont see the point of getting one.

Thomas,

As close as I can figure it, the sectional densities of a .375"/300gr. and .366"/286gr. bullets are practically identical at .305.

I ask again, where is the 9.3x66's 'advantage'? Is it calculable? Does it outweigh the .375's slightly larger frontal area?

George

.

9,3x66 vs. .375H&H? It's going to join Continental cartridge cemetary (10,75x68, .358Norma), or those with one foot in the grave like the 9,3x64.

Even if they did bring it into the US, how much would 20 pack cost? Sixty to 70USD?

Alf,

That is true. Once could easily handle ALL hunting tasks with a .22-250 Remington, a .30-06 Springfield, and a .375H&H. Or a 5.6x50R, an 8x57, and a 9.3x64 (or 9.3x74R).

I just do not see the 9.3x66 becoming widely popular. Metrics (other than 7mm) are not embraced by shooters in the States, and there is no European game that requires a 9.3x66.

There just aren't enough Europeans hunting big game in Africa to really make this round economically viable.

George

My Sako action, 9,3x66 Sako reamer and gauges are going out to Jim Kobe tomorrow. If anyone wants to have their 30-06 length rifle converted, send it to Jim, and he can use my reamer to cut your chamber.

It is set up for a cartridge overall length of 87mm. Any rifle with a hinged floorplate can accomodate that length. Measure your detachable magazine first.

I am ordering a reloading die reamer from PT&G, and will send it to Redding. Your cases will resize to match your chamber then.

You can make serviceable brass from 30-06 basic.

The 9,3 x 66 just about splits the difference between the 9,3 x 62 and the 9,3 x 64. After this rifle is done I will build a 9,3 x 64 on Mark X action. After that I will build a 9,3 x 70 Expert Magnum on a converted Winchester 300 RUM.

I already have:
22 LR
22 WMR
221 Rem
222 Rem
223 Rem/5.56 (x7)
6 PPC (x2)
25-06 (Oops, got rid of that last week)
6,5 x 55 SM (x2)
6.5 Grendel
270 Win
7mm Rem Mag (x2)
308 Win/7.62 x 51 Nato (x6)
30-06 Springfield (x4)
300 Win Mag
8 x 57
338 Win Mag
9,3 x 62
375 Win Mag
375 Weatherby (Best Round in the World)
376 Steyr
416 Rem Mag
416 Rigby
45-70 (In the scabbard for riding on local ranches)

I have to build some more 9,3's so my metric rifles will not feel outnumbered or bullied.



I love this country,

LD

Has anybody got any experience or knowledge of the SHR (Swiss Hunting Rifle)?

Seen one sometime ago at Dr Lucas Potgieter's gunshop in South Africa.

quote:

There just aren't enough Europeans hunting big game in Africa to really make this round economically viable

George,
I agree with you on most issues but looking at our client base over the years and recognizing the various European PH's and Safari companies in the French speaking countries, I just can't agree with the above statement. That's not to say that European hunters will all go for the new 9.3 Sako Super Slayer and put the stately .375 H&H out of business but there are enough to have an impact.
Rich Elliott

Rich,

You have to agree with me, or I might drop you off in the wrong part of Dallas next year.

By 'big game' I mean dangerous game, as opposed to plains game.

My guess is folks hunting plains game would either stick with the tried-and-true .375H&H, or use one of the lighter cartridges, e.g., .338, 8x68S, one of the .300 magnums, et al.

George

if that bullet (.366") does not get at least a .009" swelling by time it gets off the plain in Africa all it will be doing is shooting antelope for "slicks" who got to have the latest toys. Last I heard, .375 is still the minimum for dangerous game, like Cape Buffalo. Anything less (except the cats) is just an expensive vacation away from the job and house. Another stupid move by Beretta, are they owned by lemmings?

regards,

Rich