Just wondering why Sako cannot make a DGR with a Mauser style action?

Surely this cannot be prohibitively expensive? I know they have their Safari special which costs about 10 000 US but thats way out of reach of most of us and thats a modified 75 action anyway but just imagine if they made a true mauser action rifle in the big calibers.

Just reading some of the threads here has put me off some of the usual manufacturers including CZ.

I have just been looking at a Savage Safari express in 375 H&H but it does not feed from the mag into the action properly and its probably fixable but its just another rifle on the market that has to be taken to a smith before it will work.

Then I looked at a Sako 375 delux for about 400 more .... but I know its not CRF!!!

The major pushfeed manufactures have spent a generation (or more) and millions of dollars trying to convince the sporting public that you do not need a Mauser action. For them to suddenly start making one would be an admission that they have been deceiving rifleman all these years. It is not likely to happen. There are too many unsold pushfeeds sitting on distributor shelves.

Actually, Winchester back tracked when they introduced the Model 70 classic, and it has been a huge success for them.

Sig seemed to marry itself to weird pushfeeds with the Blaser, but they have now introduced a high quality magnum mauser.

If the marketing guys figure out that we want mauser style actions, they might just force the issue.

A better question is: Why did they stop makeing ALL their rifles in the CRF configuration? Their centerfire rifles used to be made on FN Mauser actions! The bean counters took over the company,however, and started cuting corners,hence the push feed SAKO! The key word in more profit for the stock holders, not better rifles for the customer!

Sako (now owned by Beretta) could make any type of bolt-action rifle that they chose to; for example, they could make a rifle based on the commercial FN Mauser design. You, however, would not pay what it would cost to produce that rifle.

That is why they do not do so.

jim dodd

Jim,

Why would a CRF rifle be prohibitively expensive to produce? Winchester, Ruger and CZ all produce CRF rifles that are cheaper (in the UK) than the Sako 75...

Regards

Pete

Pete,

None of those makers produce rifles to the standards of fit and finish that Sako uses on their high-end rifles.

When those makers make a really nice rifle like the Ruger M77 RSM, they actually cost more than the Sako. Winchester's Custom Shop guns go for about $3,000 to start for example.

If you look at all the hunting rifles made today, most of the major makers have gone to push-feed actions to hold manufacturing cost down.

Chay Zed had the advantage of lower manufacturing wages of Eastern Europe. They do make a great rifle.

I would like to buy "FN Mauser" rifles in right-hand and left-hand of f the shelf. Knkow wher I can get any, and at what price?

jim

Dingo,

How many Euros would you pay for such a rifle?

jim

Hunter Jim,

I see what you mean but surely with today`s modern machining technologies it would still be feasible to produce a crf bolt action to Sako`s standards for say one and a half to two times the cost of the current Sako deluxe in the same caliber?

Here in Aus we pay about $2200-00 (Australian) for a Sako Delux in 375 H&H. We pay about $2200 for a Winchseter model 70 Safari Express and the Ruger Safari Express would cost about $3200.

I would certainly pay 3 to 4000 for a Sako quality Mauser actioned 375 H&H or other dangerous game caliber if it was available.

I would be happy to stick to the push feed action for non dangerous game cartidges.

Jim,

Do you class the current Sako 75 as "high end" because I don't and thats not meant to be a flame as I am a happy Sako owner myself..... I still think Sako could produce a rifle to the same standard as their 75 and at little extra cost if the design it to compete directly with the off the shelf Winchester M70, Ruger M77 or a CZ550....

I see what your saying about the custom/semi custom models offered by "Remchester", but I was making my comparrison with their standard production models which is where most people start with their DG rifles...

Regrads,

Pete

Sako has streamlined their production. I met their sales rep. some months ago, tested their 9,3x66 and some other guns, one thing led to another, and I was to be the first owner of a 416 Rigby Sako with their classic stock and their new CRF system, the same as on their anniversary model for a very good price. Pretty great I thought and went about to sell some useless handguns to finance the whole thing. There was a catch though. I wanted open express sights and there was no way on earth they could make this happen. They would make me a 416 but no sights. Only streamline production parts. After some negotiations I came to the conclusion that it wasn�t worth the effort of refurnishing new rifle. Bad form.
They should have stuck to the Mausers, at least as a special model for sensible people.
Boha

boha,

When you say "new CRF" are you talking about something thats going to go into production at an affordable price,(say under $1200) or that $10,000 limited edition rifle they brought out?

Regards,

Pete

Pete, I think he's talking about the Sako 75 Safari. Did this rifle not come to commercial fruition?

If they would only make it in 416Rigby

Desert Ram,

That is one gorgeous looking rifle! I too would like to know if thats in production....Somebody recently posted that Sako were now making quick detach. versions of their Optiloc mounts and that seems to corrispond to those in the picture...maybe this rifle is about to be released on the market too?

The article also failed to mention the recommend retail price but I suspect it will be rather more than their present Delux models..

regards,

Pete

[ 09-19-2003, 18:58: Message edited by: Pete E ]

I know that Sako had announced a CRF version of their Model 75 rifle, but I still have not had the opportunity to handle one.

Beretta has acquired Sako (and Tikka), and the first action out of the box was to discontinue the Beretta Mato (design based on a Dakota action). Beretta has also acquired Burris, and I am waiting for the emergence or What This All Means to we hunters and shooters.

I have also found an example of what happens to pricing when you throw Mauser design features into a modern production environment. The Vektor Bushveld rifle is according to the maker a combination of the Mauser 98 and Winchester M70. The rifle is listed in the '03 Gun Digest at US$1,595 to $1,695.

I have emailed them and phoned, but the email bounces and the phone has been disconnected.

Obviously the economics do matter.

As an aside I buy over 30 long guns each year for our San Diego SCI Chapter fund raiser. I try to get "interesting" rifles and shotguns, not just a crate of "Remchesters". I will put this Sako on the list, and see if we can actually get one. The dealer handling our gun transfers is a Beretta and Sako stocking dealer.

jim

This is the boltface they were referring to:

They obviousely use the standard bolt opened up at the bottom so the cartridge can slip up under the extractor; no long extractor..

I don�t know about the price, we talked about 2000 - 2200 euros.

But have a look at www.sako.fi - then get a Mauser-action and have a rifle made.

Boha - probably a traitor to the finnish way of life ??