I know there are other choices besides Leupold rings for use on Sako big bores (375 H&H and 416 Rem), but has anyone had any problems using these rings on Sakos chambered for these cartridges? I just like the look of them versus the Optilocks and original rings.

I haven't had any problems to date, but I am looking for anyone that has.

Lou

The Leupolds, Conetrols and other after market rings are ok on medium recoiling rifles, but I would stick with Optilocks on the heavy recoiling 416 Remington Magnum.

I am getting a set with the quick detachable Optilocks for my Sako in 416 Rem Mag. The factory iron sights work great when I am trying to dig an elk out of the dark timber.

The 375 H&H is not a heavy recoiling gun compared to the 416 Rem Mag.

Those Conetrol rings are quite handsome.

LD

Lawndart, thanks for the great info. How do you feel about Talley rings and bases? Lou

I thought you'd get more responsesand was holding off. I've had them on a couple of AVs in .375. The last one was a custon one that weighed 7 3/4 lbs scoped. No problems at all. Held up fine.

MTM, thanks for sharing. I have also used them on all my Sakos for many years, but most of my experience with them on my 375s and 416 have at the range. I have a set of Talleys coming from Nimrod that I will try on my 416. Lou

Hard to beat a Talley, especially now if you favor stainless.

One thing to consider. The Sako 375 H&H and 416 actions have a fair amount of space between the front and rear scope attachement points. Sako makes an Optilock that extends toward the middle of the space. It does not move. That is just the ticket if you are using a Leupold 2.5 fixed length scope, or a longer scope if you are a "stock crawler."

I have a Swarovski 1 x 4 x 20mm entrance optic. It fits fine with straight up and down Optilocks. What I like most about the Optilocks is the synthetic liners. Those are easy opn scope finishes and have a tremendous moment of static friction. That boils down to no indentations in the scope body, and no scope movement, ever.

Sakos have tended to have very straight receivers, but I have the only 6mmPPC that came with the barrel pointing about five degrees differently than the barrel. Oh well, pull the barel, have the action straightened by a skilled gunsmith and his single point bit from heaven. Then, barrels in 6.5 Grendel, 6mmPPC, 22PPC, AR Hot 6X 40 degrees; all pointy straighty. I use an old low profile Redfield base set on that. It looks pretty good.

If you are using any bases that don't have plastic inserts (Optilocl and Burris), be sure to check the straightness with a scope alignment tool. If that looks good, have you local gunsmith clean up the rings with a clymer ring alignment reamer. Lapping is tedious, and less exact. On a hard kicker, 3M makes an electical wire coater (prevents elcetrons from jumping when they shouldn't). I'll post the number when I find my can this weekend.

Other than that one stumble with the skinny stainless barrels a few years ago, Sako usually does a good job. I love them, even if the Optilocks are clunky.

lawndart

Lawndart, thanks for all the great info. I had the Opti Locks before and found them to be ugly very heavy, which probably is a benefit on the 416. The problem I see with the Talleys is the lack of adjustment for and aft. I will be using a 1-4, which will give me a little flexibility. If they will work I will buy a set for several of my other Sako A series rifles.

Fortunately, my Sako actions have been straight, or close enough that I didn't have any trouble mounting a scope without it binding.

Lou

I don't have any spcial ring I use on my 416 Rem
375 H&H, 338 Ultra Mag or my 458 Lott. I have NOT had any problems with my rings.

jro45, just to confirm you are using the Leupold Sako rings?