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Sako Kodiak .375 (or 416) Users? Thoughts?

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10 May 2020, 03:53
SAFARIKID
Sako Kodiak .375 (or 416) Users? Thoughts?
Considering one in 375HH (but would prefer the 416 Rem Mag)....Any owners or users here?? LIKES or Dislikes? Thanks tu2


"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
13 May 2020, 06:29
England
Yes, I have one in .338 Win Mag (I believe the Sako Kodiak is only chambered in .338 and .375 H&H). I've not hunted it yet, but am pleased. I have Kimber Caprivi rifles in .375 H&H and .458 Lott which I have hunted in Africa a few times. I also have a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM, but got a whim to fill the .338 gap, possibly for a future Alaska bear hunt or as an antelope rifle for Africa.

The Sako is unsurprisingly well made and nicely balanced. It wears a Leupold VX6 2-12 scope, like my Kimber .375 H&H. Between the laminated stock and the stainless action and barrel, I would not think it will require much coddling in the field. With handloads it will group 3/4 MOA.

I had read multiple complaints on the ErrorNet about ejection problems with ejected cases striking the scope turrets and fouling the action. However, I'm about 150 rounds into my Kodiak and it has never happened, with either brisk or gentle cycling of the bolt.

I have an older Sako TRG-S 375 H&H carbine with the M995 action but a blued action and barrel in a synthetic stock. If I didn't and I wanted a carbine-sized .375, I would strongly consider the Kodiak. But I really like my Caprivi.
13 May 2020, 16:50
SAFARIKID
Sounds great..I had the Safari in 375 years back and it was very nice...like the smaller Kodiak though ...Thanks for the nice input! tu2


"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
17 May 2020, 09:19
BenKK
I had a Sako Kodiak .375H&H. No problems with ejection, never hit the scope or damaged shells. Very accurate. I had a problem with my magazine which other guys with the same rifle didn’t - it would jam if I put four cartridges in, and I had to position the top cartridge carefully when loading the magazine by giving the nose a downwards push to ensure feeding. I also hate the large front bead on Sakos as they cover half a buffalo at about sixty metres, whereas I want to place accurate heart-shots out to 120m with open sights. It was an easy fix for a gunsmith to replace that front bead, and all was well. Shot dozens of buffalo (NT) with that rifle, along with the other stuff - plus one happy trip for plainsgame in Botswana.
27 May 2020, 02:49
Labman
quote:
I had read multiple complaints on the Net about ejection problems with ejected cases striking the scope turrets and fouling the action


A buddy of mine bought a new Sako 85 and equipped it with Sako ringmounts and a 1" Leupold scope. He had the problem you described. Ejected cases would hit the scope and fall back in the loading port jamming things up. Beretta/Sako was no help. They told him to try different mounts and scope.

It's a known problem with the current Sako's and Beretta won't do a darn thing to correct the issue. My friend sold the rifle.


Tom Z

NRA Life Member
27 May 2020, 03:20
SAFARIKID
Yes I decided to pass! Not for me in a DG Rifle!


"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
27 May 2020, 11:05
Saeed
I have these rifles, and like them.

Only problem is they are too heavy, like most factory rifles in these calibers.


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27 May 2020, 19:58
gunslinger55
Tikka rifles have the same problem. Very frustrating great rifle in every other instance. The only way I found to make it “reliable” is to make sure Rifle canted to the right working action (less bolt speed the better) and let gravity pull the case away from action. No help when you call Beretta. Although the actions are different on sako the verticle ejection path hits scope the same way. Quite a bit on utube and I can throw my case back in action on demand. No DG for that rifle.....


White Mountains Arizona
27 May 2020, 20:13
SAFARIKID
Yes there are some positives but not for me ..I had the Sako Safari years ago in 375..GORGEOUS for factory but never hunted it..now with all these multiple complaints I'm sure it hurts sales...I like the Kodiak and the Brown Bear but not for those species! Lol thumbdown


"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
28 May 2020, 03:30
Sarg
Another on the Big Sako's having a problem on feeding some times !

I have had 3 clients with issues when shooting Buffalo after the first shot (all 375H&H) some didn't even notice they had had a problem reloading, stress of the moment I presume, I had a argument after asking one what happen there & he said no trouble but on the video there he was struggling to load next shell !

Having said that I have three Sako 75's , One 85 & like them plenty, never had any issues with them but in lesser calibers .

Could help to look into what scope is used to ?
01 June 2020, 00:42
gunslinger55
Lol baretta(parent company) suggested rotating scope 90 degrees in mounts to move Windage knob out of way. Yeah sure..Umm no. I am serious


White Mountains Arizona
01 June 2020, 00:58
SAFARIKID
Great for a Lefty?! jumping


"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
06 June 2020, 20:42
Atkinson
The one you shoot best, like best, both work just fine. I used both for many years, today I like the 375 best for a number of reasons..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com