New Wood Stock Rifle, What Brand?

TomJoad

WKR
Joined
Jul 13, 2020
Messages
410
Location
CO
Is the Sako 85 same
No. The Sako 85 is a completely different design from the Tikka. Comes in 6 different action lengeths to match the cartridge, very few plastic components, open top receiver as apposed to the Tikkas coin slot, better safety, better bolt design. Some of them have ejection issues with low mounted scopes. They have the smoothest production action I have handled other than a Mauser M98.

View attachment 236675
What he said ^^
I’d take be a Sako 85 in wood over Tikka all day.... assuming you want to pay for it. It’ll put you right at your 2k, but likely with a smile on your face.
 

bruno747

FNG
Joined
Nov 28, 2020
Messages
35
Id say you have a fair number of options unless you are looking for wood with more eye candy than most generic walnuts stocks that have little or no character.

Personally, I'd probably look for a lightly used Weatherby Mark V in a non Weatherby caliber (simply for ammo affordability and availability). Weatherby probably has the highest percentage of rifles with beautiful stocks of any manufacture I have seen without getting into the exhibition grade companies.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
635
Location
NE MO
Ruger African is the classiest wood stocked factory rifle out there for under 2K
Last I looked there were still several available in 280AI
Add to that the fact that they are a limited run of 250 per year and they are chambered for something different each year and it will climb in value over time.
 

Gen273

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
486
Don't overlook a Ruger Hawkeye! However, there are other options, as has been mentioned in this thread.
 

robtattoo

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Joined
Mar 22, 2014
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3,326
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Not sure if linking to another forum is cool, so i'll refrain.
There's a guy here in TN on the Tennessee gun owners forum selling number 1 of 50 SCI commemorative Montana rifle's, American legend in 7mag, with scope, for $2,000......

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Edit to add; he's a guy I've dealt with many, many times & whom I trust implicitly.
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2017
Messages
445
Location
UT
As much as I like Tikkas, the wood stock and polymer bottoms just don't look right

I would look at rhe CZ 527 or 557. They are a lot of gun for the money. I like them quite a bit more than the comparable Bergara. And they're lightyears better than Remington. I can't speak to the M70.
I second the CZ 557 for the money...a very nice walnut stock with good bluing on action/barrel/bottom metal.
 
Joined
Nov 16, 2018
Messages
38
I think I’d choose a Sako 85 over any production rifle on the market, at any price, and most customs.
Just make sure to get the Sako Optilock scope rings to avoid any ejection/scope clearance issues.
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
7,412
Location
Chugiak, Alaska
Here’s a few pictures of my two wood m70 rifle stocks.

Pre-64
38e55821d59a6e612aaf64b595c865b5.jpg


Post ‘64, but CRF.
21fb00dd36d91e3d4712c9f96c5e2f5d.jpg


6bb27c0a0b0a9f292b06a49daded8200.jpg


The post ‘64 is prettier IMO, but the Pre is a classic, with all the mojo and soul that goes with that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Jun 25, 2018
Messages
42
Location
Prior Lake, Minnesota
I have a collection of both Sako 85s and Winchester Model 70s, all current production models. If you have have $2000 to spend I would get a 3006 Sako 85 Bavarian model. If your budget is around 1000 to 1500 I would get a Winchester Supergrade or featherweight. You just can not go wrong with either of these models. The build quality is excellent, and they all shoot under an inch. There is just no soul in a rifle that is not wood and blued steel.
 

mitchellmountain

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 20, 2020
Messages
238
bergara makes a great rifle and the wood on mine was gorgeous. Handle one first, a little thick in the wrist for me, but it was a shooter for sure.
 

Wapiti1

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
3,571
Location
Indiana
None of the above. Find a made in USA Beretta Mato.

Dakota Arms made them for Beretta and they can be found for good prices if you are patient.

Jeremy
 

TxxAgg

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2019
Messages
2,001
 

SDHNTR

WKR
Joined
Aug 30, 2012
Messages
6,305
I really wanted a Sako 85. The ejection problems and Sako/Beretta’s refusal to own it, just pains me. It’s not just a scope issue, it’s a design issue. The ejector is in the wrong position on the bolt face, 6’oclock instead of 9. Inherent design flaw. Kicks cases up instead of out. Makes no sense to me.
 
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