SAKO 75 questions

[eddiep]

Greetings everyone. I have a few questions regarding a SAKO 75 30.06 left hand rifle. I came across a new one yesterday at a hunting supply store. It was stickered around $1000, but the owner said he'd sell it for around $850 since it's a lefty and the 75 model has now been replaced by the 85.

I've been looking for a left-handed rifle for a few years but haven't decided on one yet. I currently use a Winchester Model 70 XTR 7x57 Mauser for whitetail. It's a great gun and caliber, except it's a right-hand bolt and I'm a lefty.

I normally wouldn't consider a SAKO, as I'd like to keep the price under the 1K mark, but I'm very tempted by the model 75 I saw yesterday. One thing that concerns me is it's a heavy gun. It weight 8.9 lbs w/o a scope, so I figure it will hit the 10 lb mark once I add the glass and rings. That's a bit heavy, as most rifles seem to be around the 7lb range minus the scope. My 7x57 weighs in at 8.1 lbs w/ scope.

I do have a separated shoulder, so recoil is a concern. I know the heavier SAKO will reduce the recoil somewhat, but is a 10lb rifle too heavy? I could always get a lighter rifle and use the low-recoil ammo, as most of my deer are taken within 100-150 yards anyway.

So here are my questions:

1. Is the $850 price on the SAKO 75 reasonable, or should I expect to pay less since it's no longer made, it's a lefty, and it's heavy? It's already been in the store for a few years, probably for the reasons I just mentioned.

2. Assuming the price is right, should I be concerned by the gun weight and look for a lighter rifle and/or caliber? If it's a hassle to carry when we make drives through the woods, perhaps I should go lighter.

3. How much is the recoil reduced by the heavier SAKO? (~10lbs vs. ~8lbs shooting 150gr bullets, barrel length 22 7/8").

I like the gun a lot; I just don't want to overpay, or buy a gun that's too heavy to carry around in the woods.

Any advice is appreciated!

[Dom]

Well, eddiep, my .02 cents worth:

1. Is the $850 price on the SAKO 75 reasonable? Yes, that's reasonable. Sako is a solid rifle. I don't have a 75 but the older A5, and it is a good rifle. Especially for a lefty, yes, good price.

2. Should I be concerned by the gun weight? Actually only you can answer that one. Of course gun weight becomes more a factor considering one's age, the terrain, and what type hunting they envision. If you're looking for a rifle to carry over the hills and dales, this probably isn't it. On the other hand, for normal terrain and hunting, if you get a Vero Vellini(sp?) type stretchy sling, that will make it feel and carry lighter.

3. How much is the recoil reduced by the heavier SAKO? Yes, heavier will reduce it. I'd suggest you just ask the owner if you can shoot it, that way you'll know for sure. Shooting max loads won't help, but most can handle an '06 with normal loads just fine, depends on how much shooting you do. If you shoot regularly, you won't even feel it, even with 180 grainers, which I recommend.

Bottom line you won't be overpaying, especially if you pay attention to a quality scope of ligher weight!! Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[eddiep]

Thanks for the reply Dom.

I forgot to add my age, which is 39. I won't be carrying the rifle on long treks thru the woods in most cases. If we make a drive, it typically is only about 30-45 minutes of walking time, and my post is a 10 minute walk from camp, although that may change next year to be farther out.

I really like the looks of the 75, and considering the 85 goes for ~$1300, that 75 is looking better and better by the minute.

[MacD37]

Originally posted by eddiep
Greetings everyone. I have a few questions regarding a SAKO 75 30.06 left hand rifle. I came across a new one yesterday at a hunting supply store. It was stickered around $1000, but the owner said he'd sell it for around $850 since it's a lefty and the 75 model has now been replaced by the 85.


One thing that concerns me is it's a heavy gun. It weight 8.9 lbs w/o a scope, so I figure it will hit the 10 lb mark once I add the glass and rings. That's a bit heavy, as most rifles seem to be around the 7lb range minus the scope. My 7x57 weighs in at 8.1 lbs w/ scope.

I
So here are my questions:

1. Is the $850 price on the SAKO 75 reasonable, or should I expect to pay less since it's no longer made, it's a lefty, and it's heavy? It's already been in the store for a few years, probably for the reasons I just mentioned.



I like the gun a lot; I just don't want to overpay, or buy a gun that's too heavy to carry around in the woods.

Any advice is appreciated!

EddieP, In the first place $850 is a bargain for a Sako 75, and it is the first SAKO made that has a CRF action.

I will just say if you don't want it, send me a PM with the info, I'll buy it in a heart-beat. The 10 lb rifle is not too heavy IMO, but I hunt with 10 and 12 lb double rifles, so it would fit right in here.

I would buy this one for my youngest son, who is right handed, but has a left master eye, and shoots left handed. He shoots a right handed Whitworth African Express 375 H&H but has trouble with the right handed bolt gun. His rifle weighs 9.8 lbs loaded with scope attached, so the weight will not bother him at all!

enjoy the rifle if you buy, and let me know if you don't!

My E-mail is DUGABOY1@aol.com

[fabsroman]

My main rifle is a Ruger MkII in .300 Win Mag which is the magnum model with the somewhat heavier barrel and 26" barrel instead of 24". It used to beat the crap out of me. So, I put a Hogue stock on it with a full length bedding block and I put a Harris bi-pod on it. It is substantially heavier with those two additions, and the recoil was substantially reduced. Now, I can sit at the bench, fire 20 rounds out of it and not have back pain the next day. However, most of my hunting with it is via tree stands or sitting on a piece of property waiting for deer to wander by, and nothing I hunt is more than 200 acres. So, even walking to the treestand isn't that big a deal. Half the 200 acre farm is on a mountain, and climbing up that "hill" to get to the top is a little tiresome, but not undoable.

What I am trying to say is that a 10 lb rifle doesn't seem too heavy to me if I am not trying to walk all day with it.

[skeet]

Nice gun..tell the guy you'll pay the price but that is out the door taxes included. If that was his first offer you could probably do a little better. But the tax on 800 bucks is still a 40 dollar or more cost. He'll probably go for that.

[eddiep]

Thanks to everyone who replied, and sorry it took so long for me to respond.

I ended up buying it last fall. I took it to the range and shot about 30 rounds thru it before deer season, cleaning after every 3rd one. SAKO support claims there is no need to do any type of barrel break in due to the way they manufacture their barrels, but I still wanted to clean it after every few rounds.

I put a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scope on it, and the best groupings I got at 100 yards were a bit under 2", which is fine by me. I used 150 gr Federals and I also tried 150 gr Remington Core Lokt's. Both shot similar groups.

I'm very happy w/ the gun and how it shoots. My shoulder was a bit sore after the day at the range, but much better than I expected. The weight w/ scope is 9.5 lbs, and I'm sure the extra weight is helping w/ the recoil, which is good news for my separated shoulder.

[PJgunner]

I dunno what kind of recoil pad is on your rifle, or if it even has one. Seems like lots of gun companies feel a pad is not needed on the 30-06.
Regardless of whether ther is one or not, have your friendly gunsmith install a Pachmayr Decelerator pad on your rifle. Ypu'll be glad you did. Also, for shooting at the range, buy a Past Recoil sheild. Twixt those two items, your rifle will feel like a pussycat. I have one of the pads on my .300 Win. Mag. and the difference was amazing. I also use the past sheild when shooting from .300 Win. Mag, up to .416 Rigby from the bench. They do make a difference.
Paul B.