Sako Kodiak vs Kimber Talkeetna in 375 h&h

The only kimber I would buy is one from a trusted friend. (almost did) And to be fair my only experience with them is in gunshops, and one a friend sent me that I got to play with - But I wasn't impressed. First off (a personal thing) the bolt handle attachment is cheesy... Argue all you want, but it is. Next issue I had may have been one in a million, but I unscrewed the factory installed barrel with my bare hands. Those two things compounded with plenty of stories about sketchy accuracy, and malfunctioning safeties (rifle fires after the safety is turned off if you had pulled and released the trigger when it was on)is reason enough for me not to want to gamble on one. The accuracy stories may be just that, but I know several members on here (cgn)who had the safety issues. Kimber may have solved these issues by now, and with korth now servicing them they should be covered. Tons of guys love the kimbers so perhaps they are better than I think. Just my $0.02
 
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Buffalo hunting isn't about accurate rifles, its about rifles that work and that you can shoot well and quickly. Its about landing the best bullets, out of the most powerful rifle you can shoot well. Its about animals that don't seem to know that they're supposed to be dead.

Shots are almost always short but more often than not you'll have to thread a bullet through brush. The chances of a non-spined bull going right down are close to nothing, so get it in your head that you will be shooting until there's either nothing to shoot at or your gun is empty.

Mistakes cost about the same as burning your truck. If that isn't enough pressure, there is the very slight chance that it will try to take someone with him.
 
Buffalo hunting isn't about accurate rifles, its about rifles that work and that you can shoot well and quickly. Its about landing the best bullets, out of the most powerful rifle you can shoot well. Its about animals that don't seem to know that they're supposed to be dead.

Shots are almost always short but more often than not you'll have to thread a bullet through brush. The chances of a non-spined bull going right down are close to nothing, so get it in your head that you will be shooting until there's either nothing to shoot at or your gun is empty.

Mistakes cost about the same as burning your truck. If that isn't enough pressure, there is the very slight chance that it will try to take someone with him.

One of the best ways I've seen it put, agree on all points and enjoyed that.
 
Hmmm, odd how things change when you go up in caliber. I have never once experienced a jam with my Ruger M77 Mk II due to working the bolt too fast, and I regularly work the bolt very rapidly while shooting. I've also owned a FN commercial Mauser, and while very nice, I find the Ruger to cycle more smoothly and reliably. The Ruger sends brass flying, while the FN ejected far more half heartedly.

All true, if i had to choose between Kimber and Sako I would pick a Ruger, I have three of them all LH. My second choice (first?) in African caliber (375HH +) would be old Brno 602 if I were right handed.
 
The accuracy and feeding rumors come from the introductory 8400 WSMs. It's apparent that some surely have an issue with certain brands.
Personally between the two it would be a hard choice, but I'd side with the Kimber in this case. The look the feel etc. all would play into that choice.
Only a fool would concern themselves with 5 shot into an inch on African game. Lots of good PHs shoot rifles and loads that are hard pressed to go 3 MOA.
 
The accuracy and feeding rumors come from the introductory 8400 WSMs.

Exactly.

Those early 8400's are the thorn in Kimbers side as those problems will follow them for a long time. The interweb will keep the rumors going for a long time to come. We are in a day and age where people form opinions from web forums and web reviews without ever having hands on with a product. Sad really...
 
My Kimber is accurate, and I consider the build quality very high for a production rifle. I would buy another in anything but a WSM caliber.

I recently bought a circa 1971 Browning Safari .375 H&H because I have always admired them and it was a reasonable deal. This is a Sako action, without CRF. It is very accurate - 1.5 inch, 3 shot group @ 100 yds, thru open sights with my 46 year old eyes. I very pleased, and impressed by the Sako extractor, this being my first Finn gun. I wouldnt have hesitation to go for a Cape with this unit.

On a value for money basis, I would buy the new M70 Alaskan in .375 H&H before either a Sako or the Kimber, but I am a bit frugal.

Good Luck!
 
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