Benelli R1 vs Sako 85 finnlight

Hoss83

Hoss83

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Looking for a good comparison on the 2 rifles which I know are completely different but I will be using it for moose and deer hunting in 30-06. I've owned the Benelli R1 in 300 WSM but was paranoid with the barrel heating up so sold it. Loved everything about it, except the weight, but even that is bearable. I currently own a new unfired Sako 85 finnlight in 30-06 but don't know if I made the right choice and don't want to pull the trigger unless I'm sure of my choice. The fit and feel of this sako is fantastic but very light weight. I already have a prefit limb saver recoil pad on it but like I said don't want to shoot it until I'm sure I made the right choice.

Please provide any input on either or both rifles including how tolerable the recoil is on the sako. Thanks for the help!
 
No comparison really, so I'm not sure how to weigh in, but try the sako out. A bolt action is much more reliable than a semi. And as far as I am concerned, that goes a long way. I would say maybe keep the sako for times when the reliable gun is needed and maybe pick up a second hand rem 7400 for times it's handy to have a semi. They can be had for 350-450 on the EE. Also, the recoil on a 30-06 isn't all that bad.
 
As you already know they are completely different. In my opinion the Sako will feel better, shoot better, be more reliable ect. Just had this same comparison done this fall with my brother buying a new R1 .30-06, shooting it and hating the trigger. It would not shoot better than 1.5" and was completely inconsistent. I warned him about buying it. The good people at epps where he bought it were not at all surprised and helped him get into his new Sako 85 SS Laminate .270 and he could not be happier. I think his words were "I am an idiot for buying that thing" when he shouldered it pulled the trigger and fired a 1" group immediately. Not saying the benelli is a bad gun just no comparison to a Sako. Also the Benelli's spent casings all rattle off the side of the receiver before falling to the ground leaving impressions and brass marks making the gun look well used after 20 rounds.
 
I run Benelli's. Used to tell people to go for it, but have given up. I also try to buy used Benelli's cheap, but can never find any?

A bolt action gun is only as reliable as its operator. There are still malfunctions.

People cannot be told what to do, they can only learn from their mistakes.

Anyways,
Both great rifles. Can't go wrong either way.
 
yep, semi are so unreliable.....that's why every army in the world only uses bolt action rifles....go figure! :)
 
I love my R1, its a great gun and in my opinion the best production semi hunting rifle on the market right now. Decide which action you prefer and make your choice based on that

Patrick
 
hawk-i said:
yep, semi are so unreliable.....that's why every army in the world only uses bolt action rifles....go figure! :)
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What type of rifles do army snipers use? Semi is not as reliable as a bolt period. My R1 was sold do to several jams with reloads after full length sizing. Weird that has never happened with my bolt rifles. If we ever go to war with the ever increasing deer population I will be on EE buying up every semi I can find................but until then I will run bolts
 
shorttrac said:
What type of rifles do army snipers use? Semi is not as reliable as a bolt period. My R1 was sold do to several jams with reloads after full length sizing. Weird that has never happened with my bolt rifles. If we ever go to war with the ever increasing deer population I will be on EE buying up every semi I can find................but until then I will run bolts
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Sounds like a reloading problem to me, but what do I know, I small base size my brass.

Also, sounds like you know a lot more about army rifles than me too. Thought the comment was about "army" not "sniper"
-What % of sniper rilfes are bolt action compared to semi (because I have seen a few different semi sniper rifles)?
-What % of army rifles are semi compared to bolt (seems like every GI has a semi to me)?

Did you ever try the SXR mag in your Shortrac?
 
Sorry Op for the sidetrack.

Have only shot a Sako 300mag and it had major felt recoil. The R1 06's are like shooting a big 22.

As far as accuracy, the Sako will shoot a better group on paper, for hunting they are both fine.

Nice mag system on the Sako, the R1 is a little tough to get in.
 
Just to clarify, don't think anyone said R1 is not reliable as I know they are as well as every shortrac, 7400, 750, R1, SXR I have ever owned and cared for. They are less reliable than a bolt. Don't think anyone can argue that point.
Not sure about military rifle use, just making light of an odd comment comparing military firearms to hunting firearms and there completely different functions.
Have not owned the shortrac for a while but from what I remember the SXR Mag is more in common with the R1 than the Shortrac.
Never bothered with small base dies as the accuracy was never great in the R1 and it actually failed to rechamber virgin brass reloads once when a follow up was needed on a nice buck. Cycled fine on paper though....go figure.
 
Sorry for the sidetrack op.
To answer your question I have fired the R1 in .30-06 and .300win. Trigger was alright and recoil was reduced maybe 20%. Barrel heating was definitely a problem as groups of 1.5" were best with time between shots and 2-3" with no time. Not terribly consistant as they are very finicky which loads do 1.5" and even the ones that do, don't do it one after another.
The Sako just does everything perfectly except rapidfire.
 
I'm sure I can tolerate the recoil of my sako with the prefit limb saver on the buttstock, I used to shoot a tikka t3 in 30-06. But where I hunt moose I would say the longest shot I could ever take is about 200 yards. Not sure how much difference there would be in accuracy... Even at 300 yards is there a huge difference between these 2 rifles?
 
Hoss83 said:
Looking for a good comparison on the 2 rifles which I know are completely different but I will be using it for moose and deer hunting in 30-06. I've owned the Benelli R1 in 300 WSM but was paranoid with the barrel heating up so sold it. Loved everything about it, except the weight, but even that is bearable. I currently own a new unfired Sako 85 finnlight in 30-06 but don't know if I made the right choice and don't want to pull the trigger unless I'm sure of my choice. The fit and feel of this sako is fantastic but very light weight. I already have a prefit limb saver recoil pad on it but like I said don't want to shoot it until I'm sure I made the right choice.

Please provide any input on either or both rifles including how tolerable the recoil is on the sako. Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Try your Sako, it's now a used rifle even if you don't shoot it. I couldn't stand the trigger on the R1 I tried.
 
Matter of taste, my Benelli R1 338 mag is my rifle of choice before my Steyr Mannlicher 300 mag for hunting in general, if i know i will be shooting accross the lake then i will go for my SM 300 mag... JP.
 
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