Kimber VS. Sako

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Ultramag

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Saskatchewan
I have been thinking about a .300 wsm

Being they are priced nearly identicle at $1450, which would you pick between a Sako Grey Wolf and a Kimber 8400 classic ?

Does anyoneone have any experience that they would like to share, accuracy wise ? I have/had many Sako's but never a Kimber, should I stay with the tried and true or out with the old & in with the new ?:D
 
The Kimber is a sweet little rifle. If you like a very light gun and intend on carrying alot the Kimber is the way to go. I use one in 270 WSM and it is very nice to shoot, accurate and reliable. The gun has a very light barrel and really heats up after a couple of shots so if you shoot alot look elsewhere or you will be replacing the barrel in no time unless you can pace yourself. It is very well made and shows workmanship throughout, the stock is also a nice piece of blonde figured walnut with good proportions and well executed checkering. My hunting partner also has one in the Montana model, this gun is all stainless with a synthetic stock, very well made and lighter than the wood stock model, this is the model to go for if you want a more maintanance free rifle in a lightweight package, also a great shooter. The thing I liked about the Kimber is how everything is scaled down to the short caliber, the bolt, action floorplate stock everywhere you look it is petite. In my opinion the Kimber is the only rifle on the market that actually fullfills what a WSM is supposed to be, short, light and powerfull.
bigbull
 
Kimber rifles are pretty crappy. There have been a lot of guys that needed warranty work done from factory (bad barrels ect) some of the wood work I have seen is absolutly terrible (the average Remchester is better) All in all spotty quality controll. I would not wasty my money on one unless I looked it over REAL good.

Sako is better.
 
Also the fit of a Kimber is absolutely terrible!!! This is only one mans opinion but I have never been impressed with their quality as well.
 
Republic of Alberta said:
Kimber rifles are pretty crappy. There have been a lot of guys that needed warranty work done from factory (bad barrels ect) some of the wood work I have seen is absolutly terrible (the average Remchester is better) All in all spotty quality controll. I would not wasty my money on one unless I looked it over REAL good.

Sako is better.
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For sure. The only knock on Sako is that their rifles are a bit on the heavy side but having owned rifles from both companies I'd take any Sako over a Kimber.

My Kimber rifle was very pretty to look at on the outside but quality control on the inside was pretty much non-existent.
 
I concur... in side by side comparisons the Sako is the better rifle. The action is smoother the fit and finish is better.
Kimber is the Harely Davidson of Rifles... you pay a ton of money for the name.... but thats all you get.
 
Only owned one Kimber and quality seemed excellent. I agree with Bigbull on the fact that its one of the only guns that the short mags make sense in. For me the Kimber is too small and doesn't feel like a real gun. Don't like the new Sakos either though. I'd look for an AV in 300 WBY.
 
I've owned both Kimbers and Sako. The older Sako's were better quality than the model 75 I had (which was still pretty damned good). The 75 was quite heavy, but accurate (300 Win mag). I didn't like the mag release - too easy to press when carrying the rifle in the field.

The kimbers I've owned have all been excellent rifles. I'd suggest you try to find a place that has both in stock and check out the exact ones you want to buy. For lighterweight - the kimber beats the Sakos.
 
bigbull said:
The Kimber is a sweet little rifle. If you like a very light gun and intend on carrying alot the Kimber is the way to go. I use one in 270 WSM and it is very nice to shoot, accurate and reliable. The gun has a very light barrel and really heats up after a couple of shots so if you shoot alot look elsewhere or you will be replacing the barrel in no time unless you can pace yourself. It is very well made and shows workmanship throughout, the stock is also a nice piece of blonde figured walnut with good proportions and well executed checkering. My hunting partner also has one in the Montana model, this gun is all stainless with a synthetic stock, very well made and lighter than the wood stock model, this is the model to go for if you want a more maintanance free rifle in a lightweight package, also a great shooter. The thing I liked about the Kimber is how everything is scaled down to the short caliber, the bolt, action floorplate stock everywhere you look it is petite. In my opinion the Kimber is the only rifle on the market that actually fullfills what a WSM is supposed to be, short, light and powerfull.
bigbull
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I am after a dual purpose Moose/Deer gun for the timber ...............I was also thinking of a .325 wsm but I don't think Sako chamber's that yet do they ??:confused:
 
Ultramag,
I bought a Kimber 84M Varmint when I wanted a heavy barrel that didn't weigh any more than most sporters. It scales 8.5 pounds with a Leupold 4.5-14 VX111 LR. Groups are at that 1/2" mark with handloads (5 shot) and real close with plain ole whitebox Winchester. The Kimber has the best factory trigger that I have ever met. The Jewell that I have on another rifle beats it, but not by much. The bolt was a little sticky for a while, but smoothed out. Not Sako smooth for sure, but good enough.Lock time is impressive.
Sako on the other hand makes a great rifle. It is hard to compare 2 rifles that are so dissimilar. Handle both, and get what you like. Kimber may not be able to compete on across the board quality control, but Sako can't compare on weight.
 
Dogleg,
I hear you all the way. I think I really prefer the sako's and maybe you are right it's like comparing apple's to pumpkins but on the other hand, the both seem to fit the bill and like mentioned before are priced the same.

I would not wasty my money on one unless I looked it over REAL good.
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This is what scare's me. Vancouver and Edmonton are just a litte too far away for me to handle them side by each. The sako, I'm not worried about but I sure wish I could see the Kimber first!:D
 
After reading some of the posts above I would have a heck of a time deciding which rifle to choose.
Dogleg said it very well
It is hard to compare 2 rifles that are so dissimilar.
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My partner has no less than seven Kimbers in various configurations and I bought one after having tried one of his. I was impressed with every one of his Kimbers and feel that they are a top quality product, that is not to say that you can't get a bad one but between three of us we have ten Kimbers and they are all good looking and good shooting rifles, that's a pretty good testimonial for quality in my books, maybe the 11'th will be a piece of junk but so far they have been very good rifles.
The obvious question is what are you looking for, do you want short light or long heavy! There can be only one if weight is a consideration, the Kimber. As for the 325 WSM in a Kimber, I had one in my hands last week ( my buddies latest) and drooled all over the beautiful stock. My opinion is that the 325 in a Kimber is borderline for that weight of rifle. The rifle is very light and if you use the 220gr bullets it will bite you, from the bench anyway, shooting at game shouldn't be a problem. He hasn't started working with it yet but it should be an excellent all around gun especially if moose is in the equation, you will give up a little on trajectory compared to the other WSM's but if you need the extra penetration from the heavier bullet it should be a good compromise. The other thing to remember is the Kimber is a CRF action, this may or may not be important to you but for a hunting rifle it is very important to me.:D
bigbull
 
Ultramag said:
This is what scare's me. Vancouver and Edmonton are just a litte too far away for me to handle them side by each. The sako, I'm not worried about but I sure wish I could see the Kimber first!:D
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TSE has them in Calgary.:)
 
LOL.........Calgary is just as far as Edmonton.:D

Bigbull, I am actually leaning heavily toward the Kimber. I know most of you feel it is perhaps a mistake, but the allure of a compact gun is getting the better of me.:redface:
 
Ultramag,
I got mine from The Shooting Edge in Calgary, and like you was looking at either a long drive or buying sight unseen. They told me that if I didn't like what I saw to send it back. It came, I saw, I kept and the coyotes have been hating it ever since.
I don't know what calibers will be available, but apparently Cooper is coming out with a repeater soon. Size, weight, seldom questioned quality and an accuracy guarantee. Maybe you can have it all?:D
Dogleg
 
i got a kimber sight unseen from a CGN member then read awhole lot of negative posts online. I thought i was getting a lemon for sure. Nope absolulty the best gun ever(270wsm) never handled a sako though
 
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