New Rifle for Grizzly/moose

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srupp

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I have set aside enough for a new rifle..I want to go .338 as I already have a .270...after studying for several days I have been leaning towards the new SAKO 85 IN SYNTHETIC STOCK AND STAINLESS STEEL.

Has anyone used this rifle??? Any comments ???

It will be used only for Grizzly..I seem to get either a chance to guide, or get a LEH or get invited along every spring... also for big moose up north..so I wont settle for anything but synthetic and stainless for hunting wet coast or mountains...or fly in sept wet hunts for moose...

I would appreciate any and all feedback..

Thanks in advance..

Steven Rupp
 
Steven

I would think long and hard about getting a 375 H&H instead of the 338. I had both and sold the 338, kept the 375.

The 375 throws a bigger bullet, shoots plenty flat, and doesn't recoil nearly as viciously as the 338 seems to.

Just my 2 cents, the 338 is a great round but I believe the 375 has more advantages without any disadvantages.
 
i think you are on the right track, the 375 may be comparable price wise as far as factory ammo goes, but the initial price of any 375 is up there. Usually around twice as much as a standard length magnum. The 338 is a nice round with long range potential and close range THUMP. I personally love mine.
 
Steve

Sako makes *fine* guns....there is no doubt.

But I guarrantee you if you picked up my 375 Ruger Alaskan, (stainless) you would see the ideal coastal AND mountain grizz hunting machine.

It packs more punch than any 338 WM, has a 20" barrel, iron sights if you want them, (and you can quick detach a scope with a twoonie and have it back up on the rifle with a twoonie)

Steve- More than happy to mail you my rifle and ship ammo for your perusal.

BUT

If you *must* have a 338WM..And it is for Mr Grizz..A Ruger would be good. I like the CRF on the ruger as oppsed to the PF of a Sako, but like I said- Sakos are nice.
 
I haven't shot an 85 yet, but have fondled them. Nice handling gun, and CRF too. And the .338WM with .250gr bullets will do everything you need it to. No point in buying a .375 if you don't plan on going to Africa. Good luck.

.338" (.338) 250 grain, SD .313
.375" (.375) 300 grain, SD .305
 
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sorry its late..but what is.."CRF"...

Thanks Gate ..I will call you to chat...hope you get a LEH for spring grizz then I can watch it in action...

Steven
 
srupp said:
sorry its late..but what is.."CRF"...

Steven
Click to expand...

Controlled Round Feed. Bolt carries the cartridge to the chamber as opposed to a Push feed action in which the bolt pushes it into the chamber.

The Sako 85 is marketed as a CRF, but its not a true CRF, it pushes the cartridge, then carries it.
 
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Both the 338 and 375 are great cartridges and with all the excellent bullets available to handloaders, I doubt you see a great deal of difference between the two.

It ends up being more of a selection of rifle than caliber.



.
 
blargon said:
No point in buying a .375 if you don't plan on going to Africa. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I don't agree, the 375 H&H is a fantastic North American round, especally when dealing with bigger animals in the West, and dangerous to boot. Its a fairly large step up bullet diameter that gives that added "smack" or "stopping power". Bigger holes = bigger blood, and bigger blood = dead faster. On grizzly bears this is reason enough to definitly consider this round. If you have to end up tracking a stubborn bear, at least their is a better chance of the the paint being on the ground.

Plus you get all this and reduced felt recoil, its a win/win, I've even shot whitetails with the 375 H&H with "eat to the hole" bullet performance.

Only drawback is not as many rifles are chambered in 375 as compared to the 338 win mag
 
Ive shot an '85 stainless laminate lately . I cant tell that you cant go wrong since it shoots well under an inch with handloads. The action is nice and smooth, very nice finish. Im not sure about the synthetic. As far as I know the dealers in Canada carry the '85 in 338 fed but nothing bigger, Not exactly my first choice for Grizzlies, fine for moose.
 
Win94 said:
...I wish more rifles came with open sights from the factory.
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:agree: I have never bought a rifle without a set of iron sights on it. Even if you plan to do all your hunting with a scope, open sights are a great backup in case something unexpected happens to your scope in the bush.
 
blargon said:
No point in buying a .375 if you don't plan on going to Africa.

.338" (.338) 250 grain, SD .313
.375" (.375) 300 grain, SD .305
Click to expand...

The .375 has proven since 1911 that it is suitable for all big game anywhere on the planet. While it works well on African game, it also works well on North American game. Unlike some cartridges where you have to match the bullet to the game, a 300 gr soft point from the .375 will work well on game as light as pronghorn or as heavy a bison. I've carried a .338 for bear work, and it doesn't give me the warm fuzzy feeling my .375 does.
 
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