Sako 85 Finnlight 270 WSM... the best mountain rifle?

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tracker87

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Hi there everybody. I have been trying to decide on a lightweight rifle with some really defined parameters. I have the Heavy weights covered in .338 RUM and Lapua (though I am a sucker for big .338s), as well as small 5.56 through 6.5's.
I also have a tikka T3 Varmint in 7 Rem mag ( that my land up being traded for a 300 Win), but either way it will go into a chassis of some sort.
The main whole in the cabinet is a fast handling mid sized rifle that I can use for sheep and goats, saving me a bit of weight. Here are my requirements/wants
- Three lug action (no compromise on this, I like the short throw)
-Short to medium action, NO LONG
-preferably factory offered
- detachable mag or hinged floor (no blind mag)
-under 7 lbs (the lighter the better)
-Stainless
-fluted
-fiberglass or carbon fiber stock replacements available
-no muzzle break
- 24" barrel or less
- crf or a hybrid, no push feeds
-locking bolt with the ability to unload with the safety on
-Capable of Grizzly bear deterrence (not hunting them, but I have had run ins)

Its a long list, but I think it would make a sweet rifle. My preference is .284 bullets, but unfortunately there are no short action 7mm's available that I know of other than the 7-08 (too slow). My favorite 7mm chambering is the .284 win, but again no factory offerings.

So that leaves me with really the x-bolt and the Sako 85. I am not a fan of browning, as I have been around a lot (probably the most common rifle around here) and I have never seen an exceptional shooter. If you have had an amazing one, I would love to hear about it.
I love the look and feel of the 85's but they only offer fairly common chambering's. the price is hefty too but I feel that they are probably the best out there other than a full custom (which is still a lot more than even the finnlight).
So, is there anything that can compete with the .270 WSM, Sako 85 finnlight with a McMillan gamescout or wildcat? I thought of the same rifle in 7-08 and have the barrel reamed to .284 win, but for the extra cost probably not worth it...? .284 is probably a bit small for the true short action anyways...
My other thought was suck it up and go long action and do whatever chambering I want, I just love that short throw in the thick stuff....

The last question is - are there adequate "slick" bullets in .277 nowadays to compete with the 7mm's that still hold together?

Thanks guys!
 
Am looking for something similar. A browning isn't CRF so not sure how browning fits in your category. I think the only two choices available in factory is the Kimber 85L or the Sako Finnlight. I am not sure how or why a Finnlight is in a category of Mountain as it weighs 6.5 pounds. If there was a possibility of a magazine addition for a Winchester a Winchester featherweight might fit but that doesn't work either. I am also looking at Tikka's but am not hooked on it yet either. Interested to see what you do. P.S. My browning A Bolt 300WSM shoots just as well as my friends finnlight & I read lots of problems regarding accuracy issues with it. For the money it's no dream rifle. Just my 2 cents.
 
Fierce fury - you would end up pretty close to the same price with a finlite and a mcm stock. Pretty much the same rifle, but the fierce allows you to use rem 700 bases which I prefer over the sako dovetail, plus you might be able to get a different chambering in that. I havent priced a finlite lately but a mcm stock is likely close to 1k by the time shipping and taxes are in. I would think that would put you over 3k for the sako, you get that far you may as well go to a curtis custom 3 lug action and build a custom rifle.
 
I did realize that the browning isn't a CRF but noted that they are the only one that had a .284 win and it meets all the other requirements. Thanks though. I do think that the fit and finish on brownings is great for the money.

I have had the Fierce recommended to me elsewhere too and have looked into them a bit. Does anybody know who in Canada (preferably western) that imports them?
My other option is the finnlight but go with a slightly cheaper stock, still fiberglass though.
 
I know this dosebt exactly fit every requirement but it also greatly surpasses many at a great price. I am talking about the Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor. At 4.75 pounds and a short 21” it makes the Sako carbonlight feel like a brick, guaranteed sub MOA out of the box with premium factory ammo and has a user adj. Timmney trigger.
 
mytiburon said:
I know this dosebt exactly fit every requirement but it also greatly surpasses many at a great price. I am talking about the Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor. At 4.75 pounds and a short 21” it makes the Sako carbonlight feel like a brick, guaranteed sub MOA out of the box with premium factory ammo and has a user adj. Timmney trigger.
Click to expand...

I've been looking into the Barrett as well. Last time I checked irunguns had a couple in stock. You would have one in your hands much faster than waiting on a new stock to arrive for the Sako or ordering a Fierce or other custom. I know you seem to be looking at a larger caliber but don't underestimate the little 6.5 Creedmoor.
 
I like the 6.5 creedmoore, but I have been stuck between a sow and cub grizz at under 15 yards, and I think I would set the 270win at a minimum for that situation. I don't need a grizzly rifle but do like to have a certain amount of deterrence. Thanks though.
 
tracker87 said:
I did realize that the browning isn't a CRF but noted that they are the only one that had a .284 win and it meets all the other requirements. Thanks though. I do think that the fit and finish on brownings is great for the money.

I have had the Fierce recommended to me elsewhere too and have looked into them a bit. Does anybody know who in Canada (preferably western) that imports them?
My other option is the finnlight but go with a slightly cheaper stock, still fiberglass though.
Click to expand...
I would try Nechako outdoors. There are a bunch of shops dealing with them, actually made in Canada, but somehow exchange ends up hitting you.
I got my Fierce through Corlanes, been pretty happy with it. Very accurate, the only thing I have issue with is althe mag release- ehich is exactly the same as a sako. I prefer the release inside the trigger guard, but thats just me.
 
Thanks! I see Fierce makes a .338 Lapua, which is also tempting me to replace my RUM.
Does anybody have any ideas of any other calibers? I see that the medium length Sakos are actually smaller and lighter than the Short mag actions, which has me re-thinking...
 
So I think that I will be getting a Fierce fury LR in .338 Lapua, as it seems to be everything that I have wanted in a rifle finally put together at a manageable price.
My question is that if I get a smaller caliber for backpacking, is the .270 WSM the right choice? Looking at my list of requirements I would have thought that it is the only one for me, but I see that the Short Mag actions are actually longer and heavier than the medium/standard action. So weight, overall length, and bolt throw all considered, is the better choice maybe the Fierce Fury in 280 AI? the good old 30-06 is tempting to, but I like the extended range of the 7mm pills.
I know that some say you shouldn't be shooting farther than a 06' can do, but lets not start that argument here.
The rifle would double as a good deer rifle too.
 
tracker87 said:
So I think that I will be getting a Fierce fury LR in .338 Lapua, as it seems to be everything that I have wanted in a rifle finally put together at a manageable price.
My question is that if I get a smaller caliber for backpacking, is the .270 WSM the right choice? Looking at my list of requirements I would have thought that it is the only one for me, but I see that the Short Mag actions are actually longer and heavier than the medium/standard action. So weight, overall length, and bolt throw all considered, is the better choice maybe the Fierce Fury in 280 AI? the good old 30-06 is tempting to, but I like the extended range of the 7mm pills.
I know that some say you shouldn't be shooting farther than a 06' can do, but lets not start that argument here.
The rifle would double as a good deer rifle too.
Click to expand...

I think you're heading in a good direction with the Feirce rifle since you've already been considering the Sako. The Fierce seems to be everything that the Sako is only done better.

As far as caliber goes, the 270wsm is a VERY capable round. Perhaps the best commonly available short action caliber.

If you're open to suggestions here is something that may interest you.

http://store.prophetriver.com/montana-rifle-company/

The Montana Rifle Company X2 SS is basically a Winchester Model 70 with everything about it done just a bit better. Just as the Feirce is to the Sako. Proven reliable controlled feed action, 3 position safety, 24" barrel, carbon fiber stock, ss weather resistance and in 270wsm. It has all you're criteria covered except for the 3 lug action. Priced affordable too. If weight is a concern though, this isn't the lightest option.
 
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I had considered Montana rifles, but decided that for a "wish list" rifle, I don't want to due without the short bolt lift.
I guess I want the speed/feeding of a CRF 308, with effective range of a 7 Rem mag, with a short rifle. Or as close to it as I can get.
 
Well I would have to say that the Fierce Fury is as close to meeting you're "wish list" criteria as you are going to get. Caliber choice would have to be your call. There are many calibers that would be suitable for your purpose and which one is the "best" could be argued until the end of time.
I think by the sound of what you're looking for in a rifle you will be pleased with the Fierce. I wish you the best trying to figure out which caliber is the best to go with. I am a 270wsm fan but I've never figured out if it is the "best" yet.
Good luck with your choices. I think you're on the right track.
 
I love my Sako m75ss 270WSM. 140gr AB's work great. I have a few other calibers in the Sako model 75's. I don't care for the m85's but that's just me.

As something different and want as a "Grizzly Deterrent", go with a Sako 25/06 or 270WIN or 30-06 and make into a 338-06 with new barrel or ream out the factory barrel.

I have one in the AI version built by Corlanes with a new barrel on a Sako m75 Greywolf that was a new 25-06.

I shoot 225gr AB's or TTSX's. But a 338-06 with a 185gr TTSX would be a good choice. Magazine capacity of 5 plus one in the chamber if you want gives you 6 rounds.
 
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