Sako 85 vs Weatherby Vanguard S2
- Thread starter cdncowboy
- Start date
- Location
- West Central Alberta
Don't know about the Sako but I did have a Vanguard S2 in 6.5prc. They say it was supposed to shoot sub moa but I tried many brands of ammo and the best grouping I could get was 1.25 - 1.5 inches.
Sold it and bought a Tikka T3lite and man that thing shoots lights out.
Sold it and bought a Tikka T3lite and man that thing shoots lights out.
Those two rifles are in completely different classes. The Sako is a much nicer rifle.
That being said, I think the Vanguard/Howa rifles are one of the better budget rifles available, and I haven't had any accuracy concerns with the half dozen I've owned.
That being said, I think the Vanguard/Howa rifles are one of the better budget rifles available, and I haven't had any accuracy concerns with the half dozen I've owned.
I had a VG2 in 300Wby and liked it. Came with some upgrades by orig owner B&C Stock and trigger upgrade. Shot MOA consistently with factory loads. Sold it off as I didnt need that much punch for my current needs.
Only gripe I have overall about Weatherby’s is their insane barrel lengths. Ie; 26” for magnum Cals before their brake is added and 24” for non magnum calibers before brake added. Great if your in open country, not so much if you gotta move through bush or timber.
I’ve been eye’n them again recently. I took a serious look today at a VG2 Back Country model that would’ve made it into the safe if wasn’t a 6.5CM. I’d probably look at one of their “brand” models ie; Meat Eater, Hush of First Lite on the used front if i’m gonna get serious about adding one back into the fray.
I think i saw on Prophet River or the Weatherby site that all of the Vanguard new production are coming threaded for a brake either later or included dependant on model as of late last year. Something to consider as well.
Only gripe I have overall about Weatherby’s is their insane barrel lengths. Ie; 26” for magnum Cals before their brake is added and 24” for non magnum calibers before brake added. Great if your in open country, not so much if you gotta move through bush or timber.
I’ve been eye’n them again recently. I took a serious look today at a VG2 Back Country model that would’ve made it into the safe if wasn’t a 6.5CM. I’d probably look at one of their “brand” models ie; Meat Eater, Hush of First Lite on the used front if i’m gonna get serious about adding one back into the fray.
I think i saw on Prophet River or the Weatherby site that all of the Vanguard new production are coming threaded for a brake either later or included dependant on model as of late last year. Something to consider as well.
I never had a problem with the S2 accuracy I would get those groups if I didn't let the barrel cool down - they are designed as hunting rifles not bench guns. That said, I was able to get MOA or better (5 shots) with my 243 Winchester and 240 Weatherby. Letting the barrel cool down is the secret.
I’ve had both and both are excellent rifles.
The 85 I had was a stainless synthetic in 338WM. An excellent rifle for me in every way but the recoil was substantial so I added a brake and then hated hunting with it after that so I sold it. I’ve since replaced it with a 75 Finnlight in 30/06 which is another fantastic rifle but I got the bug and decided to change it to 280AI and restock it (this is still in the works).
Sako’s, especially the 85’s, are exceptionally made and in my experience meet every one of my expectations in a rifle.
Accurate, reliable, resilient and beautiful.
So what’s the barrier?
Cost…they are in a tax bracket many people simply can’t enjoy.
I’d love to play with a 90 but by the time you add a spare magazine and scope mounts you’re past my impulse spending limit.
They sure are nice to look at though…someday.
The Vanguard line is varied from inexpensive entry level rifles to deluxe models but at the core in my opinion they have a strong and reliable action and have been very accurate for me.
At one time their Deluxe version had deep bluing and a wood stock that few rifles could match at any price and while they had the S1 trigger that wasn’t all that great they can easily be upgraded to the S2 trigger that I find is excellent.
They also made stainless steel versions for some time, some with fluted barrels and B&C composite stocks, these came with either trigger as far as I can see but either can be changed to your preference.
One drawback of the Vanguard is the detachable magazine; from factory it’s only available in limited cartridges, made of plastic, single stack and isn’t as flush with the stock as the Sako. Aftermarket systems are available for just about every cartridge and can be made of metal but that’s all they solve; they still are single stack and hang down even more than the factory DM’s.
In this regard the Sako 85 is head and shoulders better than the Vanguard; Sako’s double stack magazine and latch is a very well made design.
But if you prefer a hinged floor plate the Vanguard is your answer.
I love the Sako’s but I can’t slag a well kitted out Vanguard against them, both are great rifles but I can afford only one Sako but I have 5 very well optioned Vanguards and don’t feel at a financial loss as if I had tried that with multiple Sako’s.
Sako wins in quality.
Vanguard wins in value.
My final thought is if I’m reaching into the safe to go hunting I’m hoping I’ll be grabbing a Sako but for years it’s been a Vanguard and likely will remain that way (but that 280 project might just change that).
The 85 I had was a stainless synthetic in 338WM. An excellent rifle for me in every way but the recoil was substantial so I added a brake and then hated hunting with it after that so I sold it. I’ve since replaced it with a 75 Finnlight in 30/06 which is another fantastic rifle but I got the bug and decided to change it to 280AI and restock it (this is still in the works).
Sako’s, especially the 85’s, are exceptionally made and in my experience meet every one of my expectations in a rifle.
Accurate, reliable, resilient and beautiful.
So what’s the barrier?
Cost…they are in a tax bracket many people simply can’t enjoy.
I’d love to play with a 90 but by the time you add a spare magazine and scope mounts you’re past my impulse spending limit.
They sure are nice to look at though…someday.
The Vanguard line is varied from inexpensive entry level rifles to deluxe models but at the core in my opinion they have a strong and reliable action and have been very accurate for me.
At one time their Deluxe version had deep bluing and a wood stock that few rifles could match at any price and while they had the S1 trigger that wasn’t all that great they can easily be upgraded to the S2 trigger that I find is excellent.
They also made stainless steel versions for some time, some with fluted barrels and B&C composite stocks, these came with either trigger as far as I can see but either can be changed to your preference.
One drawback of the Vanguard is the detachable magazine; from factory it’s only available in limited cartridges, made of plastic, single stack and isn’t as flush with the stock as the Sako. Aftermarket systems are available for just about every cartridge and can be made of metal but that’s all they solve; they still are single stack and hang down even more than the factory DM’s.
In this regard the Sako 85 is head and shoulders better than the Vanguard; Sako’s double stack magazine and latch is a very well made design.
But if you prefer a hinged floor plate the Vanguard is your answer.
I love the Sako’s but I can’t slag a well kitted out Vanguard against them, both are great rifles but I can afford only one Sako but I have 5 very well optioned Vanguards and don’t feel at a financial loss as if I had tried that with multiple Sako’s.
Sako wins in quality.
Vanguard wins in value.
My final thought is if I’m reaching into the safe to go hunting I’m hoping I’ll be grabbing a Sako but for years it’s been a Vanguard and likely will remain that way (but that 280 project might just change that).
While I have a thing for high end, tasteful rifles such as the Sako 85, I also have a thing for my Vanguards. I have multiple of each but I truly LOVE my Vanguard 257 wby mag. Its a laser, its very accurate and flattens anything I point it at. I've never had a Vanguard not shoot well, same could be said with the Sako's in my safe....Mark V's on the other hand, I dont own one and the 2 I did have in the past didnt shoot to my expectations with ANYTHING I fed them.
I always ask myself "Will the animal know its been shot by a $3000 rifle?" And that answer is no. A 270 win is a 270 win whether its a Sako 85 or a Vanguard.
It just boils down to 3 things imo.
1) Do you like how the Sako feels? If not, you need therapy
2) Can you afford the Sako and its parts such as a magazine if you lose the first one?
3) Will you bawl your eyes out when you get it scratched up from hunting with it?
As others have said, VW vs Mercedes. Both will get you from point A to B, its just can you justify the cost of the Mercedes?
I always ask myself "Will the animal know its been shot by a $3000 rifle?" And that answer is no. A 270 win is a 270 win whether its a Sako 85 or a Vanguard.
It just boils down to 3 things imo.
1) Do you like how the Sako feels? If not, you need therapy
2) Can you afford the Sako and its parts such as a magazine if you lose the first one?
3) Will you bawl your eyes out when you get it scratched up from hunting with it?
As others have said, VW vs Mercedes. Both will get you from point A to B, its just can you justify the cost of the Mercedes?
I owned a sako 85, finnlight in 6.5x55. Never owned a vanguard. But have handled a few howa’s.
They are barely comparable. Absolutely nothing wrong with the vanguard.
A mkv is more comparable to a sako 85. For a non magnum chambering go with the 6 lug mkv.
The finnlight was a high quality rifle pretending to be a mountain gun.
They are barely comparable. Absolutely nothing wrong with the vanguard.
A mkv is more comparable to a sako 85. For a non magnum chambering go with the 6 lug mkv.
The finnlight was a high quality rifle pretending to be a mountain gun.
One thing to consider for the Sako M85s is the potential ejection issues. For some of mine (300wsm, 338wm, 375hh) I have had to rotate the scope 90 deg and use a duplex reticle to eliminate the issue. Don't want to worry about potential cycling issues when facing a grizzly.
I have owned a couple Howa's and shot the odd Sako before, like everyone says they are two different quality levels and all pretty accurate.
One thing Howa has going for it, other than the low price, is that if you want to throw it in a chassis you have a ton of options.
One thing Howa has going for it, other than the low price, is that if you want to throw it in a chassis you have a ton of options.
