Sako Bavarian Carbine - any thoughts
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
A number of years ago I had a Sako with full length wood in 338WM. As with numerous other
'items', I ended up parting with it and then regretted that move. Not a clear shot but here's a photo of it on the rack of my quad after it had done its job on a Moose.
I fairly recently acquired another that I purchased from the estate of a friend. For a European full wood item that style, I'd prefer a more fitting calibre ilke a 7x57 but this model A III is in 270Win and it may end up going for adoption in future.
'items', I ended up parting with it and then regretted that move. Not a clear shot but here's a photo of it on the rack of my quad after it had done its job on a Moose.
I fairly recently acquired another that I purchased from the estate of a friend. For a European full wood item that style, I'd prefer a more fitting calibre ilke a 7x57 but this model A III is in 270Win and it may end up going for adoption in future.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
Ask "The Kurgan" to post a pic or two of his Bavarian. Some of us on this site like the fullstocks...
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Well, after owning 26 hunting rifles of all brands and configurations, I can honestly say it's in my top 3! Wonderful rifle: well balanced, and very easy to point, aim and shoot. Accurate to! Don't be fooled by all the pretty oiled wood... the barrel is fully free floated. It also comes with a very very nice set trigger. The factory sights are great, and it's nice to be able to swap a scope without fear of losing zero! The only negative is that it will eventually get dinged up in the bush and she sure is pretty I prefer 30-06, but I do believe it also comes in 270 Win and 6.5x55 Swede. If it came in 7x57 I'd be all over another like a fat kid on a smartie.
Without scope:
With scope (using Sako QD mount):
It competes with my Brno 802 30-06/12ga and my custom made 7x57 lightweight Mauser sporter:
All in all, these are heirloom rifles. If you take care of it, it will outlast you. What can I say? Blued metal and oiled walnut that shoots well! A hard combination to beat.
I prefer 30-06, but I do believe it also comes in 270 Win and 6.5x55 Swede. If it came in 7x57 I'd be all over another like a fat kid on a smartie.Without scope:
With scope (using Sako QD mount):
It competes with my Brno 802 30-06/12ga and my custom made 7x57 lightweight Mauser sporter:
All in all, these are heirloom rifles. If you take care of it, it will outlast you. What can I say? Blued metal and oiled walnut that shoots well! A hard combination to beat.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Hang on, make that 27 hunting rifles if you include my 1946 Venezuelan Short Rifle.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I agree.
Nice to see another combination gun out there. I have a Brno ZH 300, 7x57/12ga. plus an additional set of 12ga. OU barrels. 
Thanks for all the info, and fantastic pictures guys, think my mind is made up now.
I guess the next thing is to find somewhere that has one in stock - or keep my eyes peeled on the EE - think I saw one on special in a gun shop in a few months ago.
I guess the next thing is to find somewhere that has one in stock - or keep my eyes peeled on the EE - think I saw one on special in a gun shop in a few months ago.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Blue loctite is your friend... screws into an integrated metal tab.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Check Epps
Harrier .45
Regular
- Location
- Ontario, north of Toronto
Let me make this clear first: I do not hunt, for reasons of my own, but I do support the hunting industry, and the right of every individual shooter to choose their own shooting purposes (hunting, trapping, target shooting, etc).
That being said, if I were to take up hunting anytime in the near future, of all the firearm models we carry at Ellwood Epps, the single rifle I would purchase as my hunting firearm would be the Sako Bavarian (full length) in .308 Win. The excellence of manufacture on these guns is beyond compare, even when placed against rifles such as those offered from Blaser, from Mauser, from Merkel, or any other high-end European manufacturer. Sorry, but North American guns simply do not reach the quality or finesse of the European builders, and that includes Remington, which, for my own use, has proven to be the most reliable and accurate platform I have ever used or target shooting.
The construction of the Sako Bavarian line-up includes a three-lug locking system on the bolt, as well as a safety-release button to remove a loaded cartridge from the chamber while the trigger remains locked. The Opti-Lock scope mounting system, while pricey, is perhaps the most solid and self-correcting system currently in use, and rivals or exceeds similar systems offered by Leupold.
The two-finger magazine release system on Sako rifle does take some getting used to, but realistically this system is designed to keep the shooter's hand beneath the magazine when affecting a release, thereby eliminating or minimizing a dropped magazine in swamp, snow, or heavy underbrush. Realistically, though, these rifles are not intended for "tactical mag swaps", with the old adage holding true: If the first four shots don't get the job done, the next four aren't going to help!
The Carbine versions of the Sako Bavarian include shorter barrels and full-length Mannlicher-style stocks, with the lower wood extending to the muzzle of the barrel. For some, this European style is quite exotic and appealing. Personally, I prefer the longer barrel of the standard rifle, with the shorter stocks, but that is a personal choice. We have sold many Bavarian Carbines to our customers throughout the years, and not one has ever regretted their purchase decision.
Accuracy of the entire Sako line of rifles has always been exemplary, with most rifles shooting sub-MOA groupings, using factory ammunition, at 100 yard test targets. Coupled with quality optics such as riflescopes from Leupold, Zeiss, Kahles or Swarovski, the Sako Bavarian becomes an elegant and sophisticated rifle capable of reaching out to distance, and placing a shot to point-of-aim in any conditions one might expect to encounter in the field.
For my two cents worth, it would be very hard to find any other rifle from any other manufacturer that can consistently meet or exceed the abilities of the Sako Bavarian (and Bavarian Carbine), at a price that is below the $2,000.00 threshold in today's market.
That being said, if I were to take up hunting anytime in the near future, of all the firearm models we carry at Ellwood Epps, the single rifle I would purchase as my hunting firearm would be the Sako Bavarian (full length) in .308 Win. The excellence of manufacture on these guns is beyond compare, even when placed against rifles such as those offered from Blaser, from Mauser, from Merkel, or any other high-end European manufacturer. Sorry, but North American guns simply do not reach the quality or finesse of the European builders, and that includes Remington, which, for my own use, has proven to be the most reliable and accurate platform I have ever used or target shooting.
The construction of the Sako Bavarian line-up includes a three-lug locking system on the bolt, as well as a safety-release button to remove a loaded cartridge from the chamber while the trigger remains locked. The Opti-Lock scope mounting system, while pricey, is perhaps the most solid and self-correcting system currently in use, and rivals or exceeds similar systems offered by Leupold.
The two-finger magazine release system on Sako rifle does take some getting used to, but realistically this system is designed to keep the shooter's hand beneath the magazine when affecting a release, thereby eliminating or minimizing a dropped magazine in swamp, snow, or heavy underbrush. Realistically, though, these rifles are not intended for "tactical mag swaps", with the old adage holding true: If the first four shots don't get the job done, the next four aren't going to help!
The Carbine versions of the Sako Bavarian include shorter barrels and full-length Mannlicher-style stocks, with the lower wood extending to the muzzle of the barrel. For some, this European style is quite exotic and appealing. Personally, I prefer the longer barrel of the standard rifle, with the shorter stocks, but that is a personal choice. We have sold many Bavarian Carbines to our customers throughout the years, and not one has ever regretted their purchase decision.
Accuracy of the entire Sako line of rifles has always been exemplary, with most rifles shooting sub-MOA groupings, using factory ammunition, at 100 yard test targets. Coupled with quality optics such as riflescopes from Leupold, Zeiss, Kahles or Swarovski, the Sako Bavarian becomes an elegant and sophisticated rifle capable of reaching out to distance, and placing a shot to point-of-aim in any conditions one might expect to encounter in the field.
For my two cents worth, it would be very hard to find any other rifle from any other manufacturer that can consistently meet or exceed the abilities of the Sako Bavarian (and Bavarian Carbine), at a price that is below the $2,000.00 threshold in today's market.
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Thanks Kurgan and Harrier, excellent referrals.
Anything I should consider in the choice between 270, 30-06 or .308 - I plan to use it 50% at the ange for fun and 50% hunting
Any major differences in ammo cost, or practicalities of reloading, from what I can see they are all have similar and suitable ballistic performance.
Anything I should consider in the choice between 270, 30-06 or .308 - I plan to use it 50% at the ange for fun and 50% hunting
Any major differences in ammo cost, or practicalities of reloading, from what I can see they are all have similar and suitable ballistic performance.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Harrier is far more eloquant than I, and he pretty much nailed it. I don't think you could go wrong with ANY of the non-magnum calibre offerings. The three you noted above have been around a LONG time, and there's a good reason for that -- they work! The only thing I would add is that if you're going for the Bavarian Carbine, you should invest in the Sako QD rings/bases. It's worth EVERY penny. You can go back to iron sights any time you wish, without fear of losing zero. There is NOTHING on the market that compares in build quality to the Sako QD set-up, period.
Harrier .45
Regular
- Location
- Ontario, north of Toronto
Sako QD rings have been somewhat problematical to locate throughout 2013. We have had many customers seeking these rings for their Sako rifles, but to date our Canadian Sako distributor has been unable to secure more than a handful of these rings for existing back orders. The OptiLock system remains the best option for Sako rifles with regard to on-gun security and in-store availability.
With regard to the age-old question of calibre choices, the following is always a good guideline:
The .308 Win cartridge is, for most shooters, a 300-500 yard calibre. (Yes, I know it can be fired farther, but we're talking about the average hunter here, not Carlos Hathcock-wannabes!). Capable of taking mid-sized to smaller large-sized game (read: coyote up to elk or moose) at normal hunting ranges, the .308 Win provides a stable, reliable and accurate platform for novice to advance shooters. Current ammunition selection ranges from 125-grain saboted rounds, to 180-grain heavy loadings. Powder and bullet loads available from full-scale production manufacturers provide match-grade precision with bullet selections that range from hollowpoint to soft point to bonded or penetrating-point rounds. Retail pricing on .308 Win ammunition ranges from approximately $18.99 -- $40.00 per box of 20 rounds.
The .270 Win cartridge is developed from the .30-06 Springfield casing, necked down to accept a bullet with a smaller diameter. This allows for a lighter bullet to travel at higher velocities. For most shooters, the .270 Win is capable of reaching out to 500-600 yards with excellent accuracy. While bullet loadings range from 110-grain to 150-grain loadings (with some 160-grain loadings available, but more difficult to locate), this calibre has been used to take medium- to large-sized game from deer to moose, and has been reported with some success on moderate-sized bear. The downfall to the .270 Win cartridge is the tendency for the lighter bullet, travelling at higher velocities, to be more easily deflected off target when shooting into cover or brush, thereby reducing accuracy on that loading. Pricing on .270 Win ammunition ranges from approximately $27.00 - $45.00 per box of 20 rounds.
The .30-06 Springfield round has been in production for over 100 years, and is by far and away the most wide developed cartridge currently available from standard-production manufacturers. With bullet loadings ranging from 55-grain saboted loads to 220-grain soft-points, this calibre has been used to take down quite literally every game animal in North America, from ground hogs to black bear. For the average shooter, the .30-06 is basically a magnum version of the .308 Win, and is capable of match-grade accuracy out to 800-1,000 yards. Ammunition selection is broad, and is readily available through any sporting goods shop which carries ammunition. The downfall to the .30-06 round is the considerable recoil, which is noteworthy in lighter weight firearms. Additionally, due to the size of the casing, the .30-06 and .270 rounds are generally limited to 3 rounds only in any magazine, with one extra round in the firing chamber (though extended magazines are available for some rifle models), while the .308 Win offers a fourth round in the magazine, plus the round in the chamber. Pricing on .30-06 Springfield ammunition ranges from approximately $19.00 - $50.00 per box of 20 rounds.
All in all, you will not go wrong selecting any one of these three calibres. In the end, the choice boils down to personal preference, recoil management, and ammunition availability on your area, as well as the purpose to which the rifle is to be put. We would suggest that while .30-06 and .270 Win do offer extended ranges, the average hunter still encounters his prey within 100-150 yards, making these magnum loadings intended for longer ranges slightly less suitable for close-in shooting. Add in the possibility of using the rifle in question as a target gun, and we would suggest that the more manageable recoil of the .308 Win, coupled with the broad selection of match-grade or target ammunition available in this calibre, owing to its popularity as a target round as well as a hunting cartridge, would make the .308 a more logical and affordable choice for recreational as well as hunting purposes.
Good luck with your purchase, which ever you choose!
Harrier, I have sometimes wondered if I should have our purchased a Sako Bavarian in .308 over my Winchester 70 in 30-06. I may add one to my collection some day. As I've tried to practice for a hunting situation I feel tht the set trigger and a removable magazine would be benefits over my Winchester.
That said, I LOVE the Win 70 FW and consider it to be a bargain. It also fits me real well and I find I don't notice the recoil likely due to the fit.
Whenever I have handled a Sako Bavarian it has been a 30-06 and I've always found it a but ackward; bit too long. Is the .308 a shorter rifle?
I've also been thinking of a Finnlight; I don't really like synthetic stocks but it might have its place as a hunting rifle.
That said, I LOVE the Win 70 FW and consider it to be a bargain. It also fits me real well and I find I don't notice the recoil likely due to the fit.
Whenever I have handled a Sako Bavarian it has been a 30-06 and I've always found it a but ackward; bit too long. Is the .308 a shorter rifle?
I've also been thinking of a Finnlight; I don't really like synthetic stocks but it might have its place as a hunting rifle.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Calibre choice does not really determine length... you can find 30-06 and 308 Bavarians in the same configurations. One will hold 5 rounds, the other will hold 5 rounds, one is a medium action, one is a short action.
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