Sako vs CZ

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scaleguy

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I know this is a terrible idea... Asking for opinions on guns always is! But im considering adding a 243 to my lineup, the gun shop has a really nice sako, but it aint cheap! I really want something with open sights, that i can add a scope to later. The cz 550 is a sweet looking gun, and it almost seems like better value for the money. Sako's sights arent elevation adjustable, and its a push feed.

Is the sako really worth 600-700$ more than a cz? Does anyone in ontario stock cz's that i can look at? There are a few around me, but not 550's.

Thanks!
 
Nothing wrong with either, and I've owned both. For my money though, I would buy the Sako. I think the fit and finish on the Sako is superior, and I like the stock design better. Plus the safety isn't backwards.

This has been beaten to death here, but to me CRF is unnecessary - particularly on a .243. I think you could argue its merits on a dangerous game rifle, but there are guys on this site which have hunted Africa many times with Remington 700s without any issues. Consider also that modern military bolt guns such as the Sako TRG are push feeds.
 
Sako is a very nice rifle.
CZ 550 is a very nice rifle for the money.

It all depends on how much $700 are worth to you to pay extra for this subtle difference.
 
One alternative: buy a used Sako in .243

A couple of years ago I found this excellent condition Sako Aii Forester in .243 on TradeEx. (see photo below)
Lightweight. Not a scratch on it, bluing is like new, bore is as new. Points like a dream, and feels great.
And (true to its heritage) it wants to put every factory .243 100gr round into the same feathered hole at 100 yds.
A steal at a price that is less than a CZ new.

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I have both a CZ550FS in 308 and Sako Black Bear in 308, since I wanted iron sights and a detachable mag. I like both of them, however if I had to choose just one to keep it would be the Sako. However only the CZ is available with iron sights in 243, so that would be my choice.
 
Bowie said:
This has been beaten to death here, but to me CRF is unnecessary - particularly on a .243. I think you could argue its merits on a dangerous game rifle, but there are guys on this site which have hunted Africa many times with Remington 700s without any issues. Consider also that modern military bolt guns such as the Sako TRG are push feeds.
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One could also argue the merits of CRF on a military rifle, which is what the Mauser is. Or the merits of CRF from an engineering excellence perspective.

Modern military bolt rifles are not battle rifles, as Mausers were.

Is it 'necessary' on a sporting rifle? Nope.

And 'beaten to death' is probably an understatement!
 
I own both. Sako is finished nicer and has nicer stocks. Cz is just as accurate and is very well put together just not as well as the Sako. Should mention I am talking about the 85 model. Is the Sako worth $700 more than the CZ? It depends what your standards are. CZ will do everything you want and better than most. I would have no problem owning just CZ's but I own both because I don't want to choose.
 
I own both a Sako 85 laminate in .270 and a CZ 550 Varmint laminate in .22-250. The finish on the Sako Laminate stock is still beautiful after 15 years. I have only had the 550 for 5 years, it looks great, but not as nice as the Sako. For shooting, they both work extremely well, once you find the type of Ammo they like. If it is a A7 you are looking at, I would choose the CZ hands down, as I was not impressed with the look or feel of those synthetic rifles.
 
I've heard that the CZ 550s are only long-action (spacers I guess?) and that in the detachable mag versions, you can't top-load rounds.
Not that either of those would stop me :xes

Anyone know of caveats with the Sako? I know they have proper action lengths at least.
 
Does anyone with a sako 85 with open sights have comments on the lack of elevation adjustment?

I cant even figure out what model this thing is. They said it has been on the shelf for about a year and a half, it has a schnable forend, and the red recoil pad with a standard (non bavarian) stock. I cant see anything quite like it on sako's site. Any clues as to what it is? Did they make the classic with a schnable at some point?
 
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The Sako is ultra smooth like glass, accurate and expensive. The CZ are great quality and nice to look at to boot. Hard pick. I would go with two CZ's.
 
I have both, love them both. I will say that the devil is in the details... Sako being more refined. You need to own a Sako to understand. Having said that, you will find the odd Sako that doesn't meet expectations (always exaggerated on online forums) and you will find the odd CZ that was particularly well finished. Handle a variety of both and pick the one that fits you best. Both will perform well, and both are usually quite accurate. Focus your attention on wood finish, wood-to-metal fitment, how the trigger feels, and most importantly, cycle some snap caps through them and see how the action performs. If the gun store doesn't allow a few snap caps to be cycled through, tell them "thank you", put down their inventory and visit another store.
 
Yea, the sako that is in stock here is just beautiful... understated, but exceptional. I have yet to find a store that will allow you to dry fire a gun. Even getting them to remove the trigger lock is hard. This one has been on the shelf for a year and a half or something like that, so maybe they will be more motivated to move it, or even knock a few hundred off it... I would have a hard time dropping two grand without pulling the trigger. What are the chances that the trigger on that could be any better than my winchester model 70? To me that thing is near perfect. If the sako wasnt as good, after dropping that kind of dough i would be one very unhappy (and relatively ugly) guy.
 
scaleguy said:
Yea, the sako that is in stock here is just beautiful... understated, but exceptional. I have yet to find a store that will allow you to dry fire a gun. Even getting them to remove the trigger lock is hard. This one has been on the shelf for a year and a half or something like that, so maybe they will be more motivated to move it, or even knock a few hundred off it... I would have a hard time dropping two grand without pulling the trigger. What are the chances that the trigger on that could be any better than my winchester model 70? To me that thing is near perfect. If the sako wasn't as good, after dropping that kind of dough i would be one very unhappy (and relatively ugly) guy.
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Buying a rifle (or a dirt bike, quad etc.), is a bit of a gamble in that regard: You have to purchase the item before really trying it. That means you have to possibly try someone else's before purchasing, buy used (so you don't take as much of a hit), or just do your homework as best you can and take the leap.

I took the leap on a model 85 hunter a few years back. Wasn't as impressed with it as I was with the TC Icon that was purchased the year before (wasn't as accurate off the bat), but the rifle grew on me and is now my go to deer gun. That's not to say that Sako is the be all to end all - they're nice rifles, but there's several manufacturers that meet or exceed them in quality and accuracy.

Edit: I do like what the previous poster said about buying a used one from Tradex or off of here, there are some bargains out there if you're adept at searching...
 
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