sako vs kimber

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xcaribooer

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If you were to compare the sako stainless finnlite with the kimber montana stainless both in 300wsm as a liteweight ,longrange mountain rifle , which one do you like better and why?
Sako runs a couple hundred bucks more but other than that they seem pretty comparable.
 
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In the weight category the Kimber simply can't be beat. My .300WSM Montana weighs in at 6lbs 2oz with talleys no optics. A 75Finnlight with optilocks will come in closer to 7lbs, an 85 a little lighter. Sako "claims" they have a CRF action in the 85 but the Kimber is a true CRF from the second the picked-up round starts leaving the magazine. My Montana shoots sub-MOA with a couple of different handloads. I've rarely heard of a Sako not shooting well.

IMHO these rifles are totally different animals. The Kimbers Montanas have their issues, but for a true production ultralight rifle with a fantastic stock design they are tops.
The Sakos have a detachable-mag,a great reputation and a hefty price tag, but I simply could not force myself to stomach the Finnlights injection molded stock.
When you start tallying up the cost of a custom sheep/mountain rifle build, the Montana starts to look pretty appealing, provided you get a shooter.
The "heard it on the intranets that Kimbers don't shoot" hordes are sure to follow ;)
 
I was in the same boat here last week and after lots of research on many forums I went with a Sako 85 Finnlight. Kimbers are getting mixed reviews on the accuracy department. Everyone who owns the 85 Finns love em and all shoot extremly well. The mag system on Sako is also worth the extra $$, very good design.
I dont mind a plastic stock so long it shoots well all the time and the Sakos seem to be holding true to their moa standard.
I bought my Finnlight from Clay at Prophet River and the price is very close to the Kimbers.
I would strongly suggest doing some research on a number of forums. Alot of times people will not give an unbiased review on a gun simply because they own it and have money invested in it.
Sako 85 Finnlight weighs 6 lbs 3/8 and can use tallys so lets say it pretty much weighs the same.
Good luck on your buy, Im sure you'll be happy with either.

Cheers!!
 
I am a Sako lover, and have owned an accurate kimber.

I wouldn't own a Montana, let alone a magnum Montana. Recoil would be brutal, I think the Montana stock is ugly, I hate the blind magazine and while I don't like the 85 stock design it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.
 
two friends here had Cranbrook had Montana .308's that wouldn't group, some people have good luck but according to an aquaintance who lives in Montana and knows the Kimber people, they are hit and miss with anything that isn't a .22
 
Accuracy wise I would go Sako, but the Kimber rifles are much prettier!

If I were to buy new I would go Kimber over Sako every time. I would however prefer a nice Sako AV Deluxe to a new Kimber, or Sako. Had one in 280, but sold it:jerkit:.
 
I have both and for what you are looking for
liteweight ,longrange mountain rifle ,
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I would pick the Kimber, both of mine shoot very well and handle beautifully, that's what I would carry up a mountain.
bigbull
 
Compare apples to apples.
Kimbers of the last 5-6 yrs manufacture; aspecially the Montana, have lots of problems all-over! I know, because I have to re-work em all the time! In actual fact: during the past 8-10 yrs most U.S. manufactured rifles have problems all-over, with the 'Big Green' being the big fore-runner! *Quality control seems to be nearly non-existant nowadays and as time progresses, things seem to get from bad to worser! Hats off for the Japps & European gun-manufacturers as they still seem to be on top of it all in both the quality & R&D department! Sako's: both 75 & 85 are a sure beth on accuracy & quality control and so is the Tikka-T3. The peeling of the brl's has only happened to the S/S-75 Finnlights as far as I know off, wich brl-flutes have been machined a tad too far forward into the shank-area, were the high pressure-peak occurs! Beside being Stainless Steel, wich is yet another risk if fired during freezing weather conditions; these brl's are also a bit on the light side asfar as brl-contour is concerned (guess a Nr.#1- #1 1/2).
The one I witnessed didn't happen by itself: most likely caused by a combination of a high-pressure 'overload' in freezing & snowy conditions? Snow/condensed water that frooze up in the bore close to the muzzle or any other obstruction could also have been the cause? In this case the shooter was lucky and got off with a couple of scratches on his face and a cut in the palm of his hand! However; with the right conditions, this will and can happen to any type of brl. regardless of 'brand' or material.
If you're a bit strapped for money then I would choose a Tikka-T3 Hunter; as this one is true value for money! Or save up the money and have a true quality & traditional rifle built that will never let you down: the Mauser 98!
J.K.
 
I have a kimber montana 7mm wsm and a sako 25-06 75 hunter. Both are quality rifles. I prefer the safety on the kimber. I like the fact that kimber used an action length designed for the wsm, being slightly longer than a true short action, allowing bullets to be seated out longer. Kimber claims to have a match grade chamber, not all of the winchester ammunition would chamber in mine suggesting a tight chamber, I have to completely full length resize the cases before they will fit. Groups are also tight, usually under an inch, some times 1/2", cant ask for anything better from a gun that weighs 6lb3oz. As far a recoil, yes it kicks but not worse than any other magnum Ive shot and I own several. Now for the cost, I payed $1180 for mine, how much are the sakos??? Like "Sun and Steel 77" mine also follows me out to the Camelsfoot Range.
 
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I've owned rifles from both companies but not the models asked about by the OP.

There is less likelihood of getting a lemon with a Sako than a Kimber. That's not to say it is impossible with Sako. European makers aren't what they used to be either. My mid-90's Sako 75 is much nicer and better put together than the one I bought ten years later. Both are however dependably accurate.

You could buy a Kimber and be very happy with it. If you get a gun that doesn't shoot well it might cost some additional money in gunsmithing which would bring the total investment in the Kimber up to the retail price of the Sako.
 
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