Remington vs Sako .204

[purdeydog]

Hello

In terms of accuracy and consistency only, has anyone any experience of using both of these rifles? The Rem 700 varmint and Sako 85 Varmint in .204. How did you find they matched each other, the same I suspect. I'll probably home load but factory ammo to start with.

In the market for a .204, narrowed it down to either these two or a Tikka t3x. I've had Tikka's and they have always delivered for me. Fancy something different this time. The Remington appeals to me as it's very customisable.

Thanks John

 

[8x57]

I've no experience of using this particular cartridge but I have owned both rifles and still own a 85. I would say that both rifles have the same potential for good accuracy and equally you could buy a lemon with both though far far less likely with the Sako. So it will come down mainly to personal taste. Like many I've never be afraid to discuss my dislike of Remingtons but many shooters are perfectly happy with theirs and are equally vocal in their defence of the make.

I've only ever owned one (never again) Remington 700 and I replaced it with the Sako, a decision I have certainly never regretted. A friend of mine says that he never regretted buying his Remingtons either because if he hadn't he would probably never appreciate the Blasers that he has replaced them with.

If you want to buy a rifle with the intention of changing (customising) it substantially over a period of time with all the associated hassle and additional expense then go for the Remington. However if you want to buy a rifle that simply works fine straight out of the box then go for the Sako.

To be honest though why if you appreciate the T3X don't you just go for that. You know that they work straight away, they may not quite have the supposed status of the Sako but they are very hard to beat value for money wise.

 

[Kalahari]

You could get a nice CZ 527 and live happily in the land of CRF.

David.

 

[palo]

HI John
I sent you a PM.

 

[jthyttin]

Tikka T3 is on par with Remington, when it comes to 3rd party aftermarket support.

Of course there's e.g. only 10 different picatinny rails instead of 100 for Rem 700, but in reality just about every new product available for 700 is also available for T3.

 

[plumber01]

A bit like 8x57, only the other way around, if you want good accuracy, you can get a Rem, but allow about £120 for a new trigger, and if your going to get a mod, make sure the crown is done at the same time, and if you feel the need a new stock,?. All things remi are off the shelf so relatively cheap. A sako might be slightly better out of the box, but any additions are likely to cost you more than on a Remington. But you might pay more to begin with.
If you are going down the path of accuracy, it can get costly.
I was told many years ago, the easiest /and cheapest way to get a gun shooting well, was a light trigger and a heavy barrel, learn to reload and refine a load,....... and spend everything you can on the scope. good luck

 

[Cyres]

I have a Savage Weather Warrior and it is absolutely fantastic, comes factory bedded in their Accu bed stock system, fully floated barrel and mine has an after market rifle Basix trigger.

I can't fault it with 39grn Blitz kings over Reloader 10x. Far more accurate than its owner, you just need high mag optics with the finest/smallest reticule you can get to make the most of its precision.

Well worth a look at if you can find one.

D

 

[purdeydog]

Good replies. Thanks guys. I've been down the path of custom rifles and it does get expensive, but very happy with the outcome. With the.204 I'm really looking for the best out of the box accuracy. I may do the trigger and crown, but not the barrel and stock.

 

[Woodlander]

Out of the box accuracy and quality,it has to be the Sako. I have an 85 in .204 and with hand loads it's very accurate. Although if I was to do it again,I'd rebarrel my my 75. Some smiths carry a few T3 actions,for reasonable money,pop a custom barrel and a nice stock and you have a semi custom rifle for less than a new Sako. Sorted!

 

[mealiejimmy]

I'm a fan of T3s, but that short 20 inch barrel is not what you need to get the best out of a 204.
Look for something with a 24 inch barrel (or longer)

Cheers

Bruce

 

[purdeydog]

I am leaning now to a sako or t3. I like woodlanders idea, might look into that. Yeah the 20" puts me off. However saying that had a .308 Tikka with a 20" which was bang on out to 450 never tried it beyond that. Cheers.

 

[mealiejimmy]

I am leaning now to a sako or t3. I like woodlanders idea, might look into that. Yeah the 20" puts me off. However saying that had a .308 Tikka with a 20" which was bang on out to 450 never tried it beyond that. Cheers.

a 20 inch barrel with a 308 is not a problem - but it is with a 204

Cheers

Bruce

 

[andy R204]

Suppose it depends on what's available off the shelf in your area.I had a stock R700 .204 26" barrel,yeah it was ok did the job.However further along the line with a Walther barrel & Timney trigger it's a 100% better gun.With hindsight I should've had a custom gun made but being impatient at the time I grabbed it.The Sako & Tikka .204's I've handled just have that "quality" feel which my stock R700 just didn't have when I think back.

As stated a 24"-26" barrel will give the better velocities but a 20" barrel on a truck gun will do the job still.

 

[rusty53]

I have a t3 varmint in 204 and my brother has sako 85 varmint in 204 both have 20 in barrels and with hand loads pushing 39 gr sierra blitz kings have no problem taking rabbit size targets at 300 yards and both guns are standard with no modifications. if you go the tikka or sako route drop me a pm and i will give you all my load data.

 

[JTO]

I'm a fan of T3s, but that short 20 inch barrel is not what you need to get the best out of a 204. Look for something with a 24 inch barrel (or longer). Cheers Bruce

All the data in the Berger manual was based on using a 26" for the .204, so the above has merit.
My .223 & .308 T3Xs have the 24" barrels, but they took 8 months to get.

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

I have a Sako S491 rebarrelled with a Walther 10" twist in 20" 204, its pretty fast. With 39gr Blitzkings it is a fair bit flatter than my 22/250 with 55gr bullets.

I've taken rabbits and crows out to about 375 yards with it, with a bigger scope and more open ground than I have, I don't doubt it is capable of a fair bit further..

 

[purdeydog]

Some really good info. Cheers. Always good to get real world info. Been looking quite a bit last few days at various info. I think IMO, general consensus is 20" will do the job more than adequately but 24"26" will get the most out of a .204.

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

No doubt a 26" tube will squeeze a bit more velocity out of most rifles, but have you ever used a 26" rifle with a moderator hanging off the end?

I wouldn't recommend it...

 

[purdeydog]

Yes, I have one, works extremely well, so do others I know. Many thanks.

 

[Woodlander]

24" barrel is about optimum,26" is overkill.
I think my 20" loses max 150fps over the 24",but is very capable out to 400 and the Vhit 130 I use is,I believe 98% burned in that 20".
Saying that,if I did it over again,I'd get a T3 action with a 24" custom barrel,shooting 39gr BKs and bed it in a nice stock. Wouldn't then feel the need to look for something else. Oh,and then of course you need to top it with a nice scope,make sure it's a top name with dial able turrets.