yes also have my eye on one but don't have the slot on my ticket
Blaser or Sako?
- Thread starter Beretta shooter
- Start date
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Sako for me, I’ve tried the Blasers but just can’t get on with them, I also think that the multiple barrel concept is a bit of a cul de sac, you still need separate scopes, mounts and licences so you dont get much change or convenience over the extra firearm option.
That said, your brass, your choice, Blasers are incredibly popular and if they had any major failings we’d have heard about it by now.
That said, your brass, your choice, Blasers are incredibly popular and if they had any major failings we’d have heard about it by now.
@theroedeerguy
Well-Known Member
I have both, I got a secondhand .270 Blaser R8 Pro Success that I use for all my deer management and a semi custom Sako A1 in .222 that I use as a truck/vermin rifle.
I went to a Blaser demo day a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the feel of the rifle and shot really well with it. Combined with the ease at which I can strip it down and clean it with no loss of accuracy it really suits my needs. Keyholes any factory ammo I’ve put through it.
The Sako is effortlessly accurate with factory ammo and reminds me of my first rifle which was also a .222 Sako.
Neither is better than the other, go with whatever you find works for you.
I went to a Blaser demo day a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the feel of the rifle and shot really well with it. Combined with the ease at which I can strip it down and clean it with no loss of accuracy it really suits my needs. Keyholes any factory ammo I’ve put through it.
The Sako is effortlessly accurate with factory ammo and reminds me of my first rifle which was also a .222 Sako.
Neither is better than the other, go with whatever you find works for you.
Scotty99
Well-Known Member
There’s a big difference in price between a Sako 85 and a Blaser R8. A price difference that I don’t think is reflected in any difference in accuracy and handling between the two rifles. I’d go for a Sako 85 and spend the difference on other kit. I own a Sako 85 and have shot several Blaser R8s in different configurations and would choose Sako every time over Blaser. However if your option choices included a Mauser M03 then that would be a different conversation.
Sako still hasn't fixed the reloading issue on the 85 and that is...really bad. That's about all I have to know of the newer Sakos. Tikkas on the other hand..
I own, and have owned several Blasers, a Blaser R8 and have nothing but good to say about it. I hunt a lot, 30-40 days/season, during the winter for Capercaillie; "Toppjakt" if you google it. The rifle shoots & functions very well during the winter and that is, in my opinion, the toughest time for a rifle and a hunter. One thing that me and some other "capercaillie hunters" experience is the lack of POI shift that other rifles quite often show during cold weather. If you have a wooden stock you will most likely see it and to reduce that you can use a synthetic/fibre stock or some other dead material. The process of making an accurate centerfire rifle for winter use is not that easy though. Going in and out of -20/+20 Celsius can make the rifle a bit "funny"
. Being able to disassemble and reassemble the rifle without zeroing it again IS a big advantage while hunting several days. Especially when you only have 4 hours of light a day..
AND...I also have a custom gun in my cabinet but when I go out to hunt the Custom stays in the cabinet.
I own, and have owned several Blasers, a Blaser R8 and have nothing but good to say about it. I hunt a lot, 30-40 days/season, during the winter for Capercaillie; "Toppjakt" if you google it. The rifle shoots & functions very well during the winter and that is, in my opinion, the toughest time for a rifle and a hunter. One thing that me and some other "capercaillie hunters" experience is the lack of POI shift that other rifles quite often show during cold weather. If you have a wooden stock you will most likely see it and to reduce that you can use a synthetic/fibre stock or some other dead material. The process of making an accurate centerfire rifle for winter use is not that easy though. Going in and out of -20/+20 Celsius can make the rifle a bit "funny"
. Being able to disassemble and reassemble the rifle without zeroing it again IS a big advantage while hunting several days. Especially when you only have 4 hours of light a day..AND...I also have a custom gun in my cabinet but when I go out to hunt the Custom stays in the cabinet.
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Hunter300
Well-Known Member
If these are your ONLY 2 choices I’d go Blaser. I have 3 Sako rifles and 2 more tikka rifles. My mate have the same amount of Blaser barrels with ONE stock. This means all the rifles but being used to the SAME stock and more importantly the SAME trigger pull shot after shotI have a milestone birthday in a few months which coincides with my renewal so have decided to treat my self, my only centre fire rifle is a Sako 85 in .243 which I really like and has served me well.
I really fancy a blaser but not sure if it’s worth the extra money or is it all just hype? If I were to go for the Sako it would definitely be a carbon wolf and if a blaser more than likely an R8 Ulitimate.
im not looking for the old “I have a Blaser and it’s the best rifle in the world” but more the positives versus the negatives and if anyone had owned both that would be even better. Likewise I don’t need to hear “I have something else and it’s much better than a Sako or Blaser so you should get that instead”
Give me your thoughts guys
Broaden your horizonsGive me your thoughts guys
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
I have a sako 85, Tikka M595 and like them very much but if money were no object - I would buy a Blaser
Hunter300
Well-Known Member
What would be your reason?
geoffw
Well-Known Member
I too considered both at length recently.
I already own a Sako 75 Hunter in .308 that delivers clover leafs (I'm decidedly the weak link) and bought a second, virtually unfired, putting in a custom future proof barrel and a carbon, full adjustable thumbstock from SSS + some additional bells and whistles.
I had a lot of change left versus the Blaser and what will be/should be a better fitting rifle (as to the downrange benefits- we'll see)
I already own a Sako 75 Hunter in .308 that delivers clover leafs (I'm decidedly the weak link) and bought a second, virtually unfired, putting in a custom future proof barrel and a carbon, full adjustable thumbstock from SSS + some additional bells and whistles.
I had a lot of change left versus the Blaser and what will be/should be a better fitting rifle (as to the downrange benefits- we'll see)
geoffw
Well-Known Member
I can't agree with point 1 based on 12yrs with my synth stock 75 which is standard factory. Straight back on.
As to 2, I've no experience to comment from.
I’ve owned an R8 for about 5 years now
All the reasons for buying it then have proved well founded
They were
Shorter over all length
Switch barrel
Easy removal and interchangeability of scopes and mounts
Safety system
Accuracy
All weather reliability
Now some of these qualities are shared by many other makes
There is one attraction that I had not considered- unlike every other rifle I own(ed) - it appears to be worth more now than when I bought it
All the reasons for buying it then have proved well founded
They were
Shorter over all length
Switch barrel
Easy removal and interchangeability of scopes and mounts
Safety system
Accuracy
All weather reliability
Now some of these qualities are shared by many other makes
There is one attraction that I had not considered- unlike every other rifle I own(ed) - it appears to be worth more now than when I bought it
Agree.
Agree re Blaser return to zero after re-assembly.
With my Sako 85, I did find a re-assembly sequence that delivers good return to zero:
Sako 85 accuracy impaired after stock removal and replacement - the fix I found
I bought a second-hand Sako 85 in 30.06 a few years back and it was tack-driving 0.5moa performer with Sako factory ammo. I then took it to Africa where both it and I performed well. On my return it still shot well, but I was aware that a significant sample of Africa's sand was esconced between...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
Blaser service is not the best
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
I’ve had a go with a mates and I really like the whole package.
I’ve got a tricked out Sako 85 and a factory 75 and if you lined them up and asked me to pick one - Blaser would be my choice.
That having been said - I’m selling my 25-06 75 because I don’t need it and I’m perfectly happy with my .260 85 so wouldn’t swap sako for blaser directly.
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UpNorthMI
Well-Known Member
I did not see any comments on what you plan to use your new rifle for and the type of shooting that you do. I think these are really important factors.
I've done a lot of stalking in pretty rough terrain in the worst of weather over the last 35 years, I own 4 all weather stainless Ruger M77 that have been real work horses over the years (.243, .308, 7 Rem mag & .338 win mag), I love the rock solid scope rings etc.
However my hunting needs are changing as I'm considering early retirement and making all those hunting trips that I've had on my list for a lot of years. Hence my recent decision to buy a Blaser R8 Ultimate and 4 barrels. For me I wanted a quality rifle that was take down for easy travel and would allow me the easy use of several calibers, I wanted a non wood stock, scope mounts that are removable but hold zero and a great trigger pull. Fortunately I was not working with any budget as the total cost will be significant with mounts, scopes any accessories. I never felt the need for a Blaser in the past but today with new objectives, it meets all of my requirements.
Blaser rifles are not cheap, if I was just looking to hunt more local, I would have stayed with a lower cost more traditional rifle. If it's a financial stretch to move on to a Blaser, I would not do it, you can get a lot more value and use from your money in other solutions. I always think what's the worse if you hate a new rifle, you can always sell it and you will recover a lot of what you invested.
Good luck in making a selection. If you can afford it buy what makes you happy.
I've done a lot of stalking in pretty rough terrain in the worst of weather over the last 35 years, I own 4 all weather stainless Ruger M77 that have been real work horses over the years (.243, .308, 7 Rem mag & .338 win mag), I love the rock solid scope rings etc.
However my hunting needs are changing as I'm considering early retirement and making all those hunting trips that I've had on my list for a lot of years. Hence my recent decision to buy a Blaser R8 Ultimate and 4 barrels. For me I wanted a quality rifle that was take down for easy travel and would allow me the easy use of several calibers, I wanted a non wood stock, scope mounts that are removable but hold zero and a great trigger pull. Fortunately I was not working with any budget as the total cost will be significant with mounts, scopes any accessories. I never felt the need for a Blaser in the past but today with new objectives, it meets all of my requirements.
Blaser rifles are not cheap, if I was just looking to hunt more local, I would have stayed with a lower cost more traditional rifle. If it's a financial stretch to move on to a Blaser, I would not do it, you can get a lot more value and use from your money in other solutions. I always think what's the worse if you hate a new rifle, you can always sell it and you will recover a lot of what you invested.
Good luck in making a selection. If you can afford it buy what makes you happy.
The debate could go on for eternity. I have had both the rifles listed and always think of going back to a Blaser. I currently have one Sako which although a fantastic multi purpose rifle it is not the ideal stalking rifle. Of the two Blaser, if you were to open up to other brands Sauer or Merkel get the same switch barrel return to zero takedown ability of the blaser. I would say try them all and see what you like.
Shootgun
Well-Known Member
This is simply not true.
I had a Sauer 404 and it was 4 inch off every time i even took it apart.
My R8 is returning to zero 100% all the time.
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