Blaser or Sako?

[Steff]

Bottom left is nice

With hand loads I have seen the same from sako and tikka, many, many times.

Equally seen Blasers on range day/competitions that won’t go under an inch.

In general I don’t think they are more accurate than most decent factory rifles. The USP is more concerning the take down/switch barrel ability-which is very impressive.

Agreed. Others can do the same. Switch barrels and straight pull are nice, but the real USP of the Blasers is repeatability under all conditions. After take down, after taking the scope off and back on and after having fiddled with it on your own ignoring the existence of gun smiths.

 

[Bowland blades]

I 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

Your asking for something but the mass of responses will come from one or the other side as owners and some who might not have shot both .
Imo, the 85 isn't a bad rifle and neither is the Blaser . I seriously dont get the Blaser spend and the barrels cost way too much compared to a gunsmith re-barrel . You are keeping the other rifle yeah ? No point in the home barrel swap then really .

 

[Overlay]

All my rifles shoot well under an inch, I’m not a target shooter, I only zero on paper, any rifle that shoots under an inch is the one to go for irrespective of make or £ notes, everyone to their own

There is a very common fallback with any rifle the nut on the butt, Any rifle subbing an 9nch off off a bench / sticks at a 100 yd is a keeper in my eyes, if you couple up the shooter, nerves, wind, eyesight, ammunition or the weather under an inch is bang on the money

Pays your money take your pick and definitely enjoy

 

[JohnCZ]

The R8 is heavier. But the radial locking mechanism is more robust.
I changed over when my R93‘s started to age. With the .222 I regret it a bit as she was a beauty and wonderfully lightweight.

Would I buy a used R93? Perhaps, but certainly not in a magnum calibre.

The Pro R93 I picked up had 375 & 7mm, sold them two and thought this thing is heavy. It was opted with the 455g Kickstop LOL.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Do you need to travel with the rifle and break it down into a case? Yes? Get the blaser.

Otherwise it’s an expensive way to shoot average groups.

I'm guessing you don't have a blaser then? Or any of its derivatives.

I've shot sakos before and they were OK. Thought it was expensive for the quality you were getting considering a tikka was cheaper and and was of similar quality.

On the other hand all the blasers and sauers I've shot have been very accurate, ergonomic and built to a very high standard. They weren't ammo fussy either.

I wouldn't turn a sako down, just if your comparing sako to blaser I'd take the blaser every time.

 

[Irish Bob]

It’s all about the next new thing. Sako rifles go on for ever so they are unlikely to keep selling the same model to existing customers. There has to be something new and improved.

If you are hunting you need a decent rife and scope. Most kit falls into this category. If you want a Blazer, Wesley Richard’s or Rigby that’s fine, but a Tika or PH will achieve the same thing and you will be less bothered about scratching it.

 

[JH83]

I'm guessing you don't have a blaser then? Or any of its derivatives.

I've shot sakos before and they were OK. Thought it was expensive for the quality you were getting considering a tikka was cheaper and and was of similar quality.

On the other hand all the blasers and sauers I've shot have been very accurate, ergonomic and built to a very high standard. They weren't ammo fussy either.

I wouldn't turn a sako down, just if you’re comparing sako to blaser I'd take the blaser every time.

No, but several mates have them and I attend rifle shoots semi frequently and see the score sheets. Have helped a few chaps zero them on my range. No real difference to any high end factory rifle as far as I can see.

They look cool, make a cool sound, and fit in a box. I chatted to Frederick from blaser/sauer for half an hour at the Malmos deer evening and he said, candidly, that they cater for wants not needs.

Indeed. If I were offered straight a £3.5k rifle or a £1800 rifle, I supposed I’d go blaser too , the discussion is about performance and value though. I’d go another route altogether.

 

[zambezi]

I seriously dont get the Blaser spend and the barrels cost way too much compared to a gunsmith re-barrel

One reason for paying the extra £££ for a Blaser barrel: they guarantee them. If a barrel fails early, they replace. [I know, I have had one replaced]

So the business model is more akin to NFU insurance, Swarovski, Element or Vortex optical purchases: Eye-watering prices support class-leading customer service and product guarantee.

 

[Bowland blades]

One reason for paying the extra £££ for a Blaser barrel: they guarantee them. If a barrel fails early, they replace. [I know, I have had one replaced]

So the business model is more akin to NFU insurance, Swarovski, Element or Vortex optical purchases: Eye-watering prices support class-leading customer service and product guarantee.

well that's not "insurance" That's just plain charging a lump up front . I do know a pro stalker who shoots a blazer and the others on the same estate use Sako , They do comment how short a life his barrels have . Now the questioning is " is it because they are free " or is it " because they wear super fast " The other guys seem to think the latter . I didn't know they did this tbf that could be a factor but surely someone a blazer has to at least look at them . He shoots 6.5mm and the others are all on ( or where on ) .270 in the Sako rifles .

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Blaser barrels are known to be hard wearing, apparently there's a a 308 barrel on a tac2 in their factory that's had somthing like 50k rounds through it and its still sub inch.

Wouldn't surprise me since the plasma nitride harden the barrels.

Blasers are great rifles but they are a bit like the apple of the rifle world. They offer alot of new innovative stuff that does an identical job to a normal rifle for twice the price.

Radial locking lugs - much much stronger than your standard turn bolt in 2 or 3 lug but is the strength actually needed? Probably not.

No denying though that they are nice and are very high quality

 

[artschool]

the only negative with blaser is the price.

buy once, cry once.

 

[JohnCZ]

well that's not "insurance" That's just plain charging a lump up front . I do know a pro stalker who shoots a blazer and the others on the same estate use Sako , They do comment how short a life his barrels have . Now the questioning is " is it because they are free " or is it " because they wear super fast " The other guys seem to think the latter . I didn't know they did this tbf that could be a factor but surely someone a blazer has to at least look at them . He shoots 6.5mm and the others are all on ( or where on ) .270 in the Sako rifles .

I would not have thought any hammer forged barrel would wear much different to another of similar steels, carbon, stainless and gradings etc.. When you say 6.5 wearing out barrels and a 270 isn't, are you talking 6.5x55 or is he running 6.5PRC because one would expect better barrel life from the 270Win in any brand barrel, Sako, Blaser, Mauser or otherwise. Even 6.5 Creedmoor gives up a lot of barrel life compared to the good old 308. I would like to see how a Sako and Blaser barrels of the same caliber and shooting intensity hold up when head to head.
We use to shoot Sako 222 barrels almost smooth culling roos and 222 isn't a barrel burner, there is always a story to slant it either way Now as a Blaser owner I could be seen as biased however, I really like the new Sako 90 Peak.
On another note, my Blaser barrels clean super easy but so have my Sako barrels, most hammer forged barrels will, they just didn't foul in the first place.
Cheers
John

 

[Bowland blades]

I would not have thought any hammer forged barrel would wear much different to another of similar steels, carbon, stainless and gradings etc.. When you say 6.5 wearing out barrels and a 270 isn't, are you talking 6.5x55 or is he running 6.5PRC because one would expect better barrel life from the 270Win in any brand barrel, Sako, Blaser, Mauser or otherwise. Even 6.5 Creedmoor gives up a lot of barrel life compared to the good old 308. I would like to see how a Sako and Blaser barrels of the same caliber and shooting intensity hold up when head to head.
We use to shoot Sako 222 barrels almost smooth culling roos and 222 isn't a barrel burner, there is always a story to slant it either way Now as a Blaser owner I could be seen as biased however, I really like the new Sako 90 Peak.
On another note, my Blaser barrels clean super easy but so have my Sako barrels, most hammer forged barrels will, they just didn't foul in the first place.
Cheers
John

6.5 creed v 270 , this should not happen especially as one of the 270 guys maintains his rifle incredibly poorly . i feel like i need to clean and service it when we return to base!
Any barrel fouls cut or button rifled lapped or not lapped ! your pushing your bullet fast and into the rifling with pressure enough to engrave the solid copper monolithic bullets even .
Still personally i like lapped as they are a lot faster to clean through their early life at least

 

[1hughes]

Had both. For hill stalking i would definitely take the Sako but for woodland stalking and the ability to change barrels the Blaser is an excellent rifle.

 

[Bowland blades]

Had both. For hill stalking i would definitely take the Sako but for woodland stalking and the ability to change barrels the Blaser is an excellent rifle.

why please explain ? I get you can just swap barrels but how does ability to swap barrels pertain to woodland stalking ?

 

[1hughes]

why please explain ? I get you can just swap barrels but how does ability to swap barrels pertain to woodland stalking ?

I stalk muntjac and fallow mostly, so use a .223 barrel during the summer and then switch to a .308 for the pricket in late summer/autumn.

 

[Bowland blades]

I stalk muntjac and fallow mostly, so use a .223 barrel during the summer and then switch to a .308 for the pricket in late summer/autumn.

Ah, get you now ! I shoot 260 rem with 100 grain TTSX it is a lot of gun on a 30-100 yard munty that are always moving . I bought a 223 myself a few months back for the same reason though as a whole rifle both sako 75 based . A mate has used 45-70 and a .270 , that gets proper messy

 

[JohnCZ]

I stalk muntjac and fallow mostly, so use a .223 barrel during the summer and then switch to a .308 for the pricket in late summer/autumn.

I currently have 25-06Rem and 30-06Spr, bullet choice 75gr to 220gr. Looking to probably add 9.3x62 to round the system out, 250gr - 286gr. Just easier than three seperate rifles when travelling.

 

[Loler UK]

They are very different rifles, if you feel the weight get the sako, if you want to swap scopes/ red dot etc get the blaser. If you get the blaser a .22lr conversion will change your life for ever, so much practice with so little cost, recoil or noise on the same stock, trigger etc.
The r93 is lighter and some great bargains to be had but you likley won't find a 22lr conversion

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

Unless it's got be new , I'd be speaking to the UKs quality rifle builders.
PM Ronin for instance or any of the others.
You have a good action there
Build from there?
Or sometimes these rifle builders have stock not advertised.
That's the route I've taken over the years and never been disappointed.