Sako Quest 90 vs Blaser R8 Prof 2.0

[Six Point Five]

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice on choosing between a Sako Quest 90 and a Blaser R8 Professional 2.0 for my next rifle in 30-06.

For context I currently own a Sako 85 Classic in 6.5x55 and have been very happy with it. It’s reliable accurate and generally a pleasure to use which is why staying with Sako is appealing. That said I’m quite interested in the idea of moving to a straight pull rifle which has put the Blaser R8 on my shortlist.

What I’m trying to understand from people with real world experience is how these two compare in use.

• Does the Blaser straight pull genuinely offer an advantage for real world examples or is it more of a novelty?
• How do they compare for reliability and overall usability in typical stalking situations?
• Are there any long term ownership considerations that might sway the decision either way (although appreciate the 2.0 is fairly new)

I like Sakos and know what I’m getting from them but I’m open to switching if the Blaser system offers clear practical benefits.

Any insight from those who have owned or used either would be much appreciated.

 

[artschool]

i am also looking to buy a blaser professional 2.0 but in 6.5 creedmoor

 

[Craigsaun]

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Having been both a very happy Sako owner and a very happy Blaser owner I’d opt for the Blaser.

For me the practical benefits of being able to fully strip the rifle and get everything cleaned and dried after a day out in the rain is a massive bonus.

Add to that the flexibility with modular barrels and the ease of accuracy with almost any factory ammunition and they’re pretty much the Toyota of the gun world in my eyes.

 

[Six Point Five]

Thank you @

Having been both a very happy Sako owner and a very happy Blaser owner I’d opt for the Blaser.

For me the practical benefits of being able to fully strip the rifle and get everything cleaned and dried after a day out in the rain is a massive bonus.

Add to that the flexibility with modular barrels and the ease of accuracy with almost any factory ammunition and they’re pretty much the Toyota of the gun world in my eyes.

Thank you, that's really helpful...

Do you have a fixed or adjustable stock on your R8? I am wondering if the adjustable cheek piece on the 2.0 is enough to get a decent fit, or would I gain more in terms of fit from the Sako with its adjustable length of pull & cheek piece?

 

[Shabz]

I’m a Sako man too. I don’t know if I’d buy a 90 though. The changes from the 85 removed most of the stuff that I liked about it.

Have you looked at steel action straight pulls? They look very good and don’t have the blaser ick.

 

[Overlay]

I have / had 2 85’s sako really good rifles I then changed to R95’s then to the R8 pro, gradually changed to R8 pro success as the rifle fits me very well, they all shoot straight and the straight pull and safety are faultless, only heard of a couple problems which I believe where driver error and not the rifle, I have the R8 since they were released and never had a problem

 

[The Optimist]

I’ve had a Sako 85 which was great and then recently bought a Sako 90. For me the Sako 90 is a big improvement. It is unbelievably accurate and the various small changes and improvements all add up to a much improved rifle. But that’s just my experience. If you want a straight pull you could look at the Mauser 25. At the end of the day though, surely it is about what you personally enjoy shooting and what instinctively feels right to you.

 

[bowji john]

I’ve never even picked up a sako- so am unable to make comparison

However I’ve owned the Blaser platform for 8 years

Calibres and applications as wide ranging as ratting, foxing, stalking - and guiding / anti poaching in Africa

I’ve found it a well engineered and robust system that has never let me down

I like all my rifles, but if I was to have to choose a single system, it would be the Blaser

Other flavours, I’m sure are just as capable

Blaser happens to be one with which I’m familiar

J

 

[Six Point Five]

I’m a Sako man too. I don’t know if I’d buy a 90 though. The changes from the 85 removed most of the stuff that I liked about it.

Have you looked at steel action straight pulls? They look very good and don’t have the blaser ick.

Interesting! What has been removed that you would have liked to have seen stay?

R.e. Steel Action, yes, I had considered them after watching Tim Pilbeam shoot one, but I ended up back at a Blaser as the straightpull option, as I think the availability of parts etc. will be no issue in the future, where as with something like the Steel Action, they could be...

 

[buachaill]

I have owned Sako rifles since I started shooting having owned the 75,85 and now the 90 Peak. Agree with The Optimist regarding the improvements on the 90. Small changes but all add up to a very fine machine. For me I have never had a reason to change and I think that speaks volumes of the Make for me and my needs.

I have shot Blaser also and would have no hesitation recommending them tbh. Buy the one that meets your needs the most and fits right for you in your hand and set-up.

Both Sako and Blaser make very accurate well refined rifles. You will hear of both makes giving issues, they all do that is just the nature but I have never had a single issue with any of mine.

Think the biggest point I am making is that there is no one better than the other....Just the one which is better for you and your needs. Everyone is different.

 

[Heym SR20]

It’s a bit like asking whether a mercedes is better than an audi. Or Mercedes petrol engined sports saloon is better than a diesel engined Audi A6 allroad.

Both are well built, do the job they are designed for, but the jobs are different.

Work out what you need a rifle for. What type of hunting, how you will travel to hunting area, how you will carry the rifle, what sort of shots will you be taking etc.

 

[Shabz]

Interesting! What has been removed that you would have liked to have seen stay?

R.e. Steel Action, yes, I had considered them after watching Tim Pilbeam shoot one, but I ended up back at a Blaser as the straightpull option, as I think the availability of parts etc. will be no issue in the future, where as with something like the Steel Action, they could be...

I really like the controlled round feed that is no longer there in the 90. I really don’t like the idea of the new trigger either but haven’t had any experience of it so can’t say I don’t actually like it. I’ve had a few 85’s (mostly long actions) and have never had a problem with ejection in any of them so it’s disappointing that they got rid of the controlled round feed.

I like most of the other changes though. Putting a built in rail on it was great. I might one day see if I can make one rifle out of a 90 action with an 85 bolt. That would be my ideal rifle.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Thank you @

Thank you, that's really helpful...

Do you have a fixed or adjustable stock on your R8? I am wondering if the adjustable cheek piece on the 2.0 is enough to get a decent fit, or would I gain more in terms of fit from the Sako with its adjustable length of pull & cheek piece?

I had a Pro Success with a fixed stock which worked well for me.

Gunsmiths such as Michael Rainback can retrofit an adjustable cheek piece if required or the Blaser Ultimate stock range offers an easily adjustable platform.

 

[artschool]

Thank you @

Thank you, that's really helpful...

Do you have a fixed or adjustable stock on your R8? I am wondering if the adjustable cheek piece on the 2.0 is enough to get a decent fit, or would I gain more in terms of fit from the Sako with its adjustable length of pull & cheek piece?

i have a blaser R8 ultimate with the adjustable cheek piece. i was able to handle the Pro 2.0 when i was over in germany last year and thought the adjustable cheek piece was just as good.