Sako Finnlight?

[wanafish]

Got to looking at my gun collection and the thought occured to me that I could sell two or three that are getting little or no use and buy one that is more of a high quality all around rifle. With tags on the east side getting harder to draw all the time I'm doing most of my hunting in the wet( it is going to rain again)so I'm thinking synthetic/ stainless. The problem is I haven't shouldered one yet that feels good untill I saw a Sako Finnlight. Any of you have experience with this gun? I'm thinking 300WSM. 150 for deer, 180 for elk. One gun, put a top of the line scope on top and be set.

[StickFish]

Can't talk to Sako rifles other than I have heard they are good rifles. As far as the 300WSM I've got one and I was very impressed with the concept of short action magnums - bunch here poopoo the whole idea but that is their opinion. I would suggest sticking with one bullet weight though - 150 will kill an Elk, 180 will kill a deer. The WSM round also performs very well with 165's. I used to carry my 30-06 with 165's and used it for both effectively. I use the 180 A Frame in my Browning A-Bolt and wouldn't look anywhere else.

[wanafish]

True, I've killed several bulls with an 06' and 165gr as well. Would my 338 that I use now for elk put them down quicker? maybe, maybe not. Maybe we all get caught up in wanting something "new" I believe improving your hunting skills(ability to get closer not shoot farther)is the best way to improve. It just seems that when I was younger I got caught up in wanting the "best" for every situation. 338 for elk, 270 for mule deer, short barreled fast handling .250 for blacktails in the brush etc..(ok I know everybody has their own "best") Now that I'm getting older I guess I want one gun that I can retire with. One that shoots flat and is versatile. One that has a smooth action and doesn't kick the snot out of me. One that is reliable and functional over fancy wood and how many lines of checkering per inch. I think the 30's are the way to go and I'd read that the felt recoil on the WSM's was less? So that is why I was thinking a 300WSM in a high quality synthetic/stainless. Opinions?

[StickFish]

As far as the short and fat thing goes of the WSM line, I've been a fan of them for quite a few years. I almost built a 300 Jamison out of a 243 a few years ago, but couldn't talk someone out of their 243 for a decent price so it never happened. As far as the lower recoil - well - lets just say it won't kick as much as your 338. I installed a Limb Saver pad on my Browning and that was the ticket. In terms of the physics of launching a 180 grain bullet at near 3,000 fps - it doesn't matter if its coming from a 300 WInchester or a 300 WSM - that part of the recoil will remain the same - you just can fool the equal and opposit reaction. The only part of the recoil that is less is due to the weight of the powder charge in motion from the moment of ignition to the moment of discharge at the muzzel - being 12 grains lighter in most respects is where you will get the reduction in that aspect of the recoil.

I love my A-Bolt 300WSM, a hunting partner of mine - liked my rifle so much he bought one himself - identicle except for the Limb Saver - it was just a little too long for his length of pull. He plans on using only that rifle for deer and elk and Antelope. He is developing loads using the 165 gain load so he only deals with one load. There is an old saying, "Watch out for the guy who only has one rifle, he probably knows how to use it!"

I'll use my 300 mostly for Elk (Ok so I've shot a few sage rats with it as well!). In open Mully/Antelope country I favor my Weatherby Accumark in 7mmSTW - nothing like seeing deer drop to a bolt of lightening fired from afar. The WSM with 150 bullets develops near the same velocity as my STW does, but the ballistic Coefficient of the .284 Swift Scirocco is hard to beat - so 300+ yard performance is better.

If I had to shed every rifle but one I honestly don't know what I'd do. 45-70 guide gun for the thick stuff, 300WSM for general hunting, 7mmstw for the wide open stuff, 22BR for the varmints - don't have my 30-06, or 25-06 or 338 anymore and have not missed them. I don't think you can go wrong with the WSM.

I've not looked at the Finnlight, but my Browning has a 23" barrel and short action and carries like it isn't there. When I used to hunt blacktails my 30-06 had a 20" barrel and was a dream in the brush - both my WSM and old 30-06 carry the same. Never need to worry about branches knocking the top of the barrel cause my head is higher (7mmSTW is another story) with a good sling it stays put and I'm not wishing I' d left it up on the ridge when I'm half way back to camp.

Sako builds a very fine weapon. If I were to buy a stainless rifle again, I would have it treated with dark grey titanium nitride or simular powder coating process (Check with Rifles Inc) so that it wasn't as white. Other than that I love stainless rifles in the rain.

Have fun.

[wanafish]

good info, thanks!

[cubsfan]

This is exactly what I just did too. I bought a TIKKA T3 (made by Sako) in 300 short. I love it. I put a nice 4.5.x14x40 on it and it will last me forever. I wanted only one gun (except for the Marlin Guide Gun I bought for a brush/truck/backup gun). Check out the TIKKA less than 600 new. It has a Sako barrel and trigger. The trigger is adjustable, the stock is ultra light and it is stainless synthetic. It also has a floating barrel and buttery smooth action. Google them. TIKKA T3. I really like it. Good luck.

[sandman]

I love mine!I put a 50mm leo 3x9 on mine.The one thing i'll ad is only shoot one grain.I used to change between 150 and 180 but always had to re-ajust my scope.180 will work for anything,IMO

[Yooper Time]

I have the Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Synthetic in 300WSM also. I have a Vari XII 3x9x40 on it. I love the setup, light and accurate.

[Dan360]

As with most hunting cartridges, its all about splitting hairs and choosing loads. I think the most important thing is to choose a rifle that fits you well and you are comfortable with. Anything between 27 and 33 caliber will kill anything in the NW without too much of a problem. Lead on lungs, my friend.

The WSM hull lets you get a lot of performance in a shorter, lighter action and a shorter barrel. That makes it a winner in my book because I don't like carrying a long smokepole in the woods. It will give you 300 Win Mag power out of a 308 size gun. My only reservation is that I've never handled a WSM that fed smoothly. I am used to slick Winchester M70 style actions aided with long cartridges with gentle shoulders. The WSM won't slide home like a 270 Winchester or 300 H&H, but you probably don't need it to. Its just one of my nit-picky criteria.

I have heard great things about Sako rifles. The new 85 is supposed to be a really nice rifle. I can't quite afford one. They have the 60 degree bolt throw, which should make it nice and quick, if not smooth. I don't know what barrel length the rifles are offered in, but I'd want 24 inches. If I'm going to buy magnum priced ammo and deal with magnum recoil, I'm sure as heck going to want magnum performance.

[cubsfan]

Pull the trigger on one You won't be disappointed.