Validate my hunting rifle choice

Rustle in the Bushes · September 11, 2012, 12:56 PM

in my search for a left handed bolt action ive come to the sako 85 hunter, which I wouldnt have ever figured on. Im planning to shoot 30-06 and would prefer a heavier gun to soak up recoil- its gonna get a lot of range time in as well as the occasional hunt.

Model 70/CZ- love em' but no lefty action
rugers/savage - dont fit me + dont like the stocks
brownings- too light
remington 700 CDL- Theyre lefty, a possibility, though I havent heard great things about them as a company/quality.

the sako 85 lefty comes in at 7 lbs for the 20" barrel rifle. sounds pretty good to me and I can get a synthetic stock one day and bring it down a bit if I get more into hunting.

have I missed any other good lefty options out there?

Scorch · September 11, 2012, 03:10 PM

The Sako is possibly the best of all the rifles you have listed. But don't discount the 700 or the Rugers, they are good rifles.

JerryM · September 11, 2012, 03:40 PM

Remember that you carry a hunting rifle more than you shoot it. Strike a balance in weight and recoil. Get a good recoil pad and pad your shoulder when you shoot over a bench.
When/if you do any mountain hunting you will be glad for the lighter rifle. Personally I would not want a hunting rifle for this country that weighed more than 7.25 lb with scope, sling and loaded.

If that would be too light for a 30-06 then go to a .260 Rem.
Jerry

jmr40 · September 11, 2012, 06:06 PM

I think you made a fine choice. Recoil won' be a problem.

Slamfire · September 11, 2012, 07:09 PM

I have a SAKO Finnbear, and if this rifle is as good as a Finnbear, you will like it.

Chuckhawks has comments on the SAKO 85 rifles.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/sako_85_rifles.htm

Kreyzhorse · September 11, 2012, 07:57 PM

If you like the Sako, you made the right choice. I'm a lefty, and swear by my left handed 110 in 7mm Rem Mag, but I've heard nothing bad about Sako.

While the. 30.06 does have some recoil, it isn't a cartridge that will beat you silly after a few shots no matter the gun weight.

lefteyedom · September 12, 2012, 02:38 AM

The Model 70 is currently being made in a left hand model now,

The truth all the rifles list a good rifles, just get the one that you like best.

Rustle in the Bushes · September 12, 2012, 06:08 PM

No it isn't

Catfishman · September 12, 2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

No it isn't

Yes it is

Maybe you don't prefer them for some reason but that doesn't mean they aren't good rifles. In my opinion you are splitting hairs, any of these rifles will work very well for hunting. But, of course, pick your favorite.

I've taken deer with every brand listed other than the Sako.

Bushmaster1313 · September 12, 2012, 11:15 PM

Not cheap

http://www.eurooptic.com/sako-85-hun...hand-3006.aspx

jehu · September 13, 2012, 06:24 AM

The best made and dependably accurate out of the box rifles, IMO, which do not need any aftermarket stock, trigger, or "tweeking" are pricey but you get what you pay for. You have chosen wisely.

GeauxTide · September 13, 2012, 12:14 PM

You are really handicapping the '06 in a 20" barrel. Get a 308. If you want to save a lot of money and get an OOB tack driver, get a Savage 116. My 16 put it's first 3 into .6".

clamman · September 13, 2012, 12:19 PM

I have a Remington 700 leftie that I will NEVER part with.

warbirdlover · September 13, 2012, 03:41 PM

EXCELLENT choice! One of the best rifles made!

Rustle in the Bushes · September 13, 2012, 06:19 PM

@Catfishman

misunderstanding- I was addressing the post above when I said "no it isnt" as the win model 70 isnt currently offered in left hand.

opinions are awesome man thanks for 'em

Im wondering for the amount that the sako costs how much could I pimp that model 700? Bell and carlson stock, improved bolt/rebarrel?

they make good custom jobs right?

warbirdlover · September 14, 2012, 09:17 AM

I bought a 700 SPS Buckmasters .270 win last summer. I did nothing to it and the new trigger is fine (mine went down to 3 lbs. pull), the action is smooth and it is sub-MOA with any junky factory ammo I want to feed it. I'm very pleased with it.

jimbob86 · September 14, 2012, 09:22 AM

Why do you need our "validation"? Are your powers of reasoning not valid?

Make your choice, evaluate it by firsthand observation.....

stubbicatt · September 14, 2012, 09:44 AM

I think maybe you might wish to reconsider the value you ascribe to the weight of the rifle in your evaluation of which one to get. If you find a fine rifle with a light weight, but are concerned about recoil, there are brakes which can be installed which will reduce recoil, and you won't have to carry a heavy rifle with you all day in the field, which in my estimation, really diminishes the hunt.

Good luck in your decision, and I hope you and your rifle will do well together for many years.

jimbob86 · September 14, 2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

you won't have to carry a heavy rifle with you all day in the field, which in my estimation, really diminishes the hunt.

Carry it more than once a year, and spend a bit of time working/working out, and a 9 lb. rifle won't be so taxing. Plus, your arms won't look so flabby....

doofus47 · September 14, 2012, 09:52 AM

Probably you will be wearing a heavier jacket during hunting season, so recoil won't be an issue in the field. At the range, you might consider a shooting shirt.

The choice of rifles in your list looks to be top notch. If one works for you, you should be fine.

tomrkba · September 14, 2012, 09:55 AM

How are you going to shoot?

A right handed rifle is perfect for left handed shooters in the prone position with a bipod. You do not need to remove your firing hand from the stock. If you're going to shoot from other positions, then a bolt on the left side is a good thing.

September 11, 2012, 12:56 PM	#1
Rustle in the Bushes Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Location: Canada- West Posts: 175	Validate my hunting rifle choice in my search for a left handed bolt action ive come to the sako 85 hunter, which I wouldnt have ever figured on. Im planning to shoot 30-06 and would prefer a heavier gun to soak up recoil- its gonna get a lot of range time in as well as the occasional hunt. Model 70/CZ- love em' but no lefty action rugers/savage - dont fit me + dont like the stocks brownings- too light remington 700 CDL- Theyre lefty, a possibility, though I havent heard great things about them as a company/quality. the sako 85 lefty comes in at 7 lbs for the 20" barrel rifle. sounds pretty good to me and I can get a synthetic stock one day and bring it down a bit if I get more into hunting. have I missed any other good lefty options out there?

September 11, 2012, 03:10 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	The Sako is possibly the best of all the rifles you have listed. But don't discount the 700 or the Rugers, they are good rifles. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 11, 2012, 03:40 PM	#3
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	Remember that you carry a hunting rifle more than you shoot it. Strike a balance in weight and recoil. Get a good recoil pad and pad your shoulder when you shoot over a bench. When/if you do any mountain hunting you will be glad for the lighter rifle. Personally I would not want a hunting rifle for this country that weighed more than 7.25 lb with scope, sling and loaded. If that would be too light for a 30-06 then go to a .260 Rem. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

September 11, 2012, 07:09 PM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I have a SAKO Finnbear, and if this rifle is as good as a Finnbear, you will like it. Chuckhawks has comments on the SAKO 85 rifles. http://www.chuckhawks.com/sako_85_rifles.htm __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

September 11, 2012, 07:57 PM	#6
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	If you like the Sako, you made the right choice. I'm a lefty, and swear by my left handed 110 in 7mm Rem Mag, but I've heard nothing bad about Sako. While the. 30.06 does have some recoil, it isn't a cartridge that will beat you silly after a few shots no matter the gun weight. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 11, 2012, 06:06 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I think you made a fine choice. Recoil won' be a problem.

September 12, 2012, 02:38 AM	#7
lefteyedom Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 333	The Model 70 is currently being made in a left hand model now, The truth all the rifles list a good rifles, just get the one that you like best. __________________ Superman, you are a mean drunk Last edited by lefteyedom; September 12, 2012 at 02:53 AM.

September 12, 2012, 06:08 PM	#8
Rustle in the Bushes Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Location: Canada- West Posts: 175	No it isn't

September 12, 2012, 11:15 PM	#10
Bushmaster1313 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2008 Posts: 339	Not cheap http://www.eurooptic.com/sako-85-hun...hand-3006.aspx

September 13, 2012, 06:24 AM	#11
jehu Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Posts: 433	The best made and dependably accurate out of the box rifles, IMO, which do not need any aftermarket stock, trigger, or "tweeking" are pricey but you get what you pay for. You have chosen wisely.

September 13, 2012, 12:14 PM	#12
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	You are really handicapping the '06 in a 20" barrel. Get a 308. If you want to save a lot of money and get an OOB tack driver, get a Savage 116. My 16 put it's first 3 into .6".

September 13, 2012, 12:19 PM	#13
clamman Junior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Posts: 12	I have a Remington 700 leftie that I will NEVER part with.

September 13, 2012, 03:41 PM	#14
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	EXCELLENT choice! One of the best rifles made!

September 13, 2012, 06:19 PM	#15
Rustle in the Bushes Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Location: Canada- West Posts: 175	@Catfishman misunderstanding- I was addressing the post above when I said "no it isnt" as the win model 70 isnt currently offered in left hand. opinions are awesome man thanks for 'em Im wondering for the amount that the sako costs how much could I pimp that model 700? Bell and carlson stock, improved bolt/rebarrel? they make good custom jobs right? Last edited by Rustle in the Bushes; September 13, 2012 at 06:28 PM.

September 14, 2012, 09:22 AM	#17
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Why do you need our "validation"? Are your powers of reasoning not valid? Make your choice, evaluate it by firsthand observation.....

September 14, 2012, 09:44 AM	#18
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	I think maybe you might wish to reconsider the value you ascribe to the weight of the rifle in your evaluation of which one to get. If you find a fine rifle with a light weight, but are concerned about recoil, there are brakes which can be installed which will reduce recoil, and you won't have to carry a heavy rifle with you all day in the field, which in my estimation, really diminishes the hunt. Good luck in your decision, and I hope you and your rifle will do well together for many years.

September 14, 2012, 09:52 AM	#20
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	Probably you will be wearing a heavier jacket during hunting season, so recoil won't be an issue in the field. At the range, you might consider a shooting shirt. The choice of rifles in your list looks to be top notch. If one works for you, you should be fine. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

September 14, 2012, 09:55 AM	#21
tomrkba Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2011 Posts: 751	How are you going to shoot? A right handed rifle is perfect for left handed shooters in the prone position with a bipod. You do not need to remove your firing hand from the stock. If you're going to shoot from other positions, then a bolt on the left side is a good thing.