Has Sako stopped producing their big bore ammo?

[Northern Shooter]

I know that Sako had been producing Sako branded 416 Rigby, 450 Rigby and 500 Jeffery ammo.

Were these discontinued when the Sako 85 was discontinued?

I've been on the hunt for quality partitions for my 416 Rigby and the Sako ammo is the only option that I've seen loaded with Swift A Frames.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes. Now, they only manufacture a 260Gr monolithic expanding factory load for the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. I checked their website this morning for the exact same reason, coincidentally.

 

[mark-hunter]

O man, bad news after bad news.

First CZ 550 gets phased out. Safari world was shocked.

Then Sako 85 gets phased out (and entire line of Sako 85 big bore calibers)
Next, Sako big bore ammo gets phased out.

So, now: They are producing 375 HH ammo, just because they have new Sako 90, in that caliber?

Most probably, new marketing policy from berreta, who just happens to own Holland and Holland and Sako in the same time.
Another push of blue collars from dangerous game rifle and ammunition market.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

O man, bad news after bad news.

First CZ 550 gets phased out. Safari world was shocked.

Then Sako 85 gets phased out (and entire line of Sako 85 big bore calibers)
Next, Sako big bore ammo gets phased out.

So, now: They are producing 375 HH ammo, just because they have new Sako 90, in that caliber?

Most probably, new marketing policy from berreta, who just happens to own Holland and Holland and Sako in the same time.
Another push of blue collars from dangerous game rifle and ammunition market.

And Norma now uses round nosed monolithic solids for their big bore caliber factory loaded ammunition, as opposed to their previous (and more efficient) flat nosed monolithic solids.

 

[Northern Shooter]

O man, bad news after bad news.

First CZ 550 gets phased out. Safari world was shocked.

Then Sako 85 gets phased out (and entire line of Sako 85 big bore calibers)
Next, Sako big bore ammo gets phased out.

So, now: They are producing 375 HH ammo, just because they have new Sako 90, in that caliber?

Most probably, new marketing policy from berreta, who just happens to own Holland and Holland and Sako in the same time.
Another push of blue collars from dangerous game rifle and ammunition market.

I feel like I stumbled down this big bore/dangerous game rifle rabbit hole at the wrong time.

I've made similar posts relating to this before but it seems like Ruger M77s and Winchester Model 70s are all that's left today at an affordable price point.

Other than the 375HH, there are no other classic dangerous game cartridges available in affordable packages following the discontinuation of both the CZ550 and Sako 85 product lines.

Want a new 416 Rigby or 505 Gibbs rifle today? Looking at $10,000+ Heyms, ParkWest Arms etc.

Looks like the thinning of the ammo selection is in response to the limited mass produced rifles available today in these cartridges.

Thank god for Barnes and Hornady, they continue to be readily available, for now.

 

[mark-hunter]

This is true. I am under the same impression.
Dangerous game rifle choice is becoming ever more difficult subject for safari aficionados on a budget.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Bizarre to think, but maybe an R8 with a couple of barrels is the new 'budget rifle'...

 

[Daniel Cary]

Does anyone have a thought about Mr. Sundles 500's?
Thank you.

500 JEFFREY

500 JEFFREY Field Proven rifle and gun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for rifles and guns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business. BUFFALO-BARNES

www.buffalobore.com

 

[AZDAVE]

@Daniel Cary Since I reload for my 500 I hadn't given thought to the Buffalo Bore option, His load should be a hammer on what ever you shoot with it. I like the look of the Custom 500 by Duane Wiebe!

 

[D.M.V]

+1 on hand loading for yourself. I think everyone should. You truly find your shooting more rewarding when you make your own rounds

 

[Northern Shooter]

+1 on hand loading for yourself. I think everyone should. You truly find your shooting more rewarding when you make your own rounds

Reloading is definately on my short list for 2024.

I've dropped well over $10,000 on 375HH, 458 WinMag (600+ rounds) and 416 ammo over the last 2 years.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Are the Norma 450 grain partitions also discontinued? Can't seem to find any in stock.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Are the Norma 450 grain partitions also discontinued? Can't seem to find any in stock.

Yes.

 

[Northern Shooter]

That is unfortunately. The Norma 450gr were the only factory loads that I was aware of that deviated from the standard 400gr loads.

I'm surprised there aren't more factory loadings for the 416 cal.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Reloading is definately on my short list for 2024.

I've dropped well over $10,000 on 375HH, 458 WinMag (600+ rounds) and 416 ammo over the last 2 years.

still .. I believe that's a good investment. I've been anticipating some kind of hault, or difficulty in availability.

 

[Northern Shooter]

To add to this worrying trend, I just visited the Barnes website and noticed that their entire Safari line of ammunition from 375HH to 500NE are all showing Out of Stock.

Hopefully this is just the result of them being between production runs and aren't discontinuing this product line.

 

[Northern Shooter]

2025: Update.

It appears Nosler continues to thin its “Dangerous Game” line of cartridges, now only offering 9.3x62, 375HH, 416 RemMag and 470NE.

Have we seen any others leave the market in recent months?

 

[mark-hunter]

This is good news for Hornady and Norma!

 

[Northern Shooter]

This is good news for Hornady and Norma!

Hornady and Norma are starting to belong to a rather exclusive club, providing the full spectrum of DG cartridges.

Others like Barnes continue to offer a handful as well; 375HH, 416 Rigby, 416 RemMag, 458 WinMag, 458 Lott, 470NE and 500NE.

However it looks like about half of those are showing as out of stock on their website.

Do any other major ammo manufactures offer a similar level of DG cartridges?

 

[Pirkan]

I know that Sako had been producing Sako branded 416 Rigby, 450 Rigby and 500 Jeffery ammo.

Were these discontinued when the Sako 85 was discontinued?

I've been on the hunt for quality partitions for my 416 Rigby and the Sako ammo is the only option that I've seen loaded with Swift A Frames.

I had the opportunity to shoot the sako 90 at the world premiere and talk to some guys from Sako. They assured me that the 90 will be sold with an XL action in calibers bigger than 375 HH but couldn't say when it'd be available so hopefully they're released soon.