Rigby Highland Stalker vs Sako 85 Deluxe

[Red Leg]

In Australia you can buy 3 Sako 85 Deluxes for the price of 1 Rigby HS, so I don't see it as a valid comparison. Rigby is control feed, Sako is push feed. Rigby will hold its value, Sako is a very nice commercial rifle that will depreciate.
Both are available in 9.3X62 which is a classic cartridge for Africa.

What he said. Here too you can get a nice trio of Sako 85 Deluxes for the cost of the Rigby. Either in 30=06 will perform as advertised. But, it really is an apples to oranges comparison which is fine. I own examples of apples and oranges of a lot of different makes and calibers.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

In Australia you can buy 3 Sako 85 Deluxes for the price of 1 Rigby HS, so I don't see it as a valid comparison. Rigby is control feed, Sako is push feed. Rigby will hold its value, Sako is a very nice commercial rifle that will depreciate.
Both are available in 9.3X62 which is a classic cartridge for Africa.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Yes, not apples to apples.

My Rifle cost New:

First listing I found:

My rifle is Left Handed, but in excellent condition. Not sure where that leaves it for value…

 

[BlueFlyer]

Yes, the Sako 85 is a controlled-round feed rifle:

• Controlled-round feed
  The rim of the cartridge slides under the extractor and is held there while it is stripped from the magazine. This prevents double feeds and cartridge jams.
  
  
  Apologies for my ignorance, the Sako 85 is control feed. Never assume.

 

[coreydb]

Which would you choose and why?


In plains game calibers (308, 30-06, 7mm, 300wm, 7mm etc)


And what caliber is the best for most African plains game in your opinions?


I know people say 375 as you can play around with the grains but it'd be great to hear some different opinions.


My uncle swears by the 30-06, others by the 7mm


How about you all?

Pick your poison.....they all will do if you do. If you're like many of us, if you like one rifle/caliber, you want to try others....and usually do. I used a Savage Axis .308 with a modified metal hose clamp trigger guard to harvest Blesbok, wildebeest Oryx, and Kudu, ranges were from 60-270 yards. Another safari I used a Sako 85 375H&H to harvest a cape buffalo, sable and a wildebeest; a Howa 25.06 to harvest another wildebeest, hartebeest, and blesbok, all between 370 and 420 yards. ANY gun will do if you will do. My most comfortable caliber is my 30.06 and yet I've not shot any African game with it......yet. That's next.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What he said. Here too you can get a nice trio of Sako 85 Deluxes for the cost of the Rigby. Either in 30=06 will perform as advertised. But, it really is an apples to oranges comparison which is fine. I own examples of apples and oranges of a lot of different makes and calibers.

@Red Leg
I own a few apple and orange type rifles.
Hopefully unlike me you haven't got to many lemons. I know I've bought a couple of apples and oranges that turned out to be lemons.
They got squeezed on down the road.
Bob

 

[BeeMaa]

I would choose a 30 cal for plainsgame, either 30-06 or 300WM.
As for the Sako 85 v’s Highland Stalker I have never used a Highland Stalker. I did own a lovely Sako 85 Classic in 375h&h, damned thing would drop empty shells back in the action. Doesn’t anyone have issues with theirs?

@Longwalker had this issue and had it repaired. I believe it’s a problem with the extractor, but you should DM him for the specifics if he doesn’t respond.

 

[Bandera]

If you are picking one caliber, the 375 would be the one, you have decent selection of bullets. If you don’t plan on hunting DG, then the 30-06.

I was at the range last Tuesday shooting off the bench at 200 yards. 375 Ruger 270 grain hand loads. We have a 12” X 14” AR 500 hanging target. The 375 hits the steel like Thors Hammer.

Rifle most probably the SAKO 85 Classic simply due to the cost.