Shopping for my first plains game rifle - Thoughts on this Sako A-iii 30-06?

[steve white]

Since you are considering...what is the caliber on the stutzen stocked Sako to the left?

 

[JG26Irish_2]

You are looking at many high quality classic rifles and with that in mind you are on the right track. I love the old Belgian FN Brownings and have two of them myself in 375HH and 308. They can be had in your price range just check them closely for rust since some of the old Brownings wood was saltwater contaminated. Most of those rusted away years ago but just beware.

Another very fine option is the Husqvarna Swedish Mauser. Available in a variety of calibers such as the Swedish 6.5x55, the 7x57 Mauser, or the 30-06 to name a few. I acquired one last year in 30-06 and was stunned how well the 60 odd year old rifle shoots. They are less costly than say a Pre-64 Model 70 but are every bit as good or better. The Husky shoots 180g ammo of many types very well and hits hard even at 400y. It is sub moa with about any ammo.

Husqvarna 30-06​

3sh Grp @ 100y - Barnes TTSX 180g​

3sh Grp @ 400y - Fed Fusion 180g​

 

[CBH Australia]

Have you picked it up yet? How does it shoot?

I’m sure it will be perfectly adequate and good value.

 

[BradJ]

Sako makes Tikkas and I like Tikkas a lot.

That being said, have you looked at the Ruger Guide gun in 30-06, I have one in .375 Ruger, and it shoots nice.

I imagine a 30-06 version of he Ruger would be very soft shooting, and it comes standard with express sights and Ruger’s own quick release scope rings.

Might be sweet to get one in 30-06 and one in .375 Ruger, matching rifles for plains and dangerous game.

Appearance is subjective but I love the green laminate stock on stainless steel barrel aesthetics

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/84853/ruger+hkm77rsg+3006+guide+stainless+steel

Yes that would be sweet! Thanks for the reply!

Wow that from the photos looks amazing good condition for an original rifle, are you sure it hasn’t been refinished, as they stopped making AIII in 1982 ?

Actually even if it is a L691 it is still in amazing condition !

But really if the barrel is in excellent condition it will be a great rifle & caliber for your trip, if indeed it is a as new AIII it will be collectable in that fine condition !

By the way the Sako 75s are excellent rifles to for non DG, the Key Concept/System wasn’t fitted to them all & I have a few with them fitted, they have never been a problem other than looking like Shit !

I believe it is new, but I am planning a trip over there hopefully this week and I'm going to investigate more. Thanks for the reply!

Since you are considering...what is the caliber on the stutzen stocked Sako to the left?

I'm planning a trip back over there and will find out.

Have you picked it up yet? How does it shoot?

I’m sure it will be perfectly adequate and good value.

Not yet!

You are looking at many high quality classic rifles and with that in mind you are on the right track. I love the old Belgian FN Brownings and have two of them myself in 375HH and 308. They can be had in your price range just check them closely for rust since some of the old Brownings wood was saltwater contaminated. Most of those rusted away years ago but just beware.

Another very fine option is the Husqvarna Swedish Mauser. Available in a variety of calibers such as the Swedish 6.5x55, the 7x57 Mauser, or the 30-06 to name a few. I acquired one last year in 30-06 and was stunned how well the 60 odd year old rifle shoots. They are less costly than say a Pre-64 Model 70 but are every bit as good or better. The Husky shoots 180g ammo of many types very well and hits hard even at 400y. It is sub moa with about any ammo.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I appreciate it. I'll definitely check out the Belgian FN Brownings.

It looks like that Mauser shoots phenomenal!

 

[dchum]

Yes that would be sweet! Thanks for the reply!

I believe it is new, but I am planning a trip over there hopefully this week and I'm going to investigate more. Thanks for the reply!

I'm planning a trip back over there and will find out.

Not yet!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I appreciate it. I'll definitely check out the Belgian FN Brownings.

It looks like that Mauser shoots phenomenal!

Haha it will not be new! But that’s not a bad thing.

That’s just how good of condition it’s in

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Yes that would be sweet! Thanks for the reply!

I believe it is new, but I am planning a trip over there hopefully this week and I'm going to investigate more. Thanks for the reply!

I'm planning a trip back over there and will find out.

Not yet!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I appreciate it. I'll definitely check out the Belgian FN Brownings.

It looks like that Mauser shoots phenomenal!

The Mauser shoots a bit better than the Browning does but both are effective. I took five plains game animals in Limpopo with the 308 caliber Browning on my first Safari and that included two taken in night hunts. All were one shot kills using Federal Fusion 180g bonded lead core ammo. My longest shot was a Gemsbok at 202y. It ran only 60y. The Browning is prettier than the Husqvarna but only after I refinished the stock. I have not yet molested the Husky. I had planned on taking the Husky with me to Africa this year but in the end, I became enamored with a little Carbon-Titanium ultra light weight in 7mm/08. It did fine in Africa but in the end, I think the Husqvarna in 30-06 is a better choice for plains game in Africa. If/when I return for another Safari, the 30-06 will most likely accompany me on the trip.

It is worth noting that the Husqvarna made in Sweden utilized a FN Belgian Mauser action during its production during the time mine was produced. So they all had the nice Mauser style CRF action. Some of the later produced Brownings also switched to the push feed style action as it was the next new thing at the time and was used in late production Brownings about 1969-71?

Below is a pic of the Brownings. They came in Safari Grade with plain, straight grain walnut or Medallion Grade with a more fancy look. They also came in an Olympian Grade which was so ornate as to be impractical for field use and more suited to display only. My 308 is the nice Medallion Grade and my 375 is the much more plain Safari Grade.

FN Browning 375HH Safari Grade on Left & 308 Medallion Grade on Right

Close up of the Browning 308 in its element in Africa​

 

[Hififile324]

My favorite rifle brand! I have several Sako rifles, all shoot very well, and are 100% reliable. You are looking at a fine rifle that will serve you well. Buy it now!

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Sako makes a fine rifle. I have three of them plus two others that are built on a clone of the Sako 85 action. There is a lot to love about them and most of mine are some of the most accurate rifles I own. But... I have a Sako 85 in 338wm that I am not yet in love with. I did not like the type of mounts required for the Sako action. It limited the choices of rings that I could find in 34mm to fit my chosen scope. It is also not as accurate as the others. I have not had it long and am still working on getting it to shoot up to my expectations. Also, the fixed ejector is too short to kick the spent brass out of the action with any authority. If I yank the bolt back like I am mad at it the case will barely flop out most of the time but at least one shot in 10 leaves the case in the action. I know it is not a DG rifle and so, I am not trusting it with my life but, I would expect better from such an otherwise fine piece. My Sako clone rifles do not suffer this ejection issue. In fact they work better than most.

Sako makes a fine rifle and if you are limited to only new rifles, it is one of the best available but, it is not perfect. Go in aware of the issues.

 

[Nyati]

Sako´s are great rifles, I also prefer the L61R.

The .270 is a fine plains game cartridge.

 

[dchum]

Sako´s are great rifles, I also prefer the L61R.

The .270 is a fine plains game cartridge.

.270 is fine, correct

Luckily the rifle op shared is a 30-06 which is even better!

 

[Nyati]

.270 is fine, correct

Luckily the rifle op shared is a 30-06 which is even better!

The L61R shown in the pic is a .270

 

[dchum]

The L61R shown in the pic is a .270

Yes and I’m glad he’s getting the 30-06

 

[steve white]

Sako makes a fine rifle. I have three of them plus two others that are built on a clone of the Sako 85 action. There is a lot to love about them and most of mine are some of the most accurate rifles I own. But... I have a Sako 85 in 338wm that I am not yet in love with. I did not like the type of mounts required for the Sako action. It limited the choices of rings that I could find in 34mm to fit my chosen scope. It is also not as accurate as the others. I have not had it long and am still working on getting it to shoot up to my expectations. Also, the fixed ejector is too short to kick the spent brass out of the action with any authority. If I yank the bolt back like I am mad at it the case will barely flop out most of the time but at least one shot in 10 leaves the case in the action. I know it is not a DG rifle and so, I am not trusting it with my life but, I would expect better from such an otherwise fine piece. My Sako clone rifles do not suffer this ejection issue. In fact they work better than most.

Sako makes a fine rifle and if you are limited to only new rifles, it is one of the best available but, it is not perfect. Go in aware of the issues.

Well, the 85 was known to bang the cases against scope dialing projections etc.
Agree that Sakos are not perfect, fanboy clubs notwithstanding. I have had two--both of them had no contact on one of the two recoil lugs! Neither was very accurate by Tikka standards, though to be fair they were both bought used and no one ever sold a gun because it was TOO accurate, lol.

 

[BradJ]

Since you are considering...what is the caliber on the stutzen stocked Sako to the left?

Here is the info on the one you asked about.

I drove down today and am picking up the 30-06

 

[wesheltonj]

Here is the info on the one you asked about.

I drove down today and am picking up the 30-06

That is a nice SAKO! I'm tempted myself.

 

[Sarg]

Here is the info on the one you asked about.

I drove down today and am picking up the 30-06

Wow that is in awesome condition & very good buying if you like full stocks, is the sticker price $1110 ?

Saying full stock, the Sakos are split into two under the barrel band as I remember, I had a 222Rem way back it wasn’t a good shooter & all my other Sako 222 are/were tack drivers .

Almost bought one in Anchorage in .375 H&H long ago & pleased I didn’t now, it had a very short barrel !

 

[BradJ]

Thanks everyone for the help! I made the trip today and bought the 30-06. Beautiful rifle. He came down $100 and knocked the taxes off so I paid $1,395 out the door for the combo.

 

[steve white]

Thanks everyone for the help! I made a trip today and bought the 30-06. Beautiful rifle. He came down $100 and knocked the taxes off so I paid $1,395 out the door for the combo.

Good. Now go knock something down!

 

[dchum]

Now get her some ammo - she’s hungry

Midway USA just shipped 3 boxes of 30-06 168gr Barnes to my door in 2 days. Thats Amazon prime speed lol

Free shipping.

 

[BradJ]

Now get her some ammo - she’s hungry

Midway USA just shipped 3 boxes of 30-06 168gr Barnes to my door in 2 days. Thats Amazon prime speed lol

Free shipping.

I was blew away the 1st time I ordered through Midway. Very fast. I love that place.