Wanting a new light weight rifle. Still confused on what to buy. Getting a 243 for sure. Have it narrowed down to either a Sako Finnlight or a Kimber 84M Classic. The Finnlight has a 20" barrel and weighs under 6lb and the Kimber has a 22" barrel and is also under 6lb. The Kimber has a wood stock and the Sako an all weather stock, which I like. But most important which of the gun would shoot the best as far as tight groups and which would have the smoothest most crisp trigger. I am wanting this for my little boy to deer hunt as well for me and him to coyote hunt. I will be downloading the ammo to like a 58 grain to 70 grain bullet. Anyone with any dealings on these 2 guns. Thanks
Sako or Kimber
- Thread starter magicroy
- Start date
Blind Dog Jake
New member
Is your son old enough to pick the one he likes?
Does one gun fit your son better than the other?
I would think a Sako or the Kimber would make a great starter rifle for anyone.
Does one gun fit your son better than the other?
I would think a Sako or the Kimber would make a great starter rifle for anyone.
The Kimber is also available in stainless/synthetic and is closer to 5 lbs. My 308 weighs under 6 lbs including the scope and mounts. The Kimber also gives you a full lenght barrel for better velocity. Some rounds can get by with a shorter barrel, but I'd want at least 22" on a 243. Kimber cut the weight by designing an action to fit specific cartridges, not by using short skinny barrels that hurt performancce and accuracy.
I'm sure Sako makes a good, great gun. But to get a USA made CRF rifle that shoots as well as the Kimbers makes this one easy for me. Buy the Kimber.
I'm sure Sako makes a good, great gun. But to get a USA made CRF rifle that shoots as well as the Kimbers makes this one easy for me. Buy the Kimber.
Saltydog235
New member
The Kimbers are fine rifles but they aren't Sako's. Get the Fin.
warbirdlover
New member
I don't think you can go wrong with either one.... 
Saltydog235
New member
Too bad you don't want a NIB .270 Win Sako 75.
This one needs a home and someone that likes a .270.
This one needs a home and someone that likes a .270.
Sako.
Since kimber split from the original "kimber of oregon" they've had too many QC issues with their rifles. Maybe 3 years ago IIRC i was in the same boat. Held a Kimber 84m and adored it, wanted one in .260rem. Turns out they stopped making them in .260rem but there was a controversy of reviews then also.
Sako will run you more but my 85 hunter has been flawless, sub-moa with every bullet i've tried, beautiful to look at topped with a zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44mm and i love the "medium" action. Because it allows you to seat bullets much longer than you would with a traditional remington.
If you are looking for a completely controlled round feed, the sako isn't. It's more of a mix. You can cause a double feed easy if your trying to. I prefer the 3-position safety of the kimber as opposed to the two position of the Sako.
I can get you some better pictures whenever i get home this i all i have at the moment and doesn't really do her justice. Though as pictured above i would take a classic 75 over the 85.
Since kimber split from the original "kimber of oregon" they've had too many QC issues with their rifles. Maybe 3 years ago IIRC i was in the same boat. Held a Kimber 84m and adored it, wanted one in .260rem. Turns out they stopped making them in .260rem but there was a controversy of reviews then also.
Sako will run you more but my 85 hunter has been flawless, sub-moa with every bullet i've tried, beautiful to look at topped with a zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44mm and i love the "medium" action. Because it allows you to seat bullets much longer than you would with a traditional remington.
If you are looking for a completely controlled round feed, the sako isn't. It's more of a mix. You can cause a double feed easy if your trying to. I prefer the 3-position safety of the kimber as opposed to the two position of the Sako.
I can get you some better pictures whenever i get home this i all i have at the moment and doesn't really do her justice. Though as pictured above i would take a classic 75 over the 85.
Well now to be fare i would take a kimber of oregon kimber love the finish on the wood, 3-position safety, and complete control feed. That being said idk if i'd take it over a nice Sako 75.
Point being as stated in the present yes sako over kimber every day of the week and twice on sunday.
love the finish on the wood, 3-position safety, and complete control feed. That being said idk if i'd take it over a nice Sako 75.Point being as stated in the present yes sako over kimber every day of the week and twice on sunday.
I would pick whichever fits you better. I never liked the rubber panels on the Finnlite's stock, but they do make ACCURATE reliable rifles with a certain cool factor because they're Scandinavian.
I'll brag on my Kimber now. I read all the negative reviews of the Kimber rifles, and have had 2 of their 1911's that jammed alot. However, I really wanted a lightweight 260 Rem, so I set out on a quest to find an old Kimber Montana or a used new production at a good price, figuring I'd have to rebarrel it to get it to shoot well.
Found a NIB 84M Montana on gunbroker and bought it, figured I'd take a chance. Happy to say it has ZERO problems, feeds and functions perfectly, and accuracy is sub-MOA with most loads. Topped with a Leupold VX-2 2-7x33 in Talley lightweight mounts the rifle weighs right at 6 lbs loaded, and carries like a dream. The Montana's stock is so good I don't think you could beat it aftermarket. I have noticed with this light a rifle the hold you use has a huge impact on accuracy however. This rifle can go from 0.6" groups with Berger VLD's to 3.0" groups depending on how you hold it pretty easily. It does NOT like to free recoil. I attribute this to light weight. It's a consistent performer when you hold it into your shoulder.
Just food for thought. Sako makes a fine rifle, and if you like it better there is no reason not to buy it, but this is one testimonial of a former Kimber hater who took a chance on one and has fallen in love.
I'll brag on my Kimber now. I read all the negative reviews of the Kimber rifles, and have had 2 of their 1911's that jammed alot. However, I really wanted a lightweight 260 Rem, so I set out on a quest to find an old Kimber Montana or a used new production at a good price, figuring I'd have to rebarrel it to get it to shoot well.
Found a NIB 84M Montana on gunbroker and bought it, figured I'd take a chance. Happy to say it has ZERO problems, feeds and functions perfectly, and accuracy is sub-MOA with most loads. Topped with a Leupold VX-2 2-7x33 in Talley lightweight mounts the rifle weighs right at 6 lbs loaded, and carries like a dream. The Montana's stock is so good I don't think you could beat it aftermarket. I have noticed with this light a rifle the hold you use has a huge impact on accuracy however. This rifle can go from 0.6" groups with Berger VLD's to 3.0" groups depending on how you hold it pretty easily. It does NOT like to free recoil. I attribute this to light weight. It's a consistent performer when you hold it into your shoulder.
Just food for thought. Sako makes a fine rifle, and if you like it better there is no reason not to buy it, but this is one testimonial of a former Kimber hater who took a chance on one and has fallen in love.
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