Rifle Selection

[Aleks]

Hey guys, new here. Looking into a .375 h&h rifle, specifically Sako 85 kodiak. Thoughts on Sako? Any other rifles you'd recommend chambered for the same caliber? Thanks!

 

[BnC 04]

First off a big Welcome!
Don't know much about Sako but I'm sure they make a good rifle.
Being a M70 die hard you can probably guess my suggestion.
Best to handle as many different manufactured rifles as you can and see what feels right and go from there.
Great pick of caliber I might add

 

[Aleks]

First off a big Welcome!
Don't know much about Sako but I'm sure they make a good rifle.
Being a M70 die hard you can probably guess my suggestion.
Best to handle as many different manufactured rifles as you can and see what feels right and go from there.
Great pick of caliber I might add

Thank you! I’ve heard some very good things about m70 wins but the only thing being difficult is that I need an all weather stock. I chose a 375 because I hunt in grizz country and need somethin with a little more stopping power than a 300 win mag in close quarters.

 

[BnC 04]

I have 3 375's, 1 is a syn/stainless for many AK bear hunts. It's the classic they produced several years back.

 

[Luvthunt]

Consider the Kimber Talkeetna, bought one and it has been all I can ask.

 

[Eric Anderson]

Hey guys, new here. Looking into a .375 h&h rifle, specifically Sako 85 kodiak. Thoughts on Sako? Any other rifles you'd recommend chambered for the same caliber? Thanks!

Ruger’s Alaskan model in .375 Ruger are also awesome rifles, if you reload. The factory ammunition available is great for non dangerous game.
Many here have had very bad experiences with Hornady DGS and DGX bullets though. I just reload CEB and Barnes TSX and never had anything but stellar performance out of them.

I love Hornady non dangerous game bullets though.

 

[Aleks]

Ruger’s Alaskan model in .375 Ruger are also awesome rifles, if you reload. The factory ammunition available is great for non dangerous game.
Many here have had very bad experiences with Hornady DGS and DGX bullets though. I just reload CEB and Barnes TSX and never had anything but stellar performance out of them.

I love Hornady non dangerous game bullets though.

Ruger makes pretty solid guns in my opinion. I have heard many bad things about Hornady DGS/DGX. I’ll definitley steer clear from those!

 

[Aleks]

I have 3 375's, 1 is a syn/stainless for many AK bear hunts. It's the classic they produced several years back.

What are you thoughts on Montana rifles?

 

[Eric Anderson]

Ruger makes pretty solid guns in my opinion. I have heard many bad things about Hornady DGS/DGX. I’ll definitley steer clear from those!

If you reload, it is an amazing rifle. If you buy one in a plains game caliber, you can use hornady ammunition with confidence.

 

[BnC 04]

What are you thoughts on Montana rifles?

Have friends that love their Montana's. Depends on likes/wants and how much greenbacks you want to invest in a rifle.

 

[Adrian]

Sako are a quality manufacturer of firearms.
They are very popular in the UK and Europe for good reason.
Dependable and reliable and manufactured to high standards.
I don't own one but I've used one and know plenty of people that are owners and noone has had anything but good things to say about them.
The 75 model was a better gun and the second hand market for these is good but the 85 is still a fine rifle.

 

[meigsbucks]

My .375 is an old Sako LV. It is light but I’ve not had any feeding / ejection issues even though it isn’t controlled round feed. Initially it gave OK accuracy but glass bedding the recoil lug area improved the accuracy by about .2”.
Fit and finish is better than the average production rifle
and the action has always been pretty smooth. The trigger is pretty crisp. Bottom line.. I’d buy again.
If I were to buy another .375, it would be the Montana Rifle Co.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Best to handle as many different manufactured rifles as you can and see what feels right and go from there.

This!

 

[CAustin]

I have a 375 H&H Ruger #1 and absolutely love it.

 

[Rock375]

I have heard an watched YouTube videos of guys complaining about the Sako Kodiak ejected brass hitting the scope. This sometimes results in the brass falling back into the magazine area and jamming the bolt. The Sako doesn’t have a true control round feed like the Winchester model 70. I have a couple of Model 70 Winchesters and would highly recommended them. I also have a Kimber Caprivi in 375 H&H with control round feed and would recommend it as well.

 

[AWLee]

I have a Ruger Alaskan 375 Ruger that I've carried a bit in AK. It's hard to beat for the money. Worthwhile improvements are Alaska Arms QD rings and MPI stock.
As to ammo, it's hard to beat the versatility of Barnes TSX 270 grain bullets in either the H&H or Ruger. Doubletap loads that bullet for both cartridges.

 

[One Day...]

Welcome to the mad house Aleks.

There are many threads covering this most classic question. One of the most recent is:
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/advice-for-375-h-h-purchase-needed.47727/

I suspect that you will enjoy reading it.