Some CZ questions

[Aaron N]

I'd get the Model 70. If it's real wet where you'll be hunting have it Cerakoted and fitted for a synthetic stock. If it's like Colorado, snowy but not wet, no reason not to leave it blued/walnut.

This is just me, and to each their own, but a gun should have a wooden stock.

I see that Leduc is south of Edmonton, eh

At Cabelas in Edmonton, they have listed online three rifles in 375 H&H: Weatherby Vanguard 2 for $612, Winchester Model 70 Alaskan for $1600 and a Sako 85 Bavarian for $2550. I'm guessing those are all in Canadian dollars, eh. You don't see too much mention of Vanguards on this site, but they are quality, accurate rifles.

I was going to go to the store and look at the Model 70 they have, I believe the only caliber in stock at the moment was .30-06, just to see how the actions were and check the fit, but I didn't end up making it. I haven't noticed very many mentions about the Sako's on here in all the .375 threads.

 

[PeteG]

I haven't noticed very many mentions about the Sako's on here in all the .375 threads.

The Sako's are great rifles. In my opinion, they are certainly a better quality rifle than both the CZ and Winchester.
Not to say that CZ or Winchester are not good.
There are many variants of the Sako 85 to choose from.
If you can choose between the three (or more), then your best bet is to handle each of them and if possible shoot them. Choose what you like best.

 

[colorado]

Never had a Sako, I love my CZ, the only Model 70 we have is a LH M70 Classic stainless/synthetic in 416 Rem I bought my oldest (lefty) son. He likes it just fine. We have two Rem BDLs in 270 and a Rem XCR II in 375 as well. We like those as well. Only rifle I've ever sold was a Ruger, it just wouldn't shoot.

 

[Aaron N]

So I stopped by my local cabelas to do some browsing, they didn't have anything in a .375, but they did have a model 70 in .30-06, a Sako Bavarian in .338, and a CZ 550 Lux in .30-06.

The Winchester shouldered nicely, and had a nice action. It felt a little light, and after finally seeing one, I'm not sure what the big deal is about the three position safety. Maybe I'm missing something here.

The Sako was also a nice gun, but for 2500 one would expect control round feed, not push. This is the second time I've looked at them, and can't understand why they command their price tag, but once again, I may be missing something.

The CZ was the heaviest of the bunch, which I don't mind. The action seemed a little rougher than the Winchester, but people say they break in nicely. This gun was scoped, and one thing I noticed was that the cheek piece was in line for using the iron sights, so it felt as if I had to lift my head a tad to look through the scope. Has anyone else felt this way while shouldering one?

Sorry for my ramblings....

 

[AB2506]

Sako 85 is controlled round feed.
CZ Bavarian is designed to be used with iron sights.

 

[colorado]

My CZ 550 American in 500 Jeff with medium Talley QR rings comes up with a natural easy sight picture with my Leupold 1.5-5x, just like my old BDL in 270 does. Really depends on whether it's a humpback or American style stock and the scope/ring combination on it.

 

[enysse]

I mounted my CZ with really low rings, on low power I can see the front sight in the scope but it doesn't bother me I just ignore it. I don't have to pull my head off the scope.

 

[Aaron N]

Sako 85 is controlled round feed.
CZ Bavarian is designed to be used with iron sights.

Well then the guy at the counter didn't know what he was talking about! He said it wasn't.

 

[Scott Slough]

Well then the guy at the counter didn't know what he was talking about! He said it wasn't.

Wow ... a gun counter dude who didn't know what he was talking about !!!! Now you know where to go for gun advice ... but be warned you may need a bigger safe!

 

[Aaron N]

He even looked on the computer!

 

[bassasdaindia]

I mounted my CZ with really low rings, on low power I can see the front sight in the scope but it doesn't bother me I just ignore it. I don't have to pull my head off the scope.

what " really low rings" did you use as I can not find rings lower than medium ?

 

[enysse]

They are probably medium rings, I know they just got the scope to clear the 3 leafs on front sight.

 

[Desperatezulu]

I haven't noticed very many mentions about the Sako's on here in all the .375 threads.

There's a good reason for that - Sako's tend to be rather light and once you get into the bigger cals (such as 375) they tend to be very snappy on recoil. Nicely made guns and all that but designed for smaller calibres IMHO. I'd guess that 338 Sako that you saw would be a teeth-rattler too.

As has been said a number of times already on this thread - you won't go wrong with the CZ. At worst it may need a bit of smoothing out on the action, which you can do yourself. Get the straight stock if you plan on scoping it, otherwise the Bavarian stock is fine for open sights.

 

[PeteG]

He even looked on the computer!

I suspect he made a teeny tiny mistake...
The Sako is controlled feed
http://www.sako.fi/rifles/sako-85/85-bavarian

The three position safety makes it possible to chamber a round / remove a round from the chamber without taking the safety off.
I dont think the CZ can.
The Sako has a release button so you can do this as well.

The mod 70 375 may be heavier than the 30-06.

The CZ will be heavier, which most on here will say is a good thing. I prefer a lighter rifle. This is why i suggest handling all that you are looking at before you buy.
I would prefer to trim down the weight on my CZ, if i keep it.

 

[bassasdaindia]

They are probably medium rings, I know they just got the scope to clear the 3 leafs on front sight.

I am sure that they are Medium , as far as I know no one makes low rings . I can not confirm this however I think it has to do with the low rings and bases would touch the bolt when cycled .

 

[bassasdaindia]

Sako 85 is controlled round feed.
CZ Bavarian is designed to be used with iron sights.

I had a Sako Brown Bear in 375 h&h , although I liked the rifle with regards to weight and size , I eventually sold it .

I dislike the Sako ring and base mount system .

you are better off with either a Win or CZ , IMHO they are far less temperamental .

 

[enysse]

I am sure that they are Medium , as far as I know no one makes low rings . I can not confirm this however I think it has to do with the low rings and bases would touch the bolt when cycled .

I suspect if I had the sights removed and had the scope very low, you are right the bolt would be a problem.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Sako 85 is controlled round feed.
CZ Bavarian is designed to be used with iron sights.

Sako says it controlled round feed, but the truth is that's it's sort of a hybrid.

Chuck Hawks explains it: http://www.chuckhawks.com/sako_85_rifles.htm

 

[spike.t]

"It is not until about the last 1/4" of forward bolt travel that the Sako's extractor actually gets a firm grip on the case rim"

from chuckhawks link above. i got my 9.3x62 blackbear out and had a look. i agree it doesnt pick up the case fully till about then but it seems to have a hold on it from pick up even though not as strong as a mauser type. took some photos and sorry not great but not much light in the cellar and if the flash went off you couldnt see anything....also larry @bassasdaindia i find the sako scope mounts pretty easy as all you do is turn the locking levers and slide the scope back from the integral rails, and easy to put back just line up the rail and slide on till it stops and tighten locking levers....they are great little rifles nice and light at 7lbs with a nice 20 inch barrel and recoil is fine

 

[colorado]

I suspect you have medium rings too. I can see my front sight through the scope at 1.5 power too, doesn't bother me in the least, that large field of view is real nice when you're jump shooting elk in the black timber.