Sako 338 or 375

Cowtown guy · #1 08-12-2012, 03:11 PM

I am buying a big gun and I want some opinions while narrowing it down.

Bavarian, Grey Wolf or Brown Bear? Set trigger on the Bavarian and a beautiful oil rub walnut. 24 3/8" barrel on the first 2 and 21 1/4 on the Brown Bear. Laminate doesn't break my heart if I ding it like beautiful walnut might.

.338WM or .375H&H? Recoil appears to be similar. Chuck Hawke's table has them very close for recoil foot lbs and recoil velocity I reload so the ammo doesn't matter much really. The animals I shot in Africa with the PH's .375H&H didn't seem destroyed by the big bullets. Never killed anything with a .338WM so don't know what to expect there.

HELP! Please! I know its a hel of a dilemma but the missus is on board so I'm running with it.

Lefty · #2 08-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Both calibers work very well. I chose the 375 out of the two for a couple reasons. Came in a left handed rifle (the 338 didn't back then) and as it has a lot more history, and personally I think the case is prettier. If one ever does go to Africa then you have a gun that you can take and you don't have to borrow one. Buying again I wouldn't hesitate to chose the same caliber, however if a bunch of my buddies had 375's I'd probably go with the 338 in a lefty just to be able to tease them about the 338 being better.

HIBACKPACKER · #3 08-12-2012, 05:26 PM

x2 on the 375 for African stuff.

Ryry4 · #4 08-12-2012, 05:37 PM

I've never shot a 375 H&H, I have Ruger's version. From what I've read they are very close in recoil. I hated the 338 I had, it seemed to be a more violent recoil where as the 375 is more of a solid push. I prefer to shoot my 375 over the 338 I had.

And the Bavarian's are beautiful rifles.

Cowtown guy · #5 08-12-2012, 08:41 PM

I gotta say that I am leaning favorably toward the Bavarian in .375H&H. It also has a very crisp set trigger that is only an option on the others. I like the idea of the longer tube as well.

I love my wife!

cal33 · #6 08-12-2012, 08:43 PM

.338 for me. Love mine, use it for everything. Contrary to common belief, that big tough bullet does very little meat damage. One nice neat hole, good exit for blood trailing. Recoil not bad at all and I'm a small guy! Just under 9 pounds loaded, scope and sling. (that's my rifle, not me.). Would love a. 375 though. Think I would like mine in traditional safari style though with sights and barrel band swivel.

martinbns · #7 08-12-2012, 09:24 PM

375H&H is far cooler than a 338 win mag.

Any of the rifles are great, I had a bavarian for a while and it didn't fit me very well. I had a hard time getting my cheek in the right place in the stock. I bought it because I don't care for the straight stock on the 85.

The previous semi monte carlo Sako stock fit me like a glove.

MattSako · #8 08-12-2012, 09:29 PM

i own a Sako chambered 375 h&h its 1 of my favorite, great cartridge .. Recoil more than a 338 win mag too.

Bradleytank · #9 08-12-2012, 09:46 PM

I'd go with the .375 in a barvarian.

wwbirds · #10 08-12-2012, 09:55 PM

I am a big fan of Sako rifles and own one. However and this is not a slur against Sako I read a PH report from SA and they almost all prefer a BRNO ZKK 602 375 because they are incredibly reliable ( I understand that is quite important for dangerous game) . I see them for sale quite frequently on CGN and occassionally here. Price is usually right as many acquire them and then after one of two trips to Africa they sit in the safe for 20 years. Seen them for $900. Daryl.
Rob

Cowtown guy · #11 08-12-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradleytank

I'd go with the .375 in a barvarian.

Missed you for ribs the other day.

Bradleytank · #12 08-12-2012, 10:33 PM

Yeah. have to go another day for sure. These nights just wipe out

Ice Fishing Maniac · #13 08-13-2012, 07:49 AM

Congrats on purchasing a Sako rifle. I think for practicality I would go Brown Bear or Greyolf. I love the grey/black of the Greywolf (have a couple in m75 model). The Brown Bear looks great too..I handled one a few weeks ago. Couldnt say on caliber as I have never shot a 375HH but if you are leaning towards a African trip I would maybe lean more 375.

greylynx · #14 08-13-2012, 04:49 PM

.338 WM. The perfect western Canadian gun.

Cowtown guy · #15 08-13-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

I am a big fan of Sako rifles and own one. However and this is not a slur against Sako I read a PH report from SA and they almost all prefer a BRNO ZKK 602 375 because they are incredibly reliable ( I understand that is quite important for dangerous game) . I see them for sale quite frequently on CGN and occassionally here. Price is usually right as many acquire them and then after one of two trips to Africa they sit in the safe for 20 years. Seen them for $900. Daryl.
Rob

Apparently I don't participate enough. I followed all of their instructions and they still sent me a PM saying I was denied.

leeelmer · #16 08-13-2012, 09:17 PM

Not sure about now but 2 years ago i tryed to get a bavarian in 338 or 375 and was told there were none in canada and none of the dealers were interested in getting me one i was told that none in canada and the suppliers were not planning on bringing them in. So i ordered a copper rifle insted. I am certain i will like it just as much and maybe more

markswoman · #17 08-13-2012, 09:35 PM

That's what I was thinking. And it will take a very long time to bring one in from Europe.
For Africa I would definitely go with a .375 H&H, the ammo is available everywhere there.
I would NOT use a set trigger for big game hunt.

300-510 · #18 08-13-2012, 09:38 PM

Sako 85 kodiak,375 hh of course.

Cowtown guy · #19 08-18-2012, 02:10 PM

So after much thinking and rethinking I have decided to buy a Sako Bavarian in .375 H&H. Popped in my order form today with my cc # so when the Finnish folk get to shipping one over I'll be happy as a piggy in a poo pile.

Now... What scope???

Opinions?

I thought of going with a VX3 1.5-5x20 for that more classical big bore look but I don't know if I like how it looks. The rifle has beautiful wood and really sleek lines.

What do you folks think would look the best on that gun? I thought of a Z3 also and the Zeiss line. I am currently leaning towards the zeiss but these decisions are kiling me. I have ordered Optilock bases and Optilock medium rings to get above the rear sight.

markswoman · #20 08-18-2012, 06:53 PM

If money does not really matter I would definitely go with the Zeiss, like the Victory HT 1.1-4x24. Zeiss gives a lifetime warranty and especially if light conditions are bad you will see the difference to other scopes. It also comes with an illuminated red dot. That would be my choice.

Lefty · #21 08-18-2012, 09:15 PM

Got a Leupold straight 6X on mine for the past 20 some years and it's held up to a lot of abuse, and I really like all the eye relief the scope has. This rifle has seen a number of days in a saddle, and a lot of use out of the saddle as well. I am partial to a straight power scope on this rifle as less chance of something going wrong with the scope. My rifles that don't get taken on long hunts away from roads do have variables.

Rooiwater · #22 08-20-2012, 12:06 AM

I have only hunted in Africa and more in southern Africa. I do not own a 338, but know that they are good for lion and all plains game. A 375H&H in the hands of an experienced hunter is unstoppable. Many PH's and game wardens use them. I have the Ruger MkII Express and will never part with it.

If you can afford both - buy both, if not, go for the 375. I suppose that ammo in America is not a problem, but if you hunt in places like Africa, you can expect problems in some areas for the 338. The 375 is very popular out here and ammo is not a problem.

Good luck.

Dean2 · #23 08-20-2012, 06:32 AM

375 is fully capable to 500 yrds. I would not limit it to too low powered a scope. The Swaro Z5 cpme in 3.5x18 and the Z6 in 2x12 or 2.5 x 15. They will give you good field of view up close and good magnification for longer distance.

Cowtown guy · #24 08-20-2012, 09:45 PM

I have a Conquest 4.5-14x44 on another rifle and I really like it. I am kinda thinking that maybe that is the way to go. I was thinking of the Z3 but its just a little more than I want to spend. Let's face it, most of my shooting with this rig will be inside 300 yards. Even if it is capable of longer, that would be the exception and not the norm.

jim-bo · #25 08-21-2012, 01:23 PM

Did you opt for the 1" rings or the 30mm?

Because if you got the 30mm's then you can keep the classic look with a half decent objective

If not then why not just maybe toss on a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest? Seeing that you like that 4.5x14 so much. heck even the z600 would be good out to about tree fiddy