Back40

I'm a southpaw and torn between an Abolt stainless stalker and Sako 75 Hunter(only maple available for us lefties). I want a quality all weather gun. Will the Sako's maple stock handle wet weather w/o warping? Is it glass bedded? I know the Abolt SS can handle the weather but know it can not compare to the Sako in quality. Thanks for your feedback!

Solitary Man

That's a tough one. I have experience with both rifles. I currently own two 75's (both with walnut stocks) and I have in the past owned 2 Browning A Bolts. As far as the barrelled action is concerned I prefer the Sako hands down. However, I'm not sure I'd want to sit out in a soaking rain with a walnut stocked rifle.

You could, of course, restock the Sako, but by doing so you'd add another $300 or more to the already substantial price. A McMillan stock would really be nice though.

Another option is a gun cover. There's a product call a Gun Coat or something like that that covers the gun and is intended for use in inclimate weather. I've got one, but so far I've never used it. I wish I could remember the correct name for it. I'll look it up and post it.

Back40

Thanks Solitary.

Solitary Man

You're welcome and BTW, the Sako does not come bedded. However, the inletting on the 75's I've seen is very good, so bedding may not be necessary. I bedded both of my 75's myself because I just can't leave well enough alone and I like to tinker.

skeeter 7MM

Both are good rifles, since you said you want an ALL WEATHER gun I'd say stick with the Synthetic Stock - Abolt in this case. I have one and it has been an excellent rifle. Only thing I did was take the trigger down to 3 lbs, other than that it shoots excellent and has stood up very well. If you really like the Sako, I have a number of walnut stocked rifles and while I prefer the synthetic they haven't caused me any concerns. However the only rain I usually see is Elk season in sept and maybe the odd shower in oct or november. I do see lots of snow and below freezing temperatures though, I just wipe them down with lightly oiled rag and keep a preservative on the wood. Of course the other choice with a sako is replace the stock, buy a rh action or get a custom built on a sako action.

Really depends on how much moisture you get during an average season to really see if it that big of a concern & your pocket book

handloader1

I would go with the Sako. Good luck.

SAKO.308

Here is what you do. Buy the sako with the stainless in the wood stock. I think they make that for lefties.
If not buy the sako and coat and put a mcmillan on it after you save up for it.
If you truly want 1 rifle, I think this is it.

Rbou

could go with a weatherby mkv ultra lt.weight great gun

Solitary Man

The product I was thinking about is called a Gunbrella. Here's a link to it at eders:

http://www.eders.com/catalog/showdet...59&CATID=14899

As I mentioned, I've got one, but so far I haven't hunted in weather so bad that I needed to use it.