Sako vs. Weatherby

O

Oceandiver

Private
Minuteman
Sep 11, 2025
3
1
Indiana
#1
I am looking for a new rifle, have a lot of hiking in mind (caribou) as well as locally in Indiana during deer season.

I like 308 so I want to stick with that caliber.

Have it narrowed down to the Sako Quest, or the Weatherby Backcountry Guide Ti. Both have 20" barrels, the Sako is stainless, the Weatherby is carbon fiber. The Sako is about 6 pounds, the Weatherby is 5 pounds.

They are both around $3,500.00.

One minor plus for the Weatherby is that it has built in Spartan attachment points, I like Spartan bidpods.

Any opinions either way? Any specific positive or negative experiences with either one?
 
#5
I am a sako/tikka fan for production guns. Seen a lot of them come through classes and it's very rare for one not to shoot well. I also rarely see parts/hardware issues with them.

At 3500 bucks, you are hitting custom territory for price. Have you talked to Boswells, McWhorter, or any of the other houses that are known for their excellent lightweight hunting rifles?
 
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#6
4g64loser said:
I am a sako/tikka fan for production guns. Seen a lot of them come through classes and it's very rare for one not to shoot well. I also rarely see parts/hardware issues with them.

At 3500 bucks, you are hitting custom territory for price. Have you talked to Boswells, McWhorter, or any of the other houses that are known for their excellent lightweight hunting rifles?
Click to expand...
I checked those websites, beautiful rifles. But I would have a tough time getting to $6K ! But funny thing is, I'm saving the websites.
 
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#7
Oceandiver said:
I checked those websites, beautiful rifles. But I would have a tough time getting to $6K ! But funny thing is, I'm saving the websites.
Click to expand...
Speak to Boswell. Local ish to me. I haven't used him yet but one of my clients has 8 or 10 from his shop. Including a 280ai that weighs under 8lbs and shoots 5 round groups in the .3s (no kidding or exaggeration). The heavier PRS type rigs are unbelievable.

I was going to chamber this krieger Palma blank I picked up myself but I'm actually thinking about having Boswell do it so I can test the work over time myself.
 
#10
Oceandiver said:
Would you expand on that a little? Manner? Origin?
Click to expand...
Manners is a brand of stock
mannersstocks.com

Home

Manufacturer of hunting stocks, competition and tactical rifle stocks. Designed with ruggedness, stability, accuracy and ergonomics in mind.
mannersstocks.com mannersstocks.com

Origin is an action by zermatt
www.zermattarms.com

Zermätt Origin Action - Zermätt Arms Website

ORIGIN is a friendly priced custom action that utilizes many features included in the TL3 and SR3 line of actions. This receiver is available in the following configurations: – SHORT, MEDIUM or LONG action – RIGHT or LEFT hand – 223, 308, Magnum or PPC/SPC (Valkyrie) bolt heads – Swept bolt...
www.zermattarms.com www.zermattarms.com
 
#13
Maurygold said:
Those are both terrible choices for the money.

Custom gun with manner + Triggertech + origin + proof prefit > seekins > tikka

This is the way
Click to expand...

This is not the answer for everyone.

Sure it is good, but between stacking tolerances and trying to work through problems sucks royally when the finger pointing starts. Trust me.

Seekins has the best warranty in the business and customer service to back it up.

Tikka's are just a plain bargin for a factory rifle. Especially now since the aftermarket is growing.

My next rifle will probably be a tikka.
 
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#14
Not sure about Weatherby, but pray to whatever god(s) you pray to that you never need any sort of support for the Sako, or any other brand that Beretta services.......I had issues with a Sako s20, and it was a ridiculous shit show to try and get them address (which they still have not been) I love my TRG, but I doubt I'll ever buy another product that Beretta services.

Kind of like the service I got from Burris.......not surprisingly owned by Beretta......
 
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#15
jbuck88 said:
This is not the answer for everyone.

Sure it is good, but between stacking tolerances and trying to work through problems sucks royally when the finger pointing starts. Trust me.

Seekins has the best warranty in the business and customer service to back it up.

Tikka's are just a plain bargin for a factory rifle. Especially now since the aftermarket is growing.

My next rifle will probably be a tikka.
Click to expand...
FWIW, while I knew that they were good rifles by reputation, I bought a Tikka as much to see if all the hype was warranted as anything else. I personally think it is indeed . I bought a Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor primarily as a fun range rifle. It’s been terrific. Usual smooth Tikka action and excellent accuracy with loads it likes . Fortunately, those would include some of the more “ budget friendly “ ones. While not porky, if I was looking for a hunting rifle for long treks, I’d probably look for something a bit lighter ( then again, at 77 I’m not in the shape I once was! ). For a blind/ stand gun that didn’t involve a lot of walking , I think the SV would be terrific.
 
#16
ToddM said:
Not sure about Weatherby, but pray to whatever god(s) you pray to that you never need any sort of support for the Sako, or any other brand that Beretta services.......I had issues with a Sako s20, and it was a ridiculous shit show to try and get them address (which they still have not been) I love my TRG, but I doubt I'll ever buy another product that Beretta services.

Kind of like the service I got from Burris.......not surprisingly owned by Beretta......
Click to expand...
Well known as having the poorest customer service in the industry. A shame that Sako/Tikka are afflicted with them.
 
#18
I would go Seekins PH2 or PH3 or a Tikka T3 before spending $3500 on a Sako or Weatherby.


My first choice (and my safe proves it) is a Zermatt Origin (go Ti3 if you wanna save a few oz) , prefit barrel (light steel profile or Proof CF prefit), CF stock from Manners, and your choice of trigger. I run the TT Primary.
Run Hawkins M5 pattern hinged floor plate for lightest option. Or M5 or Hawkins Hunter DBM
To keep mine lighter, I run the Hawkins UL direct mount rings vs the rail and rings.


I have a tikka t3 in the safe.
Shoots very well.
Keep it as a loaner and back up (its not threaded to hunt with a can)
Would not hesitate to take it on any hunt and occasionally feel silly for the $$$ I have tied up in very nice and higher cost rifles that do the very same thing.

IF it was gonna be my main rifle, I would likely get an aftermarket stock with a grip I like more and easier to put a small arca rail on for tripod shooting. And would get it threaded. To me, trigger is fine for hunting after I adjusted it. Never changed the spring.
 
#19
Save money and get a Tikka T3x in whatever flavor you wish, if you want to get a stock rifle. The action is smooth, the trigger is good, they feed well, and the out of the box accuracy is very good.

I have several Tikka's as well as a Sako and unless you are willing to spend the $$$ for a very marginal improvement, Tikka is the way to go.

The typical recommended route here at SH is a custom action, prefit, etc. That is up to you whether the features of a factory rifle would be adequate or if this is again worth the extra $$$.

Tikka barrels are good quality, and their factory stocks are objectively serviceable in that they aren't too flexible and are reasonably stable as well.
 
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#27
Everyone loves tikkas and Sako’s until they need service.

I’ve handled one tikka, it seemed nicely built but as said, need service, hope you got a good gunsmith nearby who doesn’t charge much.

I own a Weatherby. Works for me. Good hunting accuracy nicely built. Not Vudoo quality, but perfect for my needs. Not a lick of trouble.
 
#28
Have 2 of those Weatherbys bought for oldest grandsons, this year the third one got a Tikka bedded into a Mesa altitude. And I would do this again everyday.
.02
 
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#29
tekmann2377 said:
Save money and get a Tikka T3x in whatever flavor you wish, if you want to get a stock rifle. The action is smooth, the trigger is good, they feed well, and the out of the box accuracy is very good.

I have several Tikka's as well as a Sako and unless you are willing to spend the $$$ for a very marginal improvement, Tikka is the way to go.

The typical recommended route here at SH is a custom action, prefit, etc. That is up to you whether the features of a factory rifle would be adequate or if this is again worth the extra $$$.

Tikka barrels are good quality, and their factory stocks are objectively serviceable in that they aren't too flexible and are reasonably stable as well.
Click to expand...
I’m no connoisseur of fine rifle stocks, but the Roughtech stock on my T3X Super Varmint certainly seems substantial and more than serviceable for an OEM stock.
 
#30
Dead Eye Dick said:
Everyone loves tikkas and Sako’s until they need service.

I’ve handled one tikka, it seemed nicely built but as said, need service, hope you got a good gunsmith nearby who doesn’t charge much.

I own a Weatherby. Works for me. Good hunting accuracy nicely built. Not Vudoo quality, but perfect for my needs. Not a lick of trouble.
Click to expand...
I recognize that I may be in the minority but I've worked on my own tikka and sako bolts/triggers. Not bad.

The initial removal of factory barrel definitely sucks (usually cut the shoulder out in the lathe, TBH) but after that it's easy.
 
#31
Dead Eye Dick said:
Everyone loves tikkas and Sako’s until they need service.

I’ve handled one tikka, it seemed nicely built but as said, need service, hope you got a good gunsmith nearby who doesn’t charge much.

I own a Weatherby. Works for me. Good hunting accuracy nicely built. Not Vudoo quality, but perfect for my needs. Not a lick of trouble.
Click to expand...
The thing that came closest to convincing me not to buy a Tikka was Beretta USA customer service ( or the lack thereof).
 
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#32
Heh yeah, they are world class. I was having well documented mag/feeding problems with my s20, it took months to get them to agree/respond for me send it in, phone, email/service ticket didn't matter they would not respond. Then they tried to have me send it to the wrong service center, thankfully I caught that before it shipped (they contract with a few shops for service they tried to have me send it to a shotgun only center), after that fiasco they said they could not replicate the problem, and they had no knowledge of mag/feeding issues. Get the gun back, keeps happening, email Beretta CS and the rep admitted they knew there was a problem with the mags feeding in earlier models, and that there was new updated mags available, but their story was that Sako had not approved warranty replacement of the defective mags for customers. Instead they offered me a 10% off coupon to buy the updated mags at full MSRP in their online store. I've tried contacting Sako a few times since, all they do is redirect to Beretta, all Beretta does is blame Sako.

Burris was the same, Had an XTR 3 with tons of elevation erector slop, it would freely go half way between clicks both ways. Burris CS says that's not right, so I sent it in twice, both times it came back the same with problem with a note from service that it checked out to all standards. Third time I sent them a video of the issue, and CS again says there's no way that's okay, and if I want to send it in they'll let me trade up to an XTR Pro for another $1250. Mind you street price at that time was about $1000 for an XTR 3 and $1500 for an XTR Pro.
 
#33
ToddM said:
Heh yeah, they are world class. I was having well documented mag/feeding problems with my s20, it took months to get them to agree/respond for me send it in, phone, email/service ticket didn't matter they would not respond. Then they tried to have me send it to the wrong service center, thankfully I caught that before it shipped (they contract with a few shops for service they tried to have me send it to a shotgun only center), after that fiasco they said they could not replicate the problem, and they had no knowledge of mag/feeding issues. Get the gun back, keeps happening, email Beretta CS and the rep admitted they knew there was a problem with the mags feeding in earlier models, and that there was new updated mags available, but their story was that Sako had not approved warranty replacement of the defective mags for customers. Instead they offered me a 10% off coupon to buy the updated mags at full MSRP in their online store. I've tried contacting Sako a few times since, all they do is redirect to Beretta, all Beretta does is blame Sako.

Burris was the same, Had an XTR 3 with tons of elevation erector slop, it would freely go half way between clicks both ways. Burris CS says that's not right, so I sent it in twice, both times it came back the same with problem with a note from service that it checked out to all standards. Third time I sent them a video of the issue, and CS again says there's no way that's okay, and if I want to send it in they'll let me trade up to an XTR Pro for another $1250. Mind you street price at that time was about $1000 for an XTR 3 and $1500 for an XTR Pro.
Click to expand...
If Tikka and Sako weren’t the rifles they are, can you imagine the cluster that would be? The only only thing that I can think of that the shooting public could do that would improve the situation with Beretta customer service would be if Beretta senior level management was inundated with correspondence to the effect of, “ Narrowed my purchase decision down to a Tikka / Sako and a brand X. Decided to purchase a brand X solely because I can’t take the chance on poor Beretta customer service. Just thought you should know.”
Most folks won’t do that though, Tikka and Sako rifles will continue to sell, and Beretta senior leadership can continue on with their apparent who gives a damn attitude. You’d think personal pride would come into play at some point, if nothing else.
 
#34
My strategy with a tikka was to buy from a store that warranties all of the guns they sell forever. They deal with sending it in and dealing with Tikka.

One does have to pay shipping, however, which blows. But since I’ve bought enough guns through them they will often wave or reduce the charge.

If the problem isn’t solved, they solve it. Even if it means going outside of Tikka.

Being a store, they have way more pull than me. Including upon local reps.

Was a blessing when my new 223 Super Varmint had light strikes.
 
#35
4g64loser said:
At 3500 bucks, you are hitting custom territory for price. Have you talked to Boswells, McWhorter, or any of the other houses that are known for their excellent lightweight hunting rifles?
Click to expand...

I had to look up those brands - wow they sure charge a pretty penny for work 🤯

Maybe I need to change my career to lightweight hunting gunsmith...
 
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#36
I have a Weatherby AccuMark .308 that is lightweight and super accurate. A friend has four of the AccuMarks and everyone is very accurate. It has a fluted stainless barrel and composite stock. You should be able to find one for less than $2,000. Another lightweight rifle I believe is a good value is the Remington 700 American Hunter in 6.5 CM model #84049. I have two of these and both are super accurate right out of the box. I put a Timney trigger on one, but the original trigger was okay. All of the Remington 700 CDL's that I have seen have been good values for the price.
 
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#37
Full disclosure - I work with Weatherby for my day job so I am a little biased.

That said, they're great people that build great guns. If you have an issue they'll take care of it. They also invest and doing everything they can right here in the USA - if that matters to you.

Had a Tikka I liked, it was super slow compared to other rifles of same caliber and barrel length. I'm sure Sako is the same. Doubt you'll be upset with either.
 
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#38
kthomas said:
I had to look up those brands - wow they sure charge a pretty penny for work 🤯

Maybe I need to change my career to lightweight hunting gunsmith...
Click to expand...
Not gonna out him but one guy who specializes in that area has told me just how difficult it is to get ultralights to shoot like heavies. The number of blanks he rejects is not small.
godofthunder said:
Full disclosure - I work with Weatherby for my day job so I am a little biased.

That said, they're great people that build great guns. If you have an issue they'll take care of it. They also invest and doing everything they can right here in the USA - if that matters to you.

Had a Tikka I liked, it was super slow compared to other rifles of same caliber and barrel length. I'm sure Sako is the same. Doubt you'll be upset with either.
Click to expand...
Getting out of commiefornia was a good start. Is onshoring Vanguard rifles and shotgun production coming? Brass case production?
 
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