My rusty 1974 F100 gets you from A to B. The _much_ more expensive 2019 f150 does the same thing but you're more comfortable riding in it. WD-40 cleans your headlights. The more expensive Sylvania kit does it better. The saying "you get what you pay for" still applies, but when both things do the job it starts to become less about functionality, more about longevity, and "how much do you like nice things?"
Fun story. My father bought a Mossberg bolt action 12 gauge shotgun with a one piece wooden stock when he was a young man. My great-uncle who was at the time working for Sako doing those nice hand engravings, saw my dad shoot it and said 'gimme that ugly piece of s**t'. Couple of weeks later my dad got the gun back with engravings and the stock extended by about an inch. So now my dad is the proud owner of propably the only Mossberg shotgun in the world with a Sako made finnish finish :)
Not exactly the same, but that's how I feel about my grandpa's 16 gauge Ithaca Lefever side by side shotgun I inherited when I was a kid and learned on
I bought one of those $400 model 700s nearly twenty years ago because it was what I could afford at the time. Many deer have been brought home with it since then and I stick with it today even though I have other choices because that rifle shoots as good as others at the range and it has no problems. It's sentimental to me because I struggled at the time to get it and I've spent many wonderful days hunting with it.
I know how you feel. I still hunt with the same used R-7400 30-06 I bought when I was a teen. It’s killed bear, deer, hogs-lots of hogs, yotes, etc. It was stolen once but I got it back. It looks like hell but it still gets the job done.
I got a Mossberg ATR 100 in .308 that I bought and put a 4x12 Bushnell scope on it like 12 years ago. Once I got it sighted in, I have not touched the dials on that scope. It has dropped everything I have pointed it at. I've got a nice Savage now, but I still grab the Mossberg if it is raining, wet, or nasty out. It gets the job done.
I work at Sako here in Finland. Sako is a relatively small company, now owned by beretta. What Beretta did, they really came in with their 'big company' benefits for Sako, and still they do respect the history and quality of SAKO. Sako is a Finnish brand of quality. Btw, Sako's (and Tikka) polymer stocks comes from Beretta. All wooden stocks are made in Finland by handwork.
I love your rifles, but 2 things you guys have to do to keep my as a customer. Offer a composite, truly lightweight stock($4-500 premium over the polymer). It should weigh less than the polymer stock by .5kg or more. Not the same. This one, wildly more important - update your twist rates. I can't buy another tikka/sako as long as the only cartridge with a modern twist rate is the 6.5cm. Exit the 1950's. Especially the 30 cals. 1-11 is unusable. Let us shoot long bullets. There's not a downside to slightly too much twist.
@@formatique_arschloch I agree with above. I prefer wood but in KY USA the heat and humidity will ruin a lot of stocks. I switched to polymer on my bird shotguns because I kept having to refinish my wood one from getting wet and cold then hot. I'll definitely check into sako just because you seem like a good dude.
I'm looking at a 1979 Finnbear to add to my collection... wish me luck. And if you would like to add knowledge about this model, I'm very interested! Thanks for your interesting post.
@@cozza819 Everyone calls them "2-liter bottles" because they're... 2 liters. If the label said "1 gallon (3.7854 liters)", then we'd likely call them "gallon bottles".
Love these videos. As a kid, my dad bought us 'budget' Remington 788's in 208 and 243. 40 years later, they are still putting bench shot groups under an inch at 100 yards. $200 rifles, wood stock, basic Redfield 3x9 scopes. They've taken deer at 150 yards every year, have never misfired, and function as well or better than any higher priced rifles we've ever owned.
@@youcansave15ormoreoncarins75 in case of your Primary Hunting Rifle is breaking down, then you already have another one/Backup Hunting Rifle that ready to use when you take your Primary Hunting Rifle to the Gunsmith
@@radienmayakovsky3 No such thing as backup rifles, its either 1 or 2 or 3 rifles, no rifle should have to feel lower than the other, wow. Guninism rights
Unlike Hickok, I enjoy bench rest shooting and never hunt except with a camera. Shot my first rifle when I was 12, I enjoyed it then and it is still fun to me at 80+. Good luck to you either way you go.
Guns are like anything else in life. I’m a professional guitarist…a $4000 American made PRS and a $600 Korean made PRS are going to do the same thing. They’ll both sound good, they’ll both play nice and they’ll both get the job done. But the American made PRS is going to be stable as hell. It’s going to stay in tune, stay intonated, hold its setup for months…maybe years. You can pick it up and examine every little detail, noticing that someone *really* cared for this guitar as they made it. Same goes for firearms. A $400 rifle is going to safely send lead downrange, at deer, etc. A $4000 rifle is going to make you happy every time you touch it. The tolerances will be spot on and it’ll stay reliable for decades with maintenance. That’s the difference you pay for…
I was thinking the same thing. I am currently having a custom banjo built. I will cost ten times what I paid for the beater I learned on. It will also be treasured for generations. Same with guns. I custom built a Ruger 10-22. Hand carved the stock, head spacing, trigger group, new barrel, and at least six months worth of work. A 10-22 off the shelf is just as reliable. It will not hold the same groups, but in the end they both function perfectly fine. Is it worth it? Yeah it is but only if you can appreciate the differences.
This is a great channel. Deer and hogs don't know how much the gun cost! Meat on the table is the common denominator!!! Love how he always laughs while he's shooting. Demonstrates the pure joy of wholesome safe shooting!! Thank you Hickock
It's definitely more about user experience than ability to harvest. Strictly speaking, you could get the job done just fine with a cheap single shot break action rifle. If food on the table is your only concern then economics of the rifle vs capability is really the only important thing to worry about.
And he's standing too! Unlike almost every channels featuring bolt action rifles that I've watched, despite being old, this lovely grandpa has amazing accuracy and stability in his arms
How could you not like this guy? I’ve learned more from him over the years so much and I now work at a gun store. Thanks for all the great content Hickok
The crazy thing is about the video is the subversion. I thought the black polymer one was gonna be the "Expensive" Sure it would have been if it was 50 years ago, and the top/bottom one would be the cheap ones
@@joelavine6807 I genuinely interested in how you find him "annoying". He's just standing there shooting guns and talking about them. It's about as chill as it gets for firearms.
Just don't throw your rifle around like a boomerang, and you can't really damage it, can you? :) I have a Sako 85 Bavarian, and it's not like I'm afraid that it will start raining when I hunt, I just dry it off when I get back home. Sure it will get dings and scratches from handling but hey, it's a piece of wood, you can fix most of that pretty easily.
I think some of that may depend on budget too. For example, I have a very limited budget but managed to eventually save up for a nice rifle. The problem was I felt like I was spending too much time being extra careful to really get comfortable with it the one season I used it for hunting. I know most if not all of that was unwarranted and being paranoid on my part but since then it's been my favorite bolt action target rifle while a Savage has been my go to for hunting. I should also say I'm the kind of person who probably takes better care of my Savage than most people do with higher end rifles so don't consider my experience to be the same as a "normal" person.
I would be the same way because I would be affraid of droping it a good distance or something happen such as the sling attachment point on the forestock would break and then have something happen to the rifle. Sounds stupid but I would use the more expensive one as a target and fun rifle and use a cheaper but still accurate one for hunting so I would just be out $400 and not a couple thousand
A friend of mine has a older Sako in 270 he got from his dad. I bought a Ruger American 4 years ago . We shoot together quite often and i have shot both . Off bench in a lead sled and there both accurate. Very accurate. Granted we use reloads but they are both shooters. For someone who can not justify $1,000 or $2,000 on a rifle, the Ruger is a freezer filling machine. Shoot what you can afford and enjoy it. Thank you for another great video.
I'm not a gun or rifle guy but "holy crap" this was an excellent video. The guy is a shooting artist and explaining the differences in the rifles was mesmerizing for me as he explained everything in layman's terms.I have a pistol and hunting rifle willed over to me from FatherInLaw and I haven't fired them yet, but when I do I'll be watching these videos for sure. I'm glad he's on our side! Kudos to you Mr. Hickok 👍😎
He just straight-up enjoys his firearms without being a 'Gun-Nut' and he's a no-B-S-guy who doesn't get sick of shooting-targets with 'new-toys' that come his way . That's why we watch-him , plus he Always teaches us something . Dave NZ
thats one of the reasons i go for a mid range, its not garbage, but if you ding it up it wont make you feel horrible, but its nice enough to make you wanna take care of it and make it last.
I have two Weatherby Vanguards, both with nice walnut wood grain stocks. One in .270 and the other 7mm rem mag. The .270 was gifted to me by my papaw when I was 12 and I’ve had it ever since. The 7mm was also gifted to me by the same man, years later. Both rifles are gems.
@@ventu2295 Depends on the country. Here in Norway you have to get individual licenses for each firearm from the police, and you only get that after "providing proof of intent". I.E doing x amount of competitions and and practice shoots with a licensed club for target shooting, or by finishing a theoretical and practical course for hunting. There's a bunch of other details i can't be bothered to scribble down, but these are the essentials.
Your last bit about owning a nice gun rang true for me. Last month I treated myself and dropped 3 grand on an O/U. I already had three perfectly good shotguns, but I had always wanted a "fancy" gun, and I had the money, so I went for it.
A few years ago a gunsmith I know owed me a cpl thousand $, that he didn’t have, but he had a beautiful block of Claro Walnut. In trade I had him “build” me a gun using the barrel and action of a Savage Axis 30-06 that I had laying around. He custom carved the stock to my body and arm length, added a Timney trigger, and hand hammered an oversized trigger guard so a gloved finger fits nicely. The gun turned out beautiful and has become one of my favorite shooting guns, even over some high dollar rifles that I have. I kind of felt like we were putting lipstick in a pig at the time, but that cheap Savage action is surprisingly accurate once it’s fitted with a decent trigger. (The Axis is in the same market as the American).
I think you answered a question for me. I bought a 2000 Savage 110 30.06 and the length of the stock is annoying and uncomfortable. Everyone I ask about this looks at me like I have two heads. I am assuming that if I want to be satisfied I will have to size for my body and arm length. Do you have any information or even a website that talks about this and how to measure up for it? Thanks. It's been very frustrating so any info is apprecaited.
Nunovya Biznez Google Boyds Gun Stocks. I’ve got a Savage 110 caliber .25-06 from the mid to late 90’s that I bought a stock from them. You can measure for Length of pull and have them make you a stock to fit your pull. I ordered a stock with a thumb hole. It gives the gun a pistol grip feel. I love the feel of it. My biggest issue with rifles is the eye relief for the scopes. On this particular gun I got AR rings that moved the scope closer to my eye and that’s helped a lot. It is a beautiful gun now. Wood stock in salt and pepper laminate. There are other places that make aftermarket stocks but I haven’t dealt with them. Hope this helps.
@@brock8199 same here. And I'd rather take my savage 30-06 to the woods than a $2000 anything. Not that I'm opposed to collecting expensive guns. But I don't fire them often.
Two anecdotes. When I got out of the suck, I bought a used Remington 270 BDL + scope package to start deer hunting a lifetime ago. It was a lot of money for me when I started college. If the deer are there, it has never failed to do the job. Maybe 2 that I have had to use two shots with in 20 some odd years. Has been lent to friends for their hunts. Many, many deer have been harvested with it, and still is the go to now. Last year I got my daughter a Savage 243 youth,, + scope package. 3rd group of 3, two shots, same hole just off bull, third shot ~ 3/8" (me shooting). She took her first deer with it, 50 yards, one shot, perfect placement, ran 2-3 yards. Black Friday pickup when was just cruising through the sporting goods store, $350 all in. More often than not, once dialed in, fed the right diet, and taken care of, most decent, even low end rifles are better than their shooters. The two guns above are not safe queens and consistently get the job done. Are they Sakos, no. Will they do the same job? Day in and day out. YMMV.
When I was 14 I got a Remington 770 in 30-06 for Christmas $250 with scope and a couple years later got my first deer perfect shot and it dropped where right where it stood
Same story...1957 Win94 .30 30. Daddy paid ~65.00 for it from a friend at that was steep. Quality through and through. Would i buy a Sako?? Yup i would. Beautiful craftsmanship and accuracy but i make what,,20x what my parents made back in the early 60’s....
Yep I like the way you put the truth in it about the rifle is better then the shooter. I know it's true with me and I'm a better shot when it counts then most. Although I get beat at the range My friends will tell you get me in a tree stand with the wind blowing raining or out in the field of level ground normal conditions for a hunter And they can't hold a candle to me because I've was fortunate enough to start hunting and going anytime I wanted to since before I was a teenager. My 270 will probably shoot within a 1-inch group at a 100 yd me personally I'll shoot in about a two and a half inch group at a hundred yards.
My advice would be to buy what you want, avoid buying what is "almost" what you want. If you get it in your head that you want a Sako, wait till you can buy a Sako. I can be sure that if I settle for almost, I won't be happy with it.
Wise words - I once owned a Tikka T3, which is Sako's cheaper brand. Accurate and good trigger, but i was disgusted by the plastic lined magazine well...
A hunting gun is a tool to me. Function trumps form for me, but if you want something beautiful, I get it. I do want a quality tool and Ruger does make a great gun. I own several Rugers. They all work. My hunting guns are not. Sakos are gorgeous for sure.
@Lassi Kinnunen I understand that and agree, years ago I decided that as a 1911 fan, I needed a Gold Cup. I spent a small fortune on a gold cup and traded my old 1911 to a friend. I was in the military and the gun was carried almost daily and I just couldn't get comfortable dragging the Gold Cup through a sandy beach or wearing it walking chest deep in a swamp. My firearms don't have to go through that kind of abuse anymore so sometimes I opt for the pretty ones. Buyers remorse can cut both ways but I have experienced it more when buying less than what I wanted or needed rather than what I wanted or more. I have a few "pretty rifles", and they function as well as they look. Some I have absolutely no use for, a really nice O/U shotgun, I neither hunt or shoot clays but it sure is a nice shotgun.
My goodness that Sako is beautiful. I'd LOVE to have one, but I would be terrified to drag that into the woods hunting and get it scratched lol. What an incredible work of art
@@Ryu-qk1kx Tikka all day long. I've the t3x in stainless barrel and I would be very hard pushed to change it for something else. It can take a lot of abuse as I do a lot of woodland and rough shooting. Even the grouping out of the box was spot on. It has a pretty light stock as well which doesn't compromise on accuracy. A few mates have Blazers and Sakos and the Tikka matches them in everything for a fraction of the price.
I remember I used to watch hickok45 years ago when I was in high-school. I'm now graduated from college and am still happy to see him uploading content!
I’ll start by disclaiming that this is entirely my own opinion and experience. (sad that I have to actually even put that these days) Since you asked for comments from the Benchrest community, here is mine: I am not a fan of Sako. Maybe I just bought one that made it past QC, or maybe their reputation of accuracy is some marketing ploy, or maybe they went the same route as Kimber (had a good real reputation, but quality lowered over time and now you’re just paying for the name). Too many speculations and maybes out there, but my experience with Sako has been, to put it politely, very underwhelming. Here’s my 2 part explanation: Bought a Sako a while back to build a long distance target rifle off of because I had of course heard of their accuracy reputation. The rifle was NIB. From the beginning I had always planned to tear it down, blueprint, and rebuild it from the ground up. However if I buy a rifle I’m not just going to pull it apart without first shooting it. So I brought it out to the range. I doubt I could have hit the broadside of a barn from inside the barn with this rifle (for those wondering, this includes both during and after proper break-in procedure). The rifle did not give me any form of consistent groupings This rifle clearly did not living up to “Sako” levels of expectations. I wouldn’t say I was overly enthusiastic about the results. If I hadn’t planned on rebuilding the rifle from the start I would have gotten rid of it at my earliest convenience, but I kept it and did exactly what I had planned on doing. So that was the shooting in factory condition part, here’s the rebuild part. Tear down enlightened me to a number of factors that contributed to its accuracy, or lack there of. The recoil lug isn’t built directly into the receiver, this is fine on other rifle designs where the recoil lug is fit properly to the receiver but the amount of play in the slot for the lug to sit in was enough to allow the lug to not sit tightly and not give any form of proper consistency under recoil. The receiver itself is considerably thinner than other standard bolt action receivers. While this may save a bit of weight, it also means there is going to be the potential for more flex in the receiver. Blueprinting might have been the most telling. The receiver threads were so far out of concentricity that when I recut them I had to open them up so much to achieve proper concentricity that I was about .005” away from having too little meat in the receiver walls to be considered safe and would’ve had to scrap the entire project. Lapping the bolt lugs was also pretty telling. I had decent contact on one of the three lugs, about half contact on the second, and barely touching the third at all. IMO There’s no way the action should have been able to make it past QC. This rifle ended up being one of the most frustrating builds I’ve ever done. Between dealing with all the inconsistencies in the rifle that cropped up both before and during the rebuild, I don’t think a single other gun has ever given me this many headaches. In the end all my work paid off. The very first time I brought it out to the range to test fire after I had finally finished the rebuild, I was rewarded with a sub 3/8” MOA grouping with Factory ammo! This Sako is now one of my most accurate rifles. I’m glad I put the work in to see it perform so well, but there is just no way in hell that I could find myself recommending Sako to anyone else, regardless of but also especially considering the price they go for. To reiterate: this is my personal experience and opinion, but I’d take the “cheap” rifle that I can expect maybe not ultra amazing custom quality but still very good quality that costs 1/5 the price over another Sako. For those who actually read this entire essay of a long UA-cam comment, thanks for taking the time. I hope this was useful not only to the benchrest community, but also to anyone out there who may be in the market for a new rifle.
Man....what a shame. At least it paid off in the end. Id say its almost impossible to find any type of rifle, built with any passion or appreciation for the product, from a factory. I love and enjoy building ARs and that fact can clearly be seen in my end product! Im glad your sako adventure worked out for you!
George Rapley hey. Well I have a Sako 95. I absolutely love it. It shoots extremely well. And it’s a stunning rifle. Fit and finish is second to none! The feel when you raise it to shoot, wow. JMO!
First, I know, I do get a little "gabby" getting to the point in this video. Sometimes I'm bad about that, although I've gotten much better over the years. :-) Additionally, the terms "expensive" and "inexpensive" are relative terms. Basically, they are relative to a person's income. Rather than talking so much about "price" of a firearm, or any luxury item, we should probably think of the "cost." For example, a 2,000 dollar rifle might actually "cost" less to one person than a 200 dollar rifle might cost to another. For some people that 2,000 dollar rifle is a smaller percentage of their monthly income than the 200 dollar rifle is of another person's income. Percentage of income is actually the issue, more so than "price." So, it might actually be "crazier" for a person of low income to purchase a Ruger than it is for somebody with a high income to purchase a Sako or Weatherby, etc. It all comes down to percentage of income. Just a thought.
I admire well machined and crafted things. Probably worth it if a person has the cash. I have a Ruger and can't complain as it's put a lot of meat in the freezer. Wouldn't hesitate to buy the other if I could afford it.
@@black_jackledemon6298 that's the thing, Ruger isn't a step down by any means...all I have function flawlessly. I do wish they would revert back to making the 10/22 like the older models with the free float barrel instead of the band. My older model one has performed better than any other .22 model I have tried, though my grandfather's Browning is absolutely beautiful and sleek.
I couldn't do what you do, because no matter what you say, someone's always going to tell you your wrong you used the wrong terminology and on and on and on! You can't walk on enough eggshells to satisfy today's hypersensitive overreacting crowd. I have owned in my opinion very exspensive rifle's and affordable rifle's and having both ends of the spectrum is just fine for me.
@@bassnazi4713 Ruger is a great value IMO for what you get and a step up from what I had. Not bad second hand rifles but seen better days if you know what I mean. I recommend Ruger if someone asks. I agree with you the 10-22 with the barrel band is slightly less accurate but I still have bought a couple of those and given them as trainers for family that isn't native to Texas to get started. It's highly modifiable if they want to spend the money to do it on a 22 down the road...... but as much as I'm a fan. *Will never be a Browning* .....My grandpa had one too. 😁 Beyond *Nice !* ... I want one with the lighter colored wood stock as the darker was better for fat Missouri fried squirrel dinner but lighter blends in better with Texas tall dead grass along a Pecan orchard. Smaller but better tasting than acorn fed. 😃 Good hunting and best wishes to you and yours wherever ya'll call home. 🙋♂️
This is the best, most educational, safest shooting channels on UA-cam. I've watched Him and his son for over ten years. He is like myself doing what I love to do safely. Testing three rifles from different manufacturers. And comparing what they'll do. Keep it up!
"That's a watermelon plant growing there, by the way. I don't know who planted it or how it got there." ...having just broadcast watermelon seeds in a 20 foot radius...
Quartz watches keep infinitely better time than automatics or manual wind watches. Autos are for people who love mechanical and beautiful things. People who need to know the time almost never opt for mechanical/automatic watches. Both have their place I suppose. I don't buy guns because they're pretty, tho. They're just tools to me.
Just because its more expensive does not mean its better. You have to match your skill and your budget with a firearm. I love this guys experience, its like listening to a uncle or grandpa.
While Hickok was drooling over the wooden Finnish stock, he left out that the cheaper Ruger stock made of polymer composite will never warp, never absorb moisture, and is impervious to oil and other chemicals.
well, don't overlook the "cheaper" components in the Ruger. If you're hunting family land or an inexpensive deer lease, if the Ruger fails, no big deal. It's annoying, but there's always tomorrow. the guy who would buy the Sako 85 is also the guy likely to book a money hunt in some distant place, with lots of effort/time just to get there. If' I'm paying 5-10K for a hunt, I'll spend 2k on a rifle with all (or mostly) steel parts and much lower probability of failure. I say all of that as a big fan of Savage and Tikka (Sako's "introductory" line of rifles). If all you're ever gonna do is hunt white tails and feral hogs, there is nothing in the world wrong with Ruger American, Savage, Tikka, etc. They're all accurate and reliable enough. If you're gonna drop money on an expensive elk/muley/moose hunt, or a trip to Africa, the $2K price tag on the Sako becomes a relatively trivial expense.
@@smokedbrisket3033 So in other words, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" LOL. I read an article years ago about natural (wood) stocks vs. composite stocks and what effects temp/humidity etc....have on accuracy. The author took 2 rifles, both in .223/5.56 (yes, I know they aren't exactly the same) and he shot them both using the same ammo, same lot number ect....from the same distance, at the same kind of target in July. Then, he cleaned both weapons, and boxed them up and did the same tests in January. The results were fairly significant. The rifle with the composite stock had less variation in it's point of impact than the natural wood stocked rifle. I love the look of wood, but I'll go with a composite stock every time. Composites effect accuracy less in differing temps/humidity etc....and they are more durable.
The Sako is for when you drive to a hunting blind and sit in it, the Ruger is for when you are hoofing miles through the bush actively looking for things.
I'd carry the Sako either way. I have plenty of wood stocks with battle scars. Memories in the making. They're meant to be used. If you can't imagine scratching it, you probably shouldn't be trying to afford it.
He didn't really touch on weight when choosing a hunting rifle. Where I hunt it is very hilly and it's hard going. I'd always prefer a lighter plastic stock than solid wood when out hunting for several days.
I have hauled a 30-06 Sako for DECADES thru the woods, on a motorcycle, in a truck, in a canoe. NEVER has it let me down. I have used a Zeiss, and Leupold, mostly open sights. My Ruger's have been on the same trips both great firearms.
The best gun channel on UA-cam, not only because Mr. Hickok knows what he is talking about with his deep knowledge base and infinite wisdom, but there is no click-bait here, no machismo or bravado, no dishonesty, no embellishment, just good old fashioned humble presentation of information in an unassuming and friendly way. Both new and veteran shooters can benefit from his knowledge, and this man is a superb ambassador for the firearms community. A proud subscriber from Canada here! Well done, sir!
As a retired crafts man! I love "TOOLS" that work! work every time, work every time the same as the last time! I love art too, but I would feel bad if I dinged, droped one of these works of art.
@@trollofduty007 hickock45 drives home with 25 watermelons in the bed of his pickup truck. If he eats 3 1/4 watermelons, then shoots 10 for target practice, how many does he have left?
All my 2k guns were aquired back in the 90s when they were 5hundred dollar guns .bought last one was a howa 1500 300 wsm for my daughter when she was 12 foe 399
My Husqvarna 1600 Lightweight (30-06) was made in the 1960s, I bought it mint for $500. It's every bit as good as a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 (which nowadays runs about $3000 or so) and I'd put it up against any modern rifle that is factory bedded, with a floating barrel. Husqvarna is primarily known for chainsaws now, but their rifles were top notch Swedish steel.
The Swedes made some wonderful products. I had a 1975 Husqvarna 250 CR Dirt Bike. 2 Stroke and very powerful. I Loved it and beat the crap out of it as a youth. Sadly I sold it while in the military when my Commanding Officer told me if I injured myself riding it off-road, I would be court-martialed for destruction of government property. (Me)
most precious possession i have is the 300€ k98 i bought when i got my hunting license in germany. The stock was so fckd that i had to change it. Got a thumbhole stock for prolonged Standing on driven hunts. You can stick your thumb in it and hold it upright for hour and be ready in a split second. It's a beauty and i shot nearly a hundred wild boars with it. recently i got a Merkel Helix in 30-06. and i can shoot it nearly as fast as some other people shooting their semi auto.
I had no idea Husqvarna made firearms, I thought they they were a lawn equipment company only. Just gave it a Google and apparently they've been around for centuries and have dipped their toes in several industries, but started as a rifle company
Was wanting a model 70 Super Grade. Been looking since last Christmas and my FFL and local range couldn't get one. Found a "used" never shot Kimber Super America at Cabela's for a steal. Not a nick in the stock to be seen. Gorgeous wood stock. So settled. May have to look later for that Model 70.
@@3313-c2j Absolutely, watching this video is the equivalent of trying to explain the virtues of eating vegetables to the kids with a big bowl of candy on the table.
I own the Sako 85 Bavarian. It's a great rifle, and a piece of art. Happy to display it in the house and take it to the range. But as others have said, if I need to trek out in the mud and rain, I'll happily take another rifle with me. If you've got the money to spend, and you want a beautifully crafted rifle, then spend away, you shouldn't be hated on. If you really want to put them in a side by side comparison in terms of shooting ability, the Sako will probably outperform the Ruger, but not probably enough difference to outweigh the shooter's ability.
Well put. The Sako is like a Rolex, if you're buying it for purely utilitarian reasons you're doing something wrong. Is a Rolex functionally 10x better than something from Tissot? Certainly not. But if you understand you're getting a luxury item and paying for a the nicer wood material, machining, etc. (but not necessarily much better functionally), I think theres nothing wrong at all with spending a bit more.
So true. I look at it like this: which one would you take on a weekend trip to your blind or deer stand during deer season and which one would you take on a 2 week hunting trek through Alaska, Montana, Colorado, or Wyoming?
@@raybagdazian2736 The equivalent of a vintage "garage car" you just keep shiny and drive through the neighborhood every so often, as opposed to a daily driver.
I formerly used the same logic when I dated women......I left the number tens alone, as they were too much trouble, and not worth the maintenance. The 6's and 7's, on the other hand were'nt too bad, and always got the job done.
It always comes down to this when the question is functionality and accuracy: Is there enough of a difference... to make a difference? There's no doubt, the Sako is a trophy piece of artistry. There's no comparison there. But, the Ruger American isn't competing for that. Sako made the Tikka to compete with the Rugers; just like Weatherby created the Vanguard.
Hickock did justice to both the connoisseur side and the cheap bastard side of the which-to-buy argument. If only our political media were so even-handed.
@@One44Special Infested with... himself? You mean invested, right? Also i wouldn't blame the guy for it. The dude is literally an ex-SOF gun instructor (Marines, i think)
Great Video.I agree with everything you said comparing the two rifles.I'll add one difference is cartridge options. The Sako has a longer list( but the list for the Ruger is growing), including metric cartridges for the Sako. I do alot of bench shooting ,and have both brands,Ruger Predator,Sako hunter. The accuracy diffence is SO close in it really depends on the day.
@@candyman9635 For something that is not technically necessary. 50 bucks is too expensive, but it being necessary all depends on the person, location, or job. In Alaska a solid hunting rifle could be deemed necessary. Or in the right type of ghetto area an AK with a 30 round mag could be deemed necessary.
I have a Savage .30-06 (lefty) and a Weatherby Mark V. Being a lefty, I can sometimes get good values. My Savage cost me $150 used, and the Weatherby $1000 or so. I can tell the difference in fit and finish, but not in accuracy.
Same here being a lefty... if the optics are the same I didn't see a difference in accuracy. I own a Ruger American 30-06 and a Tikka 270. My only complaint was weight... ruger was heavy. Spent 200 bucks and got a mag pull stock and fixed that issue.
I think that it would be better to see how well the rifles grouped when shooting of of a bag. I known that th Seiko TRG 42 will shoot groups of 1/4 MOA. I have a Blazer R93LRS2 in 338Lm that will hold 1/4 MOA too.
i have owned savages in high line and low line, their higher end stuff have different barrels, stocks ect, i have noticed a tiny difference in accuracy but for hunting there isn't a big enough gap in actual performance for me to only own the more expensive models.
The only time I'd spend thousands on a rifle is if I was looking at competitive precision shooting or something specialised. For a hunting rifle you don't need to splurge out. You just need something accurate, reliable and comfortable to carry. I've shot a few of the Ruger Americans owned by fellow range goers and frankly they are a steal at their price point.
I have a beautiful Haenel break-action single shot as my hunting rifle and there is a beauty to fine hunting rifles, but you're right, they are tools, that's why I would never pay an upcost of 20k € just for engravings, when it has all the same features as the basic version
@@arnowinchester591 I hunt with a BLR lightweight. One of the newer types manufactured in Japan. It's a quality rifle, and they generally go for about $2500 of our funbucks here in Australia. However I lucked out and got it for half that price just by being in the right place at the right time. My range practice and rabbit gun is actually one of the Ruger American Rimfires. The compact version with the short barrel. It is an absolute tack driver and cost me $450.
@Wikkitt Klown I own several Ruger Americans. (.308, 7mm08, .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor). All of them shoot great. You're hard pressed to find a more affordable good shooting hunting rifle.
@Wikkitt Klown they're pretty consistent quality wise. I would recommend looking into the Ruger American Predator though. Slightly thicker barrel contour and threads on the muzzle. Great guns.
@Wikkitt Klown I can't give much info other than the ones I've shot have been tack drivers and the rimfire I own is great. The only quibble I had with the American Rimfire is that the front sight blade it came with was too tall. With the result being that it would shoot 6 inches low at 50 yards with the rear sight on its highest setting. I emailed Ruger though and they got me in touch with an Australian distributor who got me a shorter front sight blade.
One day back in the seventies a pool shark by the handle of Fast Eddie showed up in our local tavern and waxed all asses with a broom handle shooting pool
Agree. Sako make some fucking stellar rifles, but 9 times out of 10, they'll outshoot the owner. Saying that, I'd still buy one as a pretty average shooter for the same reason I'll buy channelock pliers or Japanese work knives; it's enjoyable to use high-quality tools.
Who says you need to be good at something to invest in something more expensive? If you have been doing it a while and see the investment as worth it, why shouldn't you? Stop gate keeping nice things you broke bitch
Funny... I grew up hunting with an old savage 110 in .308 was on sale for $100 and my dad got it for me with a Bushnell scope... he had a remington mod 700 bda in 30.06 and I always envied him because his rifle was so pretty... as an adult I came across a very nice 700bdl in 30.06 with the jeweled bolt and nice gloss finish on a beautiful wood stock... I own it for sentiment and am worried about dragging it through the brush to hunt so I always pick up my Winchester mod 670 in 30.06 first... paid $100 for it at a pawn shop years back and it shoots every bit as good as the remington, she just don't look as pretty🤷🏼
@@TemptedL9Gaming-Subscribe thats gotta be a heavy bugger to lug around the hills! Mine was an old wood stock, tapered barrel setup but it worked every time... love the savage 110 action, definitely a great setup
@@johnw3736 well then we're getting a good mix because I'm exactly in the middle of both of you with5 years under my belt. I started watching him when I bought my first rifle, which was also my first milsurp, A Kar98k I got out of a pawn shop for $250 And he was one of like 3 GOOD videos on the K98 that were out at the time
I have always hunted with cheap, low cost firearms. All my hunting guns have nicks, and scratches on them that put a smile on my face as I remember how the scratches came to be. Also, I have never had a pheasant, after being hit with an ounce of lead, stop in mid flight and say “ sorry, I can’t fall to the ground because your over and under only cost $300 dollars “.
While there are a lot of people with fancy hunting guns that do act like that there are a lot that don’t. I like nice guns, I don’t mind spending money on them. I also have zero issues dragging them through ANYTHING. I have yet to decline or even hesitate at an opportunity to climb through briars, swamp, or barbed wire with my customs. My beautiful browning has a 4 inch gash in the stock from barbed wire on a turkey hunt. I LOVE that scratch. It’s a memory that I made with that amazing shotgun. My hunting rifle was more than double this price, and I’ll drag it through Alaskan rock or anything else to get to my quarry. Do I think everyone, or most people should spend 2-5k on a hunting rifle? Of course not that’s ludicrous. I also know how much I love mine but I suggest a tikka or howa or something affordable for someone’s first rifle. Then they can decide if they want to spend big money, but you def don’t need to.
Golden Arches I do not live in Alaska I’m referring to going on hunts in difficult places, it seems some people with fancy firearms want to buy a cheap plastic one when they go to harsh environments How I wish!
Golden Arches I agree it doesn’t mean less of an experience, but there are plenty of people with nice guns that aren’t snobs looking down on you for owning a cheap firearm. There are simply things I enjoy and like about expensive guns that I can’t get with cheap ones. That doesn’t mean I don’t also have and hunt with cheap guns. I squirrel hunt with the same model 60 I’ve had for decades with iron sights and some rust on the barrel. I love it too.
I just started bench shooting, I picked up a CZ 457 with Boyds stock and a Bushnell match pro optic. This video helped me make these choices, thank you.
I understand why you’re mad, but I’d rather companies release the cheapest commercially viable version possible with options than one expensive product with all the widgets. Speaking of which, I really wish an ar manufacturer would grow a pair and make uppers without the forward assist their standard, seems how the army adoption trials held the water of the original designer’s objections to adding it in the first place.
@@mrpainn695 - You can acquire targets faster and track them easier with open sights. So yeah, if you're hunting in dense woodland, open sights can actually be better. I also don't find that a scope really makes it all that easier to hit targets for me, I'd rather have a rifle that just comes with irons than have to shell out a bunch more money for a scope.
Iron sights can get in the way of mounting a scope A red dot is faster than irons There’s a reason any reputable manufacturer will provide a lifetime no questions asked warranty for their scope
My dad has 2 Browning A-Bolt rifles that he’s been using the last 20-30 years. I think they’re like midrange priced rifles and he’s still hunting with them today, great shooters too lol
I agree with your assessment. I would like to have a really nice wood stock hunting rifle that fits me perfectly, but my Mossberg ATR 100 in .270 Win is a tack driver and I got that for $200 at Wal-Mart in 2003.
My first rifle was a Mosin Nagant “garbage stick” I traded a rod and reel and a $50 bill for. I carried that old 7.62x54R for about 30 years, and god knows how many deer, coyotes, pronghorn, and prairie dogs before I finally retired it. I miss it, because the guy who sporterized it made it one of a kind. This fella reminds me of that old man.
You don't need to be a hunter to enjoy shooting There are match shoots for any kind of gun Or shoot against your best score to see if you can beat yourself It's fun everyone should know how to shoot, how to handle a gun safely and to keep your family safe Last time we called the cops for a vehicle shining spot light it took 45 min to an hour for squad to get here I live in Arizona desert county big county, two squads at most on duty, yes squad was that far away Protect yourself and family and neighborhood
Everyone should have a gun in there house, 22lr has been the choice of many, very good deterrent, 410 shotgun is one of my favorites, it's a very old gun that is .41 calibur smooth bore rifle in a soft shell like a 12 or 20 gauge gun, so it got called a shotgun, you have slugs that will kill a deer very easily and bird shot that will kill a dove or a rabbit and won't wreck the meat, two very useful guns for any house hold, we can talk about many more useful guns and more powerful guns but they are not required, hand guns are only for convenience, so you can carry in your pocket or purse, in self defense I would take a long gun any day over a pistol
Great video! I'll take the Ruger. High quality rifle, and yes, it works. Built like a tank, and is actually affordable! Is a $2K rifle worth it? Of course, if you can afford it and are willing to pay that much. I'm not willing.
I have the Ruger American in .270. Everything he said about it is true. Great trigger and as accurate a hunting rifle as I need. Bench rested in a lead sled at 50 yds I had a cloverleaf group you could cover with a nickel (just checking that the scope was still on and fouling it before the season.) At 100, I’ve had groups that a quarter would cover, all with factory ammo, either Federal or Winchester. I haven’t missed a deer with it yet and they never run more than 60 yards. It’s better than I need it to be and better than I can shoot it.
I have exactly the same, with a $200 Redfield 3x9. My experience is pretty much the same as you describe! And I don’t worry about the weather or dragging it throw the heavy brush I sometimes need to get through. I’ve never missed with it, and never needed more than one shot. I wouldn’t say I can shoot like Hickcock, but I do well enough to fill the freezer most years.
@ Bruce Novotny: Your firm CZ makes excellent firearms, Bruce, but maybe you already know that. One of the best-kept secrets in the FA world, in fact, is how good Czech products are.
Very informative! I find it odd that you can buy a rifle with no sights. Also thank you for explaining that 4x price does not mean 4x quality (they scale differently)
No sights are the norm today except for possibly with lever action. Most people use a scope today especially on a bolt action. My eyes are aging I use a scope. Better insurance of making a humane kill at longer ranges.
It makes sense if you consider use case. At shorter ranges where iron sights are viable, so are smaller calibers and semi-autos. Bolt action rifles chambered for full size cartridges really shine at longer ranges where even cheaper options can be very consistent.
Most of the time people prefer it without sights. 1. They’ll never use iron sights 2. The money you save on not including a scope can be used to buy an optic you would rather have. Nothing wrong with the one they give you but if you want more power, larger lens to capture more light, you can get what you want.
Hickok videos cost me, on average, $1000 a month…lol! But honestly, I just simply really like certain firearms. I like the history, stories, and family ties certain ones hold for me. This whole video, I was staring at the Model 70! For me, I would never be able to tell which is more accurate as I can only put a few hundred rounds through things a year. With that said, I also never judge people on what they have, like, or own. All three guns on the table are excellent and you would be lucky to own any of them. Life is indeed good!
I bought a Savage 300 win mag and I thought it was garbage but I hand-loaded it and found the problem was the OAL of the cartridges. With my hand loads and a basic 3x9 scope (fine choice for central PA woods), it was a fantastic shooter. Sometimes it's the ammo and sometimes it's the loose nut at the end of the trigger. I've never actually owned a "bad" firearm.
I have many years of shooting and concluded that accuracy depends on 3 things, the type of rifles, the types of ammunition, and most of all the shooter. My advice would be to find what ammunition your rifles perform best with.
I've seen many of this man's videos and i think I've seen him miss less than a handful of times. Of course barring spread and auto, still impeccable aim and at no disrespect for his age, maintaining sight down range is tough for anyone.
@Roger Martin You said the reason he didn't seem to miss shots were because he cuts and edits the video, I replied there's no cuts, now you deleted your original comment and instead comments this. I don't want to argue, but that's how it is.
Sako makes a unbelievable rifle ... the Tikka t3 lite made by sako 650 dollar rifle shoots dead on right out of the box and one of the smoothest bolts and action I've scene
@@flyingjlotlizard5620 The only wooden stock rifle I hunt with is my Marlin 45/70 its starting to get beaten up a little bit I have to work on it and water seal it .... My synthetic stock Tikka t3 I had for 7 years now its been solid ...
right, I have 2 pistols and 3 rifles made by Ruger. My Ruger 45. is my CCW (carry conceal weapon) and its saved my ass twice while hunting. I mean sure, ruger probably isn't the best brand in the world but it checks out in my book
Another great video, always a pleasure to watch. I agree with you on many points and I am a hunter. The Sako is a fantastic brand and worth every penny. The Ruger is a wonderful rifle as well at a lower price point. Quality is not a measure of cost but rather conformance to a standard. I have taught quality and done so for 50 plus years. My issue as a hunter is the accidental scratches, dings and marks that a rifle picks up along the way if you use them and they are not safe queens! My model 70 over many years has lots of marks from the transport as well as the hunts. The bolt through on the Ruger is also excellent because of the consideration of a scope being used on most of them. Nothing better than to rub some fine finish oil in the Sako as I sip a fine scotch. I drink a Coke while cleaning my Ruger simply a different scene. As an aside I had a Ruger American in 243 that had an issue with the chamber. It was cut short and the bolt would crush a number of brands of ammunition. I returned it (great customer service) and they replaced it. My 243 now is a Weatherby. Ruger is a fantastic company and they addressed the need in the market for an entry rifle so you can’t go wrong with one. Something to be said beating it up a bit on a hunt is not as painful to see at cleaning time. PS: Buds rocks as well as does Fusion by Federal. Thanks for the vids. Once again quality is not a price issue it is a conformance issue. I have written curriculum used in thousands of schools on this very issue. Don’t feel bad buying a Ruger, be glad that a company like Ruger rose to the need, the 10-22 tell the story very well. ⚖️🥃🥤
@@pnw_jordan Jordan, The cost of quality is far less than the alternative. Having worked extensively on surface finish and all aspects of quality with automotive companies as well as Arms manufacturers I have seen things that most consumers do not come into contact with. With the implementation of SPC (statistical process control) we have seen quality improvements across the board with many manufactures. The issue in many cases as you stated eloquently is that price is confused with quality. IMO the USA has some of the finest workers and manufacturing in the world. Companies go to China thinking that they can duplicate the finest quality products at a lesser cost. China is very capable of producing high quality products, but the prices are starting to rival the costs of manufacturing in America. The bottom line is that we need more trade schools in the USA. A typical trade school in the USA may have 500-1000 students. I have seen schools in other countries with 20,000-30,000 people enrolled. As an aside, I am a Glock fan. My lament is why did we in the USA not bring this remarkable tool to market. When I look at my CZ, my Weatherby and look at what Remington 700 did to it’s self it is simply shameful that by comparison Remington is sub par now. Another example is when is when Bushmaster was sold and moved. Whindham was born! The fantastic craftsmanship from some of the best gunsmiths in America is alive and well. My Windham VEX is simple an incredible product. We can do it in the USA if some of these companies don’t sell their soul and go off shore to enhance the bottom line. Sorry for the rant but we are among the brightest and best in the USA let’s make certain that made in America are not just words but a way of life. Happy thanksgiving and be safe. 🇺🇸 please also remember our brave woman and men who guard our country while we eat Turkey and celebrate. Once again sorry for the long winded rant.
The Mode 700 has been around a long time and even was a good gun for the military under the “M40” name with multiple variants. In the end, you got yourself a good rifle that will mostly likely outlive us and still be a going. She’s well worth the $600 and it’ll put plenty of meat on the table for years to come, if you can find them that is!
What most new shooters (alot of people since 2020) should take in consideration is that no matter the rifle, if youre not using quality ammo you are going to have a problem.
I was so annoyed that I couldn't get hole in a hole accuracy with a .22, decided the gun was junk. Bought a air rifle from bass pro, couldn't keep a group under half an inch at 25 yards, returned it. Watched videos of guys with pcp airguns getting great accuracy so I got one of those and used the pellets they used, finally success. But then I tried some of the cheap bass pro pellets in the "good" gun and it was incredibly bad. Now I am going back and changing every gun I use with a simple formula. Great mounts + great optics + great ammo = great groups.
Too true. "Old" 90s SR-25 here (24-inch). Will only take Remington .308 (despite the 7.62 marked on the rifle). That brand in particular according to both manual and catalogue. Any other ammo will either cause malfunction (slam fires with a "full-auto" effect, failure to feed or double feed) or inaccuracy. I also have the original mounts and a good scope meant for .308s (M-14, M-24/Remington 700, SR-25). That helps too. Bipod optional but helps if jittery or didn't drink/eat right.
Thanks for this video, Mr. Hickok. We have a 'coyote problem' by us... I've been using a Remington 870, 12g, but the older I get, the heavy it seems to be getting, too. I just want a practical tool that will get the job done, so for me, the Ruger makes the most sense. $1500 can buy a lot of ammo! lol
Had my 350 legend for a little over a year. An absolutely amazing rifle, totally worth buying, very versatile and fun rifle. (Killed a buck last year using sub sonics and a suppressor- you can hear the bullet hit your target, pretty neat)
Here in Europe, they are actually quite common. About every professional hunter I know here in Germany owns and uses one as a primary duty gun. They are costly once, but they can take way more punishment than most people give them credit for. And they last a litteral lifetime
I agree 100% with you sir. I happen to own a weatherby mark V, made in west Germany, 300 weatherby magnum. I’m not kidding when I say I’ve sat for hours upon hours for years just admiring the beauty of the gun. Almost makes you tear up at how well made and well crafted some guns are.
I grew up working class and everyone I knew was working class. The closest rifle in cost I ever saw anyone own to this Sako was a model 70 Winchester. This was in the pre-64 days. They only owned one deer rifle. My dad bought his model 70 in 1955. I got all my deer with it. I will never sell it. Before the model 70, my dad hunted with a borrowed German K98k bring back. At the time, the K98k was considered a pauper's rifle. Now, both rifles are close in value. I hunted with one guy using an army 45-70 trapdoor rifle. I was boy at the time. Those 45-70 cartridges looked like artillery shells to me.
my friend hunts with his grandpas K98 bring back early war production so its a nice one he had it drilled and tapped for a scope in the 60s and its a nice ass rifle its got an old bushnell 4X on it and does fine at the ranges we shoot
I too hunt with an old K98 in 8x57IS. It ist now approximately 80years old - and it still works fine! Last year it brought me an old Keiler of ~150kg. I bought the gun for 100€
@@ExplosiveWeaponForum I still have the original box of 8 mm ammunition my father used 70 years ago. Only two rounds are missing out of the box. With those two rounds, he took a trophy buck.
@@frechwieoskar8052 I would like to own a K98k. The rifles have become very expensive in the US. I do own a Yugo Model 48A and Yugo model 24/52. These rifles were not expensive at the time I purchased them but are not cheap now. I own other military surplus bolt action rifles. The Finish model 39 is my favorite. I bought the Sako Model 39 for 90 USD years ago. Now, the price for them is unbelievable. I bought two 8 mm Mauser rifles with bad headspace. One was a K98k.
I bought a Ruger M77 bolt action rifle in 30-06 in 1977, with a beautiful wood stock and no iron sights. I don't remember what i paid for it but it has been my go to rifle ever since. It's very accurate and I love this gun. It has it's share of memories engraved into the stock if you know what I mean. I've hunted some very tough terrain in weather that no one in their right mind would have been out doors in. I have never purchased a polymer stocked rifle so I can't vouch for their accuracy so the point of all of this is, wood stock or polymer? I see the purpose in both rifles. Thanks Hickok45 for giving us a view of some really nice firearms. I appreciate what you do and I hope you continue what you love to do.
I’m not gonna lie this is actually one of the most wholesome channels ever. It’s a man doing the thing he loves
He is a retired school teacher, and principle.
David Kledzik really ?
@@Lt.Longshot Yep........ Really!!! He was a school teacher and later a principle
You don’t really see that much nowadays
Okay then don't lie
My Remington 700 was 300 bucks and it will drop anything in North America and drive tacks. Works just fine.
What up 'Yak?!?! Kewl 2 c u n Hickocks comments!!!
Love your channel too btw
My rusty 1974 F100 gets you from A to B. The _much_ more expensive 2019 f150 does the same thing but you're more comfortable riding in it.
WD-40 cleans your headlights. The more expensive Sylvania kit does it better.
The saying "you get what you pay for" still applies, but when both things do the job it starts to become less about functionality, more about longevity, and "how much do you like nice things?"
@Yak Motley What caliber?
@@somethingtrulyhorrifying Yup, it's called diminishing returns.
Fun story. My father bought a Mossberg bolt action 12 gauge shotgun with a one piece wooden stock when he was a young man. My great-uncle who was at the time working for Sako doing those nice hand engravings, saw my dad shoot it and said 'gimme that ugly piece of s**t'. Couple of weeks later my dad got the gun back with engravings and the stock extended by about an inch. So now my dad is the proud owner of propably the only Mossberg shotgun in the world with a Sako made finnish finish :)
Name your price
@@bnbaz____9865 Ill sell it too you for about $20. Just chuck it in my account aye.
Your great uncle's a badass I love it
Finnish Finish😄 that was good🤙
Not exactly the same, but that's how I feel about my grandpa's 16 gauge Ithaca Lefever side by side shotgun I inherited when I was a kid and learned on
I bought one of those $400 model 700s nearly twenty years ago because it was what I could afford at the time. Many deer have been brought home with it since then and I stick with it today even though I have other choices because that rifle shoots as good as others at the range and it has no problems. It's sentimental to me because I struggled at the time to get it and I've spent many wonderful days hunting with it.
I know how you feel. I still hunt with the same used R-7400 30-06 I bought when I was a teen. It’s killed bear, deer, hogs-lots of hogs, yotes, etc. It was stolen once but I got it back. It looks like hell but it still gets the job done.
And Remington used to be good.
I got a Mossberg ATR 100 in .308 that I bought and put a 4x12 Bushnell scope on it like 12 years ago. Once I got it sighted in, I have not touched the dials on that scope. It has dropped everything I have pointed it at. I've got a nice Savage now, but I still grab the Mossberg if it is raining, wet, or nasty out. It gets the job done.
Blah blah no one cares
@@joelavine6807 You cared enough to comment. 😘
I work at Sako here in Finland. Sako is a relatively small company, now owned by beretta.
What Beretta did, they really came in with their 'big company' benefits for Sako, and still they do respect the history and quality of SAKO. Sako is a Finnish brand of quality. Btw, Sako's (and Tikka) polymer stocks comes from Beretta. All wooden stocks are made in Finland by handwork.
Wood warps in the humidity. Finland I wouldn't think has a big problem with humidity.
I love your rifles, but 2 things you guys have to do to keep my as a customer. Offer a composite, truly lightweight stock($4-500 premium over the polymer). It should weigh less than the polymer stock by .5kg or more. Not the same.
This one, wildly more important - update your twist rates. I can't buy another tikka/sako as long as the only cartridge with a modern twist rate is the 6.5cm. Exit the 1950's. Especially the 30 cals. 1-11 is unusable. Let us shoot long bullets. There's not a downside to slightly too much twist.
@@formatique_arschloch I agree with above. I prefer wood but in KY USA the heat and humidity will ruin a lot of stocks. I switched to polymer on my bird shotguns because I kept having to refinish my wood one from getting wet and cold then hot. I'll definitely check into sako just because you seem like a good dude.
When I went to buy my first rifle, the salesman directed me to a tikka 695 in 300 win mag. Dollar for dollar best rifle you can buy.
I'm looking at a 1979 Finnbear to add to my collection... wish me luck. And if you would like to add knowledge about this model, I'm very interested! Thanks for your interesting post.
Hickok has had to have shot thousands of 2-liters in his lifetime, but every time he hits one he still giggles like it's the first time. lol
ALL FACTS, NOT 1 OPINION
Yep. I really enjoy watching hickock45. Never get tired of his videos
Like Bob Ross cleaning his paint brush. Lol
How comes as an American he doesn't say gallon?
@@cozza819 Everyone calls them "2-liter bottles" because they're... 2 liters. If the label said "1 gallon (3.7854 liters)", then we'd likely call them "gallon bottles".
A good Polish polish will bring out that Finnish finish. I’ll show myself out.
After shooting he might go eat a Danish danish.
I'm sorry. I ruined it.
Or a French French fry
What the? Would this even germane if you were in Germany?
I'd need a Check check to get one of those
My Polish M64 (wanabe makarov) has a hell of a polish in it. Just saying.
Love these videos. As a kid, my dad bought us 'budget' Remington 788's in 208 and 243. 40 years later, they are still putting bench shot groups under an inch at 100 yards. $200 rifles, wood stock, basic Redfield 3x9 scopes. They've taken deer at 150 yards every year, have never misfired, and function as well or better than any higher priced rifles we've ever owned.
Never heard of a 208 or you mean 308 and just made a typo
The 788 is also now considered a classic! They’re far more accurate than a $200 rifle has any right to be.
Yup rem 788 what most rifle makers copy basic no frills drives tacks
308, my bad@@warrengreen3217
Great comparison. You're paying for craftsmanship. Both will take deer. Both can be passed down to the next generation if well cared for by the owner.
You're just paying more for the cosmetic.
It doesn’t matter what brand or how expensive “dad’s hunting rifle” is, it just matters that it was dad’s hunting rifle.
Yeah but wood stock
so what difference does craftsmanship make
@@HaraldSjellose they're both made by cnc machine, it's not craftsmanship that makes the price difference. It's the quality control and name.
This didn’t help at all. Now I want both rifles.
Nothing wrong with having a few dozen spares!
@@jaydunbar7538 I agree, it’s nice to have options!
@@jaydunbar7538 spares?
@@youcansave15ormoreoncarins75 in case of your Primary Hunting Rifle is breaking down, then you already have another one/Backup Hunting Rifle that ready to use when you take your Primary Hunting Rifle to the Gunsmith
@@radienmayakovsky3 No such thing as backup rifles, its either 1 or 2 or 3 rifles, no rifle should have to feel lower than the other, wow. Guninism rights
I'm a German who hasn't fired a rifle in his life. This video made me consider getting my firearms license.
You should! Target shooting is very enjoyable.
Shooting a gun is one of the best experiences you can ever have.
Unlike Hickok, I enjoy bench rest shooting and never hunt except with a camera. Shot my first rifle when I was 12, I enjoyed it then and it is still fun to me at 80+. Good luck to you either way you go.
Air guns
Try it!
Guns are like anything else in life. I’m a professional guitarist…a $4000 American made PRS and a $600 Korean made PRS are going to do the same thing. They’ll both sound good, they’ll both play nice and they’ll both get the job done. But the American made PRS is going to be stable as hell. It’s going to stay in tune, stay intonated, hold its setup for months…maybe years. You can pick it up and examine every little detail, noticing that someone *really* cared for this guitar as they made it. Same goes for firearms. A $400 rifle is going to safely send lead downrange, at deer, etc. A $4000 rifle is going to make you happy every time you touch it. The tolerances will be spot on and it’ll stay reliable for decades with maintenance. That’s the difference you pay for…
I was thinking the same thing. I am currently having a custom banjo built. I will cost ten times what I paid for the beater I learned on. It will also be treasured for generations. Same with guns. I custom built a Ruger 10-22. Hand carved the stock, head spacing, trigger group, new barrel, and at least six months worth of work. A 10-22 off the shelf is just as reliable. It will not hold the same groups, but in the end they both function perfectly fine. Is it worth it? Yeah it is but only if you can appreciate the differences.
Cycle the action on that Ruger, then cycle the action on the Sako…..
This is a great channel. Deer and hogs don't know how much the gun cost! Meat on the table is the common denominator!!! Love how he always laughs while he's shooting. Demonstrates the pure joy of wholesome safe shooting!! Thank you Hickock
I wouldn't know. I don't talk with pigs. ;-)
@@petermgruhn neither does^^^he.
There is something to that......I often commented on how good a cook my wife's grandmother was, and she would always chuckle at that.......
It's definitely more about user experience than ability to harvest. Strictly speaking, you could get the job done just fine with a cheap single shot break action rifle. If food on the table is your only concern then economics of the rifle vs capability is really the only important thing to worry about.
This guy is the Bob Ross of guns ❤️
💯🎯💯
He's the Bob Vila
:D
Happy Little Gongs
Perfect description.
And he's standing too! Unlike almost every channels featuring bolt action rifles that I've watched, despite being old, this lovely grandpa has amazing accuracy and stability in his arms
Just wait. Some day he wont seem so old to you.
He's a really big man. I think he's something like 6'8"
Uncle Sam gave me a Remington 700 and fancied it up called it an M24. I did just fine.
He’s a retired competition shooter
@@emkayusa Really? Nice. Also a school teacher which explains his abilty to explain and his comfort with it.
From a woodworker and a machinist ...I will always go with beauty with equal performance. It's art with function. Thank for the great video!
If you have the money, sure. But if you apply this to everything and not just what you care about most, you’ll be broke.
How could you not like this guy? I’ve learned more from him over the years so much and I now work at a gun store. Thanks for all the great content Hickok
The crazy thing is about the video is the subversion. I thought the black polymer one was gonna be the "Expensive"
Sure it would have been if it was 50 years ago, and the top/bottom one would be the cheap ones
Exactly he helped me grow up and learned over a 11 year span now I'm a great gunsmith that still gets inspiration from Ole Hickok 45
He's annoying and i see why you LOVE this old man... 🤣
@@kritizismmusics9737 that's very inspiring! I'm thinking about taking some gun smithing courses. SDI might be the ticket for me.
@@joelavine6807 I genuinely interested in how you find him "annoying". He's just standing there shooting guns and talking about them. It's about as chill as it gets for firearms.
I wouldn't enjoy hunting with a $2000 gun - I would be concerned about damaging it. The Ruger is more my style.
GForceNinja It’s so much more enjoyable to hunt with a beautiful rifle you love.
Just don't throw your rifle around like a boomerang, and you can't really damage it, can you? :) I have a Sako 85 Bavarian, and it's not like I'm afraid that it will start raining when I hunt, I just dry it off when I get back home. Sure it will get dings and scratches from handling but hey, it's a piece of wood, you can fix most of that pretty easily.
I think some of that may depend on budget too. For example, I have a very limited budget but managed to eventually save up for a nice rifle. The problem was I felt like I was spending too much time being extra careful to really get comfortable with it the one season I used it for hunting. I know most if not all of that was unwarranted and being paranoid on my part but since then it's been my favorite bolt action target rifle while a Savage has been my go to for hunting. I should also say I'm the kind of person who probably takes better care of my Savage than most people do with higher end rifles so don't consider my experience to be the same as a "normal" person.
I would be the same way because I would be affraid of droping it a good distance or something happen such as the sling attachment point on the forestock would break and then have something happen to the rifle. Sounds stupid but I would use the more expensive one as a target and fun rifle and use a cheaper but still accurate one for hunting so I would just be out $400 and not a couple thousand
*laughs in Mosin Nagant*
for real tho i checked and mosins cost almost as much or more than the ruger. didn't know i was investing.
A friend of mine has a older Sako in 270 he got from his dad. I bought a Ruger American 4 years ago . We shoot together quite often and i have shot both . Off bench in a lead sled and there both accurate. Very accurate. Granted we use reloads but they are both shooters. For someone who can not justify $1,000 or $2,000 on a rifle, the Ruger is a freezer filling machine. Shoot what you can afford and enjoy it. Thank you for another great video.
I'm not a gun or rifle guy but "holy crap" this was an excellent video. The guy is a shooting artist and explaining the differences in the rifles was mesmerizing for me as he explained everything in layman's terms.I have a pistol and hunting rifle willed over to me from FatherInLaw and I haven't fired them yet, but when I do I'll be watching these videos for sure. I'm glad he's on our side! Kudos to you Mr. Hickok 👍😎
These were useful tools 200 yrs. ago, and still are today. Don't let a misguided person with an agenda that leans left tell you otherwise.......
He just straight-up enjoys his firearms without being a 'Gun-Nut' and he's a no-B-S-guy who doesn't get sick of shooting-targets with 'new-toys' that come his way . That's why we watch-him , plus he Always teaches us something . Dave NZ
I'm assuming you've already gone shooting now but always remember proper firearm safety.
Love this format: $500 rifle vs $2000 rifle! Please make more like this! Great job Hickok and John!
Yea good stuff
He should do shotguns
Yes please.
Check out $500 1911 vs $2000 1911.
I swear hickok doesn’t age I’ve been watching since like 2010
That would explain his unhuman shooting skills
@@tzenophile hes actually the god of shooting
Pot smoking
@@shitass9934 At least some sort of henchman
@@shitass9934 u sus
The finish on that Sako is so nice that I would feel really bad if I ever dinged it up.
Held one once... Dangerous feeling, you can feel your wallet coming out of your pocket...
thats one of the reasons i go for a mid range, its not garbage, but if you ding it up it wont make you feel horrible, but its nice enough to make you wanna take care of it and make it last.
Gives it character
I would be afraid to touch the damn thing.
thats why wood is so good, you can fix it! Some oil, and it might just buff out. Synthetic you cant fix yourself..
I have two Weatherby Vanguards, both with nice walnut wood grain stocks. One in .270 and the other 7mm rem mag. The .270 was gifted to me by my papaw when I was 12 and I’ve had it ever since. The 7mm was also gifted to me by the same man, years later. Both rifles are gems.
Those Sako Rifles are actually made in my hometown in Riihimäki, Finland ;)
Is it easier to get a rifle then? i was told in EU you have generally a harder time getting a hold of guns.
@@ventu2295 Depends on the country. Here in Norway you have to get individual licenses for each firearm from the police, and you only get that after "providing proof of intent". I.E doing x amount of competitions and and practice shoots with a licensed club for target shooting, or by finishing a theoretical and practical course for hunting.
There's a bunch of other details i can't be bothered to scribble down, but these are the essentials.
Great company! But It’s a shame how controlling Finland is when it comes to gun laws.
@@maxdamage1983 Basically the same as in Finland, then
You give my thanks to those guys when you have the chance. I adore my SAKOs. Much respect from Russia.
I have expensive guns and cheap ones.
There’s no shame in cheaper stuff if you know how to use and take care of it
As long as it gets the job done, its worth the money
Markus Buelow
Are you ok?
@Markus Buelow, just breathe. Don't let the commies get to you. People are beginning to see through the leftist media's lies. Be patient.
@Markus Buelow are you schizophrenic or manic or something
Markus Buelow
I hear you man, I see what you’re saying now lol
I’m doing fine as ever, just trying to get through the night shift
I don’t even care about the guns this guy just seems really genuine.
Me too
Yeahhhhhh but too much talk
@@AndysGeneral yeah but worse guns
He's charming
well said
Your last bit about owning a nice gun rang true for me. Last month I treated myself and dropped 3 grand on an O/U. I already had three perfectly good shotguns, but I had always wanted a "fancy" gun, and I had the money, so I went for it.
A few years ago a gunsmith I know owed me a cpl thousand $, that he didn’t have, but he had a beautiful block of Claro Walnut. In trade I had him “build” me a gun using the barrel and action of a Savage Axis 30-06 that I had laying around. He custom carved the stock to my body and arm length, added a Timney trigger, and hand hammered an oversized trigger guard so a gloved finger fits nicely. The gun turned out beautiful and has become one of my favorite shooting guns, even over some high dollar rifles that I have. I kind of felt like we were putting lipstick in a pig at the time, but that cheap Savage action is surprisingly accurate once it’s fitted with a decent trigger. (The Axis is in the same market as the American).
I think you answered a question for me. I bought a 2000 Savage 110 30.06 and the length of the stock is annoying and uncomfortable. Everyone I ask about this looks at me like I have two heads. I am assuming that if I want to be satisfied I will have to size for my body and arm length. Do you have any information or even a website that talks about this and how to measure up for it? Thanks. It's been very frustrating so any info is apprecaited.
Every savage has ever owned has been a tack driver.
Nunovya Biznez Google Boyds Gun Stocks. I’ve got a Savage 110 caliber .25-06 from the mid to late 90’s that I bought a stock from them. You can measure for Length of pull and have them make you a stock to fit your pull. I ordered a stock with a thumb hole. It gives the gun a pistol grip feel. I love the feel of it. My biggest issue with rifles is the eye relief for the scopes. On this particular gun I got AR rings that moved the scope closer to my eye and that’s helped a lot. It is a beautiful gun now. Wood stock in salt and pepper laminate. There are other places that make aftermarket stocks but I haven’t dealt with them. Hope this helps.
@@brock8199 same here. And I'd rather take my savage 30-06 to the woods than a $2000 anything. Not that I'm opposed to collecting expensive guns. But I don't fire them often.
@@johnaddison7201 Very helpful and puts me in the right direction!
Two anecdotes.
When I got out of the suck, I bought a used Remington 270 BDL + scope package to start deer hunting a lifetime ago. It was a lot of money for me when I started college. If the deer are there, it has never failed to do the job. Maybe 2 that I have had to use two shots with in 20 some odd years. Has been lent to friends for their hunts. Many, many deer have been harvested with it, and still is the go to now.
Last year I got my daughter a Savage 243 youth,, + scope package. 3rd group of 3, two shots, same hole just off bull, third shot ~ 3/8" (me shooting). She took her first deer with it, 50 yards, one shot, perfect placement, ran 2-3 yards. Black Friday pickup when was just cruising through the sporting goods store, $350 all in.
More often than not, once dialed in, fed the right diet, and taken care of, most decent, even low end rifles are better than their shooters.
The two guns above are not safe queens and consistently get the job done.
Are they Sakos, no. Will they do the same job? Day in and day out.
YMMV.
Great comment. I've had the same experience.
When I was 14 I got a Remington 770 in 30-06 for Christmas $250 with scope and a couple years later got my first deer perfect shot and it dropped where right where it stood
Same story...1957 Win94 .30 30. Daddy paid ~65.00 for it from a friend at that was steep. Quality through and through. Would i buy a Sako?? Yup i would. Beautiful craftsmanship and accuracy but i make what,,20x what my parents made back in the early 60’s....
People help all of you to write on the channel activate the bell, I don't have much resources, I want to bring better videos for you, thank you.
Yep I like the way you put the truth in it about the rifle is better then the shooter. I know it's true with me and I'm a better shot when it counts then most. Although I get beat at the range My friends will tell you get me in a tree stand with the wind blowing raining or out in the field of level ground normal conditions for a hunter And they can't hold a candle to me because I've was fortunate enough to start hunting and going anytime I wanted to since before I was a teenager. My 270 will probably shoot within a 1-inch group at a 100 yd me personally I'll shoot in about a two and a half inch group at a hundred yards.
My advice would be to buy what you want, avoid buying what is "almost" what you want. If you get it in your head that you want a Sako, wait till you can buy a Sako. I can be sure that if I settle for almost, I won't be happy with it.
Wise words - I once owned a Tikka T3, which is Sako's cheaper brand. Accurate and good trigger, but i was disgusted by the plastic lined magazine well...
A hunting gun is a tool to me. Function trumps form for me, but if you want something beautiful, I get it. I do want a quality tool and Ruger does make a great gun. I own several Rugers. They all work. My hunting guns are not. Sakos are gorgeous for sure.
Good advice. I've been living by this same rule with things I've wanted over the last several years, and it has served me well.
Good advice for everything.
@Lassi Kinnunen I understand that and agree, years ago I decided that as a 1911 fan, I needed a Gold Cup. I spent a small fortune on a gold cup and traded my old 1911 to a friend. I was in the military and the gun was carried almost daily and I just couldn't get comfortable dragging the Gold Cup through a sandy beach or wearing it walking chest deep in a swamp. My firearms don't have to go through that kind of abuse anymore so sometimes I opt for the pretty ones. Buyers remorse can cut both ways but I have experienced it more when buying less than what I wanted or needed rather than what I wanted or more. I have a few "pretty rifles", and they function as well as they look. Some I have absolutely no use for, a really nice O/U shotgun, I neither hunt or shoot clays but it sure is a nice shotgun.
My goodness that Sako is beautiful. I'd LOVE to have one, but I would be terrified to drag that into the woods hunting and get it scratched lol. What an incredible work of art
@@jbjacobs87 which one do you recommend Tikka T3x or Weatherby vanguard?
@@Ryu-qk1kx Tikka all day long. I've the t3x in stainless barrel and I would be very hard pushed to change it for something else. It can take a lot of abuse as I do a lot of woodland and rough shooting. Even the grouping out of the box was spot on. It has a pretty light stock as well which doesn't compromise on accuracy. A few mates have Blazers and Sakos and the Tikka matches them in everything for a fraction of the price.
I remember I used to watch hickok45 years ago when I was in high-school. I'm now graduated from college and am still happy to see him uploading content!
Middle school now 21 sheesh
I’ll start by disclaiming that this is entirely my own opinion and experience. (sad that I have to actually even put that these days)
Since you asked for comments from the Benchrest community, here is mine:
I am not a fan of Sako. Maybe I just bought one that made it past QC, or maybe their reputation of accuracy is some marketing ploy, or maybe they went the same route as Kimber (had a good real reputation, but quality lowered over time and now you’re just paying for the name). Too many speculations and maybes out there, but my experience with Sako has been, to put it politely, very underwhelming. Here’s my 2 part explanation:
Bought a Sako a while back to build a long distance target rifle off of because I had of course heard of their accuracy reputation. The rifle was NIB. From the beginning I had always planned to tear it down, blueprint, and rebuild it from the ground up.
However if I buy a rifle I’m not just going to pull it apart without first shooting it. So I brought it out to the range. I doubt I could have hit the broadside of a barn from inside the barn with this rifle (for those wondering, this includes both during and after proper break-in procedure). The rifle did not give me any form of consistent groupings
This rifle clearly did not living up to “Sako” levels of expectations. I wouldn’t say I was overly enthusiastic about the results. If I hadn’t planned on rebuilding the rifle from the start I would have gotten rid of it at my earliest convenience, but I kept it and did exactly what I had planned on doing.
So that was the shooting in factory condition part, here’s the rebuild part. Tear down enlightened me to a number of factors that contributed to its accuracy, or lack there of. The recoil lug isn’t built directly into the receiver, this is fine on other rifle designs where the recoil lug is fit properly to the receiver but the amount of play in the slot for the lug to sit in was enough to allow the lug to not sit tightly and not give any form of proper consistency under recoil. The receiver itself is considerably thinner than other standard bolt action receivers. While this may save a bit of weight, it also means there is going to be the potential for more flex in the receiver.
Blueprinting might have been the most telling. The receiver threads were so far out of concentricity that when I recut them I had to open them up so much to achieve proper concentricity that I was about .005” away from having too little meat in the receiver walls to be considered safe and would’ve had to scrap the entire project. Lapping the bolt lugs was also pretty telling. I had decent contact on one of the three lugs, about half contact on the second, and barely touching the third at all. IMO There’s no way the action should have been able to make it past QC.
This rifle ended up being one of the most frustrating builds I’ve ever done. Between dealing with all the inconsistencies in the rifle that cropped up both before and during the rebuild, I don’t think a single other gun has ever given me this many headaches.
In the end all my work paid off. The very first time I brought it out to the range to test fire after I had finally finished the rebuild, I was rewarded with a sub 3/8” MOA grouping with Factory ammo! This Sako is now one of my most accurate rifles. I’m glad I put the work in to see it perform so well, but there is just no way in hell that I could find myself recommending Sako to anyone else, regardless of but also especially considering the price they go for.
To reiterate: this is my personal experience and opinion, but I’d take the “cheap” rifle that I can expect maybe not ultra amazing custom quality but still very good quality that costs 1/5 the price over another Sako.
For those who actually read this entire essay of a long UA-cam comment, thanks for taking the time. I hope this was useful not only to the benchrest community, but also to anyone out there who may be in the market for a new rifle.
How many fouling shots did you take? I ask this out of curiosity.
Man....what a shame. At least it paid off in the end. Id say its almost impossible to find any type of rifle, built with any passion or appreciation for the product, from a factory. I love and enjoy building ARs and that fact can clearly be seen in my end product! Im glad your sako adventure worked out for you!
Before purchasing can you examine and see any of the faults you wrote about? I guess if it was ordered maybe not I was just curious thanks
George Rapley hey. Well I have a Sako 95. I absolutely love it. It shoots extremely well. And it’s a stunning rifle. Fit and finish is second to none! The feel when you raise it to shoot, wow. JMO!
Full Sugar Brah I’ve got 3 Remington 700’s that I’ve also blueprinted and they all shoot sub 1/2 MOA. You won’t hear me complain about the 700 haha!
First, I know, I do get a little "gabby" getting to the point in this video. Sometimes I'm bad about that, although I've gotten much better over the years. :-)
Additionally, the terms "expensive" and "inexpensive" are relative terms. Basically, they are relative to a person's income. Rather than talking so much about "price" of a firearm, or any luxury item, we should probably think of the "cost." For example, a 2,000 dollar rifle might actually "cost" less to one person than a 200 dollar rifle might cost to another. For some people that 2,000 dollar rifle is a smaller percentage of their monthly income than the 200 dollar rifle is of another person's income. Percentage of income is actually the issue, more so than "price."
So, it might actually be "crazier" for a person of low income to purchase a Ruger than it is for somebody with a high income to purchase a Sako or Weatherby, etc. It all comes down to percentage of income. Just a thought.
hickok45 Percentage may be the wrong term multiple would fit better.
I admire well machined and crafted things.
Probably worth it if a person has the cash.
I have a Ruger and can't complain as it's put a lot of meat in the freezer.
Wouldn't hesitate to buy the other if I could afford it.
@@black_jackledemon6298 that's the thing, Ruger isn't a step down by any means...all I have function flawlessly. I do wish they would revert back to making the 10/22 like the older models with the free float barrel instead of the band. My older model one has performed better than any other .22 model I have tried, though my grandfather's Browning is absolutely beautiful and sleek.
I couldn't do what you do, because no matter what you say, someone's always going to tell you your wrong you used the wrong terminology and on and on and on! You can't walk on enough eggshells to satisfy today's hypersensitive overreacting crowd. I have owned in my opinion very exspensive rifle's and affordable rifle's and having both ends of the spectrum is just fine for me.
@@bassnazi4713 Ruger is a great value IMO for what you get and a step up from what I had. Not bad second hand rifles but seen better days if you know what I mean.
I recommend Ruger if someone asks.
I agree with you the 10-22 with the barrel band is slightly less accurate but I still have bought a couple of those and given them as trainers for family that isn't native to Texas to get started.
It's highly modifiable if they want to spend the money to do it on a 22 down the road...... but as much as I'm a fan.
*Will never be a Browning* .....My grandpa had one too. 😁 Beyond *Nice !* ... I want one with the lighter colored wood stock as the darker was better for fat Missouri fried squirrel dinner but lighter blends in better with Texas tall dead grass along a Pecan orchard.
Smaller but better tasting than acorn fed. 😃
Good hunting and best wishes to you and yours wherever ya'll call home. 🙋♂️
This is the best, most educational, safest shooting channels on UA-cam. I've watched Him and his son for over ten years. He is like myself doing what I love to do safely. Testing three rifles from different manufacturers. And comparing what they'll do. Keep it up!
"That's a watermelon plant growing there, by the way. I don't know who planted it or how it got there."
...having just broadcast watermelon seeds in a 20 foot radius...
Think his " dry " sense of humour is missed ?😁😉
Eventually 2 liters will start growing out of the ground
@@boydiesel69 Love that one
right, with how many melons he has exploded im sure 1 seed sprouted lmao
@@petabindoff4618 The sticker for the Sako was a dry joke as well I'm assuming, I couldn't put a sticker on that wonderful Finish finish
It’s like the choice between a Rolex and a Casio. Both tell the time.
Quartz watches keep infinitely better time than automatics or manual wind watches. Autos are for people who love mechanical and beautiful things. People who need to know the time almost never opt for mechanical/automatic watches.
Both have their place I suppose. I don't buy guns because they're pretty, tho. They're just tools to me.
Casio
@@mackm3875 k k k k k k k k k k k k Kk k k k
I think your paying for the craftsmanship more than it’s functionality at that point, that’s why people buy expensive brand watches
Ones an overpriced status symbol
I'm surprised there aren't any 2-liter plants growing on the range.
This comment is underrated
I'm surprised there aren't any pot plants growing on the range.
lol he is secretly growing a watermelon farm, shoot the melon, seeds go everywhere, shoot 2 liters to water them lmao
Just because its more expensive does not mean its better. You have to match your skill and your budget with a firearm. I love this guys experience, its like listening to a uncle or grandpa.
While Hickok was drooling over the wooden Finnish stock, he left out that the cheaper Ruger stock made of polymer composite will never warp, never absorb moisture, and is impervious to oil and other chemicals.
Form vs function my man. Good form grabs attention, good function is expected.
You're right. FWIW, that same Finnish company makes rifles with composite stocks.
And for significantly less than $2000.
well, don't overlook the "cheaper" components in the Ruger. If you're hunting family land or an inexpensive deer lease, if the Ruger fails, no big deal. It's annoying, but there's always tomorrow. the guy who would buy the Sako 85 is also the guy likely to book a money hunt in some distant place, with lots of effort/time just to get there. If' I'm paying 5-10K for a hunt, I'll spend 2k on a rifle with all (or mostly) steel parts and much lower probability of failure.
I say all of that as a big fan of Savage and Tikka (Sako's "introductory" line of rifles).
If all you're ever gonna do is hunt white tails and feral hogs, there is nothing in the world wrong with Ruger American, Savage, Tikka, etc. They're all accurate and reliable enough. If you're gonna drop money on an expensive elk/muley/moose hunt, or a trip to Africa, the $2K price tag on the Sako becomes a relatively trivial expense.
@@smokedbrisket3033 So in other words, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" LOL.
I read an article years ago about natural (wood) stocks vs. composite stocks and what effects temp/humidity etc....have on accuracy. The author took 2 rifles, both in .223/5.56 (yes, I know they aren't exactly the same) and he shot them both using the same ammo, same lot number ect....from the same distance, at the same kind of target in July. Then, he cleaned both weapons, and boxed them up and did the same tests in January. The results were fairly significant. The rifle with the composite stock had less variation in it's point of impact than the natural wood stocked rifle.
I love the look of wood, but I'll go with a composite stock every time. Composites effect accuracy less in differing temps/humidity etc....and they are more durable.
The Sako is for when you drive to a hunting blind and sit in it, the Ruger is for when you are hoofing miles through the bush actively looking for things.
I'd carry the Sako either way.
I have plenty of wood stocks with battle scars. Memories in the making.
They're meant to be used. If you can't imagine scratching it, you probably shouldn't be trying to afford it.
@@leftyeh6495 Good advice
He didn't really touch on weight when choosing a hunting rifle. Where I hunt it is very hilly and it's hard going. I'd always prefer a lighter plastic stock than solid wood when out hunting for several days.
I have hauled a 30-06 Sako for DECADES thru the woods, on a motorcycle, in a truck, in a canoe. NEVER has it let me down. I have used a Zeiss, and Leupold, mostly open sights. My Ruger's have been on the same trips both great firearms.
I've walked miles in the woods with my Sako
I wanna give this man a firm handshake just cause of how cool and nice he seems
The best gun channel on UA-cam, not only because Mr. Hickok knows what he is talking about with his deep knowledge base and infinite wisdom, but there is no click-bait here, no machismo or bravado, no dishonesty, no embellishment, just good old fashioned humble presentation of information in an unassuming and friendly way. Both new and veteran shooters can benefit from his knowledge, and this man is a superb ambassador for the firearms community. A proud subscriber from Canada here! Well done, sir!
The Ruger is cheaper to buy, but they sure love their magazines and price them with all that love.
But it shoots. Got one.
I wish they still made the AI mag versions. I bought one and I can use AI type pmags.
And their magazines are junk. The 10/22 mag is the standard of the industry, so I can’t understand why they cheaped,out on the American.
I saw some Sako mags a few days ago and they were about $280. I would still buy the Sako though over the Ruger.
Speaking of Finnish finish, your channel's subscribe amount is nearly equal to the population of Finland.
Love your stuff my man.
Imagine if all of this was just hickocks elaborate plan to start a watermelon farm.
I'd buy the watermelons
I figured the melons were fertilized by the pot.......s
Lmao
The fired rounds are fertilizing the watermelon.
@@blackonblack...9244 shooting watermelon spreads the seeds, after that nature takes its course
like many other items, the last 5% of performance is 95% of the cost. you decide if you need that 5%.
Ding ding ding
The Bavarian is a work of art while the Ruger is a tool.
There is something to German engineering! :)
As a retired crafts man! I love "TOOLS" that work! work every time, work every time the same as the last time!
I love art too, but I would feel bad if I dinged, droped one of these works of art.
Had no idea that Finnish and Bavaria (Germany) were the same just like Canada is part of US.
@@dgreathornd sorry what ? I am german and I dont get it xD
@@ybk6858 The Ruger is American and the Sako is Finnish. German is not involved anymore than China is.
I'm reminded of an old Brian Regan joke about refrigerators: This one, keeps your food cold, $300. This next one, keeps your food cold, $500...
You may want to adjust that joke for inflation.
This one has a meats drawer...
@@mckenr07 says the salesman to the vegetarian couple.
A Sako is not a fridge. Shoot one and you will soon learn why they are worth every cent.
That is a great gag and a great comparison.
I just love to picture hickok driving home from the store with 20 or 30 watermelons in the bed of a pickup truck.
He’s the man we hear about in math problems
@@trollofduty007 hickock45 drives home with 25 watermelons in the bed of his pickup truck. If he eats 3 1/4 watermelons, then shoots 10 for target practice, how many does he have left?
@@kingtal99 more than myself
Don’t forget the extended cab chock full of two liters. The drive home from the bowling alley is prolly funnier though lol
All my 2k guns were aquired back in the 90s when they were 5hundred dollar guns .bought last one was a howa 1500 300 wsm for my daughter when she was 12 foe 399
My Husqvarna 1600 Lightweight (30-06) was made in the 1960s, I bought it mint for $500. It's every bit as good as a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 (which nowadays runs about $3000 or so) and I'd put it up against any modern rifle that is factory bedded, with a floating barrel. Husqvarna is primarily known for chainsaws now, but their rifles were top notch Swedish steel.
The Swedes made some wonderful products. I had a 1975 Husqvarna 250 CR Dirt Bike. 2 Stroke and very powerful. I Loved it and beat the crap out of it as a youth. Sadly I sold it while in the military when my Commanding Officer told me if I injured myself riding it off-road, I would be court-martialed for destruction of government property. (Me)
most precious possession i have is the 300€ k98 i bought when i got my hunting license in germany. The stock was so fckd that i had to change it. Got a thumbhole stock for prolonged Standing on driven hunts. You can stick your thumb in it and hold it upright for hour and be ready in a split second. It's a beauty and i shot nearly a hundred wild boars with it.
recently i got a Merkel Helix in 30-06. and i can shoot it nearly as fast as some other people shooting their semi auto.
I have a 67 Husqvarna Vappenfrabrik 3006 that my dad bout for 250. I will put it up against any rifle
Swedes and Germans ....... The highest quality in engineering and workmanship, ya just can't go wrong!!!
I had no idea Husqvarna made firearms, I thought they they were a lawn equipment company only. Just gave it a Google and apparently they've been around for centuries and have dipped their toes in several industries, but started as a rifle company
Three rifles on the table, and I heard you talking about the Sako and the Ruger, but the entire time my focus was on that gorgeous model 70.
Was wanting a model 70 Super Grade. Been looking since last Christmas and my FFL and local range couldn't get one. Found a "used" never shot Kimber Super America at Cabela's for a steal. Not a nick in the stock to be seen. Gorgeous wood stock. So settled. May have to look later for that Model 70.
Been eyeing a 70 Alaskan. B E A U T I F U L
Love the 70
@@3313-c2j Absolutely, watching this video is the equivalent of trying to explain the virtues of eating vegetables to the kids with a big bowl of candy on the table.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of that Winchester either. I have my dads old pre 64 in .270 and will never part with it.
I own the Sako 85 Bavarian. It's a great rifle, and a piece of art. Happy to display it in the house and take it to the range. But as others have said, if I need to trek out in the mud and rain, I'll happily take another rifle with me. If you've got the money to spend, and you want a beautifully crafted rifle, then spend away, you shouldn't be hated on. If you really want to put them in a side by side comparison in terms of shooting ability, the Sako will probably outperform the Ruger, but not probably enough difference to outweigh the shooter's ability.
Well put. The Sako is like a Rolex, if you're buying it for purely utilitarian reasons you're doing something wrong. Is a Rolex functionally 10x better than something from Tissot? Certainly not. But if you understand you're getting a luxury item and paying for a the nicer wood material, machining, etc. (but not necessarily much better functionally), I think theres nothing wrong at all with spending a bit more.
Like u said and the video showed. A little better alot more expansiv. Like eveything else
So true. I look at it like this: which one would you take on a weekend trip to your blind or deer stand during deer season and which one would you take on a 2 week hunting trek through Alaska, Montana, Colorado, or Wyoming?
For two grand I want the rifle to come running when I whistle.
John, it's gonna have to make my bed, lace my boots, and drive me home when I've had one too many!
@@kevincraig6407 And make a damn good cup of coffee!
@Cameron’s Clams 🤣🤣🤣
the springfield m1a cqb and scout are pretty much the same concept, hopefully they make a new version off these insights
and fold up super convenient like mass effect sniper rifles lol
I would be scared to carry a 2K rifle for fear of damage. The Ruger would attract me more just because I wouldn't vomit if I dinged it.
I've got an old rem 700 bdl I don't carry in the woods just because of this lol... its just so pretty I don't wanna ding it up
Gun and scope and I'm probably over 4,000 at current value and 20 years old and not a ding on. I am extra careful with that Swarovski scope.
@@raybagdazian2736 The equivalent of a vintage "garage car" you just keep shiny and drive through the neighborhood every so often, as opposed to a daily driver.
Just bought my grandson aRuger .243 for his first rifle. It’s spot on
I formerly used the same logic when I dated women......I left the number tens alone, as they were too much trouble, and not worth the maintenance. The 6's and 7's, on the other hand were'nt too bad, and always got the job done.
It always comes down to this when the question is functionality and accuracy: Is there enough of a difference... to make a difference? There's no doubt, the Sako is a trophy piece of artistry. There's no comparison there. But, the Ruger American isn't competing for that. Sako made the Tikka to compete with the Rugers; just like Weatherby created the Vanguard.
Spotted a Paul Harrell fan!
Hickock did justice to both the connoisseur side and the cheap bastard side of the which-to-buy argument. If only our political media were so even-handed.
@@calanon534 yeah...not really. Paul is a bit to infested with himself for me
@@One44Special Infested with... himself? You mean invested, right?
Also i wouldn't blame the guy for it. The dude is literally an ex-SOF gun instructor (Marines, i think)
@@RazorsharpLT army
Great Video.I agree with everything you said comparing the two rifles.I'll add one difference is cartridge options. The Sako has a longer list( but the list for the Ruger is growing), including metric cartridges for the Sako. I do alot of bench shooting ,and have both brands,Ruger Predator,Sako hunter. The accuracy diffence is SO close in it really depends on the day.
"Expensive and inexpensive are relative terms" Amen to that, even $400 is expensive for some people .
yes ;-;
I would argue that $400 is expensive for most people but that's just down to where I live and the people I know.
Uhh, because it is?
@@candyman9635 For something that is not technically necessary. 50 bucks is too expensive, but it being necessary all depends on the person, location, or job. In Alaska a solid hunting rifle could be deemed necessary. Or in the right type of ghetto area an AK with a 30 round mag could be deemed necessary.
@Virgin? Mary Yikes. Guns are just tools. Tools do not have agendas or wills of their own.
I have a Savage .30-06 (lefty) and a Weatherby Mark V. Being a lefty, I can sometimes get good values. My Savage cost me $150 used, and the Weatherby $1000 or so. I can tell the difference in fit and finish, but not in accuracy.
Same here being a lefty... if the optics are the same I didn't see a difference in accuracy. I own a Ruger American 30-06 and a Tikka 270. My only complaint was weight... ruger was heavy. Spent 200 bucks and got a mag pull stock and fixed that issue.
I think that it would be better to see how well the rifles grouped when shooting of of a bag. I known that th Seiko TRG 42 will shoot groups of 1/4 MOA. I have a Blazer R93LRS2 in 338Lm that will hold 1/4 MOA too.
i have owned savages in high line and low line, their higher end stuff have different barrels, stocks ect, i have noticed a tiny difference in accuracy but for hunting there isn't a big enough gap in actual performance for me to only own the more expensive models.
The only time I'd spend thousands on a rifle is if I was looking at competitive precision shooting or something specialised.
For a hunting rifle you don't need to splurge out. You just need something accurate, reliable and comfortable to carry.
I've shot a few of the Ruger Americans owned by fellow range goers and frankly they are a steal at their price point.
I have a beautiful Haenel break-action single shot as my hunting rifle and there is a beauty to fine hunting rifles, but you're right, they are tools, that's why I would never pay an upcost of 20k € just for engravings, when it has all the same features as the basic version
@@arnowinchester591 I hunt with a BLR lightweight. One of the newer types manufactured in Japan. It's a quality rifle, and they generally go for about $2500 of our funbucks here in Australia. However I lucked out and got it for half that price just by being in the right place at the right time.
My range practice and rabbit gun is actually one of the Ruger American Rimfires. The compact version with the short barrel. It is an absolute tack driver and cost me $450.
@Wikkitt Klown I own several Ruger Americans. (.308, 7mm08, .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor). All of them shoot great. You're hard pressed to find a more affordable good shooting hunting rifle.
@Wikkitt Klown they're pretty consistent quality wise. I would recommend looking into the Ruger American Predator though. Slightly thicker barrel contour and threads on the muzzle. Great guns.
@Wikkitt Klown I can't give much info other than the ones I've shot have been tack drivers and the rimfire I own is great.
The only quibble I had with the American Rimfire is that the front sight blade it came with was too tall. With the result being that it would shoot 6 inches low at 50 yards with the rear sight on its highest setting.
I emailed Ruger though and they got me in touch with an Australian distributor who got me a shorter front sight blade.
Good thing it doesn’t have a Polish polish
Good one!
Brilliant!
Why did I read that properly the first time lol
Reminds me of the golfer that buys the $2000 golf clubs but his score doesn’t change.
That's why I haven't invested in a high end trap gun! Every gun I own can outshoot me!
One day back in the seventies a pool shark by the handle of Fast Eddie showed up in our local tavern and waxed all asses with a broom handle shooting pool
Agree. Sako make some fucking stellar rifles, but 9 times out of 10, they'll outshoot the owner. Saying that, I'd still buy one as a pretty average shooter for the same reason I'll buy channelock pliers or Japanese work knives; it's enjoyable to use high-quality tools.
Who says you need to be good at something to invest in something more expensive? If you have been doing it a while and see the investment as worth it, why shouldn't you? Stop gate keeping nice things you broke bitch
@Haywood Jeblomi ya get what you pay for with firearms
Funny... I grew up hunting with an old savage 110 in .308 was on sale for $100 and my dad got it for me with a Bushnell scope... he had a remington mod 700 bda in 30.06 and I always envied him because his rifle was so pretty... as an adult I came across a very nice 700bdl in 30.06 with the jeweled bolt and nice gloss finish on a beautiful wood stock... I own it for sentiment and am worried about dragging it through the brush to hunt so I always pick up my Winchester mod 670 in 30.06 first... paid $100 for it at a pawn shop years back and it shoots every bit as good as the remington, she just don't look as pretty🤷🏼
@@TemptedL9Gaming-Subscribe thats gotta be a heavy bugger to lug around the hills! Mine was an old wood stock, tapered barrel setup but it worked every time... love the savage 110 action, definitely a great setup
It’s crazy to believe I’ve been watching this man for going on 7 years.
Only 3 years for me, but man am I grateful. Every single gun that I’ve bought, Hickok has a video on. Just a joy to watch.
@@johnw3736 well then we're getting a good mix because I'm exactly in the middle of both of you with5 years under my belt. I started watching him when I bought my first rifle, which was also my first milsurp, A Kar98k I got out of a pawn shop for $250 And he was one of like 3 GOOD videos on the K98 that were out at the time
@@johnw3736 I am about the same time as you and whenever I plan to buy a gun first thing I do is see if hickock has a video and his general opinion.
I have always hunted with cheap, low cost firearms. All my hunting guns have nicks, and scratches on them that put a smile on my face as I remember how the scratches came to be. Also, I have never had a pheasant, after being hit with an ounce of lead, stop in mid flight and say “ sorry, I can’t fall to the ground because your over and under only cost $300 dollars “.
Lmao
While there are a lot of people with fancy hunting guns that do act like that there are a lot that don’t. I like nice guns, I don’t mind spending money on them. I also have zero issues dragging them through ANYTHING. I have yet to decline or even hesitate at an opportunity to climb through briars, swamp, or barbed wire with my customs. My beautiful browning has a 4 inch gash in the stock from barbed wire on a turkey hunt. I LOVE that scratch. It’s a memory that I made with that amazing shotgun.
My hunting rifle was more than double this price, and I’ll drag it through Alaskan rock or anything else to get to my quarry.
Do I think everyone, or most people should spend 2-5k on a hunting rifle? Of course not that’s ludicrous. I also know how much I love mine but I suggest a tikka or howa or something affordable for someone’s first rifle. Then they can decide if they want to spend big money, but you def don’t need to.
Golden Arches I do not live in Alaska I’m referring to going on hunts in difficult places, it seems some people with fancy firearms want to buy a cheap plastic one when they go to harsh environments
How I wish!
Golden Arches I agree it doesn’t mean less of an experience, but there are plenty of people with nice guns that aren’t snobs looking down on you for owning a cheap firearm.
There are simply things I enjoy and like about expensive guns that I can’t get with cheap ones. That doesn’t mean I don’t also have and hunt with cheap guns. I squirrel hunt with the same model 60 I’ve had for decades with iron sights and some rust on the barrel. I love it too.
@
And You being a know it all telling others what to do over the internet is just as unattractive.
in the words of Don Henley: "Love those Bavarians, so meticulous"
Just...can't remotely justify the cost
I just started bench shooting, I picked up a CZ 457 with Boyds stock and a Bushnell match pro optic. This video helped me make these choices, thank you.
I'm still angry that ALL rifles don't come with iron sights anymore.
I understand why you’re mad, but I’d rather companies release the cheapest commercially viable version possible with options than one expensive product with all the widgets. Speaking of which, I really wish an ar manufacturer would grow a pair and make uppers without the forward assist their standard, seems how the army adoption trials held the water of the original designer’s objections to adding it in the first place.
Iron sights can be usefull if you find yourself in scrub/bush.
@Bravo 4 I walk up and twist your windage without telling you and your gun is less than useless. Cant mess with a good weld tho.
@@mrpainn695 - You can acquire targets faster and track them easier with open sights. So yeah, if you're hunting in dense woodland, open sights can actually be better.
I also don't find that a scope really makes it all that easier to hit targets for me, I'd rather have a rifle that just comes with irons than have to shell out a bunch more money for a scope.
Iron sights can get in the way of mounting a scope
A red dot is faster than irons
There’s a reason any reputable manufacturer will provide a lifetime no questions asked warranty for their scope
I was literally looking at grabbing a cheap bolt rifle just yesterday...
Wasn't going to buy anything THAT expensive, but hey, this is still helpful.
Tsun Tzu Ranch American...450 BM, 7.62x39-I got, 308...endless-and there is aftermarket parts to improve the guts for the rifle enthusiasts-
Tsun Tzu check out the T/C Compass.
My dad has 2 Browning A-Bolt rifles that he’s been using the last 20-30 years. I think they’re like midrange priced rifles and he’s still hunting with them today, great shooters too lol
Tikka T3. Excellent rifle at a good price
Cheap bolt action rifles? May I recommend a Mosin? It shoots, and that's the pros.
I agree with your assessment. I would like to have a really nice wood stock hunting rifle that fits me perfectly, but my Mossberg ATR 100 in .270 Win is a tack driver and I got that for $200 at Wal-Mart in 2003.
You're as smart as your name suggests.
@@oldbrownshoe5141 Thank you!
Same! Maby one day I'll just get a fancy wood stock for my 100 ATR 😂
mossberg has always got the job done for me, but now I have the money and im old enough to get the one I want.
My first rifle was a Mosin Nagant “garbage stick” I traded a rod and reel and a $50 bill for. I carried that old 7.62x54R for about 30 years, and god knows how many deer, coyotes, pronghorn, and prairie dogs before I finally retired it. I miss it, because the guy who sporterized it made it one of a kind. This fella reminds me of that old man.
Feed my family with my "cheap" Savage .308. Would love the expensive guns but I'll work with what I can afford.
It’s a fine rifle.
I wanna see hickok shoot a “inaccurate gun” whatever that might be. The guy never misses lol
He smacks that 80 yard gong around with Snub Nosed Revolvers 🤣 would have to be a real piece of crap to give him trouble.
a flintlock pistol?
12 century hand held black powder tube guns?
For reals lol
25ACP and there is a video of that
Am I a hunter:No
Do I wanna become a hunter:No
Am I watching this:Hell yea
Provides good entertainment!
Face it, it's about the POWER
You don't need to be a hunter to enjoy shooting
There are match shoots for any kind of gun
Or shoot against your best score to see if you can beat yourself
It's fun everyone should know how to shoot, how to handle a gun safely and to keep your family safe
Last time we called the cops for a vehicle shining spot light it took 45 min to an hour for squad to get here
I live in Arizona desert county big county, two squads at most on duty, yes squad was that far away
Protect yourself and family and neighborhood
Everyone should have a gun in there house, 22lr has been the choice of many, very good deterrent, 410 shotgun is one of my favorites, it's a very old gun that is .41 calibur smooth bore rifle in a soft shell like a 12 or 20 gauge gun, so it got called a shotgun, you have slugs that will kill a deer very easily and bird shot that will kill a dove or a rabbit and won't wreck the meat, two very useful guns for any house hold, we can talk about many more useful guns and more powerful guns but they are not required, hand guns are only for convenience, so you can carry in your pocket or purse, in self defense I would take a long gun any day over a pistol
I dont think hickok is a hunter either
Great video! I'll take the Ruger. High quality rifle, and yes, it works. Built like a tank, and is actually affordable!
Is a $2K rifle worth it? Of course, if you can afford it and are willing to pay that much. I'm not willing.
Part of the reason its $2k is the wood stock ups the price a bit
@@muffin2147 My father made himself a stock on his Enfield, custom wooden, polished and everything.
Ruger all the way. Pistol or rifle
I have the Ruger American in .270. Everything he said about it is true. Great trigger and as accurate a hunting rifle as I need. Bench rested in a lead sled at 50 yds I had a cloverleaf group you could cover with a nickel (just checking that the scope was still on and fouling it before the season.) At 100, I’ve had groups that a quarter would cover, all with factory ammo, either Federal or Winchester. I haven’t missed a deer with it yet and they never run more than 60 yards. It’s better than I need it to be and better than I can shoot it.
I have the same Ruger 270, I have dropped deer in their tracks with it. Great gun and never let me down
I have exactly the same, with a $200 Redfield 3x9. My experience is pretty much the same as you describe! And I don’t worry about the weather or dragging it throw the heavy brush I sometimes need to get through. I’ve never missed with it, and never needed more than one shot. I wouldn’t say I can shoot like Hickcock, but I do well enough to fill the freezer most years.
I am a Czech and I'm gonna check that Finish finish, enhanced by a good Polish polish and only then will I write a check to get the rifle...😉🇨🇿🇨🇦
A czech check?
@ Bruce Novotny: Your firm CZ makes excellent firearms, Bruce, but maybe you already know that. One of the best-kept secrets in the FA world, in fact, is how good Czech products are.
I believe it's Finnish. Just saying for clarity.
Roamin' Roman?
@@prinzeszelda3650 check.
I just picked up a $2000 rifle a few weeks ago. M1 Garand, built in 1944 or 1945. It's definitely a beauty.
You guys must be rich
Spotted the Canadian!
jonewall stackson I know I need to find a better job. 30k a year is a joke
Have you seen Purdey shotguns their real cheap
yeah buy a rifle, to which you'll never put to practical use.
Very informative! I find it odd that you can buy a rifle with no sights. Also thank you for explaining that 4x price does not mean 4x quality (they scale differently)
No sights are the norm today except for possibly with lever action. Most people use a scope today especially on a bolt action. My eyes are aging I use a scope. Better insurance of making a humane kill at longer ranges.
It makes sense if you consider use case. At shorter ranges where iron sights are viable, so are smaller calibers and semi-autos.
Bolt action rifles chambered for full size cartridges really shine at longer ranges where even cheaper options can be very consistent.
Most of the time people prefer it without sights.
1. They’ll never use iron sights
2. The money you save on not including a scope can be used to buy an optic you would rather have. Nothing wrong with the one they give you but if you want more power, larger lens to capture more light, you can get what you want.
I love my rugar American! Mine is in .308 and I brought my first ever deer home last year
That's awesome bro I'm looking to buy one when all this craziness calms down.
Same. I'm 13, got a remington 700 chambered In .270 last year. Got a deer the first day. Happiest day of the year.
Hickok videos cost me, on average, $1000 a month…lol! But honestly, I just simply really like certain firearms. I like the history, stories, and family ties certain ones hold for me. This whole video, I was staring at the Model 70! For me, I would never be able to tell which is more accurate as I can only put a few hundred rounds through things a year. With that said, I also never judge people on what they have, like, or own. All three guns on the table are excellent and you would be lucky to own any of them. Life is indeed good!
I bought a Savage 300 win mag and I thought it was garbage but I hand-loaded it and found the problem was the OAL of the cartridges. With my hand loads and a basic 3x9 scope (fine choice for central PA woods), it was a fantastic shooter. Sometimes it's the ammo and sometimes it's the loose nut at the end of the trigger. I've never actually owned a "bad" firearm.
Ay I’m central PA too. Best of luck man
I have many years of shooting and concluded that accuracy depends on 3 things, the type of rifles, the types of ammunition, and most of all the shooter. My advice would be to find what ammunition your rifles perform best with.
I've seen many of this man's videos and i think I've seen him miss less than a handful of times. Of course barring spread and auto, still impeccable aim and at no disrespect for his age, maintaining sight down range is tough for anyone.
@Roger Martin theres no cuts
@Roger Martin You said the reason he didn't seem to miss shots were because he cuts and edits the video, I replied there's no cuts, now you deleted your original comment and instead comments this. I don't want to argue, but that's how it is.
Sako makes a unbelievable rifle ... the Tikka t3 lite made by sako 650 dollar rifle shoots dead on right out of the box and one of the smoothest bolts and action I've scene
What caliber do you have
@@pvtnboy6777 270win great rifle does everything I need it to do
I had a tikka t3 wood stock brand new and stock cracked and couldnt find another one. Sold it but was a nice gun for the 1 deer I shot with it.
@@flyingjlotlizard5620 The only wooden stock rifle I hunt with is my Marlin 45/70 its starting to get beaten up a little bit I have to work on it and water seal it .... My synthetic stock Tikka t3 I had for 7 years now its been solid ...
They aren't as nice as they used to be. My t3 is much smoother than the new t3x I picked up.
I don't think they hold quite the tolerance they used to.
ruger is one of my favorite companies of all times, they make good stuff for cheap and they come out with new stuff all the time
right, I have 2 pistols and 3 rifles made by Ruger. My Ruger 45. is my CCW (carry conceal weapon) and its saved my ass twice while hunting. I mean sure, ruger probably isn't the best brand in the world but it checks out in my book
Another great video, always a pleasure to watch.
I agree with you on many points and I am a hunter.
The Sako is a fantastic brand and worth every penny.
The Ruger is a wonderful rifle as well at a lower price point. Quality is not a measure of cost but rather conformance to a standard. I have taught quality and done so for 50 plus years.
My issue as a hunter is the accidental scratches, dings and marks that a rifle picks up along the way if you use them and they are not safe queens! My model 70 over many years has lots of marks from the transport as well as the hunts. The bolt through on the Ruger is also excellent because of the consideration of a scope being used on most of them.
Nothing better than to rub some fine finish oil in the Sako as I sip a fine scotch.
I drink a Coke while cleaning my Ruger simply a different scene.
As an aside I had a Ruger American in 243 that had an issue with the chamber. It was cut short and the bolt would crush a number of brands of ammunition. I returned it (great customer service) and they replaced it.
My 243 now is a Weatherby.
Ruger is a fantastic company and they addressed the need in the market for an entry rifle so you can’t go wrong with one. Something to be said beating it up a bit on a hunt is not as painful to see at cleaning time.
PS: Buds rocks as well as does Fusion by Federal.
Thanks for the vids.
Once again quality is not a price issue it is a conformance issue.
I have written curriculum used in thousands of schools on this very issue.
Don’t feel bad buying a Ruger, be glad that a company like Ruger rose to the need, the 10-22 tell the story very well.
⚖️🥃🥤
@@pnw_jordan Jordan,
The cost of quality is far less than the alternative.
Having worked extensively on surface finish and all aspects of quality with automotive companies as well as Arms manufacturers I have seen things that most consumers do not come into contact with.
With the implementation of SPC (statistical process control) we have seen quality improvements across the board with many manufactures. The issue in many cases as you stated eloquently is that price is confused with quality.
IMO the USA has some of the finest workers and manufacturing in the world. Companies go to China thinking that they can duplicate the finest quality products at a lesser cost.
China is very capable of producing high quality products, but the prices are starting to rival the costs of manufacturing in America.
The bottom line is that we need more trade schools in the USA. A typical trade school in the USA may have 500-1000 students. I have seen schools in other countries with 20,000-30,000 people enrolled.
As an aside, I am a Glock fan. My lament is why did we in the USA not bring this remarkable tool to market.
When I look at my CZ, my Weatherby and look at what Remington 700 did to it’s self it is simply shameful that by comparison Remington is sub par now. Another example is when is when Bushmaster was sold and moved. Whindham was born! The fantastic craftsmanship from some of the best gunsmiths in America is alive and well.
My Windham VEX is simple an incredible product.
We can do it in the USA if some of these companies don’t sell their soul and go off shore to enhance the bottom line.
Sorry for the rant but we are among the brightest and best in the USA let’s make certain that made in America are not just words but a way of life.
Happy thanksgiving and be safe.
🇺🇸 please also remember our brave woman and men who guard our country while we eat Turkey and celebrate.
Once again sorry for the long winded rant.
I paid $600 for a new Remington 700. Probably should have brought the Ruger & saved myself $200. I dout deer could tell the difference.
They can tell a difference. But its not a huge difference. Now, if it was a sako, the deer would jump in the way of the bullet first chance it gets.
@@pianologic9340 Haha... I don't think so.
The Mode 700 has been around a long time and even was a good gun for the military under the “M40” name with multiple variants. In the end, you got yourself a good rifle that will mostly likely outlive us and still be a going. She’s well worth the $600 and it’ll put plenty of meat on the table for years to come, if you can find them that is!
My hunting gun goes through briars brush under fences and rain and snow. I would not want to treat an expensive rifle that way
Maddies Gaming Channel! In fact the m40 and the remington 700 are not the same thing in term of quality
If you can't pick it up and hit what you're shootin' at, you might as well have a stick. -Dad
Lol and he is absolutely right.
So no Glocks.
What most new shooters (alot of people since 2020) should take in consideration is that no matter the
rifle, if youre not using quality ammo you are going to have a problem.
Not really
I was so annoyed that I couldn't get hole in a hole accuracy with a .22, decided the gun was junk. Bought a air rifle from bass pro, couldn't keep a group under half an inch at 25 yards, returned it. Watched videos of guys with pcp airguns getting great accuracy so I got one of those and used the pellets they used, finally success. But then I tried some of the cheap bass pro pellets in the "good" gun and it was incredibly bad. Now I am going back and changing every gun I use with a simple formula. Great mounts + great optics + great ammo = great groups.
Too true. "Old" 90s SR-25 here (24-inch). Will only take Remington .308 (despite the 7.62 marked on the rifle). That brand in particular according to both manual and catalogue. Any other ammo will either cause malfunction (slam fires with a "full-auto" effect, failure to feed or double feed) or inaccuracy. I also have the original mounts and a good scope meant for .308s (M-14, M-24/Remington 700, SR-25). That helps too. Bipod optional but helps if jittery or didn't drink/eat right.
@@appayippyipp6618 I bet 1 shot of my own reloads that cost more than your whole box of steel will hit more accurately 100% of the time.
#FakeNews with that blanket statement.
Thanks for this video, Mr. Hickok. We have a 'coyote problem' by us... I've been using a Remington 870, 12g, but the older I get, the heavy it seems to be getting, too. I just want a practical tool that will get the job done, so for me, the Ruger makes the most sense. $1500 can buy a lot of ammo! lol
Had my 350 legend for a little over a year. An absolutely amazing rifle, totally worth buying, very versatile and fun rifle. (Killed a buck last year using sub sonics and a suppressor- you can hear the bullet hit your target, pretty neat)
The Sako is what you show to your friends. The Ruger is what you show to the deer.
Sako is what you give onwards to your son. In the meantime, you just take good care of it.
@@SamiOittinen You didn't have to kill his joke
Here in Europe, they are actually quite common. About every professional hunter I know here in Germany owns and uses one as a primary duty gun. They are costly once, but they can take way more punishment than most people give them credit for. And they last a litteral lifetime
@@kj-marslander No, I just finnished it
@@SamiOittinen Boooooooooo
If he has children and Grandchildren they have got to be lucky to have him as their grandpa.
His son is filming if I remember correctly.
I agree 100% with you sir. I happen to own a weatherby mark V, made in west Germany, 300 weatherby magnum. I’m not kidding when I say I’ve sat for hours upon hours for years just admiring the beauty of the gun. Almost makes you tear up at how well made and well crafted some guns are.
I grew up working class and everyone I knew was working class. The closest rifle in cost I ever saw anyone own to this Sako was a model 70 Winchester. This was in the pre-64 days. They only owned one deer rifle. My dad bought his model 70 in 1955. I got all my deer with it. I will never sell it. Before the model 70, my dad hunted with a borrowed German K98k bring back. At the time, the K98k was considered a pauper's rifle. Now, both rifles are close in value. I hunted with one guy using an army 45-70 trapdoor rifle. I was boy at the time. Those 45-70 cartridges looked like artillery shells to me.
my friend hunts with his grandpas K98 bring back early war production so its a nice one he had it drilled and tapped for a scope in the 60s and its a nice ass rifle its got an old bushnell 4X on it and does fine at the ranges we shoot
I too hunt with an old K98 in 8x57IS. It ist now approximately 80years old - and it still works fine!
Last year it brought me an old Keiler of ~150kg. I bought the gun for 100€
@@ExplosiveWeaponForum I still have the original box of 8 mm ammunition my father used 70 years ago. Only two rounds are missing out of the box. With those two rounds, he took a trophy buck.
@@frechwieoskar8052 I would like to own a K98k. The rifles have become very expensive in the US. I do own a Yugo Model 48A and Yugo model 24/52. These rifles were not expensive at the time I purchased them but are not cheap now. I own other military surplus bolt action rifles. The Finish model 39 is my favorite. I bought the Sako Model 39 for 90 USD years ago. Now, the price for them is unbelievable. I bought two 8 mm Mauser rifles with bad headspace. One was a K98k.
This man is immortal lol. I've been watching his channel since I was 12 and he still looks the same!!! Love this channel the OG gun reviewer.
@@TheHonestTruth what?
I'm pretty sure most of us are "kinda short" next to you, Mr. 45.
Lol I always forget how tall he is when I am watching because you can’t really tell from the video
KeyC0de he’s about 6’5.
Both he and John are 6'8" they've said in videos.
I bought a Ruger M77 bolt action rifle in 30-06 in 1977, with a beautiful wood stock and no iron sights. I don't remember what i paid for it but it has been my go to rifle ever since. It's very accurate and I love this gun. It has it's share of memories engraved into the stock if you know what I mean. I've hunted some very tough terrain in weather that no one in their right mind would have been out doors in. I have never purchased a polymer stocked rifle so I can't vouch for their accuracy so the point of all of this is, wood stock or polymer? I see the purpose in both rifles. Thanks Hickok45 for giving us a view of some really nice firearms. I appreciate what you do and I hope you continue what you love to do.