Sako vs Kimber

W

wildnorthern

New member
What are the main differences between these two gun mfg's? Quality of barrel, trigger, bolt, bedding etc.... I don't know enough to know what kinds of barrels are more accurate etc...
 
Kimbers have broach cut barrels and Sakos are hammer forged. Broach cut are inherently more accurate.

Kimbers are tested at the factory to shoot >.40 groups, Sakos are tested to >1" groups (and almost always shoot much much better).

On the face of it, Kimbers should be the better gun, BUT they were having some quality control issues for a while that I don't if they've corrected. Some were great, some not so great.

Sakos are always very very good.

Either is about as good as you can get without going to a custom rifle.
 
Kimber alway had the QC issues through the years, for the same money, I believe Cooper Rifle is much better choice for a simi-custom grade gun and I would even buy a Remington before the Kimber.
Sako is also a good choice, they keep a very tight telorance, but had to pillar bed to get my Sako to shoot consistantly.
To answer your question, I buy the Sako before Kimber but I'll take a Cooper before the Sako.
 
I have been so happy with my Sako 75 Varmint walnut blued in .204 that I have ordered another in stainless laminate (it will be a 85, the 75's are not produced anymore). Out of the box with handloads it shoots very well. Will hold .5 and under with 32vm, 35 berger, and 39 bk. The factory barrel under bore scope inspection looks very nice. I had intended to replace it with a Lilja shortly after purchase but it shoots so well that I will wait untill it is burned out. Factory trigger is adjustable on single stage and mine is set to 1.5lbs. Set trigger is 7 oz. from factory. The set trigger can be adjusted also, but I have not tried. I don't know about the Kimber, but the Sako does have a three lug action which may be a plus. The factory detachable magazine is also very handy. It is indiscernible from a hinge plate and sits flush. 204 holds 6.
All that said, the Coopers are very nice also. If a repeater was an option I would be looking hard at those.
 
Sakos are easily more accurate on average than Kimbers. It ain't even close. They also have the best factory triggers I've EVER seen, period.----2MG
 
Sako,..smooth as KY. I was unimpressed by the several Kimbers I have handled,...they seemed overpriced to me for what I was holding. They were NOT as smooth into and out of battery as the Sako actions, and the finish was lacking to the Sako as well. Wood was nice,....but I usually will try to find a replacement for wood (grin)

I bought 3 of the Sako L691 actions "in the white" when Jerry's sold them as actions only. I built a 6.5-06AI on one action, and after shooting it, I decided to just slide those other 2 actions to the back of the safe for later. Great actions for a price that made me feel like I stole something.
 
I've never owned a Sako, but I have a Kimber Classic in .22 that is outstanding in every regard. Fabulous trigger, gorgeous walnut, and 1 hole groups at 50 yards from a rest.
 
the kimber .204 i own is the most accurate rifle i have ever shot. i bought it after shooting a friends that was just as accurate. .3 inch groups is routine on a calm day.
 
Quote:
Kimber alway had the QC issues through the years, for the same money, I believe Cooper Rifle is much better choice for a simi-custom grade gun and I would even buy a Remington before the Kimber.
Sako is also a good choice, they keep a very tight telorance, but had to pillar bed to get my Sako to shoot consistantly.
To answer your question, I buy the Sako before Kimber but I'll take a Cooper before the Sako.



Of the three, a Cooper is a true semi-custom rifle. Sako and Kimber are both high end factory rifles. That's why Coopers are much better rifles.

Try ordering one of the other two with the long list of custom features you can buy with a Cooper and their assembly lines would go on tilt and lock-down.

-BCB
 
My personal opinion is that Sako will shoot with Cooper all day. Cooper has more ordering options, obviously. I have recently seen 2 Coopers with problems at the smith. I could like Kimbers, if they could resolve their never-ending QC issues. Some are great, some are not.....
 
I currently own a Sako 75 in 22-250, a Cooper Model 52 Repeater in 25-06 and a Kimber in .204 (the laminated stainless fluted version)...I LOVE all three of them, all three rifles are more accurate than I am and all three have functioned flawlessly thus far. I'd have to say the Cooper is my favorite only because the English Walnut stock is a thing of beauty. I wouldn't have a problem owning any model from any of these manufacturer's. I have owned a half a dozen Sakos and they have been nothing but perfect. The Kimber and Coopers I own are my first from each maker. Simple fact of the matter is buy what you like between any one of these, you can't go wrong.
 
I've heard that Kimber Of Oregon had quality control problems and the rifles are hit and miss but I've never heard anything bad about Kimber Of America rifles. I've owned 4 Sakos and I currently have one left. I also own a Kimber 84M Classic 22-250 and it's easily one of the best shooting sporter rifles I've ever laid my hands on. And if anybody thinks they can find a better out of the box factory trigger than the Kimber I wish them good luck. None of my Sakos could hold a candle to it. Funny how Timney makes a trigger for the Sako rifles but not the Kimbers.

I still love Sakos and they are great shooters but give Kimber their due. They're also great rifles. Every time I've heard someone talk about Kimber's so called quality control problems it's from someone who heard it somewhere else but I've not heard a single Kimber owner complain about their rifle.
 
talking to people who actually shoot kimbers none have had anything bad to say about them. they are fine shooters and have a pure sexy look and feel to them.
 
I have a Kimber Montana in .300wsm. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif It's the litest rifle I own. It has the best factory trigger I have ever handled.
Also it will out shoot my Rem 700 vs in .243 win. At least until that little barrel heats up. It's spot on for that most important, cold bore shot! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Tim
 
do a search over on 24hr about kimbers, last time I was at my gunsmiths he told me about a guy who brought in a kimber for him to look at, he said it was the worst factory rifle he had seen, too many issues to list, also the bore was not cut in the middle of the barrel,

if you want a light rifle why not save 50% and get a tikka, I have one that shoots amazing, its also put together very very well,
 
Kimber should stay focused on their 1911's. The rifles are great so long as you don't expect accuracy. All three of mine have new homes. I've kept an old Kimber of Oregon.

IMO, you can do a lot better.
 
Back
Top