Rigby Highland Stalker vs Sako 85 Deluxe

[Red Leg]

In Australia you can buy 3 Sako 85 Deluxes for the price of 1 Rigby HS, so I don't see it as a valid comparison. Rigby is control feed, Sako is push feed. Rigby will hold its value, Sako is a very nice commercial rifle that will depreciate.
Both are available in 9.3X62 which is a classic cartridge for Africa.

What he said. Here too you can get a nice trio of Sako 85 Deluxes for the cost of the Rigby. Either in 30=06 will perform as advertised. But, it really is an apples to oranges comparison which is fine. I own examples of apples and oranges of a lot of different makes and calibers.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

In Australia you can buy 3 Sako 85 Deluxes for the price of 1 Rigby HS, so I don't see it as a valid comparison. Rigby is control feed, Sako is push feed. Rigby will hold its value, Sako is a very nice commercial rifle that will depreciate.
Both are available in 9.3X62 which is a classic cartridge for Africa.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Yes, not apples to apples.

My Rifle cost New:

First listing I found:

My rifle is Left Handed, but in excellent condition. Not sure where that leaves it for value…

 

[BlueFlyer]

Yes, the Sako 85 is a controlled-round feed rifle:

• Controlled-round feed
  The rim of the cartridge slides under the extractor and is held there while it is stripped from the magazine. This prevents double feeds and cartridge jams.
  
  
  Apologies for my ignorance, the Sako 85 is control feed. Never assume.

 

[coreydb]

Which would you choose and why?


In plains game calibers (308, 30-06, 7mm, 300wm, 7mm etc)


And what caliber is the best for most African plains game in your opinions?


I know people say 375 as you can play around with the grains but it'd be great to hear some different opinions.


My uncle swears by the 30-06, others by the 7mm


How about you all?

Pick your poison.....they all will do if you do. If you're like many of us, if you like one rifle/caliber, you want to try others....and usually do. I used a Savage Axis .308 with a modified metal hose clamp trigger guard to harvest Blesbok, wildebeest Oryx, and Kudu, ranges were from 60-270 yards. Another safari I used a Sako 85 375H&H to harvest a cape buffalo, sable and a wildebeest; a Howa 25.06 to harvest another wildebeest, hartebeest, and blesbok, all between 370 and 420 yards. ANY gun will do if you will do. My most comfortable caliber is my 30.06 and yet I've not shot any African game with it......yet. That's next.