Sako 85's ??? anyone running a black bear?

Big JD-From the hills

Big JD-From the hills

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I'm in the market for a no bs hunting/utility rifle, but its got to have irons. Would the sako 85 black bear .308 fit that bill?? Does anyone know if it will feed wider meplat cast bullets, or an empty case for that matter? anyone have any suggestions on alternatives? Im sure a basic 98 in .30-06 ad a hogue stock would work but would like to purchase something new if its going to be a keeper.
 
I found the black bear front heavy when carrying with its medium weight barrel. Beside that it is a very nice rifle. You will have more options if you find a rifle you like and then add irons.
 
Buckmastr said:
There was a new in box Tikka M65 deluxe in 30/06 in the EE. Irons, 22" barrel, detach mag. A classic 1980's firearm with quality that is beyond what is made today. Found it below....

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1577438-Numerous-sakos-and-tikkas?highlight=M65
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Long discontinued firearms come with detachable magazines have the issue being close to worthless and useless if the magazine is lost or damaged . Replacement magazines for Tikka 65 are 250 or 300 if you can find one
 
Nice rifles, one of the guys I hunt with owns one. Very light, look good and have nice iron sights. Kick more than your average 30-06 due to weight if that is an issue for you, still nothing to write home about. t3 battue is a good alternative, the GSR from ruger is also very popular, I found it quite loud but it is in fact a gun and as such loud.
 
My dad has a sako black bear 3006. Runs like a top, no ejection issues....accurate and smooth. Definitely my favourite of all detachable magazines. The irons are fantastic as well.
 
Slimbo said:
My dad has a sako black bear 3006. Runs like a top, no ejection issues....accurate and smooth. Definitely my favourite of all detachable magazines. The irons are fantastic as well.
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I was going to buy myself a 85 finnlite 7 rem mag as my Xmas present to myself. ..each and every time trying to eject a spent case it would bounce off the scope and stay in the action.

Ended up buying a Kimber Montana in 280AI.
 
Had a ruger scout. Yeah looking for a similar rifle, just something that uses good flush mags or fixed mag and is more refined, and a sythetic stock.

The bolt release that you have to depress on the sauer to work the bolt is garbage.
 
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I liked the iron sights on the Black bear. Big and easy to see for fast target acquisition. Obviously the large sights give up something on long range precision, but one would probably mount a scope on the rifle if the shooting is going to be beyond 100 yards.

The only weak point on the rifle IMO is the stock. It's ergonomic, but pretty tubberware feeling.
 
cam1936 said:
I liked the iron sights on the Black bear. Big and easy to see for fast target acquisition. Obviously the large sights give up something on long range precision, but one would probably mount a scope on the rifle if the shooting is going to be beyond 100 yards.

The only weak point on the rifle IMO is the stock. It's ergonomic, but pretty tubberware feeling.
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Does the action fit well into the stock or is it something that will shoot loose over time?
 
I almost bought a black bear but the straight up ejection killed the deal. It hits the scope hard and the case falls back into the action
 
Big JD-From the hills said:
I'm in the market for a no bs hunting/utility rifle, but its got to have irons. Would the sako 85 black bear .308 fit that bill?? Does anyone know if it will feed wider meplat cast bullets, or an empty case for that matter? anyone have any suggestions on alternatives? Im sure a basic 98 in .30-06 ad a hogue stock would work but would like to purchase something new if its going to be a keeper.
Click to expand...

I have the Sako 85 Grizzly, which is exactly the same as the Black Bear, except it comes with the wood stock. This Sako Grizzly is my second 85 model, the first was the 85 Bavarian. Both firearms are flawless. I only fired 33 load development rounds (30-06) from the Grizzly with two different powders and the gun achieved excellent accuracy and function. I don't know anything about these cast bullets, as mentioned.
https://imgur.com/a/v7EAS
 
Didn't know sako had such ejection issues. Good to know what to look for in the future. I always loved the look of the black bear but never ended up getting one.
 
This is the bullet Im trying to run. It worked well in the ruger gunsite. The tikka battue looks interesting but I would prefer flush 5rd mags. I suspect the tikka mags are no better than the gunsites.

N.O.E._Bullet_Moulds_TLC310-180-RF_(GC)_Sketch.Jpg
 
I assembled a 30-06 Blackbear for a buddy of mine. Performed very well at the range, typical Sako accuracy. Shelf amma was all under an inch.

No ejection problems. I have never seen it yet on the 75s or 85s.

Carried it on a deer hunt. Found it pointed nicely on standing/moving shots in the bush.
 
I own a black bear in .308 for approx 5 years now. I reload for it and love the thing. PM me if you have specific questions
 
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