I have a 308 black bear as well and have been nothing but pleased with it. I had it cerakoted as a more durable finish and it is working out quite well. I have never had any ejection problems with this rifle or my stainless laminated 270. If anything the ejection is so positive that the case mouths get dented by striking the rear bridge when they are ejected with gusto.
Sako 85's ??? anyone running a black bear?
- Thread starter Big JD-From the hills
- Start date
Honestly guys...some of these 85 rifles have ejection issues that Sako will NOT look after.
It's a known issue. ..my advice is to have the shop you are buying one from mount up your intended optic/ring height and bring in a fired case and try it before you put your money down. For 2 grand plus you deserve a functioning rifle that will take all scope mounting options.
It's your money...after reading about the ejection issues on the 85s I asked the shop to mount a Leupold VX2 4-12x40 in medium height rings on a 7mm Remington mag finnlite. ...I'm so glad I did this as the rifle had 100% failure on ejection of a spent case.
From what I've heard the problem stems from the fit of the extractor but Sako will leave high and dry if you get a bad one...will worth checking before buying IMHO.
It's a known issue. ..my advice is to have the shop you are buying one from mount up your intended optic/ring height and bring in a fired case and try it before you put your money down. For 2 grand plus you deserve a functioning rifle that will take all scope mounting options.
It's your money...after reading about the ejection issues on the 85s I asked the shop to mount a Leupold VX2 4-12x40 in medium height rings on a 7mm Remington mag finnlite. ...I'm so glad I did this as the rifle had 100% failure on ejection of a spent case.
From what I've heard the problem stems from the fit of the extractor but Sako will leave high and dry if you get a bad one...will worth checking before buying IMHO.
No extraction issues so far in any situation.
I have found the finish to be wearing on the action. I don't know if some kind of solvent got on it but it rusts on a few spots. May have to go to cerakote like someone mentioned.
The only thing I don't like about it is the magazines. I have had jam ups chambering often because the floor plate won't sit level- Even squashed and dented rounds. It may just be a faulty mag but I haven't spend $200 on a new one to find out.
I like the way the rifles weight feels. Not too heavy not too light.
Action is smooth.
I don't mind the stock. It has been rubbed off a bit from a few trips but Id expect worse if it were wood. As far as synthetics go I like it a lot.
Overall, I like it. Would I recommend it over say, the half the price t3. I may have just bought a t3.
I have found the finish to be wearing on the action. I don't know if some kind of solvent got on it but it rusts on a few spots. May have to go to cerakote like someone mentioned.
The only thing I don't like about it is the magazines. I have had jam ups chambering often because the floor plate won't sit level- Even squashed and dented rounds. It may just be a faulty mag but I haven't spend $200 on a new one to find out.
I like the way the rifles weight feels. Not too heavy not too light.
Action is smooth.
I don't mind the stock. It has been rubbed off a bit from a few trips but Id expect worse if it were wood. As far as synthetics go I like it a lot.
Overall, I like it. Would I recommend it over say, the half the price t3. I may have just bought a t3.
Big JD-From the hills
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan.
That's one thing I would not tolerate is it miss feeding or jambs or hang ups of any sort. Found a used one at a gun shop within driving distance, have to check it out in the next couple weeks.
The Tikka Battue is effectively a black bear (made in the same factory no less) for 1/2 the price. Really good open battue style sights, 20" barrel, great scope mounting options (incudling this QD 1 piece I imported from Finland) slick Tikka action, etc. Mine is a .308. Great Tikka (Sako) accuracy. You can't go wrong!
I have A tikka and a sako black bear. Had a tikka. The sako Is so much better in every way. I know they are more money but worth every penny. Great open sites, cool fluted barrel , accurate , stainless steel flush mount magazine, no ejection issues on mine anyways, great feeling stock,not hollow sounding. The sako is a keeper.
I have a finlight 308 and love it. No ejection issue with mine.
There was a feeding issue caused by the aluminum follower binding against the steel magazine box. The third round wouldn't feed and only third round. I removed the follower and rounded and polished the edges and the problem went away.
There was a feeding issue caused by the aluminum follower binding against the steel magazine box. The third round wouldn't feed and only third round. I removed the follower and rounded and polished the edges and the problem went away.
I think this is a good point. I had Tikkas as well but they just don't fit me as well as the Sakos.
Big JD-From the hills
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan.
Picked up a used sako black bear for about the same price as the new Tikka! I wasn’t considering the tikka for a number of reasons, I don’t like the single stack mags, inability to top load etc etc, and I wanted a rifle that was a step up from the consumer grade stuff everyone is slinging. The only thing I had a bit of hesitation on was the goofy rail on the sako. Looking at it now, short of a weaver rail machined into the action it’s likely the most solid way to attach a base to a gun, beats screws that’s for sure. I have a set of Burris extreme tactical bases right now, I might go with that Talley setup though. I’m wanting to go with a 2-7x whatever scope. I just have to watch the tube length, would like close to 6”Need atleat 5.5. fired it yesterday, it feeds the wide flat point cast bullets so smooth! Also test mounted a Leupold mk4 with large tactical turrets, empties clear no problems.
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- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
See here for Battues (and I agree
)https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1345903-lets-see-your-thick-bush-guns!?p=14449492#post14449492
