Sako 85 Varmint?
- Thread starter Woodbeef
- Start date
SAKO 85 SS Varminter
I have a SAKO 85 XS in 223 Rem with a factory 1x8" barrel. It is extremely accurate with Sierra 77 MK's seated to fit the magazine, also with Berger 82 BT's seated to touch the rifling and with Nosler 55 BT's seated to fit the magazine.
The single set trigger is awesome as is the fit a finish.
Excel.
I have a SAKO 85 XS in 223 Rem with a factory 1x8" barrel. It is extremely accurate with Sierra 77 MK's seated to fit the magazine, also with Berger 82 BT's seated to touch the rifling and with Nosler 55 BT's seated to fit the magazine.
The single set trigger is awesome as is the fit a finish.
Excel.
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- southern sask
I just got mine today, I wanted the 1:12 twist but got the 1:8. Will it shoot good with 52 gr calhoons and 55 gr out to 300 yds? It's a 223.
I don't see why not. I have the Sako 75 Varmint (laminated) in .223 with the 1:8 twist barrel. I used to use it with 40gr Vmax and 40gn Nosler BT with no problems at all shooting tight groups, but I am now using the 55gr Vmax. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Had one in a 204 Ruger. A fellow offered me way too much money for it when he saw some groups I had shot with it, so I sold it to him. I have one 3 shot group with Sierra 32gr blitzkings that is about .007" c to c as near as I can measure. You will not be disappointed.
- Location
- southern sask
I am just waiting for scope mounts, should be here tomorrow. I can hardly wait to shoot it, i've waited two months for it, and then the mounts were forgot to be sent.
I have a Sako 75 Varminteer, Stainless/Fluted with a nice Laminated stalk in
.260 rem. It's the only gun i own that will shoot consistant ragged one whole groups at 100M. I really like it. It's a keeper! I have shot under .3/4" groups with it at 200M
I may have to buy more reloads off last owner who has since offered to buy the gun back.
I think it's worth the money. Although! I'm sure you can buy a Savage that will really shoot as well.
Bob
.260 rem. It's the only gun i own that will shoot consistant ragged one whole groups at 100M. I really like it. It's a keeper! I have shot under .3/4" groups with it at 200M
I may have to buy more reloads off last owner who has since offered to buy the gun back.
I think it's worth the money. Although! I'm sure you can buy a Savage that will really shoot as well.
Bob
I bought a Sako 85 XS SS Varmint, in 223, to re barrel to my 20 EXTREME wildcat as the magazine is exactly the right length and holds 7 rounds. I mounted a Leupold VXII 6-18x40 with LRV reticle and loaded some Winchester, range pickup, brass with 25.5 grains of Benchmark and 50 grain Nosler BT seated to 2.6". This load was right out of the Hodgdon online manual. I zeroed it 1" high at 100 which should be a 200 yd Zero.
A friend of mine shot the first 300 yd group from a bag over the hood of my truck. We were amazed that he put three into about a 3/4" cluster about 6" low. I had forgot to tell him to use the 300 yard dot. The other day I took it to the range and shot with my bi-pod and rear bag off the bench at 300 yards using the 300 yard dot. My first 3 shots were 1 1/2" low and measured 0.56 MOA. I moved scope up 2 clicks and shot 3 more shots just above the bullseye and measuring 0.58 MOA. I then Fired a 5 shot group that measured 0.97 MOA. This should be able to be improved on quite a bit if I had a larger scope with finer cross hair and did a bit of load development with Lapua match brass. I measured the chamber and found it to be very tight with the Lapua Brass. The only problem is that while it has the right twist and is throated for the 75 grain, and heavier bullets, the magazine is too short to take full advantage of them.
I am having second thoughts about re barreling a gun that shoots this well. If anyone is interested I would consider selling it.
A friend of mine shot the first 300 yd group from a bag over the hood of my truck. We were amazed that he put three into about a 3/4" cluster about 6" low. I had forgot to tell him to use the 300 yard dot. The other day I took it to the range and shot with my bi-pod and rear bag off the bench at 300 yards using the 300 yard dot. My first 3 shots were 1 1/2" low and measured 0.56 MOA. I moved scope up 2 clicks and shot 3 more shots just above the bullseye and measuring 0.58 MOA. I then Fired a 5 shot group that measured 0.97 MOA. This should be able to be improved on quite a bit if I had a larger scope with finer cross hair and did a bit of load development with Lapua match brass. I measured the chamber and found it to be very tight with the Lapua Brass. The only problem is that while it has the right twist and is throated for the 75 grain, and heavier bullets, the magazine is too short to take full advantage of them.
I am having second thoughts about re barreling a gun that shoots this well. If anyone is interested I would consider selling it.
I have the Sako 85 Varmint in .223 with Conetrol rings (I couldn't get Sako's SS one's ...) and a Zeiss 6.5-20X50.
I must say I really enjoy the firearm. I looks great, feels great and shoots <MOA for sure.
Being relatively new to shooting, I'm not the best shot and don't hand load ... but it's as the other's have said.
I am also very partial to the 'set' trigger.
I must say I really enjoy the firearm. I looks great, feels great and shoots <MOA for sure.
Being relatively new to shooting, I'm not the best shot and don't hand load ... but it's as the other's have said.
I am also very partial to the 'set' trigger.
Sako 85
I have owned Remington 700P, Various Savage heavy barrels, and I have to say the day I sighted in my Sako 75 Stainless Varmint was a new education in rifle accuracy, fit and finish. It is a sub MOA rifle, out of the box, with a smooth action and repeatability.
I am currently doing a Remington 700 action custom build and you CANNOT do it for the cost of a Sako. Anyone that tells you this has not done a true custom build. With the cost of the action, Shilen or Galliard barrel your are already at the cost of a Sako or 3/4 the way to the stainless Varmint model. Add an HS Precision, McMillian, or ACIS stock plus the rifle smith to put it all together and you can buy 2 Sakos!!
My Sako is the only rifle that is on my "do not sell list". Everybody has there favourite rifles. Sako is my production rifle favourite.
Darb
I have owned Remington 700P, Various Savage heavy barrels, and I have to say the day I sighted in my Sako 75 Stainless Varmint was a new education in rifle accuracy, fit and finish. It is a sub MOA rifle, out of the box, with a smooth action and repeatability.
I am currently doing a Remington 700 action custom build and you CANNOT do it for the cost of a Sako. Anyone that tells you this has not done a true custom build. With the cost of the action, Shilen or Galliard barrel your are already at the cost of a Sako or 3/4 the way to the stainless Varmint model. Add an HS Precision, McMillian, or ACIS stock plus the rifle smith to put it all together and you can buy 2 Sakos!!
My Sako is the only rifle that is on my "do not sell list". Everybody has there favourite rifles. Sako is my production rifle favourite.
Darb
- Location
- southern sask
My 85 now has about 200 rds and with handloads i'm having trouble getting it to shoot under a inch. It has the 1-8 twist and I have tried 55 gr ballistic tips and sierra hpbt. I am partly blaiming the scope, its only a 6x burris and covers 3/4 in at 100yds so that is a limiting factor. Just ordered a 6-18 leupold from Clay so that will help. I hope it will shoot 55grs as good as you guys are, I don't want to have to use heavy bullets.
+1 regarding the Varmints. I have both a 75 Varmint SS in .308 and also a newly acquired 85 Varmint SS in .223. Both are 1/2 MOA rifles out of the box and you notice the lapping quality when there is very little fouling after a 200 round gopher day. I must say though that the Sako 85 magazine catch system is really ###!! Every time I have to do a mag change it is a two handed ordeal.
Darb
Darb
