Sako 85 Bolt Explosion

[Duncan Idaho]

I have been a fan of the Sako 85 since they first came out. Never had a problem until this past weekend. My bolt exploded into its separate parts.

I am curious as to if what happened to me is a common occurrence. While the bolt was open, I inadvertently put a hint of pressure on the cocking indicator extension of the firing pin assembly.. Truly only a gently weight. The shroud popped off and the firing pin, spring, and other unnamed part exploded in my hands. As I watched the deer walk away, I was busy watching a youtube video on bolt reassembly.

I am curious if others have had their bolts disassemble/explode while in the field.

 

[BattleRife]

So when you say explosion, you mean it flew apart by spring pressure? Pretty misleading to use the word 'explosion' in such a way, when dealing with a part that is truly subject to explosions.

 

[blargon]

The bolt shroud is supposed to come off, if turned clockwise while the bolt is removed. Not sure how you could do that accidently...

 

[yodave]

not the first one I've heard of, had a hunting partner pull his bolt out of his jacket pocket only to find out he had no shroud and no firing pin, piss poor design of a 2K rifle

 

[blargon]

Ive had and have several sako rifles and have never had an issue, however I find leaving the bolt in any rifle causes a lot less problems...

 

[reckoner1]

The title of this thread is very misleading. Sounds like the bolt failed when firing the rifle when obviously that isn't what happened.

The bolt body has a recess cut into it (at the back) that makes sure the shroud doesn't easily rotate. I just pulled one of my 75's out of the safe and tried to replicate the issue. I put quite a bit of pressure on the shroud, with the bolt in the open position, and the shroud doesn't budge. Not sure what's going on. Maybe the recess in your bolt is shallow but either way it should take a bit of pressure to turn the shroud.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Ok, I did not intend to mislead anyone. The bolt was in the rifle as I was hunting. I had a loaded magazine attached to the rifle. When a deer appeared, I proceeded to cycle the bolt to chamber a cartridge. As I drew the bolt to the rear, the base of my thumb must have put some pressure on the cocking indicator and extension, resulting in the shroud, firing pin, spring, and spacer separating from the bolt body. I have never seen this ever on the 75s or 85s.

The rifle has always been in perfect working order. Only an hour before this incident I had cycled the bolt and fired a cartridge normally dropping the first of several deer.