Sako 85 Finnlight or Sauer 101?

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Deep

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Hi folks,
I am looking to get a new hunting rifle, and have pretty much narrowed it down to either the Sako 85 Finnlight (Finnlite?) or the Sauer 101. I would be getting the synthetic stock. I have shouldered both in store and they both feel good, but won't get the opportunity to shoot either before I buy one.

I will be looking to buy one of these in 30-06, and this would be my only hunting gun, so I will be using it for deer, moose, and elk. So my question is, which one should I opt for? The Sako is a little bit more money and is a little lighter, but they are relatively similar, and these two things are not a big deciding factor for me between the two guns.
 
Handled many, but never shot, the Sako 85. Installed a number of scopes on them, not a fan of their unique wedge design having dealt with it.

Would love to have a close look at the Sauer 101, or even the 100. One owner I've met raved about the 101. It uses standard bases for Remingtons. Lot of thought and innovation in its design, from a company noted for quality.

That said, I'd lean towards the Sauer 101.
 
Between my wife and I, we have 3 Sako Finnlites. Wouldnt trade them for anything. Lots pf people cut them down because they dont like the stock. Never had a problem with the stocks at all. They actually feel good but do show handling marks (to me that doesnt matter as they are hunting rifles that get used well). All 3 shoot extremely well, as good as any of my customs. 2 are 7mm rem mag and one is 300 win mag. You wont be disappointed with a sako 85 at all.... I dont have experience with the 101, but have shot an S202 Outback in 270 win. That too is a sweet rifle. Higher priced than sako. If they made an outback in 280 or 280ai I would try one for sure.
 
It's not actually a "pressed in" barrel. They heat the action, set the barrel into place and it shrinks back as it cools to a tight fit. Quite unique, never heard of it being done this way before...?
 
I'm with 7 mag. The Finnlites are great rifles. I've owned a few Sauers as well (202's not the 101) but I fondled the 101 in store and it just didn't feel quite like a Sauer should. It's kind of like buying a B class Mercedes. Yes, it's a Mercedes but....

What did you like about the 101? To me the Finn is a step up and worth the few extra dollars.
 
Thanks all for the info so far, leaning towards Sako based on what is discussed here and given that it will be stainless.
vancouverbc - the Sauer has a nice oversized bolt, so doesn't rattle when its open. Also the action is really smooth, but so is Sako's. Sauer 202 would be nice, but that gets pricey.

Any difference between the choice of optics you would put on both of these? I know Sako needs its own mounts, but I'll be buying mounts only once so mounts is not a big concern, but wouldn't like if one limits actual optics options.
 
sir_springer said:
It's not actually a "pressed in" barrel. They heat the action, set the barrel into place and it shrinks back as it cools to a tight fit. Quite unique, never heard of it being done this way before...?
Click to expand...

Mauser does it as does Steyr on their 'SSG' lines
 
Two Sako 85 Finnlights in our household...mines a 25-06 and my wife's is a 7-08. Love both and the newer soft touch stock fits perfectly for me.
 
sir_springer said:
It's not actually a "pressed in" barrel. They heat the action, set the barrel into place and it shrinks back as it cools to a tight fit. Quite unique, never heard of it being done this way before...?
Click to expand...

I believe Steyr-Mannlicher did this with their SSG...in 1969.

LOL....AP beat me to it, I should have read the entire thread before posting!
 
Ive owned a number of 85's and they were great but some have been known to have ejection issues once you mount a scope. I had this problem with a Sako A7 and was lucky Cabelas took it back.
 
Deep said:
Thanks all for the info so far, leaning towards Sako based on what is discussed here and given that it will be stainless.
vancouverbc - the Sauer has a nice oversized bolt, so doesn't rattle when its open. Also the action is really smooth, but so is Sako's. Sauer 202 would be nice, but that gets pricey.

Any difference between the choice of optics you would put on both of these? I know Sako needs its own mounts, but I'll be buying mounts only once so mounts is not a big concern, but wouldn't like if one limits actual optics options.
Click to expand...

Of all the sakos I have owned, past and present, I prefer the Leupold scope mounts. Nothing wrong with optilocks but leoupols have less pieces and look better in my opinion. Never had an issue with them at all....
As for scope options, the sky is really the limit. On our L actions I tried Swarovski 3-10x42 scopes and found the tube was too short to adjust properly where I wanted it... Might be ok if your going with 30-06 M action. Cant comment on that... I now run Leupold vx3's in 3.5-10x40. Great scopes, fit nice and again, have never had a problem with Leupold!
Good luck on your choice and keep us in the loop!
 
7mag - you ever have any problems with empties getting hung up when trying to eject them? I've read quite a few folks (relatively) are having that problem with the Sako 85.
 
1899 said:
7mag - you ever have any problems with empties getting hung up when trying to eject them? I've read quite a few folks (relatively) are having that problem with the Sako 85.
Click to expand...

I have never had that issue at all. Mind you, I have only ever owned LA sako's. I have heard of empties hitting scope on extraction but hasn't happened to me. Again mabey thats in the shorter actions
 
I wouldnt overlook the Steyr SBS rifles as another option. If it fits you and you arent fussy about aesthetics...they also have some excellent all weather options.
 
I agree on the Leupold ring mounts, they get the scope down so you get a proper cheek weld. The only problem is that they are lower, so you get the ejected cartridge hitting the scope turret. I'm not saying all M action 85's have this problem, but mine does. And again, it only became a problem once I switched from Optilocks to Leupold ring mounts. My solution is to turn the scope 90 degrees. You may say that a rifle that costs this kind of money should not have this problem, and I would totally agree with you. My take on it is that Sako designed the rifle to work with their scope mounting system, and it does.

scope mounted 90 degrees
 
Thanks again for your inputs everyone.
Has anyone had the cartridge ejection problem with Sako rings?

Riverboy - what's the sling you got on your finnlight?
 
Thats a paracord sling that my buddy made for me. He ran some rubber o-ring material up one side so it doesn't slip off your shoulder. I love it, but I don't carry a rifle much on my shoulder anymore since I got my Stone Glacier pack. Truth be told, I don't carry this rifle much anymore since I got a Kimber that is just about 2 lbs lighter all up.
 
7mag said:
Of all the sakos I have owned, past and present, I prefer the Leupold scope mounts. Nothing wrong with optilocks but leoupols have less pieces and look better in my opinion. Never had an issue with them at all....
As for scope options, the sky is really the limit. On our L actions I tried Swarovski 3-10x42 scopes and found the tube was too short to adjust properly where I wanted it... Might be ok if your going with 30-06 M action. Cant comment on that... I now run Leupold vx3's in 3.5-10x40. Great scopes, fit nice and again, have never had a problem with Leupold!
Good luck on your choice and keep us in the loop!
Click to expand...

I have a Sako 85 SS, similar to the Finnlite, but prefer it over the Finnlite because it has a 22" barrel. I believe Finnlites are 20" but I could be wrong. The 85 SS are harder to get hold of, though. I opted for the Leoplod mounts but if I was to use Sako mounts I'd probably opt for the Sako Ringmounts over the Optilocks. It sports the Leupold VX3 3.5 -10 X 40. Great glass,,,,good in low light conditions. I like the objective of my scopes to be as close to the barrel as possible and the Leupold Sako mounts ( I believe they were mediums) worked well for that. I would had had to use the extra low in the Optilocks for the same result.

My rifle is a short action 7-08 and I've never had ejection issues. This is probably something you could test in the store because of the Sako safety ejection system,,,,the safety can be on while ejecting ammo. One thing about Sako is they're all tack drivers if you do your part and their action is about as smooth as it gets.
 
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