Sako 85 Finnlight or Tikka T3 Lite?

MD

MD

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This has probably been asked a dozen or more times before but anyway...

Sako 85 Finnlight or Tikka T3 Lite?

What's the difference between these rifles besides $1100?


I think I'd probably have to sell half my present rifles to buy either one, but still I'm curious what you guys think.

I haven't had a new off the shelf gun since 1976.
 
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5 round flush magazine vs 3 single stack
More spacious magazine (length) if you reload long bullets
The Finnlight has a fluted barrel
full metal magazine
3 lug bolt vs 2
you can unload rifle while safety is on
real action sized receiver (long, short, etc.)
metal bolt shroud
metal trigger guard
magazine release safety
''controlled round feed'' at the very end of the stroke on the Sako
one piece machined bolt
metal magazine follower
you can feed magazine from the open bolt and top it off
5 shot moa accuracy guarantee
much grippier synthetic stock on the Sako
Higher grade wood on the Sako stock
more interesting array of models to choose from imo

The only plus side to the Tikka is low price, scope rings are easier to find, more choices and more affordable. Also more chances of stores actually carrying the exact Tikka you want. You might have to be on a waiting list for the exact Sako that you want. The Tikka bolt is also a hair smoother because it's a more bare-bones rifle but some might also call it a little sloppier.

I've owned both and loved both rifles. Subjectively, even though my Tikka and Sako both weigh the same, the Tikka just feels more 'hallow' a little 'flimsy' compared to the Sako. The Sako feels like a true timeless rifle that you can pass on down to your grand children. I've read stories of people having ejection issues on their 85 long action rifles. I have a short action 308 and don't have any issues.

A compromise between the Sako 85 and Tikka T3 is the Sako A7. That means if you decide on a Tikka, buy the really lowest end one (Lite 699$). Any Tikka higher in price then that is just pointless IMO, you should just step up to the Sako A7 (999$) at that point.
 
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MD said:
This has probably been asked a dozen ore more times before but anyway...

Sako 85 Finnlight or Tikka T3 Lite?

What's the difference between these rifles besides $1100?


I think I'd probably have to sell half my present rifles to buy either one, but still I'm curious what you guys think.

I haven't had a new off the shelf gun since 1976.
Click to expand...

Both will shoot good, the Sako will feel like a much higher end gun, because it is. The Sako 85 will be metal in places where the T3 is plastic.

I think the 85 is a 3 lug bolt vs. the T3's 2 lug. The 85's extractors are also different, but I don't know specifics.

before I bought my Haenel Jaeger 10, I was sold on the Sako A7 over the T3... I did not have Sako 85 money, but found the A7 offered a much better feeling stock compared to the T3. Actions felt very similar (smooth and good).

best thing to do is hold them to see if that $1100 extra is worth it to you.
 
i doubt the finlite would outshoot a t3 but the finlight is a much nicer rifle. it won't do anything the t3 can do but will do it with much more class. if you can afford it go with the sako.
 
vpsalin said:
5 round flush magazine vs 3 single stack
More spacious magazine (length) if you reload long bullets
The Finnlight has a fluted barrel
full metal magazine
3 lug bolt vs 2
you can unload rifle while safety is on
real action sized receiver (long, short, etc.)
metal bolt shroud
metal trigger guard
magazine release safety
''controlled round feed'' at the very end of the stroke on the Sako
one piece machined bolt
metal magazine follower
you can feed magazine from the open bolt and top it off
5 shot moa accuracy guarantee
much grippier synthetic stock on the Sako
Higher grade wood on the Sako stock
more interesting array of models to choose from imo

The only plus side to the Tikka is low price, scope rings are easier to find, more choices and more affordable. Also more chances of stores actually carrying the exact Tikka you want. You might have to be on a waiting list for the exact Sako that you want. The Tikka bolt is also a hair smoother because it's a more bare-bones rifle but some might also call it a little sloppier.

I've owned both and loved both rifles. Subjectively, even though my Tikka and Sako both weigh the same, the Tikka just feels more 'hallow' a little 'flimsy' compared to the Sako. The Sako feels like a true timeless rifle that you can pass on down to your grand children. I've read stories of people having ejection issues on their 85 long action rifles. I have a short action 308 and don't have any issues.

A compromise between the Sako 85 and Tikka T3 is the Sako A7. That means if you decide on a Tikka, buy the really lowest end one (Lite 699$). Any Tikka higher in price then that is just pointless IMO, you should just step up to the Sako A7 (999$) at that point.
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^^This^^
You will love either one, but I bet you would love the Sako more.
The only thing I'm not 100% with vpsalin on, is I believe the Tikka and Sako's use almost identical scope mounting systems. Yes, there is a difference, meaning you have to get "Sako" or "Tikka" specific ones, but I don't think there is any difference in difficulty getting them. Maybe I'm wrong. Optilocks are great bases and rings for either make.
 
Fire306 said:
The only thing I'm not 100% with vpsalin on, is I believe the Tikka and Sako's use almost identical scope mounting systems.
Click to expand...

Have you ever actually shopped for Sako 85 mounts before? Trust me, it's quite the P.I.T.A. if you don't want to buy the overpriced optilocks.

You can get a decent set of scope mounts for a Tikka at roughly 40$. Good luck finding scope mounts well under 200$ for a Sako 85. Yes the receivers are veryyyy different between the T3, A7 and 85. In fact, they have very little in common with each other. The difference I think is that Sako tries to monopolize the mounting system on the 85 so that you have to buy the overpriced Optilock rings from them (probably and extra 150$ of profit margin in their pockets on top of the expensive rifle). The other two rifle mounting systems are much more common. Only very few companies actually make aftermarket mounts for the Sako 85. I settled for the Talley QR rings for the my Sako 85. I couldn't be happier.

sako-a7-5.jpg


medvedqc said:
you can topload feed a tikka.
Click to expand...
It's not designed for that. Every time you do, you are adding to the wear and tear of the mag. That's not the case with the 85.
 
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Its like having a GMC 1500 in the SLT model or the upgraded Denali pkg. I have Sako m75 rifle and the T3's.....LOVE my SAKO's ....the T3 are great shooters for the $$$. I do not care for the T3 LITE stock so my T3's were in the laminate. Don't like plastic mag and other plastic features, go Sako m85.
 
Vpsalin, yes I have bought mounts for a sako 85, I have optilocks on mine. The 85 has the same tapered dovetail that all my Sakos use. Back to the "A" series rifles anyways. I had a tikka t3 once, and it had the same tapered dovetail design. I'm guessing they have changed now?
That's why I said what I did, I thought the tikkas were the same as the sako's. As the one tikka I had was the same.
 
You did not say what caliber you where thinking of getting, since that might be a consideration in regards to the Sako. The Sako has a Mauser type ejector at six o'clock which has been reported as causing ejection problems with the Sako long action in some calibers with some 30MM scopes and ring height combinations. I believe the Tikka has a plunger type ejector in the bolt face. I have two Sako 85's, since I made to decision awhile ago to keep only very few good quality firearms, which is the reason I have chosen Sako, instead of having a large collection of mediocre firearms which do not get used. I think the point that VPSALIN makes about the rings is very true. I believe that Prophet River stocks the Talley rings for the Sako 85, which I think would be worth investigating, since I was not aware of this until quite recently. I have the OPTILOC rings on my Black Bear, which are not quick detachable, though they are meant to be available in the OPTILOC rings, however I think I saw someone state that the quick detachable OPTILOC rings were "Rarer than a Virgin in a Whore House" and as expensive!
 
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Have you seen the new Sako A7 Roughtech Pro which has a fluted barrel like the Sako 85 Finnlight. I am not sure if when this will be available in Canada since the price might not be much less than the Finnlight.
 
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After reading endless threads on T3 v. A7 v. M75 v. M85 over the past couple years, I finally picked up a Sako 85 Finnlight in .270 win yesterday as a 30th bday present to myself (that last bit helped justify it :p)

I was quite surprised they were in stock, as I had found that M85's were generally sold out, especially in the most popular calibres. The technical differences cited earlier played a big role in my decision for sure and I do not see them as functionally identical (or even necessarily almost identical) aside from fit and finish as often comes up in these discussions. If it were only dressed up fit and finish, it would be a different kind of decision IMHO.

I like the advice of go shoulder them and manipulate the controls and see how they feel in hand. The quality of all these rifles is impressive and I think it is hard to go wrong. I wanted a rifle that I would keep forever without question. I likely would do the same with any of the forementioned rifles, but wanted to make sure I was not looking to upgrade later.

Again, all the above will treat a person well, these are all of a certain impressive level. Now to find a cheap optic.... :p
 
Should you decide not to go the Sako route, another excellent option may be to explore a different brand i.e. CZ550, based on preference (Lux or American). The only thing I don't much like about the CZ is the plastic floor plate.
 
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