Sako 85 for long range? (!!!)

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ianfroese

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SW Manitoba
Edit: Initial review and thoughts on post #12

So I did some end of year dealings, and I'm soon going to be the owner of a Sako 85 in .338 LM. I've been tossing the idea of picking up a 338 for a while, and was looking at Cadex, PGW, and the Sako TRG, however the classic lines and built in brake on the 85 really got me. What are your thoughts on the 85? Am I crazy for taking this over something like a PGW with a chassis? Or does anyone else like to use a classic rifle for their long range needs? At any rate, the price was right, and I may still end up with a Cadex Sheepdog or Shepherd now as well.

Keep in mind, I am not a long range competitor or anything of that nature; I just love shooting long range on my farm. I usually aim to develop 1 moa hand loads, and the 338 will likely be the same. I just really wanted something to take advantage of the 1 mile range I have out of my back yard :cool:
 
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Factory rifles can shoot great, Sakos are especially great for over the counter. This rifle should be great for what your intentions are. Depending on the model and stock on this rifle you may want to upgrade to a chassis or laminate wood or properly constructed fiberglass stock, as regular wood and many synthetics can warp with temp and humidity changes... you can still shoot for fun with them but you may need to readjust your POI with weather variations. I have two 85's Finnlights, 260 rem and 7mmRM, the stocks are molded synthetics, they aren't the best for long range but they are light and feel great.... good for my hunting distances anyway, 500y max.

Oh chassis are fugly, go with a bedded stock.
 
Camoman1 said:
Factory rifles can shoot great, Sakos are especially great for over the counter. This rifle should be great for what your intentions are. Depending on the model and stock on this rifle you may want to upgrade to a chassis or laminate wood or properly constructed fiberglass stock, as regular wood and many synthetics can warp with temp and humidity changes... you can still shoot for fun with them but you may need to readjust your POI with weather variations. I have two 85's Finnlights, 260 rem and 7mmRM, the stocks are molded synthetics, they aren't the best for long range but they are light and feel great.... good for my hunting distances anyway, 500y max.

Oh chassis are fugly, go with a bedded stock.
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Thankfully the 85 Long Range comes with a laminate stock already. I've got my dies and components all ordered up now; I'm really looking forward to trying this out!

Now that I've got my own .338, anyone else want to join in on some 1 mile fun this summer? :cool:
 
Would love to try shooting out to a mile. Just thinking about bringing my parts to my gunsmith for my 338 EDGE build. I’m in south central MB. Hard to find a place to really stretch out the guns here. Property I shoot is only good for 910 yds. I’m new to the 338 as well. Have fun. Sounds like a nice gun. What bullet, powder are you planning to use? I’m thinking R33 or N570 with 300 gr Bergers or 285 ELD-M.
 
for that short a distance a 300 win would be a lot more fun on the recoil and still has all the requirements to hit a mile no problem. Have a friend with the sako 85 in 338 lapua and chamber is quite short for the 285 and 300 gr stuff. Other then that gun is quite good for the price range
 
furtaker said:
for that short a distance a 300 win would be a lot more fun on the recoil and still has all the requirements to hit a mile no problem. Have a friend with the sako 85 in 338 lapua and chamber is quite short for the 285 and 300 gr stuff. Other then that gun is quite good for the price range
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Agree on the 300 win. Never did understand why companies build rifles that are known for long range capabilities and then short throat them.
 
beeman2 said:
Would love to try shooting out to a mile. Just thinking about bringing my parts to my gunsmith for my 338 EDGE build. I’m in south central MB. Hard to find a place to really stretch out the guns here. Property I shoot is only good for 910 yds. I’m new to the 338 as well. Have fun. Sounds like a nice gun. What bullet, powder are you planning to use? I’m thinking R33 or N570 with 300 gr Bergers or 285 ELD-M.
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I'll be using IMR 7828, as I have quite a lot of it for my 6.5x55. It will be pushing a 285 gr Hornady BTHP bullet. I live in SW Manitoba, and my farm has tons of never occupied swamp land behind 1.5 miles of field. I've actually got a pretty nice little natural backstop at 1 mile, too.

furtaker said:
for that short a distance a 300 win would be a lot more fun on the recoil and still has all the requirements to hit a mile no problem. Have a friend with the sako 85 in 338 lapua and chamber is quite short for the 285 and 300 gr stuff. Other then that gun is quite good for the price range
Click to expand...

Hmm, I guess I'll find out how short it is. It looked to me like the mag was actually the limiting factor. I do have the ability to go to 2+ miles as well if I ever get comfortable at even a mile, so no need to limit myself to a 300 Win Mag. Lol, dare to dream, right?
 
Can always single feed it if need be. Yeah the 300 Win Mag will go a mile; but I already got a full custom. Shoots 215 bergers at 3000 fps. For myself I got most all calibers covered so now that my 300 RUM is shot out a Edge conversion was a economical transition to 338.
 
You picked an excellent choice. The rifle will do well. You are better to spend the extra money on a schmidt and bender to assist you in getting to the longer distances in different lighting conditions.
 
Murdoc said:
You picked an excellent choice. The rifle will do well. You are better to spend the extra money on a schmidt and bender to assist you in getting to the longer distances in different lighting conditions.
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I'll be starting with either a Sightron STac or my NXS. We will see if I feel the need to try other glass once I have some loads developed. I'm thinking Tangent Theta if I do decide to upgrade.
 
Well, I finally got my (mismatched) rings and bases, so with my Nightforce mounted and a load made up, I went out to sight in advance and do a ladder test.

First impressions of this gun are very good. It has an absolutely gorgeous laminate stock, that is far prettier than I expected. The weight of the stock, heavy barrel, and scope really soak up the recoil. The integral muzzle brake seems really well designed as well, and I attribute a lot of the lack of recoil to it, as well. 12 rounds in my ladder test and my shoulder didn't feel a thing. It feels about the same recoil as my buddies 257 Wby... So not that bad.

The heavy barrel also keeps its cool. 12 rounds with only a drive to the target and back in between, and it was not even warm to my cold bare hands!

The ladder test proved that with 7828, it isn't too concerned about powder charge, there was 1 moa of elevation difference between any 2 powder loads, except the lowest and highest charge. Next I will try some 265 gr Noslers and Retumbo, as that is the load I would prefer to use.

Anyways, that's my first impressions after 17 rounds. I was nervous about 338 Lapua, but it is really quite tame out of the Sako 85 LR. I'm looking forward to some more load development and finally long range shooting with it this summer.

Obligatory pic:
IMG_20180306_175500.jpg
 

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