Sako 85 Grey Wolf?

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hawk-i

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Hey guys, looking at a Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 30-06 as an all around hunting rifle.

What are your opinions on this rifle.

I've heard of some extraction issues on scoped Sako's any thoughts?

Thanks
 
Cool rifle! Mine's a 300 Win. Mag. Might have issues with ejected brass hitting the scope side turret if it's big.

Sako_Grey_Wolf_300mag_Monarch%20III_a_zpsjfsemvrh.jpg
 
Although I don't have a Grey Wolf, my go to rifle is a Sako 85 Black bear in 30-06 so same action. I have a vortex 3-9 50mm with 1" tube and the optilock bases and rings.
I have never had a problem with this rifle cycles extracts and ejects flawlessly.
 
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Built like a tank and heavy. One of the two I had experience with wouldnt shoot better than 2" which was disappointing.
I haven't had ejection issues on any sako 75 or 85's
 
I have a grey wolf in 30-06 and have hunted with it for a number of years and taken quite a few animals. Great rifle, durable with the laminate stock and stainless, I personally love the action and the safety system. In recent years I've traded up in caliber to .338 win, mostly because bigger guns are cool. My only dislike of the 85 is the hockey puck of a recoil pad. With a jacket and hunting it is not really a factor. At the range the 30-06 kicks more than the .338 m70, with the fancy recoil pad. i will eventually get around to putting a decent recoil pad on the gun. Mine is one of the first 85s made, so perhaps they have changed what is put on at the factory. Many times I've daydreamed about getting another grey wolf in .338 win. Never had a single problem with ejection.
 
I see this particular version of the 85 as likely being useful for making magnum chamberings more tolerable than the lighter versions. My Finnlight or even the stainless/synth may be more difficult to manage with more push. I am actually considering the exact rifle Slamfire has, but am still researching ejection to make sure :|

A 30-06 may suit you best with this amount of weight or less. You will have to decide. I had ejection issues with the .270 and am skeptical of 85's in this action size. I know others have had no issues, so YMMV.

I am actually looking at this rifle for my 2nd 85 in 300WM like Slam, to assist with recoil. The other issue with these is you then are compelled to add nice or at least decent glass. The total can be a real commitment.

FWIW my .308 short action has no ejection issues and should practically do what a 30-06 can do. Less recoil may let you enjoy less rifle weight.
 
I also have an 85 Kodiak in 375 H&H Magnum. 21-1/4" barrel, has a handy and pointable feel. The laminate stock being more dense would add a bit more weight. No extraction or ejection issues with this one either. Shouldn't be a concern??

No hesitation taking these stainless laminate Sako rifles hunting in the rain.

SAKO%2085%20-%201_zpsoheagjqy.jpg
 
I have had a couple in the m75 model. 300WSM and a 338-06AI. I sold the 300WSM to a hunting buddy that wanted to upgrade. Love the grey laminate. 30-06 with 180gr bullets (Accubonds or TTSX) and you a good to go !!
 
the main problem with sako ejection, is in magnum cartridges.
I've never seen it happen on anything else. i had one in 270WSM and it would barely get the brass out of the way,
one in 300WM that would hit the scope so hard it would dent the neck of the casing sometimes,
never heard of anyone with issues on non magnums
 
I had a 30-06 Grey Wolf 85 in 30-06 a few years ago. I'd describe the ejection as lazy, the empties always seemed to clear the action but just barely. I expect a fixed ejector to put an empty into orbit when you want it to but I suppose working is working.

The issue I had was that the rifle stubbornly insisted on putting the cold bore shot and sometimes the second 2-3 inches out of the group that followed no matter if it was clean or dirty. Warmed up it actually shot rather well, but the way it was made it useless to me. Winter made the problem easily evident since a cold barrel was just a few minutes wait away. After a quick 400 rounds I took it back to the dealer as these things have an accuracy warranty. The dealer suggested a full refund and to let them mess with Sako so I went that way.
 
As for the ejection issues, it's a know problem. My 375 H&H in low rings was having issues until I rotated the scope so the windage turret is now my elevation turret. This only works with a symmetrical reticle.
 
Whoever decided that the ejector should be positioned at the 6 O'clock position needs a kick in the head. Honestly, if you want to throw something out the window you direct it toward the window.
 
A rather curious design. Small windage turrets don't seem to interfere with ejection. Sako 85, CZ550, Zastava and Ruger Hawkeye designs for comparison -

Sako 85
Sako85_ejector_zpsrc62payx.jpg


CZ550
CZ550_ejector_zpsvbwxad3d.jpg


Zastava LKM70
ZastavaLKM70_ejector_zps0gwzv8lv.jpg


Ruger Hawkeye
Hawkeye_extractor_zps2wkcyibb.jpg
 
Dogleg said:
Whoever decided that the ejector should be positioned at the 6 O'clock position needs a kick in the head.
Honestly, if you want to throw something out the window you direct it toward the window.
Click to expand...

I hear you. And it's not like Sako hasn't had the time to change the design.
As well as a Sako M85 Grey Wolf, I had a Sako Aii (c.1980) and a Sako A7 - they all had the identical problem:

The ejected empty cartridge hits the scope turret and falls back into the breech at an angle ...
causing a jam when the shooter tries to close the bolt on the second round.

A search of the literature reveals that many others on other forums have complained about this issue for decades.
Potentially how serious is this? .. well, imagine if the jam occurs just when a bear is charging you.
Unfortunately, Sako has not been (and is not) listening.

Maybe Sako expects us to turn the $2500 rifle sideways before ejecting a spent round? ... lol.
 
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