Sako 85 in 260 Rem Stainless Varmint

3

358 BLR

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North of Edmonton
OK folks let's try this one.
A Sako 85 Stainless Varmint in .260 Rem
- 1 in 8 rate of twist (which is what I'd want)
- single set trigger 7.5 oz. pull in set mode (I shouldn't have to mess with this)
- fluted varmint 23 5/8" barrel (Should be a good length for the 260 Rem)
- laminate stock with beaver tail fore end (not sure if it's bedded)
- Sako's silky smooth action (overall chamber length unknown and OAL
cartridge in magazine also unknown)

Typical Sako price in the $2000 range.
So what do you think, is this an out of the box 1000m pea shooter? Or, are you guys/gals aware of any shortcomings with this rig?
Naturally, I'll equip it with a top of the line Tasco 4x rim-fire scope.;)
varmintlamss.jpg
 
This exact combo has been my current pipe dream for the last week! I imagine a good rail and scope would complete this package nicely! Just not sure if the chamber will handle the longer match 139's and still feed from the mag? I'm sure someone will chime in! Now you can just await all the replies telling you to "build a custom off of a savage action for the same price...blah blah blah":p
I would really like to get into 1000m plinking...and when I do, I think this is the rig I would pick up
 
if you find one in canada order me one two. i have been looking for over a year now for sombody who stocks that rig no luck so far everyone says they can special order it. i waited a year for my last special order sako and it was the wrong rifle in the end wont be doing that agin.
 
I had the exact same gun chambered in 223,and other than one design flaw,it was an excellent gun.It easily put 5 shots in 1/2" with the 50gr v-max at 100 yards,and it averaged less than 3/4" with the 69gr Matchking.The trigger was as good as I have ever used on a factory rifle.
Now for the design flaw,not one load heavier than 50gr would fit the magazine if they were loaded anywhere near the rifling.Why have a magazine,if you can't use it?As a result,I sold the rifle.

I had actually planned to order identical another rifle in 260rem,but I was concerned that I might run into the same problems with it.In the end,I ordered a Cooper Phoenix Model 54 repeater in 260 instead.The Cooper retails for about the same price,and comes with a three shot 1/2" accuracy guarantee.As well,with the Coopers that I own,I can seat bullets to the lands,and they still fit the magazine.
 
If I wanted a 6.5 for 1000yds, I'd order it in 6.5x55. More likely to be able to seat bullets out long with mag fit, being as it's a long action and longer mag.
 
It will probably be quite accurate. The big shortcoming will be the length of the throat. I guarantee it will be so long that you will not be able to seat to optimal seating depth and still use the magazine.

The stock design is not great for long distance shooting, it is more of an off-hand hunting rifle design, but Sako and Tikka make what i feel are the most accurate factory rifles hands-down. for only 1/3 more, you could have a full-on custom rifle that will be a guaranteed shooter, properly designed for long range shooting, and have the option of being a switch-barrel, to allow you to use as many different cartrisdges as will fit the bolt face.

Your call... what YOU like is what counts.
 
Sako and Tikka make what i feel are the most accurate factory rifles hands-down.
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That was my opinion before I started shooting Cooper rifles.For prices comparable to Sako,I find the Coopers just a little bit more accurate.I only bought the Sako because Cooper doesn't make a 223 repeater yet.
 
I think there are better ways to accurately get to 1000 yds., most involve a custom made barrel, properly chambered and throated.
 
I suppose if your wanting the rifle for local competition factory class or plinking, go for it. Same league as a Tikka T3. Better option is the 6.5x55 Swede because of brass and throat length for long seating.

Will it be competitive against custom rifles, Nope. Sorry.
 
I sure would want to know the OAL allowed in the clip before I purchased the
rifle. I am a hard core SAKO guy and the detachable clips are longer than most, but I think you will run into problems with 140g VLD bergers....
I currently own a Custom .223 Sako 75 action, McMcMillan A2 stock with a
26" LV 1:14 Kreiger barrel and Muzzle brake. It weighs about 14lbs with the scope and it shoots great for a .223.(mid 3's at 100 yards/no recoil) My OAL clip length is 2.360" and thankfully my 50 V-Max bullets only need 2.300" to touch the lands. In running the next Sako action size up, there is no way the clip will be long enough for the .260 with 140 bergers.....
 
Ain't no short cuts!

Well, I guess I'll just have to accept the fact that there ain't no short cuts to a precision rifle.:( But it does have me wondering why a falling block wouldn't be
the simplest choice: specify the chamber and throat dimensions you'd like, have it installed, tune up the for-end, get the trigger worked and start stuffing
cartridges in it. An over simplification, I'm sure, but building a good repeater isn't all that simple either.

Thanks for your advice people, it's definitely been an education.:cheers:
 
stubblejumper said:
That was my opinion before I started shooting Cooper rifles.For prices comparable to Sako,I find the Coopers just a little bit more accurate.I only bought the Sako because Cooper doesn't make a 223 repeater yet.
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I have been very impressed with the few coopers I have seen. They are almost a semi-custom, since they go out of there way to use good barrels and have a number of chamber otions. They are unto themselves accessory wise, which is the only down-side. Really nice fit and finish too.
 
I have been very impressed with the few coopers I have seen. They are almost a semi-custom, since they go out of there way to use good barrels and have a number of chamber otions. They are unto themselves accessory wise, which is the only down-side. Really nice fit and finish too.
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I am so impressed with Cooper, that I keep buying more of them.The cost is comparable to Sako or Weatherby,and the fit&finish and accuracy is better than either.They should sell a lot more when the magnum actions become available in the next few months,and the stainless actions won't be far behind them.If only Robertson Composites would make a nice varmint stock for the Model 54.;)
 
stubblejumper said:
I am so impressed with Cooper, that I keep buying more of them.The cost is comparable to Sako or Weatherby,and the fit&finish and accuracy is better than either.They should sell a lot more when the magnum actions become available in the next few months,and the stainless actions won't be far behind them.If only Robertson Composites would make a nice varmint stock for the Model 54.;)
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After you mentioned them (Cooper), I went to their site and I must admit they
have an impressive selection of calibers. I'm glad to hear about the stainless actions
because it was a concern for me; it would definitely complete their stainless rifles.
 
After you mentioned them (Cooper), I went to their site and I must admit they
have an impressive selection of calibers.
Click to expand...

Clay at Prophet River(site sponsor) keeps around 100 Coopers in stock,and his prices are as good as they get.
 
6.5x55

Redhouse & lejerretnoir:
I noted your suggestions with respect to the 6.5x55 cartridge and I must agree that it looks to have all the right attributes to be an excellent candidate
for a hunting/Long Range precision rifle: excellent ballistics (probably better then the 260 Rem given it's larger capacity), a large selection of factory brass of
varying quality, the "chamber dimensions/magazine dimensions" problem doesn't seem to be an issue and the cartridge isn't hard on barrel life, as far as
I've been able to surmise. It's only Achilles heel (and god help me if every cartridge I've looked at doesn't have at least one) is it's peculiar case head
dimensions. Now please (and I'm actually begging you at this point), please tell me that that obtaining a proper 6.5x55 bolt to drop into a standard Long
Action receiver isn't a problem. If you can do this and point me in the direction to where I can get one, I will personally seek an audience with his Holiness,
The Pope and have you canonized.:D

I should also point out that I'm not looking to use an older, weaker Mauser action as a starting point; having to downgrade my loads to accommodate an
older action is not something that interests me at this time. I do realize, from all that I've read on this forum and other sites, that to achieve the long range
capabilities I am looking for, a barrel upgrade with trued action is pretty much a given, but if I can find a suitable donor rifle that requires little else in
the way of modifications, I'd be one happy camper. And if it were easily chambered in the very fine 6.5x55 cartridge, I'd be all that much happier.:D:D:D

Later, Rob
 
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I'm in the process myself of converting a Rem 700 Long action to 6.5x55. Others have done it. I have a Rem 700 Classic in 6.5x55 and the boltface is about .010 larger than the .30-06. Having said that, I've tried some Lapua brass in the 06 boltface and it seems to be little snug. I'm looking into opening up the boltface another .005 on the lathe and check to see that the original extractor will work properly.
Maybe some of the other smiths will chime in here.

I will say that the 6.5x55 Swede is one of the most flexible dual purpose rounds. Great for hunting, varmints and long range target. I've also found that long throats commonly found on these chambers doesn't hurt accuracy all that much. I still have a bubba'd 96 swede I keep with a worn out barrel that still shoots sub MOA.
 
The 6.55 SE is one of my favorite rounds. It does everything very well.

MOST bit not ALL .473 (.308) bolt faces have no issues with Lapua 6.5X55SE brass. Some do. You can attack this issue a few ways:

Not use Lapua brass (What is the point of trying to achieve excellence if you aren't using Lapua????)

Trim the base of the Lapua cases to fit a .473s bolt face

opem the Remmy bolt face (most complicated and expensive.... some reputable plumbers quote an eloquent NO EFFING WAY).

Awesome cartridge!!!! More than a cetury old and still kicking longe-range BUTT!!
 
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