SAKO 85 mounting Options

M70-338

M70-338

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Proud new owner of a 7mmRM 85 Finnlight. I'm gathering info right now as to what type of mounts I should go with.
Is there anything wrong with Optilocks, I don't shoot far enough to require any built in MOA.
I see NEAR Manufacturing makes a beauty rail.
Thought and opinions welcome.
 
Congrats on the Sako.
Personally I like the Sako optiloc rings/bases. Very solid and secure and the fact that the inserts self center within the rings is nice.
I've also used Talley's and Leupold's. Both are nice but I prefer the Sako product. My only complaint with the optiloc's is that if you plan to use a scope with a small objective you probably wont be able to mount it as low as you would like. Even with Sako's "low" rings the clearance will be excessive. I have a 50mm objective Vari-x III mounted on a Sako sporter using the "low" rings.

I'm not a fan of full length picatinny rails on sporting rifles. Call me traditional.
 
im pretty sure you would have to drill your rifle to mount a near base onto your rifle. optiloc ringmounts which are one piece will tension fit onto your dovetail on your rifle. i think come in what they call extra low, but i seem to think even they would clear a larger objective scope. depending on what you would like to spend there is always conetrol scope mounts, you would be hard pressed to find anything else that would get a scope as low as they do. i will be picking up a set for my sako this summer.
 
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Never seen the Conetrol mounts, they look nice?
If I understand correctly and go with Optilocks, I'll need to buy low or extra low rings for mounting a 40mm Leupold?
 
I avoid Optilocks, because they are heavy, expensive, and they often won't let me mount the rear ring forward enough to provide the proper eye relief with some scopes. I find the Leupold ringmounts to be just as strong, for about half the price.
 
stubblejumper said:
I avoid Optilocks, because they are heavy, expensive, and they often won't let me mount the rear ring forward enough to provide the proper eye relief with some scopes. I find the Leupold ringmounts to be just as strong, for about half the price.
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Alright, good points made. Then what about the Optilock one piece ringmounts? Aside from being really expensive, they'd be lighter than the two piece ring/base setup with added advantage of selfcentering, non marring inserts. I wonder if they're intended to go on long action magnums?
 
M70-338 said:
Alright, good points made. Then what about the Optilock one piece ringmounts? Aside from being really expensive, they'd be lighter than the two piece ring/base setup with added advantage of selfcentering, non marring inserts. I wonder if they're intended to go on long action magnums?
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They are still overly expensive, and they still won't let the rear ring slide far enough ahead to obtain proper eye relief with some scopes.
 
The previous posts point out the problems with the Sako 2-piece optilock system (weight, price, scope height); in spite of this they are very well made and the inserts keep your scope pristine. I have a .243 finnlight with a Zeiss 3-9X40 conquest with the two piece opti-locks with extra low rings and it is still too high for my liking. I also have a 300WM finnlight with the same scope in the opti-lock 1 piece ringmounts. These are only available in low (as I understand it); they are lighter and use the inserts, but are only a mm or 2 lower than the two piece. I never understood why Sako didn't put more thought into this.
Could be on other Sakos with different stock configurations that this is not so much of a problem.
 
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I put Sako one piece lows on my 243 with a Kahles 3-9 X 42 and it's bangin. Scope just clears the barrel by 3/16". Eye relief was perfect. Mounted the scope and first shot was dead centre and only about 10" high. I found the rings to be first quality.
 
After listening to the feedback I was really on the fence but leaning towards Leupold ringmounts. I went to look locally in Calgary, prior to ordering some and a small shop had the Sako 1" low SS ringmounts for $170. SOLD!
Although some think it irrelevant, I think the advantages seem enticing: the rear ring has a lug, 4 screws vs 2 and they won't leave scope rings on the tube. Hoping the mounting allows for correct eye relief with a 40mm VX3. I'll share my opinion on the Sako rings once I mount the scope.
 
My Sako 75 with Leupold VX2 3-9X40. Its similar to your setup...
I really like those Optilocks. They are expensive but lets not cheap on such a beautifull/quality rifle.



 
I was in the same boat and went with Talley rings/bases. I don't regret the decision one bit, saved some money over the optilocks and people complain that optilocks strip screws too easy...
 
I personally have used the 2 piece as well as 1 piece ring mounts (which have the same insert for protecting your scope against ring marks) and I prefer the 1 piece ring mounts. I don't like screwing up from the base into the ring and the having to square it off before mounting on the dovetail rail. My concern is if that base screw ever starts to loosen I probably wont know until it had cost me a shot
 
I think that folks are missing the one significant factor in favour of the optilocs (AND the Burris Signature series) ... the insert/bushing allows you to mount the scope stress free ... which is a significant contributor to long scope life AND repeatable accuracy of a scoped rifle.... I am not a fan of ring lapping unless it is the only option (which it is not with the availability of Optilocs and Burris Signature rings) because there is only limited correction for misalignment available with lapping before you start to impede the rings ability to grip (and maintain alignment of) the scope tube properly. Of course EAW mounts can achieve the same stress free mounting .. but at significant cost and additional complexity.
 
vpsalin said:
I was in the same boat and went with Talley rings/bases. I don't regret the decision one bit, saved some money over the optilocks and people complain that optilocks strip screws too easy...
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Talley rings and bases are what they are, I suppose. I didn't care for them. I'm a talley lightweight fan. Are they incompatible with Sakos or something? I have never seen a Sako with Talley Lightweights.
 
talleys go with sakos like mayo goes with ham sandwich, as far as I'm concerned.
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Im a huge Talley fan but always go for the Sako optilock ringmounts on my Sakos.
The ring/base combo from Sako just looks too bulky for me.
 
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