SAKO 85

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Potashminer

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I am curious about those rifles - the potential seller describes the thing as a "Sako 85 XS stainless heavy barrel" - it is apparently chambered in .223 Rem. I am considering to get it - more than 22 Magnum but less than 22-250, but not finding such a thing on-line - no doubt a defunct model these days? Any thoughts or experience with them??
 
From Sporting Rifle Magazine

Many years ago, I owned a Sako Model 85 in .223 calibre that served me well in my fox control work. I seem to remember that it was one of those rifles that had been developed to such a high degree that it was pretty well faultless, so I was keen to see how a far more modern Sako stacked up against my golden oldie!

Some countries seem to have the knack of producing extremely good rifles. The Scandinavian countries, Finland in particular, have this ability. It is hard to understand why, but many of their products, not just rifles, seem to be uncluttered and, above all, fit for purpose.

I must say that following shooting websites, YouTube and the shooting press, it’s hard to find serious criticism of any Sako rifles, and looking at this particular model it’s easy to see why.

This rifle comes from GMK in .204 Ruger which is a favourite foxing calibre of mine. In fact, I have taken to it so much that my faithful Sauer has been moved on, as I just wasn’t using the .223 calibre any more. So I was more than interested to see how the Sako worked in this calibre
 
Thank you bearhunter - I had read that review on-line. At one time I had run into a set of old school SAKO ring mounts - was my impression that back in the day, some SAKO made rifles had integral scope bases - not certain about the SAKO 85 though - I have not even seen pictures of it - so trying to do bit of research ahead of time to pretend that I would know what I am looking at. I believe SAKO started up making money by converting captured German K98k into "hunting rifles" - my impression is that they must have hired good engineers or firearms designers - I believe that SAKO developed into a very good brand name, but I am not so sure how common they became in North America. At some point, SAKO and TIKKA brands became intertwined - not sure who owns who or how they relate to each other - if at all. It seems many feel "Tikka" is a tremendous value for a rifle - I had just not heard much about the SAKO rifles.
 
Only been behind one a couple of times (on the same day), belonged to a buddy of mine..we were popping some gophers with it. I remember the gun was beautifully-made, laser-accurate and easy to shoot well.

I'd pick .223 over 22-250 or 22WMR but all 3 bring something different to the table, so depends on your application. To me, going over .223 (=22-250) I'd want more ability to buck the wind if I'm putting that much powder behind a bullet. I'd probably opt for .243 if I felt I needed more but .223 is immensely popular for a reason.
 
The 85s are very nice rifles. Very smooth action. Not really defunct as the new 90 is basically the same rifle with a change to the shape of the ejection port, the profile of the bolt shroud, and some of the variants have a pic rail milled into the receiver while others still require the Optilock mounts. The biggest difference between the 85 and 90 is the extra $1000 added to the price. I have a locker full of 85s in various models and cartridges. I have parted ways with a few but only because I have my favourites for hunting. All are sub MOA with shelf ammo, never encountered one that does not shoot well. I love the A5, 75, and 85 lines. The new 90s are nice but not worth the markup. I would rather build a custom for the same price or less.

85 models that are currently in or have been in my locker:
- Finnlight
- Finnlight 2
- Hunter
- Bavarian
- Bavarian Carbine
- Black Bear
- Kodiak
- Grizzly
- Classic
- Stainless-Laminate (AKA: Grey Wolf)
- Stainless Synthetic
- Black Wolf
- Varmint Stainless

One of the main criticisms of the 85 that you will read about is problems with ejection on the 85M (270/30-06 length), the problem being is the expended casing hits the bottom of an optic. I own a few of these models, have assembled several others for friends, and thankfully have never experienced this issue. There are a couple credible forum members that have shared their experience with this problem but there are also a few very vocal guys that simply parrot what they have read on other forums, two of whom I know personally and neither of them have ever owned a Sako 85. I have never heard of this issue presenting on an 85S nor on the 85XS action sizes.

There are a couple other threads on the forum on these rifles.
 
Potashminer said:
Thank you bearhunter - I had read that review on-line. At one time I had run into a set of old school SAKO ring mounts - was my impression that back in the day, some SAKO made rifles had integral scope bases - not certain about the SAKO 85 though - I have not even seen pictures of it - so trying to do bit of research ahead of time to pretend that I would know what I am looking at.
Click to expand...
All Sako rifles--from the earliest L46s of the late 40s and 50s up to the 85s--have had an integral tapered dovetail milled atop the receiver. This is a clever mounting system and eliminates the need for separate bases. Ring mounts are available that slip right onto the dovetail and are tightened there. Some Sako owners have used bases from various scope mount makers atop the tapered dovetail, but these are redundant and unnecessary. In my opinion, it makes the most sense to just get rings that attach directly to the dovetail and forget about separate bases. The old school Sako ring mounts that you mention are very good mounts (with windage adjustment), but are limited to 1" scope tubes. Leupold make good ring mounts that go directly onto the Sako dovetail (so no bases needed) and are available in both 1" and 30mm size.

As for the Sako-Tikka relationship, Tikka was purchased by Sako many years ago, but now Sako (along with Tikka) is owned by Beretta. As I understand it, both Sako and Tikka rifles are manufactured in the same factory, with barrels for both coming off the same assembly line. The Tikka actions are evidently less complex than Sako actions, with some cost-cutting features, and, as a result, Tikkas are less expensive than Sakos. Both are excellent rifles.

I'm guessing that the rifle you've mentioned has a laminated stock, and so, along with its heavy barrel, will be a relatively heavy rifle. Here are the technical specifications for this rifle:

https://media.sako.global/image/upload/v1683881104/85_Varmint_Laminated_Stainless_uskrns.pdf

Evidently, it could have an 8, 10, or 12 twist, and, if concerned, you could ask the seller which twist is stamped on the barrel. At one time, most 223s seem to have had a 12 twist, but with the more recent interest in long, high-BC bullets, the faster twists have become popular.
 
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Thank you, South Pender - the rifle is home with me now - some details that you mentioned. Barrel scroll indeed does say CAL. 223 Rem. 8". It is a laminate stock - decently heavy weight barrel that appears to be stainless steel. My postal scale says the unit weighs 8 pounds 14.8 ounces - bolt and empty magazine installed; Leupold 30 mm rings installed, but no scope on it yet. About the only 30 mm body scopes on hand are fixed power SWFA - so this one will likely get the 16X or the 20X.
 
A "neat-to-me" feature - it has a single "set trigger" - so push the single trigger forward and hear a "click" - now becomes extremely light pull to fire - is much like the "single set" trigger on the CZ 527 Carbine that is here.
 
Sounds like you have the 85 Varmint Laminate Stainless. Nice acquisition! Enjoy!
Very nice rifles...I used to have one in 260 Rem, and was sub-MOA with factory ammo. Some also come with the set trigger, while others do not. Your detachable magazine should hold 5 rounds...but if memory serves the XS (Xtra short) action's magazines held more; 7??? for 204, 222, 223, etc.
The integral bases are nice. Optiloc makes one piece and two piece rings for these, and are well made. Leupold even made QR rings and bases for them; I just got some for my 85 Hunter in 9.3x62 w/ open sights.
While not inexpensive, they offer a lot of features and fit/finish for the money, that you could not build into a custom rifle for the same cost. And I have not owned, or shot, one that wouldn't shoot acceptably well to very well.
 
I could not find where is says so on the rifle, but the box end flap sticker by Stoeger says it is "85 VARMINT SS Lam 223 RM W/ST" I do not have any loaded .223 Rem on hand - so I just inserted empty unsized cases into that magazine - it accepts 6 empty cases easily - will not accept a 7th one in there. I do not yet own any .224" bullets heavier than 55 grain - so that will be my first go at it - 55 grain V-Max. Previous owner was getting superb accuracy with 75 grain Hornady bullets - at the moment, I do not own anything that heavy - but the one turn in 8" twist would seems to like a heavier bullet, I think.
 
I only have had one 85, that a stainless laminate that they called the Grey Wolf. It remains one of the few rifles I returned because it shot so bad. Rather than send it back on the accuracy the dealer just refunded my money. 3” groups is all I got out of it.
 
Bedding is odd on the 85, spare mag prices will give you a stroke, nice trim light receiver was what I liked about them, quality rifle with some quirks.
 
The biggest complaint I have about my Sako VLS 223 XS action is the DM length. I load 53gr Vmax way longer then the mag will allow. Extremely accurate but I basically have to use it as a single shot. Only use this load for gopher shooting so not a big problem but just a PITA. For the same rifle in 204 Ruger I load the 35gr Berger bullets to fit the mag. No where near the lands but accurate load for calling coyotes, with many dead coyotes 400+ yds.
Rifles are a little on the heavy side but they balance and fit me so well that I don't really notice. Once you get use to the set trigger feature you will use it a lot. PM me if you would like some of the load data that I have worked up for my rifle.
 
I had a Sako 85 with Leupold Medium rings and standard sized 3-9x40 scope, brass would hit the scope. I'm sure had i used high mounted rings i wouldn't have had the issue, but one doesn't pay 2500+ to have a rifle act like that from the get go, or to have high rings to have poor chin weld to the stock. The dealer took back the rifle, so that was great on their part.
 
Potashminer said:
I am curious about those rifles - the potential seller describes the thing as a "Sako 85 XS stainless heavy barrel" - it is apparently chambered in .223 Rem. I am considering to get it - more than 22 Magnum but less than 22-250, but not finding such a thing on-line - no doubt a defunct model these days? Any thoughts or experience with them??
Click to expand...
Have one currently in 22-250 and had the mate to it in 223 as well. They are ridiculously accurate you will not be disappointed. Cheers
 

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Hitzy said:
Bedding is odd on the 85, spare mag prices will give you a stroke, nice trim light receiver was what I liked about them, quality rifle with some quirks.
Click to expand...
I think that I already had that stroke last evening - was looking at what it would cost to get one or two more magazines for it - NOT likely to happen!!
 
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