tell me about Sako rifles

owlowl said:
Sako 85 is nicely finished junk. Google "sako ejection issues". For the money any other option is better than a new Sako.
Click to expand...

Well, except for the Winchester Supergrades with extensive machining marks and warping stocks, Kimbers that print like shotguns, and Weatherby’s having issues with safeties. Google it. Point is all manufacturers have occasional issues and put out a lemon. It’s just a lot easier to hear about the small percentage of problem guns these days.

Did you ever get the .308? Did it resolve the issue?
 
guntech said:
They have always made a nicely finished rifle of good quality... I don't think they are that much better when it comes to actually using them... all makes and models have particular quirks. If you can afford one give it a try but just because it costs twice as much doesn't make it twice as good.

A few years ago Sako had a bad batch of stainless barrels that blew up a few rifles...

This is one rifle that blew with factory ammo... Here is a picture link: https://postimg.cc/gallery/FLgrCdP
Click to expand...

More than a few years...That was in 2003.
 
No, but have handled the 375 H&H Handi Rifle. That's how SAKO spelled it.
Click to expand...

Sako at the time presumably unconcerned with copy right infringement lol.

Nice rifle Stickhunter. I think one of those in 338 wm would be perfect for me. Whynot? is right about the 375 H&H, must be very impressive.

I imagine a lot of those rifles sat on the shelf for a while waiting for the right person to claim them. I guess 7mm magnum could be used in countries that had bans on military stuff?
 
TT1900 said:
Well, except for the Winchester Supergrades with extensive machining marks and warping stocks, Kimbers that print like shotguns, and Weatherby’s having issues with safeties. Google it. Point is all manufacturers have occasional issues and put out a lemon. It’s just a lot easier to hear about the small percentage of problem guns these days.

Did you ever get the .308? Did it resolve the issue?
Click to expand...

As of Sept 2020, Sako 85s prices: Bavarian is 2.5k, Finlight 2,2k, Finlight II 3.2k. Mags are like $130+. Rings are proprietary. Aftermarket stocks or whatever do not exist.

You need to be insane to consider this to be a good deal. Tikka is way better action for half a price, plus tons of aftermarket stocks. At least Tikka's do not throw brass into scope turrets.

Hell, Cadex all Canadian built CDX-R7 SPTR is 3k:

https://gobigtactical.ca/online-store-1/?store-page=Cadex-CDX-R7-SPTR-Rifle-p170347649

I can't even imaging Cadex telling me that I need to turn scope sideways so brass won't drop back into the action.
 
Yes, nice things tend to be expensive; way of the world. It’s a hunting rifle, how many magazines do you need? It’s unfortunate you fell into the minority who have had a negative experience with the 85. I can certainly understand why you’re sour on them.

That Cadex is a boat anchor! 8.5lbs without optics or ammo?! They should have spent less time making it ugly and more time figuring out how to shed weight. Finnlight II for me, thanks.
 
SAKO do make great rifles. I was worried about the “ejection” when I was in the market for another hunting rifle. Looked into it, called and talked to people about it. My small local gun store called to see if it’s anything to worry about or if they have Hurd of anyone having the issue, And they spoke very highly of SAKO. Well I said ok to a finnlight in 7mm rem mag. Got it home put some snap caps in and boom hit the turret caps, it was a very low end Burris Glass with optilock bases and medium height rings. I was wanting to get better glass anyway, and the turret caps were pretty large on it. Brought it back in unfired of course and they had some resized empty cases. They ejected with lots of clearance. I picked up a Leupold vx3i “way smaller turret caps” and went down to “low” rings and still lots of clearance I’ve tried to get it to hit the turrets caps, spent cases, live rounds, Works flawlessly. Do I think that with some scopes it will hit 100% I do, the majority of scopes out there have medium to large turret caps theses days. The design of the rifle puts the round “down in” it seems like, where as a tikka the round stays almost inline with the ejection port. Do I enjoy my SAKO yes I do. Would I get another yes I would. But, I’d go into it with the thought of getting new glass might be in the picture!

Brodie
 
owlowl said:
Well, since you've asked.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/956108-A-Tale-of-Sako-S-amp-B-Bad-Luck-and-Customer-Service
Click to expand...

What are you shooting now?


Not to be a ####, but try a Steyr model M sometime, or even a prohunter.

As others have said about function and design, it’s a level up for sure, got mine used for about $1600, 5 round rotary mag flush to stock bottom, iron sights with quick release swivel off scope mounts, 60 degree or less bolt swing, beautiful bolt handle that to me is the mark of how the rest should be, hammer forged barrel, single set trigger that when pushed forward is a super light hair trigger, and rear bolt lugs so short and quick bolt throw and action. Sorry for the sidetrack, but that is as above was said about money’s worth in function and design, in contrast to the Sako.
 
cody c said:
What are you shooting now?


Not to be a ####, but try a Steyr model M sometime, or even a prohunter.

As others have said about function and design, it’s a level up for sure, got mine used for about $1600, 5 round rotary mag flush to stock bottom, iron sights with quick release swivel off scope mounts, 60 degree or less bolt swing, beautiful bolt handle that to me is the mark of how the rest should be, hammer forged barrel, single set trigger that when pushed forward is a super light hair trigger, and rear bolt lugs so short and quick bolt throw and action. Sorry for the sidetrack, but that is as above was said about money’s worth in function and design, in contrast to the Sako.
Click to expand...

American Rifle Company, JC barrel, MDT, Triggertech
 
I have 4 Sako 75's. 3 have Mcmillan stocks and 2 have aftermarket barrels (not because they wouldnt shoot, just wanted different options). I love the actions and the fit of the stock profile. Have had a couple 85's, but they dont feel the same to me. I wouldn't pay the current prices for any of them. The older ones are great rifles, but I prefer quality synthetics over wood.
 
Sako's are well made rifles. Good quality workmanship however they seem to have a few design flaws. Overall I think the T3 is the best rifle design that came out of Sako. Old or new. I have an old L579 that is in our family since the late sixties. I don't think it is special in any way and only keep it because my father bought it. Have no interest in 75's or 85's. We often get asked to try and epoxy bed the 85. Some come up with alternative bedding plates but we think the best is to throw the L- plate in the bin, use a T3 Lug and bed like a T3. Once properly bedded and the ejection issue does not crop up it is a very useful rifle. Nothing a T3 couldn't do (better?).
edi
 
The difference in price between a Sako A7 Soft touch and a Tikka T3x is around $100-200. The soft touch is a bit heavier than the T3X lite and the stock sturdier but the barrel is of the same quality. I started hunting with a Sako A7 Soft Touch. It shot several factory cartridges sub-moa. With all my handloads, I have been able to achieve sub moa and in one case 0.3 moa. This includes NP 130 and 150, Sierra 90 grain, SPH 130, SBT 150, SST 130, SST 150. Fabulous rifle and not picky.

Next I got a Tikka T3x Lite in 6.5x55. Now this shoots 0.5 moa with NAB 130, NP 140, NAB 142, SST 140, SGK 140, HIL 140, HIL 160.

What not to like with these two rifles...I will never sell them.
 
Last edited:
I absolutely love my Sako 85 .22 250. Factory set trigger, fluted bull barrel, Zero extraction issues and shoots like a lazer. Went from a T3 to a 85. Like the T3 as well, Just found this 85 and set trigger got me interested . I also have an A7 .308 and its my go to deer rifle. Love it as well and shoots awesome, I'd use it for moose but my T3 .300winmag is pretty lucky.

One thing I liked on the sakos and not on the T3 was the button to open the bolt with the safety still ON. I think T3X has this as well, But im not sure only have/had T3s.

EjoHirK.jpg
 
I bought a 85 7 mag ....heard about the ejection issues so I brought a spent case with me to the gun store.
Sure enough...when they mount a leupold vx3 the gun would NOT eject the case.
Ended up going home with a new kimber Montana instead.
 
hawk-i said:
I bought a 85 7 mag ....heard about the ejection issues so I brought a spent case with me to the gun store.
Sure enough...when they mount a leupold vx3 the gun would NOT eject the case.
Ended up going home with a new kimber Montana instead.
Click to expand...

Problem is - people never believe this. Because not all 85s do that all the time.
 
I have had several Sakos. My 270 finnbear was a flawless tack driver. Sold it. My stainless 75 in 300rm was a good gun but nothing special.It didn't come close to the accuracy and quality of my Browning 7mag BBR . Not even close. Sold it. I still have my sako 22/250 and its a tack driver and a beautiful gun with beavertail stock. I will keep that one. I will never sell my BBR either.

Old pic of my 22/250.
lxUPFI4.jpg
 
Last edited:
Sako’s started to promote their diamond lapped hammer forged barrels back in the late 70’s early ‘80’s and were invariably praised by reviewers at the time for excellent accuracy. The older ‘2 lug’ rifles were honest well constructed rifles that worked. The forged actions had a flat bedding surface and an integral forged recoil lug which was considered optimal for proper bedding at the time. The bolts were ‘one piece’ and advertised as forged.

Unlike the Remington 700, the bolt handle was not brazed on to the bolt - it was an integral part of the entire bolt forging and these attributes were admired by people that wanted a sturdy accurate rifle. Sako also utilized a fixed standing ejector that operated through a slot in the in bolt face which was considered reliable and foolproof - it was! The stocks were generally good wood and hand checkered compared to other mfrs who used machine checkering or worse ‘impressed’ checkering. Most models also had a reinforcing through bolt that reinforced the stock and acted against the action recoil lug which added further strength. Bluing was excellent. And you could get tarted up versions with very high gloss bluing if you demanded that sort of thing.

When the Model 75 was introduced it changed their approach dramatically and the action received a third locking lug ..... some people like this action and some saw some of the changes to be regressive. But the 75 added stainless steel versions and a move to removable box magazines. I like the 75 as well and they certainly retained the Sako reputation for good to excellent accuracy. I also like the integral dovetail scope mounts which remove one more area of potential problem when mounting a scope. Generally I also like their stock designs .... there is more to be said but they are solid rifles. But then so are the ZKK rifles ... although no where nearly as well finished as Sako’s.

To add some trivia .. there were (are?) gunsmiths that can rebore and re-rifle some manufacturers barrels if they need this service. I have noticed that most - or all - will not offer this service for Sako barrels. Apparently either the steel or the hammer forging process (or both) make this process impractical. Generally Sako barrels have, as do Steyr and some others, a lengthy practical service life.
 
Last edited:
guntech said:
They have always made a nicely finished rifle of good quality... I don't think they are that much better when it comes to actually using them... all makes and models have particular quirks. If you can afford one give it a try but just because it costs twice as much doesn't make it twice as good.

A few years ago Sako had a bad batch of stainless barrels that blew up a few rifles...

This is one rifle that blew with factory ammo... Here is a picture link: https://postimg.cc/gallery/FLgrCdP
Click to expand...


there is something odd about that picture ... it appears as though someone has milled the integral scope dovetails off the top of the action making it much thinner there. If that is the case - I can understand how it would offer little support to the barrel. Mind you I am looking at the pic on a small phone screen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom