What are the lightest scope mounts for the Sako 85?

[kelly1]

I don't quite understand how anyone can hunt regularly without a scope. Maybe it is because I grew up in Alberta, where ranges were usually fairly long. But also because I have rarely shot anything worthwhile except very early in the morning or late in the evening, and in that legal twilight, a scope is necessary. Peep sights work great in the middle of the day, but are hard to find in twilight. However, I also enjoy hunting in bad weather, such as rain and snowstorms, and there are times when a scope can get in the way. I've had them (and my binoculars) freeze over with ice and snow and had to be removed. I also shot my best Blacktail buck in pouring rain after I had removed my scope.

A nice old Mauser or Brno with leaf sights would be a good no optic choice

 

[4fifty8]

Good iron sights on my .30-06 Sako 85 Bavarian Carbine rear windage adjustable & front elevation adjustable. Off hand iron sight accuracy @ 100m ok I'd pass on shots in low light or at extended ranges scoped is the way to go. But sure like the idea of downing game using iron sights.

 

[Rob]

Good iron sights on my .30-06 Sako 85 Bavarian Carbine rear windage adjustable & front elevation adjustable. Off hand iron sight accuracy @ 100m ok I'd pass on shots in low light or at extended ranges scoped is the way to go. But sure like the idea of downing game using iron sights.

I had one of those in 6.5x55. Had the stock reshaped by a custom rifle maker (ACGG). I really liked the front sight. So easy to adjust.

 

[piker]

Leupold or the original sako rings are probably the lightest option that arent garbage. There are quite a few mounts for sakos dovetail, but not many considered “light”.

 

[Rob]

A nice old Mauser or Brno with leaf sights would be a good no optic choice

I've got plenty of those, but for serious (and especially foul-weather) hunting, I prefer stainless and synthetic with a low-power variable.

 

[Rob]

What cartridge did you go with?

The best one.

 

[looch]

Looks like steel optilok could be heavier than the 1 piece steel Leupold ring mounts because of the bases.

I've been tripped up by this myself but both Sako and Talley offer 2 options - base/ring systems and "ring mounts". Having a base/ring system for a dovetailed receiver is counter-intuitive to me.

 

[kelly1]

I had one of those in 6.5x55. Had the stock reshaped by a custom rifle maker (ACGG). I really liked the front sight. So easy to adjust.

View attachment 988335View attachment 988337View attachment 988338

View attachment 988342

That came out nice

 

[Rob]

That came out nice

Yes, I think it was a big improvement over the original stock. Much slimmer. Basically, I had him copy a Mauser Model S stock. I still thought it was too heavy and so ended up trading it off. Crazy prices are being asked for those Sako 85 fullstocks these days, but they don't come off all that well when compared to the "real thing": the Mauser Model M and Model S, or the Mannlicher-Schönauer Model 1903. Although in my experience, the 6.5 Sako with its single-set trigger was very accurate.