I am of the personal opinion that these repeated and overstated claims do not reflect the correct functioning of the 85.
I see three different things taking place in these discussions:
First, being some having objection based upon bias. Which, is fine and dandy, but it is no different than bias toward one's wife and a particular tie.
Second, being a difference in technique. Some will mostly mount the rifle to their cheek, and not their shoulder, similar to mounting an upland gun. In this manner, for an averaged sized shooter, the Sako has favorable ergos. Likely best highlighted while swinging and mounting the gun on driven game. The Sako stock on the rifle in this discussion, using this technique, has my line of sight just a tad over 1.6" above the bore. Optilock Ringmounts place the center of my scope at 1.64" above the bore, and the fit is near as good as if it were custom. With my eyes closed, I can cheek the rifle, then open my eyes and be centered on the scope tube.
A different technique, used by many, is to mount the rifle into the shoulder. With this technique you must then do something with your head to obtain a spot or cheek weld. With this technique you crane the neck and stock crawl to bring your head down to the stock. This can easily lower your line of sight over the bore in comparison to the cheek technique. If this is you, and your aftermarket mount combinations are done so to match this stock crawl, then the Sako 85 will not be friendly towards you, as the end results will be the mounts and scope can crowd the port.
Third, being mechanical. I am of the opinion that if you are not crowding the port, and you experience the case ejecting straight up, through the grip of the claw extractor, out the top; then, the extractor must not have a proper grasp of the fired case, as it is being overpowered by the ejector. As already proven, and already noted, a number of things could weaken its hold on the case. Otherwise, the case should pop up, within the clearance against the bolt face, high enough to clear the lip of the port, and then it follows the path of least resistance, to be flipped toward the extractor at its position on the bolt face.
Never cleaning the long term shipping/storage coatings from these components, can gum the free movement of the claw, as can a machining burr, or metallic debris from cartridges. I have seen this throw off the ejection, with simply degreasing and cleaning the parts being the cure.
Having a weak spring can reduce hold from the claw. I have seen a fresh spring be the cure. In addition to replacement Sako length springs, oversized springs are also available.
Having a worn or damaged claw can also reduce its hold on the case. I have seen a worn/damaged claw be replaced to be the cure.
Lastly, cheap, worn, and/or out of spec cases can reduce the hold of the claw. Like any other mag box firearm, good ammo and good magazine, are crucial to good performance.
Outside of this, I have never seen an 85, that would eject straight up through the claw, ever. Not in person, and not in any video. There have been several, here, who claimed to have such 85s, which they claimed did this consistently, but, they always have refused to make a video of this in action. And when someone inspected the rifle, it could not be duplicated. The only issues found, were always with attempts to fit aftermarket components to further lower the scope, to fit an owner who preferred to stock crawl. Even then, the rifle would eject, but would dink the scope. At that point, full refunds were given.
Last edited by GaryVA; 01/24/17.
