Heard back from Beretta today. Their fix was to slide scope fore and aft until "right position" for ejection is found. What I found is this fix only makes it hit my scope with the very edge of the case mouth, or it hits my scope with the shoulder of the case. Let Beretta know this afternoon that this did not solve problem, and that I wanted gun fixed right, another gun, or my money refunded. I know what you guys are thinking, yea, good luck with that. If you will look at the photo of a model 85 bolt face that MCT3 provided, you can see what I think is part of the problem with 85's. The bottom of the bolt face is completely open. This was necessary for the so-called controlled feed of the 85. As GaryVA pointed out, only the extractor is holding the case being pulled rearward. If extractor/spring are not strong enough the case may slide down face of bolt causing front of case to stick upward. Now for those of you who have 75's. Your bolt face is enclosed by a ring of steel except for the ejector cut. This means that the case being ejected can not slide down as it is held in place by the extractor and that bottom ring of steel. IMHO the bolt of the 75 is much better than the 85. If you have a 75 and an 85 just compair them and see which one you think is the strongest. You don't have the controlled feed feature, but that is BS anyway since without the claw extractor which grips the base of the cartridge from the time it is stripped from the magazine, that claw never lets go of the cartridge until it hits the fixed ejector. Sako 85's claim this, but fall far short of the original Mauser or model 70 Win design. It's really a push feed until round is almost in chamber. I have also just noticed that the fixed ejector rubs the inside of the cut on my 85 bolt. I may have just discovered what's wrong with my rifle. In rubbing the inside of the cut, the case is flipped up and somewhat left(inward) instead of up and outward. Just compaired bolts again, the 75 is a hands down better design. I sure wish that Sako had never gone with the half ass control feed BS on their 85's. I'll keep you guys posted.
Good Evening,
G2
As Gary says, some, if not most of the 85 do actually get a very good grip of the catrtridge rim and are effectively as CRF as any other rifle, and more CRF than many rifles with a full length extractor. Just having a full length extractor isn't enough to ensure you have CRF. This grip then also tends to result in horizontal displacement on ejection. I do think though it is easier to ensure tension on the rim with the full length extractor, but i don't know that there is anything inherently wrong with the Sako design, and certainly the Sako extractor has a well deserved reputation for strength. They just need make absolutely certain they get that extractor right during manufacturing, and some are not going to work right and some will need to be fixed. Obviously longer cartridges are going to be more of a problem, not least because they will require a tighter grip by the extractor. Certainly the vast majority of Sako 85 work as intended, which is better than some other "CRF" mauser-type designs i have seen.
Perhaps as Mr Clark suggests, the real problem with the Sako rifle is Beretta. Beretta is certainly the reason i no longer own a Sako. US, Europe, Australasia - it doesn't matter where you go, Beretta's customer service of Sako products is extremely disappointing!
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