|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 1 |
I am a long time Sako fan and have not purchased a "new" Sako center fire rifle since 1987 when I purchased my Sako AII Hunter in 308 WCF. I have purchased older generations of Sako rifles (L46, L461, L579, L61R, AI, AII, AV's)as these always demonstrated great quality of fit, finish and were accurate. Over the years I have handled and shot the newer stuff but it never really tripped my trigger up until recently; one of my long time hunting partners purchased a M85 "Bavarian" in 6.5x55 last summer and I must confess it's growing on me. It does certainly shoot well, the action cycles smoothly and it has a beautiful stock. He tells me that I've become a curmudgeon and should get with times. I have been looking at the EuroOptic website recently and it is full of temptations.
So what is the consensus on the newer Sako rifles? Worth it or not? Preferences?
I've been holding out for an AV in 6.5x55 or 7x64 for years, I may have to succumb to the "dark side" and buy one of the M85's.
StarchedCover
Semper Fi
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,181 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,181 Likes: 6 |
Just a thought... If you really like the AV's, you could always pick up an AV with the proper bolt face and send it off to have it rebarreled/chambered for 6.5x55. Have the new barrel contour duplicated off the factory barrel. You would have exactly what you want for comparable money (maybe a little less) as a new Sako from Europtic.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,152 Likes: 16
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,152 Likes: 16 |
I am a long time Sako fan StarchedCover I feel ya' I've done most all the Sako iterations over the years, including 75's and 85's. One can pick up a used pre-75 for about 1/2 of what you will pay for new, even from Euro Optics, unless you opt for a Deluxe. The new Deluxe's are ought of sight. The Bavarians also feature a single set trigger, which I really like. First range trip. checking for zero, cold barrel. Shoots like a Sako! Go for it! GWB
A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 284
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 284 |
StarchedCover. I sent you a pm. I have a Sako Hunter 6.5x55 I might part with.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 1 |
7x57Hunter, PM responded to.
Semper Fi
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28 |
You had me right up to the point you said "until recently". I do have a 75 deluxe, but that is the only late Sako I have and it is an early late Sako so I can justify that. It is the only one I have ever seen with the drop floor plate instead of a detachable magazine.
Other than that I stick with the earlier Sakos. The later guns don't have the fit and finish of the of the Garcia and earlier Sakos. Stoeger imports to about the mid 1980's aren't bad, but they still aren't the same as anything pre-72. The bolt on the Garcia era guns is a much better looking bolt than the later bolt that has the cover over the rear end of the bolt.
Advance a few years and the bolts have become hideous, the checkering devoid of any connection to the traditional hand checkering and even the double border on the guns made in the 1960's.
Other than the spelling of Sako, there isn't much left of the quality that existed in the first models...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,691
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,691 |
What Shrapnel said (except I don't know John Burns).
"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people...who have...rejoiced in their loss of freedom....Blame the people who hail him when he speaks of the 'new, wonderful, good, society'...to mean ,..living fatly at the expense of the industrious." Cicero
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457 |
I have 75s and 85s and the quality looks to be A-1 to me. I like the removable magazine, and even the Finnlights shoot well under an inch at 100. I never had issues, just adjust the trigger to 2 pounds, and shoot. I usually shop at Cove Creek and they cash discount about 10% off MSRP.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,336
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,336 |
You had me right up to the point you said "until recently". I do have a 75 deluxe, but that is the only late Sako I have and it is an early late Sako so I can justify that. It is the only one I have ever seen with the drop floor plate instead of a detachable magazine.
Other than that I stick with the earlier Sakos. The later guns don't have the fit and finish of the of the Garcia and earlier Sakos. Stoeger imports to about the mid 1980's aren't bad, but they still aren't the same as anything pre-72. The bolt on the Garcia era guns is a much better looking bolt than the later bolt that has the cover over the rear end of the bolt.
Advance a few years and the bolts have become hideous, the checkering devoid of any connection to the traditional hand checkering and even the double border on the guns made in the 1960's.
Other than the spelling of Sako, there isn't much left of the quality that existed in the first models...
I don't know how you could say it any better. Go old.
Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,742
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,742 |
Have both new and old. Prefer the 3 lug new guns. 85 classic is maybe my favorite gun in the safe.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 75
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 75 |
I've owned many Sako's manufactured at different points across the last 50 years (except 75's). Among the Deluxe line, I really haven't observed much difference in build quality at all. Figure in the wood is better than ever in the 85's I've handled, but the stocks aren't as trim as they were in the original L61R/L579 series. The later A-series stocks are bulky but may be desirable in hard kicking calibers. L579/L61R/A-Series rifles have high polish bluing which some prefer to the 85's more matte finish. Beyond the Deluxe models, it is fair to say the Sporter models are not as finely finished as the originals but the solid mechanicals remain. Newer models get a bolt shroud which some prefer. All are good gear, just a matter of balancing the trade offs to your preferences.
Since the 85 Bavarian is unique and chambered in the gentlemanly 6.5x55, why not!? I hunt every year with an early AII Mannlicher that I will never sell despite it's blasphemous plastic magazine follower. Procure the Bavarian, hunt, and be merry. Life is short.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
You had me right up to the point you said "until recently". I do have a 75 deluxe, but that is the only late Sako I have and it is an early late Sako so I can justify that. It is the only one I have ever seen with the drop floor plate instead of a detachable magazine.
Other than that I stick with the earlier Sakos. The later guns don't have the fit and finish of the of the Garcia and earlier Sakos. Stoeger imports to about the mid 1980's aren't bad, but they still aren't the same as anything pre-72. The bolt on the Garcia era guns is a much better looking bolt than the later bolt that has the cover over the rear end of the bolt.
Advance a few years and the bolts have become hideous, the checkering devoid of any connection to the traditional hand checkering and even the double border on the guns made in the 1960's.
Other than the spelling of Sako, there isn't much left of the quality that existed in the first models...
I've got a 75 hunter with a floor plate. I think it's a 75 because it has the 3 lug bolt. It's a 7mm-08 and you are right about them being rare. I've never seen another one either. I just bought this one a couple months ago for just that reason. It's a Stoeger import.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28 |
My 75 isn't marked 75 on it anywhere. It is a 3 lug 60 degree bolt with a floor plate. I still have the box which is serial numbered to the gun and the picture on the box is of a rifle with a detachable magazine. Make no mistake about it, the workmanship on the later guns isn't as good as it was in the 50's and 60's...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2 |
Molon Labe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,177
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,177 |
I have a Sako 85 Hunter Stainless in .375 and it shoots lights out and is very nice.
Going to buy another one in .300 WSM in the next couple months.
Maybe not as good as before, but I think they are still pretty damn nice rifles.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,628 Likes: 28 |
Last edited by shrapnel; 03/22/16.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325 |
I have 6 of the older models in my collection right now, owned and sold a M85 Grey wolf .308 and currently own a M85 Bavarian 7x64. The old and new are quite different rifles, but I do like the Bavarian a lot too. About the only thing they have in common is the grooved receiver bridge. Everything else is different. Not necessarily bad, or good, but not comparable. Choose to buy a new Mod 85 on its merits (or demerits!) , not because you liked old Sakos.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6,796
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6,796 |
Older the better for me....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,179
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,179 |
Three AV's (.270, .280 & .3-06) and a M591 (7mm08) here. Very happy with all of them. I believe they all carry the Stoeger import marking under the barrel.
Some people are educated beyond their intelligence.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,612
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,612 |
I have had old and a recent 85, I like the 85 the best so far........
Gerry.
|
|
|
|
562 members (12344mag, 10gaugemag, 16penny, 007FJ, 1Akshooter, 10ring1, 65 invisible),
2,493
guests, and
1,344
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,049
Posts18,500,964
Members73,987
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|