Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which Rifle Would You Select - Win 70 SG or Sako 85?

ok men. it seems i'll have to wait a year for a south carolina made win model 70 super grade, or i can get a sako m85 immediately. the cost isn't an issue. the caliber i want isn't an issue. my concerns are fit, finish, accuracy, reliability, and a rifle that will last through many deer and elk hunts for the next 20 years. which would you select and why?
i look forward to your replies. thanks

For the same money, buy yourself a standard grade pre-64 Winchester Model 70 that's in great mechanical condition and have a rifle that twice as good as either of those.

thanks for the suggestion, but i prefer to keep the focus on either the m70 mentioned or a sako 85. thanks again.

Sako!
1). ATM you don't really know what you're going to get with a new FN Model 70.
2). Will put 5 into 1".
3). One-piece bolt.
4). Dovetail mounting system.
5). 5 action lengths.
6). Slick-ass action & feeding!
7). 60 degree bolt lift.
8). Trigger-guard made from a solid billet of steel.
9). "EVERY rifle that comes off the assembly line is proof tested with two proof loads. These are about 25% above normal factory pressures. Each rifle is then checked with a go-no-go headspace gauge to ensure integrity has not been compromised".

I could add more but I would bore you

Yep, if it has to be a choice between those two, then the Sako is the way to go. Only Sako I have keeps all shots under six tenths of an inch at a hundred yards with its favorite factory load.

Sakos have a rep for great accuarcy, although my only one was disappointing. Anyways, M70s have a cult following due to history, class factor, ect.... I am one of those. M70 for me.

I don't know if that class factor/history thing extends to the newer M70s. The trigger design is untested, and they seem to be having quality control issues over all. For class and history, you have to look for a pre-64 (or at least one of the Classic series from before the doors closed on the Winchester plant), but I digress.

I have both a Custom shop Model 70, and two Sako 85's.

Either are an excellent choice, and both have pro's and con's.

Accuracy - Sako 85 is easier to make and keep accurate

Magazine - Sako 85 kicks butt, the M70 is a no go

Safety safeness - M70 takes it big time - the slide forward on the Sako 85 is the rifles only weakness

Bolt "smoothness" - Sako creams the M70

Controll feed wise - The M70 has a edge here, but the sako is darn close to it, the only difference is the claw vs. the clamp - which results in the sako not catching at the first half inch of the bolt starting forward.

So the question really is what is the most important variables for you.

If it's the magazine, accuracy, and smooth action it's the Sako 85.

If it's the Safety and totally secure feeding it's the Model 70.

Remember you can always have a smith put a new barrel on either so I believe it falls to the action as the ultimate answer.

FOR ME - I go Sako, I just wish there was a M70 styple safety on them.

Spot

I've always wanted a Sako Deluxe. The one I fell in love with was the 75 model but I don't think the 85 is too much different.

The new Winchesters I've looked at have impressed the heck out of me with thier fit and finish.

I would probably opt for the Sako but only if it was the deluxe. The others just don't do it for me.

Terry

PS. I've owner neither so take it for what it's worth

hotsoup,

You will have to sort through the features of each of your choices and decide which rifle pleases you. As for myself I have a Sako (L61R), a battery of M70's and other makes.

I will take the M70 design over the Sako anyday. The M70 safety is three position and it even locks the firing pin. The Sako safety, as I understand it, is only two positions. This is unacceptable to me.

I like the control round feed of the M70 and the Sako is not CRF according to this report. Sako 85 not even CRF!

"...As I see it, the extractor isn’t wide enough to engage case rims without gravity assist and, unlike the big Mauser 98 and Winchester M70 claw extractors, doesn’t grasp the cartridge rim securely enough for true controlled-round feeding. "

Since you have not mentioned the caliber that you would choose nor the way that the rifle would be used there are other factors that come into play. Overall I would buy the rifle made in the USA first.

Model 70 for me, however agree with looking for an older one. I have yet to handle new Super Grade hard to make a decision sight unseen. But I dont care for Sakos to start with.

Sako 85

You won't be dissappointed by a Sako 85.

especially if you've been lifting a lot of weights...grin

Dober

You're just mad cause you couldn't 'em to shoot right....grin

Burnage..

I would go with the M-70 unless you can pick up and old L-579 Series sako..The L series of Sakos were wonderful rifles, but Sako has gone down hill since that time, they got cheap so the bean counters could make more money.

I'm sooo glad I picked up a down hill, cheep AIII..

laughin'


Someone tell me again why Pre64's are better than the 'recent' M70's?????grin

Or a down hill 75 finnlight that shoots like this..