Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako 85

I had a Sako 85 Hunter a year or so back. Quality rifle for the money, & IMO better than my old Sauer 202 in many ways.
The bolt still looks to be made of a one-piece casting, & the trigger components are still first rate. Feeding was flawless

Question here is. Are you men happy with yours. Any issues in 308Win cal???

I've had 2 85's. Both went down the road. One wasn't accurate and they both ejected spent casings into the bottom of the scope. I have other factory guns I like better. Some that shoot better, fit me better and are lighter.

I have two 85 Finnlights. One in 308 the other in 6.5x55. Excellent fit, finish and accuracy. I don't think you can do much better outside of a custom rifle.

I had a 85 Hunter in 300 Win Mag and sold it to a friend. Never shot it, but was very impressed with the action of the bolt. Very smooth.

340Wby,

I have several Sako's, some older models and a 75 in .308 Win and a Finnlite in .270 Win. I shot a L691 in 7mm RemMag for several years. Great rifle, but as I am getting older, it's just too heavy. I bought the 75 when they first hit the market.
It must have been one of the first SS 75's as it has a hinged floorplate and not a clip. It is the most accurate rifle in my home. The only thing wrong with the 75 was that by the time that I got it scoped out it was pretty heavy. I finally bit the bullet and put an Ultra Lite McMillan Edge Tech stock on it and it shed a full pound off the weight of the 75. Putting a $500 stock on the 75 should tell you how much I think of that rifle.

My 85 Finnlite weights just a couple of ounces over six pounds. The new soft touch stock feels great, and I can't wait to take it to the range if the rain and tornadoes ever let up. I sure hope that it shoots as well as the model 75. Asked to compare the 75 and 85, the 75 is a better built gun. But again it is not a Finnlite, and you can't get a lighter rifle without taking off ounces here and there.

Here are a few things about Sako's that I like: accuracy, safety placement and safety overide, the most easy rifle to adjust trigger pull weight, workmanship(most noteable on older Sako's)but is still better (IMHO) than most American built rifles, beautiful wood on older rifles.

Some things that I don't like: they are owned by Beretta (pain in the ass to deal with), the tapered dovetail for scope mounts, still somewhat heavy except for Finnlite, too damn expensive but what quality item is not. That is my take on Sako's. Hope that helps.

Have a good evening,

G2

I own a few 85's and 75's. The 85's are lighter and so far have shot slightly better than my 75's. Saying that I have yet to see one not shoot .5-.6 three shot groups. There is not a better production rifle built. Great triggers, nice stocks, great accuracy, etc. I actually like the optilock rings and bases.

There is only two downsides to owning sako's. One is the cost. The other is they will make you sell your other rifles because you won't shoot them anymore...grin.

Dink

I have a 85 Finnlight 308.No Issues,I agree with what Dink says.

Bought a 75 SS in .260 as they were being closed out for the 85s. I had always wanted a .260 so I thought this was my chance to own a Sako and a .260 for a great price. I couldn't believe how well it shot when I took it to the range. I don't have a better feeding/extracting rifle (either custom or factory) than my Sako. Feeding is smooth as silk. Only negatives are what other have said...The dovetail mounting system limits you to what kind of rings you can use. Otherwise, it's a fine rig.

My experience has been the exact opposite of Dink's. I now appreciate my other rifles more.....

I have had 2 85's, a SS .260 and a Finnlight .30-06, both in EDGE stocks. Both were great shooters, but I sold them both. Just didn't feel the love compared to my 75 Finnlight .308, also in an EDGE.

IMO the 75 is better designed, and now that I have a custom .260 lightweight barrel on it, it trumps them even more.

Gramps, sure would like to see a pic of that SS 75 with the floorplate!

I have 4 sako's, I guess you could say I like them some.

My oldest is a L579 in 243 excellent workmanship, and lighter than the new ones.

The other 3 are 85's, one 6.5X55 bavarian(it's 9lbs with scope and ammo) heavy but so pretty I can't make myself re-stock it.

The other 2 are finnlights,one 7-08 and a 7mag nice guns, light, accurate and good triggers.

Scope mounting can be a problem, don't try and mount a short bodied scope on a long action, it doesn't work to well.

I've tried just about every scope mount available and have settled on 2. The sako ring mounts(not the optilock) and the luepold dual dovetail. The luepold lets you mount the scope a little lower, but they both work fine.

I'll always be on the lookout for a good deal on any sako.

I have two 85 Finnlights. One is 7-08 and the other was a 30-06 that I had rebarreled to 280 Rem. Both are phenominal shooters. I'm very happy with them

I have an 85 grey wolf 7mm-08 and just picked up an 85 ss/syn 260. Both are good shooters and live up to expectations of a Sako. Here's a pic of the 260's first trip to the range with a 10-15 mph cross wind....130gr Scirocco 2 @ 100yds. TSX 120gr shot nearly as well. I've never shot a 75...so can't compare. I'm very pleased with my 85's.

Here are two groups I shot from my Sako 85 finnlight in 270 win. All groups 100 yards, three shots with one inch dot.
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Here is a group shot with my Sako 75 270 WSM.
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Nice shootin Dink!

Bravo !!

As AtomChaser said, I don't think you can do better outside of a custom.

I have an 85 Finnlight in 300 WSM at McMillan getting an Edge fitted and purchased a second 85 Finnlight in 308 Winchester in an Edge from a CF member last week.

Had these 85 Finnlights not worked out I would have moved on to a full custom Alpine from Borden Rifles.

It's funny that I own two of them and neither of them are here in my hands.

I have two 85 Finnlights 300 WSM which is a great shooter, a 25-06 I only had one range trip starting the break in process but shot good enough to look like it will be a shooter!

Sold a 75 Finnlight which was also a good shooter but as Dink mentioned they are not as light as the 85"s.

Also have a 85 Stainless 338 Federal which I got but haven't had time to get it to the range.

Thanks for the comments men.

Shouldered a Bavarian today, very nice indeed. But I think I will buy either a Stainless Synthetic or Finnlight this time

Had a couple of 75s. NEVER had a Sako that did not IMPRESS.

Re: cost, I wonder how many could unload a few Remchesters and have money left over for nice Glass and perhaps Edge?

Counting $$ ?? I say, add up all the components, gas, and range time one spends trying to tune say a Rem or other rifle that does NOT impress.........BTDT.

IME a Sako is ONE brand that CAN be counted on to deliver right out the box.

No excuse why other mfg. cannot achieve the same level of quality and durability....other than desire and direction by senior management to make QC #1 vs. bean counting.

If someone wants a top quality accurate dependable rifle, and not wanting to go custom, a Sako is my first recommendation.

Rings? I liked the Talley Steel I used. No complaints.