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M12, thanks for the great pics. I just learned that these existed and have been fighting a huge case of want one. In one of the pics, the wrist of the stock looks like it is a good bit thicker than the M70 stock, and that don't thrill me. I also am not crazy about the length of pull. And the way they attach the barrel kinda gives me the willies.

But...still gotta have one!

All said and done, I'd opt for one of the FN Model 70's.

Except the Model 70 trigger is made of cheap castings and is rough as a dirt road from the factory.
And from a feed and function point of view very few classics fed worth a darn as they came from the factory.
I love model 70 classics, but most of them are a project in a box.

I did have the opportunity to shoot one. Quite accurate, with an excellent trigger. Magazine is plastic and cheaply made with a release that, IMO, is not quite as secure as it should be. Trigger guard is plastic.

Not bad at it's price point, but again IMO, I'd rather have a Sako 85 for a little more money. Or a Model 70 for a little less money.

I have had both the Sako 85 and the M70 in various forms. M70s are good - if you get a good one. Sako 85 is not my idea of a good action. It's a spindly affair with questionable strength. The M12 bolt is twice the size & weight of the 85 and the receiver is a lot heavier.

The Sako also as questionable ejection issues. I had a 9.3 black bear very briefly and found the cases were hitting the scope on ejection. This problem is well documented with their longer actions.

Each to his own I guess. So far the M12 has not put a foot wrong for me. One of its limitations for some may be the small caliber range.

I'll give it a few years and see how it goes.

I can live with the plastic magazine, but I am not sure I can live with a plastic trigger guard.

I love that rifle.
not any new ideas here just glad they are using designs that have proven to work over the last 100 years
here is a 90 plus year old lug design. hummm

Newton rifle?