Anyone try one yet and how do you like it? I have decided that a 270 will be my next gun and this one is really interesting. They are supposed to make it into Canada sometime in the new year.

I have been looking at them on the web. I just cannot justify $2000 US for a rifle when I can get a custom rifle for the same price.

No kidding I still can't believe sako's cost that much now

Yes, they are expensive.
However I'm thinking hard about this Barvarian:
http://www.sako.fi/sako85models.php?bavarian_carbine

Just got one. It is a piece of art. I will post pics after Christmas, it's a gift. Lefty's are a little harder to find. Check with Jason at Europtics, they have a nice selection, not sure about left handed. Also try the Beretta Gallery here in Dallas, they have a BUNCH.

I don't want anything to do with a $2,000 "custom" rifle, any rifle worth owning, built from scratch, is going to be AT LEAST $3,000. I'm talking barrel $500+, stock $600+, custom action $900+, jewell trigger, $250, muzzle brake, $250, bottom metal, $350, then you need someone COMPETENT to build it. cut chamber, fit, bed stock, action, machine barrel another $1000. Check out McWhorter ($5000), GAP, etc. Oh yeah, then you got to wait a year, if components are not on hand. I was going to have another custom built but just couldn't afford it. I just couldn't spend $3,000 more than I did, plus $1,500 for optics.

I know you can piece together an action, barrel, stock and call it custom but it's not.

Looking forward to photo's, please show lot's of wood.
Which caliber? (I'm looking at 30 06...for me best cartridge).
I just love steel and wood in firearms.

Buy a used "custom" then.
Whole lot cheaper that way.
I just bought a lefty Stiller with a Lilja tube contoured and chambered as I would specify, a Hunter's EDGE stock and a Jewell trigger. All put together by our very own Redneck (Lee).
I paid $1350.

I have a Lefty 75 Hunter in 30/06 with a Vari-x III 4.5-14x40ao. It's an absolutely quality firearm, IMHO. Wonderfully accurate with anything you feed it. No comparison to off the shelf 700's and the like. They are $$$ but worth every penny. You get what you pay for. Custom's are great but you take a pick on resale.

The lefty Sako 75 rifles were not $2000 retail though. They could be bought for $1200 to $1300 NIB.

If the Sako 85 is anything like my LH Sako 591 7mm-08 it is a well crafted, slick cycling accuracy machine.

I've been blessed with good Sako rifles straight out the box without complaint. I've been more than happy with the the end products and have felt they were more than worthy of the expense. If the particular model offers the features you want and the rifle ergonomics fits you well, I'd imagine you'd be more than pleased.

Best

06 should be the easiest to find lefty

So far I have been quoted $1899 for a new LH Hunter here in Canada. I'm going to have to sell 2 guns before I could ever do that. I would like to have one though again to replace the one I'm going to sell, the new 85's look like really nice guns.

they re nice but not with the entry ticket they re asking ...

ever considering a Zastava LH in 270 win ?

wait till you see the piece of wood on mine.........

I've been looking around (web searching), and the Bavarian Carbine is kinda rare...
Not many being imported, this could be a challenge.

Berreta Gallery Dallas has several of all., not sure about left hand. Call them. The carbines are sweet, I have an email in to Europtic looking for a lefty in stock...stand by

Berreta Gallery Dallas has several of all., not sure about left hand. Call them. The carbines are sweet, I have an email in to Europtic looking for a lefty in stock...stand by

Just heard back they have 3 left handed 85's in stock, 25-06, 30-06 and a .270, Call jason 570-220-3159. these guys are great, mine was here in an instant

one of you LH shooters in the U.S. should jump on one and then let the rest of us know how they are

g goat. i bought one from them, right handed 7mm-08. loaded some test rounds this morning, hoping to get out next weekend and see if it shoots worth a poop. i'll let you know. can the U.S. not ship rifles to Canada? Not Everyone up there is a liberal.

It can be done with a lot of paperwork or there is a guy that will take care of all it for a fee of $250. Unless there is a fantastic deal down there it is usually better to wait till they get here. I'll keep an eye out for your test results. You are right there are a lot of good guys here especially in the west who are not liberals.

Thanks for the reply Gerrygoat. I hope you guys have a Merry Christmas up there, eh!

I have the 85 Bavarian Carbine in 308. I thought is was right in the middle cal wise and would be able to hunt with me for just about anything. Topped it with a Swaro Z3 and it is a tack driver. 3 shots all touching time after time. it is also easy to carry on the stalk in the woods of PA. Pretty , yes - my go to gun now, yes too!

When looking it was down to Styer, Sako, and Cooper. Sako and Cooper were the finalist and the Sako won out for a variety of reasons. I did have the bolt shroud bluing wear right off with 1st cleaning, sent it to Beretta in VA I belive and had a new one back in 2 weeks. Service was top notch if you as me.

I would like a .223 now though for critters :-)

Wardman.

You too!

Wardman, a light 223 would be really nice too, your 308 sounds like a keeper.

Saw this last night Sako will be offering the LH 85 Hunter this year in 22-250, 243, 260, 7mm-08, 308 and 338 Federal.

http://www.sako.fi/catalogue/

Thanks for the link. This news was mentioned by the Australian distributor on a forum down here recently. He also said that Sako have commited to making these rifles an ongoing model. Great news on both fronts.

I'd be surprised if we see those calibers in the U.S. versions of the left-handed 85s. For $2K, I don't see that you're getting that much in a left-handed rifle when you're still getting plain vanilla chamberings. For $2K I'd get a Cooper or put together a mild custom.

I'd think about one in 708. Not sure they are worth the price or weight though... 3.3 kgs bare does not a light rifle make, all up.

Sakos are over priced tikkas, tikkas are over priced Axis's.

2K could be spent in much better ways. I don't really regret the day I tripped my 85 Greg Wolf/LSS.

I think you're just being sour grapes now.

I'd buy this before I dropped $2K on an 85 LH: http://www.gunsinternational.com/Sako-Left-Hand-AV-FinnBear-270-Win-.cfm?gun_id=100301875

Come on guys tell us what you really think I have to admit that Sako 270 Win is an absolute beauty, just a bit on the heavy side. One thing that does concern me about the 85's are the number of guns that ejected brass hits the scope, lots don't but there are a lot of reports of problems though.

Neither of them "do it" for me, I cant stand them blonde stocks. Kimber does that on their selects and it drives me nuts. Now a dark walnut, oil finished with heavy black burl, lose the goofy checkering pattern in favour of the traditional "sako classic" pattern, and dump that stupid floor plate stencil...that could get the heart going. Go all man-licker on it and ya got my attention.

But then again I've never been known for being savvy with all things fancy and classy

Bada-bing BT...



Pic shamelessly stolen from a Canadiangunnutz.com member

Grow some side burns, start wearing some polyester (plaid), and using High Karate, and you'll start digging on that lefty Finn Bear.