Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako Carbonlight

I can probably think of 30 ways I would rather spend $2850 on a rifle than the Sako.

I went to a large Sako dealer yesterday and looked at rifles. I looked at the carbonlight and the dealer said the only difference was the stock. I looked it over pretty good, and I could not see anything different myself. I told the dealer that I thought the price was outrageous for just a stock replacement. He said the same thing about pricing, that it was severely overpriced. I think the finnlight could be lighter with an aluminum bolt, blind magazine, and some lightning cuts, so there are ways of getting the weight down. I bought the 308 Finnlight and threw it on the scale last night and it was 5 pounds 11 ounces. So a 12 ounce scope and 4 ounce rings will take it under 7 pounds loaded with sling.

Above kingston quotes 5.29 pounds for the Carbonlight, and my 260 and 308 finnlight weighs in at 5.68 pounds, so that is roughly 6.25 ounces.

I had to turn the trigger pull weight down, so I weighed some things. The soft touch stock with trigger guard/ mag well was 30 ounces.

I also just did a weigh in with Leupold low 30mm sako rings at 4.0 ounces, and one inch optilock ring and base at 5.8 ounces. So that is a difference of almost 2 ounces, and probably 2 ounces if I weighed 1 inch Leupold's instead of 30mm.

So while I am out getting a new Leupold today I'll pick up some lighter 1 inch rings and leave the optilocks in the spare scope ring drawer. I guess the stock weight savings is $1200/6 ounces = about 200 bucks an ounce, so ring choice is saving me 400 dollars.????

I'll just BS, and say Sako should install a titanium bolt knob, include titanium scope rings, titanium firing pin for the additional cost. Or even a titanium receiver. Those thing along with the stock would be a big dollar premium over the Finnlight. I sill don't know if that is a weight reduction bargain, but some guys have money to toss around.

Thanks for the information, Terry. I still don't see the market for Sako's Carbonlight, but I have certainly missed the mark more than once.

How did the Carbonlight balance in your hands, compared with the Finnlight?

In hindsight I should have taken my digital scale and actually weighed the carbon light. But according to Carbon light advertising, and my measured Finnlight weight there is a 6 ounce difference. To me it seemed a bit lighter than 6 ounces. Although 6 ounces seems viable because the carbon stock would be 24 ounces with the aluminum trigger guard and mag well. I am not a stock expert, but I think that 24 ounces is pretty light, and I never read of any stock much lighter (with the buttpad, trigger guard etc). So I guess 6 ounces is true.

So I did feel the Carbonlight and Finnlight sans scopes. The Carbon light was noticeably lighter, and it felt front heavy. The Finnlight had a neutral balance. I imagine the scope would shift the relative center of balance more on the Carbonlight, so the front heavy feel would be somewhat neutralized by the scope more on the Carbonlight. If the Carbonlight was 3-400 bucks more I would have bought it. I think the Carbonlight stock would be an asset to carry, but the price is simply insulting for what you get. As I said earlier, for 1200 bucks more than a Finnlight I would expect a light weight stock, titanium bolt, firing pin, and maybe a titanium receiver. Remington sold Titaniums for 1200 out the door. So a Titanium optioned Finnlight for 2800 seems doable for Sako.

I really can't imagine Sako dealers selling Carbonlights at the current price. I would not be surprised to see a 500-1000 dollar rebate in the future, because I imagine the dealers are bitching about sitting on them.

I`ll take a Savage Lightweight Hunter for 1/4th the price!!

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16LWH

Come on mate dont go bringing accurate guns into the equation !!

I guess the Beretta Tax is strong on this version of the Finnlight. Cool looking stock thou !

I have just orderd a Sako 85 Carbon, and I was having some diffeculties about the Sako Ringmounts I orded with it.

The scope is a 4x36 with 43mm occular.. and I was wondering which of the rings is the lowest I can use with it?? Low or Extra Low?

I dont want the bolt handle to hit the occular.


And photos of your 85, with ringmounts is appreciated.

You can go with the lowest scope mounts. The Sako has a 60 degree bolt lift. You should actually consider the Leupold Ringmounts for Sako since they will be lighter than Sako optilocks.

I'll pass. That's 3 Montana's.

Not in my country..

Got it for the same price as a Tikka T3 with EDGE stock and upgraded "plastic to aluminium parts".

At the price line you describe I think that a person should consider a "Tikka Superlite" at 5.8 lbs in 30-06 with a 22" fluted barrel for $700.

A set of Talley lightweights and a Limbsaver recoil pad make a nice rifle or if you must, money left over for a custom stock.

Yup:) Superlite 7MM-08/Edge stock 5 lbs 10ozs. Balance feels spot on!

That is one nice looking rifle! Looks like you invested a few $ in the bolt?

I'm sure it shoots as good as it looks ;-)

What is that you are hiding on the wall in the background?

Very nice rifle! Debating on dumping my Sako for a Tikka and maybe have money for a second one...

I heard a rumor that they are changing the T3 for next year and we could see a sale on Superlites year end?

Lets hope the don't screw it up like Brownings last version of the A-bolt!