Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Mauser m12 or M18 vs sako 85

Any one have experience with both, accuracy, smoothness, and so forth. How are they compared to the sako 85’s from guys that have handled/shot both.

I'm thinking, since I own one, the M18 may not belong in this 3some. It is entry- level by comparison to the other two..

The M12 would be the likely comparison to a sako 85......

I have an M12 in 6.5x55 and a Sako 85 in 8x57. Both are very accurate right out of the box and don't require bedding, floating or trigger work like a lot of other rifles. The M12 has shot about 10 different bullets and put all except one under an inch. The lone exception was the 140gn Speer SP. The Sako 85 has only shot two different bullets and both go under an inch. I stopped looking for a good load when I found the 180gn 8mm Ballistic Tip.

The Sako 85 is a very expensive factory rifle now and is almost AU$4000 with Optilock rings and bases. And there are lots or reports of extraction issues that the 75 model didn't have. The issues are mainly the case ejects straight up into the scope and falls back down into the action. Mine has very weak extraction. If I work the bolt back slowly the case just comes to rest on the magazine follower which is great at the range. If I work it back hard and fast it just dripples over the side and falls at my feet. Which is also good when out hunting. The M12, on the other hand, has the most powerful ejection I've ever seen on a rifle. When ejecting hard and fast when shooting at pigs in the heat of the moment, cases will fly about four metres. Which can be a real bummer when a nice new Norma or Lapua case, costing a couple of bucks, goes flying off into waste high grass and weeds.

But both are very accurate factory rifles right from new with triggers that don't need to be adjusted like most American rifles. But they cost a fair bit more than a Remmy or Ruger. But with Remington going bankrupt and Ruger ceasing production of the Hawkeye blued walnut, it good to know there are other options out there.

Ordered the m12 and a bud of mine has a m18 on order, can’t wait to compare and shoot both. Also really want to play with a sako s20, seems to be a better mousetrap than the 85 in many ways from the looks. It also looks to have the trg action which would be great if true.