Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako 85

Anyone rolling the dice on a Sako 85 these days? I have always been waived off by the frustration some report with ejection issues involving scopes and empties going straight up and back down into the action... wondering if Sako has sorted that out?

Reason i ask... i have a hankering for a Sako 85 in 243 or 260 or 7mm08 or 308... maybe 270

I don't recall them ever correcting the issue. Hopefully, someone will be along shortly to correct me if I'm wrong.

I like the rifles, but this is the exact reason I don't have one in the safe.

But don't recall the problem being with 308 based chamberings, only long action..

I have a Finnlight in 6.5 Swede, it's a one hole rifle with 140 Nosler Accubonds. The ejection starts to get funky on the third round. Hunting in PA and NY, no deer is ever around for the 4th shot if I missed the others, that hasn't happened yet, still pisses me off!

My buddy bought a 300WSM a few months ago and hes having issues with poor ejection. So its not just the long actions. I warned him that there may be issues, but he liked the rifle so much he had to have it. Whats funny is Tikka is made in the same plant, yet no problems like its more expensive Finnish brother.

Yeah the Sako 85 still has the fixed blade ejector @6 o'clock so it will eject straight up...I dont consider Sako 85 rifles anymore especially since the Tikka T3x is such a great value that functions fine and shoots great 👍....Though I dont claim that every Tikka T3x that come's out of the factory is a sub MOA rifle with factory ammo, I have had a dozen or so T3/T3x rifles and some were sub MOA rifles with factory ammo but some of the rifles I owned were not sub MOA with handloads even......Good luck....Hb

Same rifle, factory nosler 140 AB’s in cloverleaves, no ejection problems at all. Kinda become my yardstick for other rifles. Do admit, may be luck/chance.

I have a Sako 85 Classic in 308win that has been utterly fantastic. Never an issue and VERY accurate/consistent.
In fact, it shoots better than one of my custom rifles. Sometimes I wonder why I keep the others around.


I admit that I would prefer a trimmer stock but it fits me very well.

Mine are 260 & 280AI .. I rebarreled them myself... Fabulous shooters.

I have exact same rifle as these fellows. I have had zero ejection issues with the 6.5x55. However I had a Grey wolf 30-06 that had the ejection issue sent it packing. My stock on the finnlight went sticky and had to replace it with a McMillan because they wouldn’t stand behind it.

All my newer rifles have been tikkas.

Glad you posted this, I've been considering a Finn Light for a few years now. I'm darn sure not paying that kind of money of a stock I'd have to replace!

I picked up a finnlight 85, .270 in 2010 for a sheep hunt. I installed the optilock lows w/ 4.5-14X40 Leupold. No ejection problems at all. Stock turned sticky approx. 3yrs ago. I called Beretta and basically wasted my time with them. I stripped the stock myself with scotchbrite and acetone. I was a PIA but I wasn't gonna drop $$$ for another stock. I painted it with a 3-4 coats of Duracoat. Would be hard to tell the difference sitting it next to a new one. Shoots great and is a pleasure to carry not sure I'd go through it again though!

They graciously offered a reduced price finnlight stock for only $600. At that point I could get a McMillan for about the same. I have to admit it is a pretty awesome rifle with a McMillan stock.

I should mention I replaced my springs and sharpened the claw extractor to make sure it still ejected properly... any wear on them and it can be an issue.

Yall are scaring me now, I'm about to buy a M85 Classic in .300 Win Mag.

Anyone tell me

1. Does your .300 Win eject ok?
2. Does your .300 shoot tiny groups?

Like someone else said, the long actions had the issues. I then posted that it wasn't just the long actions because my buddy bought one 3 months ago and it's having issues with poor ejection. It is a short mag. I'd personally stay away from the long actions like you are looking at because they are notorious for having ejection issues. They are just designed poorly. Whoever decided to put the ejector in the position it's in and then the dumb azz that ok'd it, should both be put out of their misery because as they say "stupid hurts"..... If you would be content with a rifle that doesn't function properly 100% of the time, buy it. Also, what does it matter how it shoots, if it doesn't eject well?

Yeah, that’s ridiculous. unfortunate the company rolls that way.

Was 2010 or so, got this wild hair for a all-round rifle. Had a new finnlight 6.5x55 bolt fluted, bolt handle, hard chromed, sold off the stock and dropped in a mcmillan, conetrols, fixed 6x. 7lb ounce or two or three depending on scope am running. Light’s out rifle. Unacceptable that some folks have had the ejection issue without remedy from the company. Just read bsa’s comment. I’d thought it was just long actions that were affected. But shorts, too? Sad deal.

Dogger, same rifle in 7mm-08 would be a dandy, but can’t speak to the odds of it being a winner or a problem. That is a shame.

I have a Sako 85 Finnlight in 300 win mag and it functions perfectly. I also own Sako 85’s in various action lengths and calibers. They all function perfectly. Far better than any other factory rifles I own. When loading from the magazine you will have to check to make sure one chambered because they are so smooth.

Sako will ruin you though. All your other rifles will sit in the safe and you will lose the want to build more rifles. It’s just to easy to buy a Sako and be done with it.

I've owned two Sako 85 .308's and have never had any issues with them and have never seen or heard of any other Sako 85's having ejection issues with the .308 family of cartridges. Don't know about the 300WSM.

Having a Sako will not ruin anybody. It is a quality rifle if you get a good one. If you don't it is a POS. Piss poor company that won't acknowledge this problem. BTW, I have been one of the lucky ones. Half a dozen or so, including long actions, and no issue. However, I am not like some guys and say it is a wives' tale just because I have not been affected. Until it is remedied, there are many equally good rifles on the market that should get your attention.