http://www.sako.fi/rifles/sako-85/85-carbonlight

I've been under a rock lately and just discovered Sako's latest flyweight offering. Looks like a nice enough rifle, to be sure, but I don't see the market for it. The Carbonlight appears to be a Finnlight dropped into a carbon fiber stock with a $1,250 premium attached. Maybe the folks at Sako have figured something out that I'm missing?

5.29 lbs before paint. I'm interested.

Maybe not, I just saw a price of $2848.00...

If it were $2k or below, I'd be all over it, but at nearly $3k, I think I'd rather spend my money with a gunsmith who builds light rifles here in the US.

At $2,850?

I believe that is a 20" barrel.

Naw, I'll wait until they are closed out at $1200

I'm with you on that. Just don't let me miss it!

Same as the Finnlight, right?

$2850.00?.......Holy hell Batman!!......That is laughable!........They can keep it.................Hb

If their stock is so light that there's that big of a difference between it and an Edge, it won't be long until someone copy's it and sells it for $700 instead of the $1200 That Beretta is asking.

Anyone know what a Finnlight (preferably an S to keep things equal) in a Mickey Edge tips the scales at?

Finnlight synthetic stock is around 28 ounces

A factory Sako Finnlight stock would probably weigh within about 3 ounces of the Edge. You'd likely not save much if any weight. Probably the only advantage an Edge stock would have would be if the factory Sako profile is an ill fit to your needed dimensions and a replacement Edge profile made a better fit. The reverse could also be true as for some the stock Sako makes for a better fit and the soft touch makes for better field performance vs a painted surface. It appears this later aerospace techno stock is markedly lighter being the S Finnlight is 2.8kg vs the Carbonlight is 2.4kg, which is about a 14 ounce difference.

later

If you were a techno ultra lightweight mountain hunter guy who liked Sako rifles, the Carbonlight makes more sense than a Finnlight with a replacement Edge stock. If you get a custom drop in Edge with shipping and all turn key for around $700, you'll end up paying around $250 per ounce in weight reduction, if you even get that much weight savings, as it may turn out near an even wash as you need to bed the Sako recoil lug into the Edge. On the other hand, apply that $700 toward the extra $1250 cost of the Carbonlight and see a marked weight reduction at a cost of only $89 per ounce in weight reduction. Far greater value in dollars spent if the goal is to reduce the weight of your beloved Finnlight by near a pound for extreme mountain hunting.

Someone not caring for Sako rifles would be of no bearing in that equation. Of course the above math is based on retail pricing and many have options for better pricing.

Best

I wonder if Sako did anything else to the Carbonlight, or if all of the weight difference is attributed to the stock. The Finnlight stock seems to run about 30 oz, so that would put the Carbonlight stock at roughly 16 oz if it is the sole difference.

Try $4729 local dollars here in Australia!

At $2850 I would just add another $700 and buy a NULA. That would be a cheap price to deal with Mr. Forbes rather than Beretta in the event of a problem.

the S Finnlight is actually 2.64kg, not 2.8kg as listed, at least when chambered in .260

All of the noted Sako rifles above tend to come out the box lighter than the listed book weight, the Carbonlight would likely be no exception to this trend of Sako overestimating their Finnlight weights. My last Sako, the Black Bear, fell well under its factory listed weight as well.

Regardless, by the time you bond the action lug into an Edge, it will likely run somewhere within about 3-oz of the factory Sako version. The Carbonlight stock is markedly lighter, but I am unsure if Sako tweaks other dimensional details of the rifle in addition to bring down the overall weight.

For a M action, I'd expect the Edge to run around 27-oz with lug, and the soft touch to run around 30-oz. An S action should be a tad lighter on that scale. Something else to consider, though the Edge benchrest technology stocks are light and stiff, they are not particularly strong. This technology is designed like an egg shell and works wonderfully if kept within its strength limitations. It would be interesting to see some form of independent testing, but I would not be surprised if the standard Sako designed soft touch stock was proven to be tougher and more durable. Any difference in stiffness would likely be moot being the factory stock has proven itself more than ample for superb accuracy. Not sure how this later aerospace Carbonlight stock would fall within this balance of stiffness and strength compared with the other two stocks, but the Carbonlight does not appear like it would be fragile for its applications.

As noted previously, the techno lightweight mountain hunter who is a Sako fan and counts every ounce within his gear is likely the person who would look hard at this rifle. A Sako fan would likely stick with a Sako, especially now that a Sako techno lightweight mountain rifle is a viable option netting a marked weight reduction.

Best

[quote=R_H_Clark]
I hate to agree with you twice in one thread, but your making it hard to avoid...

One advantage to the aftermarket stocks is the ability to specify and custom LOP. The new Sako stock would be more appealing if they had incorporated some removable spacer plates to adjust LOP.

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!