Sako 85 Varmint Yea or Nay? Or an alternative?

[gregp74]

I had my mind set on a Sako 85 Varmint but now I've been reading about all sorts of extraction problems where the empties go right up into the scope then fall back down in the action.

Is this really becoming a problem lately? Is there a fix? I would hate to spend $2k on a new rifle and have trouble with it from the get-go.

Any recommendations on a high quality alternative with beavertail wood stock and heavy barrel in that price range?

(I'm still deciding on what caliber to go with. I've sold off a bunch of rifles over the last couple years after realizing I don't need a dozen bolt guns in various centerfire calibers that'll likely never get used. My current thinking is a really nice heavy barrel 223 and sometime down the road this summer pick up a CZ or Tikka in 6.5 Swede if I want something a little bigger. I was also tempted though to keep it simple and get get Sako in 260 Remington as a nice general purpose gun.)

 

[rayatphonix]

One alternative would be a CZ 550 varmint. Available in 308 only though. If you can find a 550 Ebony Edition, you’d be even better.

If not for the walnut stock, I’d recommend the Sako A7 Long Range. Mine shoots everything well.

 

[MrBorland]

It’s my understanding that the issue of ejected cases hitting the scope and falling back into the action is limited to standard-length cartridges (e.g..30-06, .270 etc) and a low-ish scope. Read up on it more, but you should be ok with short-action cartridges (e.g. .260 Rem, .243Win,etc).

As far as alternatives, in my mind, the one that comes closest is a Cooper.

 

[gregp74]

It’s my understanding that the issue of ejected cases hitting the scope and falling back into the action is limited to standard-length cartridges (e.g..30-06, .270 etc) and a low-ish scope. Read up on it more, but you should be ok with short-action cartridges (e.g. .260 Rem, .243Win,etc).

As far as alternatives, in my mind, the one that comes closest is a Cooper.

Yeah I'm going to do some more reading. And I still need to decide what exactly gun plan is. I thought I'd read someone had the issue with a 223 also

 

[gregp74]

Well I've been doing more thinking which is never a good thing.

I'm kind of straying away from the idea of another heavy barrel 223 rifle and going towards something a little bigger and more all purpose.

I've always loved the 6.5x55 Swede cartridge. My grandpa gave me an old sporterized Mauser when i was a kid. I loved that but sold it foolishly when I was poor in my early 20s and have never forgiven myself.

I called up Cooper and found out I could get their Montana Varminter with the grade II+ wood stock in 6.5x55 Swede. I can also have it blued and done with a 24" rather than 26" barrel, which is kinda what I've been looking for.

Price on the cooper would be $2595 and the wait is 4-6 months though. That's about $600 more than the Sako if I went with that in 260 Remington, which ballistically would be pretty similar I guess.

Ugh choices, choices!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If it's a varmint rifle you're after, you can't go wrong with a Savage Model 10-series. I would go with .223 Rem.

 

[Hokkmike]

Well I've been doing more thinking which is never a good thing.

I'm kind of straying away from the idea of another heavy barrel 223 rifle and going towards something a little bigger and more all purpose.

I've always loved the 6.5x55 Swede cartridge. My grandpa gave me an old sporterized Mauser when i was a kid. I loved that but sold it foolishly when I was poor in my early 20s and have never forgiven myself.

I called up Cooper and found out I could get their Montana Varminter with the grade II+ wood stock in 6.5x55 Swede. I can also have it blued and done with a 24" rather than 26" barrel, which is kinda what I've been looking for.

Price on the cooper would be $2595 and the wait is 4-6 months though. That's about $600 more than the Sako if I went with that in 260 Remington, which ballistically would be pretty similar I guess.

Ugh choices, choices!

I have the 6.5x55 in the SAKO model that preceded the one you were considering in the OP. It is a great deer/varmint combo gun. Using ballistic tip 120 grain hand loads and IMR 4350 powder it is very accurate and suitable for both animals. I do slightly prefer Winchester Super X 140 grain for only deer. I am pretty sure you can pick up a Finnlight for half the price (or less) of the Cooper. But, hey - it is win-win so good luck.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I bought a Sako Vixen heavy barrel .223 in 1977. It has been an outstanding rifle and one of my favorites to this day. I’ve had several different scopes on it and different height rings. I have never had any ejection issues with it with any scope/ring combination.
I don’t think you will ever regret buying one. Sako rifles are hard to beat for quality and accuracy.

 

[gregp74]

Well I did a thing this afternoon.

I thought about it. I studied. I read reviews. I thought about it more. I read more. Almost came to a decision in favor of the cheaper alternative but then a little voice kept saying go with what you really want.

And I got the ball rolling on a Cooper Montana Varminter model 52 in the 6.5x55 Swede caliber. It wasn't cheap and it's not going to be here for 4-8 months but it's something I've wanted for a long long time and it's probably something I'll never get rid of. I'm sure my grandpa is smiling down on me somewhere.

I put down $1500 today and will pay the rest off when it gets here. Only made a couple changes to their standard offering. I'm going with a 24" barrel rather than the standard 26". No reason shooting-wise, just for easier transport. Also I'm a sucker for that classic look so I'm going with a blued finish rather than the stainless. I think it'll look nice on that AA+ grade wood. Hopefully she'll shoot as good as she looks.