Sako 85, what do you think?

[alfon99]

Hi, I'm thinking about getting one the next time I go to the city, and I would like to hear what do you think about this rifle. It would be in 6,5x55 SE, or .243 WIN, both very popular calibers here in uruguay. I googled "Sako 85 accuracy" and there were a few threads in other forums where some dude had one that didn't shoot, but I'm not sure if this is common, or if it was not a problem of the rifle. So, what do you think about this rifle? Which Sako 85 would you choose? Thanks.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I love mine in the Swede.
It is the smoothest new bolt I've ever had. Finish is wonderful and the stock is tough as nails through our chaparral. I put a buckmaster on top and believe I have the best rifle for that caliber.
Enjoy!
Greg

 

[alfon99]

I forgot to list the 25-06, which may be another option

 

[Paul7]

Great rifle, smooth and accurate, shoots under an inch. I have a Zeiss Conquest scope on mine. Here it is with a cow elk I got in NM last week. Mine is the Finnlight in 6.5x55, used Norma 156 gr. ammo for the elk.

Besides this elk, have taken seven hogs and a Barbary Sheep in the last year with it, all DRT with factory ammo.

 

[alfon99]

Great rifle, smooth and accurate, shoots under an inch. I have a Zeiss Conquest scope on mine. Here it is with a cow elk I got in NM last week. Mine is the Finnlight in 6.5x55, used Norma 156 gr. ammo for the elk.

Besides this elk, have taken seven hogs and a Barbary Sheep in the last year with it, all DRT with factory ammo.

Congratulations for such a great rifle! Nice picture.

 

[viking499]

One in a Swede would be nice. I currently have the " poor mans Sako"...........tikka....

 

[Nom de Forum]

I can sum-up most of what I think about the Sako 85 with one word.

Gorgeous

 

[RainDodger]

I have both the Sako and a Tikka... I wouldn't call the Tikka a poor man's Sako... it's just a little more practical and every bit as accurate! That being said... the 85 is a gorgeous rifle. Can't go wrong.

 

[FinnComm]

I have a Sako85 Hunter in 6,5x55. It shoots an inch at 100m. Is soft on recoil. My only gripe is the difficulty in increasing LOP (the crappy rubber but pad is pinned to the stock and needs grinding out. )

A Tikka is cheaper and will do the same job. But it doesn't feel as good as the Sako. The Tikka is better value, if you're looking for value. But if you're looking for a rifle you will never regret buying, or ever wonder "what if I had bought the Sako...", then it's an easier choice. My view on rifles is "don't cut corners", buy the one you want. Over the life of the rifle you will spend many times the original outlay on ammo, so why shoot a "compromise".

 

[Paul7]

I have the Sako but probably would have bought the Tikka if it had been available in 6.5x55. Anyway, like a previous poster said if I average out the extra expense over 20 years of hunting its not that much extra money, and I'm pretty sure when I sell it I'll get a good price. With the exception of Oryx, it's enough gun for any game I plan to hunt.

 

[scottishkat]

The Sako 85 is a fantstic firearm very well made smooth as silk, trigger is awesome, magazine, safety, scope mounts excellent. Everything you would expect from a high quality firearm. I own 2 of them a 260 remington 85 hunter and a 338 federal stainless synthetic. The 338 federal has become my favorite deer rifle. I am certain the 6.5x55 would be a superbly accurate rifle my 260 will shoot 5 touching each other at 100. If I had a complaint it would be barrel length at 22-7/16 the wood stocks are not generally exceptional on any grade of rifle.

As far as which one I would choose what do you want to do with it?

You will not regret the purchase in any of the calibers you suggest.

Good Luck and shoot straight.

 

[alfon99]

The Sako 85 is a fantstic firearm very well made smooth as silk, trigger is awesome, magazine, safety, scope mounts excellent. Everything you would expect from a high quality firearm. I own 2 of them a 260 remington 85 hunter and a 338 federal stainless synthetic. The 338 federal has become my favorite deer rifle. I am certain the 6.5x55 would be a superbly accurate rifle my 260 will shoot 5 touching each other at 100. If I had a complaint it would be barrel length at 22-7/16 the wood stocks are not generally exceptional on any grade of rifle.

As far as which one I would choose what do you want to do with it?

You will not regret the purchase in any of the calibers you suggest.

Good Luck and shoot straight.

I will use it for hunting, mainly wild boar and axis deer, but I plan on doing some long range shooting also. There are 85 hunters and finnlight (stainless synthetic) here but i'm not sure about which one to choose, I like the look of the hunter, and I'm not a big fan of synthetic stocks, and I also like having iron sights. I think I like the hunter more but I'm not sure.

 

[Hokkmike]

The 6.5x55 will offer you a bit more versatility from groundhogs to moose. The .243 is a marginal deer caliber.

The Swede, as well, used to be an Olympic competition caliber because of its inherent accuracy.

As far as the SAKO model 85 goes, there is no question as to its quality.

 

[390ish]

A buddy has one in 300 win mag and loves it. I am a big fan of the swede. I shoot deer with a 25-06 and do not think there is a better round. However I think you can do more things with a swede. I have an old trg-s big bore that shoots lights out. Just stay away from the AL-7 from what I hear they are stinkers.

 

[Paul7]

Somebody mentioned the .243, I find the 6.5x55 has about the same recoil yet according to this table has a killing power rating of 30.7 vs. 18.1 for the .243.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_killing_power_list.htm

 

[Radagast]

One of my aquaintances is of the buy once, cry once school. He has the Sako 85 in 25-06 with a Kahles scope. He's very happy with the combination as a flat shooting game gun.

 

[scottishkat]

Alfon the barrel length on the hunter in Medium action is 20" and will handicap the swede the finnlight as a 22.40 inch barrel and will give better velocity. The 25-06 will make an excellent hog rifle my 257 wby drops them with authority. My 260 is a great deer rifle Axis deer are as tough as any deer I have shot several and would not hesitate to use either the 25-06 or the 6.5.

Do you reload you will be able to load the 85 longer than SAMMI which will be to your advantage reloading for the swede. If I wanted to shoot over 300 yards I personally would be looking for a 24" barrel on the rifle.

Good luck and shoot straight

 

[Cee Zee]

Some of the best rifles I've ever seen were made by Sako. I'd have one myself but they are hard to come by in my area unless you buy from a big (and over priced) box store. We don't see Tikka rifles here much either. Maybe I need to find a better gun shop now that I'm close to a major city. But I have my quality stuff now. Still I really like Sako stuff.

 

[4sixteen]

Here's my Sako 85 .300 Win. mag., an accurate high quality rifle -

 

[alfon99]

Here's my Sako 85 .300 Win. mag., an accurate high quality rifle -

Nice! Is that the hunter laminated stainless?

 

[4sixteen]

It's the stainless laminate Grey Wolf.

 

[will11]

Sako rifles are to me a premium product. I have owned a Sako 75 and it was an excellent shooter. I own a Tikka Lite which is a poor mans Sako and it is one smooth rifle.