Anyone have problems with Sako Optilocks and windage

[Schandler]

I have a set of optilock bases and rings purchased from eurooptic site and packaged in shrink wrap factory but when mounting scope i have bad out of line windage so much so you didn’t have enough clicks on scope to even come close to center. Reticle is way to the left. A small amount of correction with moving front base to rear of dovetail on action helped but still two feet to left. I did put a set of leupold steel one piece base rings on it with different scope and no problem at all and that tells me dovetails on action are good. It is possible it could be the high rings that are “off” and not bases. I had to order the high rings for scope to have clearance for 56mm bell. I’ve used calipers on bases and seem good but it’s pretty hard to measure rings with only a set of calipers. Anyone else had problems with Sako Optilocks or any suggestions ? I like the looks of the optilocks but had heck of a time getting enough height to mount the scope - got that solved and now this problem. Any comments or suggestions appreciated. The rifle L461 vixen in 6ppc shoots some kind of good and deserves this scope and good set of mounts

 

[ATFIV]

Richard Near is the man for Sako bases.

Nearmfg.com

Give him a ring, if it’s possible he can do it.

 

[CT10ring]

I have a few Sakos with both OEM 1" & 30mm 1 pc & 2 pc bases, all seem to align correctly, never had this problem.
Sounds like your check w the Leupold bases indicates the Sako rings may be out of spec? Did you try switching front to back-rings only?
I'd guess Eurooptics would allow an exchange. not much help, other than never had a prob with Sako rings.

 

[Rem06]

I have a set of optilock bases and rings purchased from eurooptic site and packaged in shrink wrap factory but when mounting scope i have bad out of line windage so much so you didn’t have enough clicks on scope to even come close to center. Reticle is way to the left. A small amount of correction with moving front base to rear of dovetail on action helped but still two feet to left. I did put a set of leupold steel one piece base rings on it with different scope and no problem at all and that tells me dovetails on action are good. It is possible it could be the high rings that are “off” and not bases. I had to order the high rings for scope to have clearance for 56mm bell. I’ve used calipers on bases and seem good but it’s pretty hard to measure rings with only a set of calipers. Anyone else had problems with Sako Optilocks or any suggestions ? I like the looks of the optilocks but had heck of a time getting enough height to mount the scope - got that solved and now this problem. Any comments or suggestions appreciated. The rifle L461 vixen in 6ppc shoots some kind of good and deserves this scope and good set of mounts

actually i did have a L579 Forster i recall cutting a feeler guage to shim base. it worked so i stopped there.
don't have either anymore.

sako does tell in directions where to place bases on dovetail as i recall and that may have solved it? at one point i used the same opti-lok base and switched from 1" to 30mm rings. i think the shim was on 1" and not on 30mm and then back to 1" changing scopes around. i remember when i took apart to sell there was no shim.

check on base positioning in directions

sorry i cant help more

ps yellow labs rock!

 

[Schandler]

REM i sure am glad you posted. I also read the info from sako and front base moved front back and middle made no difference for me. Two feet to the left. Almost enough clicks in the nf br scope to take care of it too. If i would have had 5 more clicks of windage i could have hit center of target. Even if i had had more clicks it still wouldn’t have been right but i could have lived with it. I did swap front rear rings and I tried shimming with z ring inserts and corrected it too far in the other direction and only had inserts in one thickness leftover from other rings i had used. I thought to myself this is no way to treat a fine shooting rifle. I finally removed the optilock bases and rings and ordered a one piece rail that slides right onto sako dovetails and ordered Burris sig z rings in xhigh. If they don’t give enough clearance for bell of scope and line up really close i am going to give up on putting nf on it. The leupold one piece solid rings work perfect with a smaller bell scope. I could go with 1” scope like weaver 36 and use a set of solid leupolds i just want the nf on it. I do believe it’s the sako bases that are the problem.

 

[Rem06]

wow, that is really bad when you don have enough windage with a NF! just noting the more you turn windage from center you lose elevation and clarity. When i mount a scope new that is centered i really try not to move but only a few clicks l - r.
i would get them back to sako for inspection

 

[FryeGuy]

I had the same issue with my finnlights and swarovski scopes. On the 4-12's, the tube was short, so on the long actions, to get my eye relief correct, I moved the ring on the forward dovetail towards the rear, and didn't have enough to get it centered. moved the front ring forward 1/8" fixed it all. the closer to the middle of the front dovetail you can get the better. If you go too far it will do the same thing but opposite. I ended up getting a zeiss scope with longer tube and put ring directly in center of the front dovetail and never a minutes trouble. it's a great concept they have, but with scopes getting shorter and shorter tubes to save weight it sucks on the long actions.

 

[CT10ring]

Funny, I have 2 NF 8-32X BR, plus 3 8-25 X 50 Leupolds -- on Sako 6ppc, 204R, 22-250's (3), and they all are darn close/ acceptable to middle range of
reticle centered-ness. maybe because they are all longer scopes? esp the NF BR's. It's a unique but very solid design of attaching a base. Talley also makes Sako bases.

 

[FryeGuy]

I agree, it's never an issue with the short actions, they can be mounted in the middle of the front dovetail every time. I am jealous of the PPC. they are beauties. I like the talley bases. they slide on and have set screws thru the top. I am down to 1 sako now. so I have a few optilok rings, talley bases, leupolds. I was up to 5 sako rifles at one time, and decided to diversify some. I am told I get bored a lot.....

 

[CT10ring]

I agree, it's never an issue with the short actions, they can be mounted in the middle of the front dovetail every time. I am jealous of the PPC. they are beauties. I like the talley bases. they slide on and have set screws thru the top. I am down to 1 sako now. so I have a few optilok rings, talley bases, leupolds. I was up to 5 sako rifles at one time, and decided to diversify some. I am told I get bored a lot.....

when I got back into shooting - at age 40, my neighbor showed me his Sako .270. I was hooked. He has killed dozens bucks w that rifle. Who knew the Finns made great rifles??
and Lapua - Finland. what...?! Bofors bbls - .222 golly, very nice.

 

[blowemup]

I also had this problem on a Sako 85 varmint .204 mounted a 30mm zeiss & ran out of windage sighting in , tried swapping front to back , shimming & finally took the rifle back to the dealer who sent the importer the rings.
What i received back was a set of Burris picatinny two piece bases ( same as in the link ) & rings to suit.... problem solved.

I think the dove tails on the action might have been machined slightly undersized.

https://www.allcocksoutdoorstore.co.uk/burris-sako-75-85-dovetail-bases

 

[Schandler]

Fellas I’m not exactly sure what the problem is. My first problem was getting enough clearance for bell and barrel. Once i solved that problem with the optilocks i had the windage problem. I did move front base all over the front dovetail and it didn’t make a bit of difference for me on windage once i tightened dovetail down. I have ordered a one piece rail and Burris z rings in high. This has been one more pain in butt trying to put the nf on the rifle but i believe it will be a great combination.

 

[Nacho]

if you have this problem...
Sako had solved this problem a long time ago this... and now you can fix it.
SAKO OPTILOCK SCOPE BASES EXTENDED ACTION, BLUED

https://www.brownells.com/optics-mo...pe-bases-extended-action-blued-prod40693.aspx