Sako 85 varmint stainless opinions

[Mark M.]

I'm thinking about picking up a new Sako 85 varmint stainless in a 223 1:8 twist, wondering if anybody has any experience with these or opinions thanks

 

[1raggedhole]

I don't personally, only what I heard from a guy who has one. He said every Sako 85 he has experienced was very good and worth the money. They are in the same price range as a cooper, so it better shoot good.

 

[Sniper338]

Ive had two of them, one in 22-250, the other in 243.

VERY nice triggers and actions. The set trigger is fabulous. Accuracy is hit and miss. The 22-250 I had HAMMERS. my father in law bought it from me. The 243 shot like shit. It wouldnt hold 1 moa at 100 yards no matter what I loaded for it. I sent it back to be looked at, they cleared it and said nothings wrong and it shot less than moa for them retesting. They gave me the target they tested and it was still over and inch they shot. I wasnt happy at all. I got rid of it and got a custom barrel chambered in 6XC spun up for one of my other guns to switch barrels on.

My wife loved shooting the 22 250. She loved the gun. So I built her a 6BR on a trued rem action mimicking a sako 85, same stock, but jewell trigger.. she loves it now too.

Moral to the story, you will be safer buying a cooper because accuracy is hit and miss with the sako 85.

 

[Sniper338]

I will say its all hit and miss in their barrels...

As far as the action, trigger, and stock, id love to have another rig to put a custom barrel on. Itd shoot great with a good barrel.

 

[mikeinct]

See if you can get a deal on a used one & plan on putting a custom barrel on it..I have an older Sako 75 SS Varmint re-barreled in Tac 20..In the deal I got a NF scope & Talley Mounts...See what you can find with the right bolt size & re-barrel it..Mike in Ct

 

[nakneker]

I've had two of them. They both shot well under .5 moa- if you just want an action you should look at accuflite rifles. A year ago he had over 600 Sako actions and is very knowledgeable. They come up on the used market often. If your looking at Sako 85s you may want to look at some of the Tikka Heavy barrels, smooth, accurate and considerably less than Sako.

 

[primer popper]

Mine has short throat, unable to load long (heavy) bullets. Was a 1 moa shooter, bedding made it a 1/2 moa with same load, now need to work on load. Rings & base set are about $150

 

[K22]

For that kind of money I would look into a custom bulit rifle with match grade barrel. In the long run you'll be happier. With a 223 you should be able to get at least 5,000 rounds through it if you don't shoot rapid fire and clean properly. That's a long barrel life so if you amoritize the costs over the barrel life the extra dollars for a custom is worth it.

Factory rifles are a hit or miss proposition. Most quality gunsmiths will guanantee their work, just be reasonable.

I had a 222 Rem rebarrel with a 26" no. 5 contour Douglas supreme match barrel in 223 Rem. This rifle shoots under 1/4 moa with tailored reloads. It's a real ghog eliminator.

The one factory rifle that I had out of the box that matched this was a Weatherby Supervarmint Master. This rifle was perfect, out of the box. The trigger and accuracy was excellent out of the box. It's a shame they quit making it, I'd like to get another in 243.

 

[Pointer]

I'm thinking about picking up a new Sako 85 varmint stainless in a 223 1:8 twist, wondering if anybody has any experience with these or opinions thanks

I have an 85 V in 308. I have a load that puts five in about .4-.5. Love the set trigger and action. Not sure what the market on them is . Good luck

 

[JEFFPPC]

I shot one in 6ppc a friend bought used. It had been put in a br stock. It shot like a decent custom bench gun. The factory stock came with the rifle. He put it back in the factory stock as a very accurate varmint rifle. I have always read Sako and Tikka have the exact same barrels. I have had numerous Tikkas, every one a .5 or better rifle. I would not be afraid of the rifle, if you like it buy it and enjoy it. I have had several older Sako A1s in 6PPC, all shot great.

 

[searcher]

I too have a Sako in 6PPC. Having bore-scoped many a barrel, I can say that the bore on my 6PPC is the best looking bore of any barrel I have ever owned. And I own a wide variety of top-name custom barrels. Good looking doesn't always equate to a good shooter - but it did with my PPC. I think Sako puts in a lot of work finishing their barrels - and the odds may be higher of getting a good shooter as a result - but not a guarantee.

 

[AckleymanII]

A custom Rem 700 in a McMillen Sako Varmint stock is a very good option. I love that particular stock.

 

[Carl S]

Sako 85 is good.75 better they shoot very good.i have rebarreld both.the steel magazine is a plus.tikkas are also good.a little cheaper due to the polymer trigger guard and magazine theboth come out of the same factory.