Sako Rifles, what's your opinion?

[GWN]

Hi everyone, just wondering what your opinion of Sako quality and performance is, the good, the bad and the ugly.

I am considering the 85 Hunter Stainless laminted stock in 7 Remington Magnum and the Finnlight in 270 Winchester, all comments and opinions are welcome, thanks

[catnthehat]

I like the older Sakos, great accuracy and stock design.
Cat

[elkhunter11]

Sako rifles have good barrels, and excellent triggers. Of the two choices, I prefer the Stainless Laminate.

[GWN]

What do think about the new ones?

[elkhunter11]

I have only owned one Sako 85, a Stainless Laminate Varmint in 223, and it was an excellent rifle.

[Kurt505]

I had a Cooper Jackson Hunter, then I bought a Sako Finnlight, then I sold my Cooper and bought another Finnlight. I like em.

[north american hunter]

My sako has been my go to rifle for almost 12 years. Great guns.

[6.5 shooter]

ALL my rifles are slowly being converted to either Sako or CZ.

Like Cat I prefer the older ones but I also own a few with SS and Laminated stocks. Had an A7 liked it. But the lites....... not so sure about them. The "roughneck" may get the nod in a future rifle but haven't had one in my hands as of yet but the full length aluminum bedding sounds interesting.

[sns2]

I have had 4 Sako 85s in the last year and a bit. I sold them all to scratch whatever the latest itch was.

Here's how I would describe them. Boringly good. All shot excellently. Fit and finish was bend reproach on all. The bolts cycled like they were on a light pillow of air they were so smooth. In short there was nothing not to like very much.

My problem with them is that since our dollar has gone down, the price of Sakos has seemed to have gone up an inordinate amount. You are looking at $2k (plus) for most new ones by the time you walk out the door. When you get in that price range, I would go Cooper. If you don't want to spend that much get your self a Winchester Model 70, or for slightly more, a Kimber.

I recently picked up a Model 70 Extreme Weather and I dropped a Timney trigger in it before taking it to the range. Now hear me clearly. I am not saying that a Model 70 is the equal of a Sako 85, but you would have a hard time convincing me to spend an extra $1000 to get a Sako 85. The Model 70 comes in stainless and if you look around you can find some with really nice wood. The money you save would allow you to buy a super nice optic. Finally, if you spend any amount of time on the buy and sell sections of this forum and CGN, you will see that Model 70s seemingly hold their value equally as well as a Sako, so if you want to sell down the road you will not be out of pocket very much at all. Kimbers seem to take more of a hit.

But if your heart is set on a Sako, it's set on a very nice rifle that will serve you exceedingly well.

That's my 2 cents.

[leo]

I have personally owned 3 Finnbears (L61 R; an AIII as well as an AV), all shot an inch or under. I also had a 75 stainless synthetic and an 85 stainless laminate. Again both shot well. I now have a TRG 995 in 270 Weatherby and it will put them under 1/2". In short, I've yet to see one that didn't shoot well!

[Ranch11]

I've had numerous sako's. I prefer the 75's. I have a few keepers in 243, 260, 270 and 22-250.

[Ivo]

Great rifles, I would look for a 75 opposed to the 85 personally but either way you'll be in good shape.

[outofbounds]

First bolt rifle was a Finnbear 7 mm mag. Handled it at the local gun shop and instantly fell for the fit, feel and character of the wood work. For a young fella back then the $1300 price tag was a kick to the old wallet but I had to have it. Prior to that rifle I had mainly hunted on the trapline with my handed down Win '94. It put meat in the freezer but shooting the new Finnbear was definitely an eye opener, especially once we mounted a scope on it. Was lucky enough in a sportsman's raffle to win a gift certificate at the same gun shop for $1500. So I marched on down and put it on a 300 RUM in the 75. This rifle is also a nice rifle that shoots well. I prefer the Finnbears feel and finish but both have been great rifles.

[Dan the Saskbertan]

Originally Posted by GWN

Hi everyone, just wondering what your opinion of Sako quality and performance is, the good, the bad and the ugly.

I am considering the 85 Hunter Stainless laminted stock in 7 Remington Magnum and the Finnlight in 270 Winchester, all comments and opinions are welcome, thanks

Can't go wrong with a Sako, had a 7mm and it was an excellent rifle.

Dan

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

I love my Sako rifles and my preference is the m75 model. All are great shooters. I bought my first Sako m75ss rifle back in late summer of 1997 and never looked back.

I have had up to 2 of the LS models at one time....sold the 300WSM to a moose camp hunting buddy that wanted to upgrade and I already had my 300WM. My other is my 338-06AI. I would of loved to have got one in 270WSM, but to no avail. I found a MINT Stainless Synthetic model and bought it off a fellow AO / CGN member back in December 2012.

If you are not worried about the odd ding in the LS stock, go 7mmRM in that. If not, a SS or Finnlight in either caliber would be sweet. If memory serves me correct, I seen a m85 Finnlight in 270WSM or in the 270Win in the Buy/Sell here on AO or on CGN. Might be an option to consider...save some $$$ and invest it in a better scope.

Guess what, its here on AO in a 270WSM!! Hope the link works.

AO-Buy/Sell- Sako m85 Finnlight 270WSM

[35 whelen]

Have had 3 sakos 2 finbars and 1 85 hunter all were great shooters and very nice wood on them

[gk88]

Everybody knows about Sako accuracy, but the workmanship and pride of ownership is unbeatable!!!

[GWN]

Thanks for the comments everyone, I held one the other day and it just felt right, the fit and finish was superb and the bolt was very smooth. No one I know has one and Sako's the only brand I dont have (I know that's justification enough to buy one). Before laying out the cash I wanted some input.

Thanks again,

[silver]

Originally Posted by gtr

Have never owned one, but know lots of fellows that do. All are a little lite in the loafers! LOL.

I own a Sako AV in 375 H&H and you are welcome to come and say that to my face.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I have only owned one Sako 85, a Stainless Laminate Varmint in 223, and it was an excellent rifle.

+1

[grouse_hunter]

I'll second that, Silver. I'm a proud owner of Sako 85 Finnlight in 300 Win Mag. Exceptional rifle.

[Fredo]

My opinion is, I want one, but dang nordic steel is pricey!

[nelsonob1]

I have a Finnlight in 270WSM. Great rifle, very well balanced, smooth action, comfortable to shoot, light and accurate. What's not to like other than the price tag. If value for money is important to you then the AO who compared the M70 extreme was bang on. Save a $1000 and get 90% of the Sako in terms of quality.

[Fowl91]

I bought an A7 a while ago and it is an excellent rifle for the price. I've also hunted with an older Finnbear 375 H+H while in South Africa, and now I'm on a mission to find one in 30-06. To me they are one of the best rifles out there. And I have a hard time comparing them to the Model 70's like some above. In saying that, if I was looking to spend less money than the Sakos run then the only rifle I would look at would be the Model 70's.

[35 whelen]

Just picked a 85 m 30-06 for my son ,cant find out what the M means but its not same as my 85 hunter ? any ideas thanks

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Just picked a 85 m 30-06 for my son ,cant find out what the M means but its not same as my 85 hunter ? any ideas thanks

"M" is for "Medium Action"

Action size dependant on the caliber.

Nice purchase for your son !!!

[Motor]

I can't say anything negative about Sako 85s. I own three. A Grey Wolf (stainless laminated) in 300WSM; a Finnlight in 270WSM; and just bought a Black Bear in 3006. I had two others as well and sold them by mistake. The 270WSM Finnlight shoots under .5MOA. I have a target with a 1.125 inch group at 315 yards hanging on my gun locker! All the 85s I've owned have shot under 1MOA. I love the smooth action, light and crisp trigger pull, and the magazine release is amazing. No chance of an accidental mag drop - and yet you can top load too. The Grey Wolf is substantially heavier than the Finnlight but I can hold it rock solid at the shoulder. Heavier rifle makes handling recoil better on the 300WSM.

[saskwhitey]

I love my Sako 85 Finlight in 270WSM. Shoots like a dream, and nice and light for hiking around. Kicked pretty good at first but I put a limbsaver recoil pad on and it's not bad at all now. I've taken a sheep and elk with it so far, hopefully many more to come!

[30Cal]

Began my hunting career using Winchesters, Remingtons and Rugers; however, after trying my first Sako I never bought any other brand of rifle again. Have now had more than 10 Sakos over the years and all of them have been sub-moa as described on their 5 shot certs. Have kept only 3 of them that I use for all my hunting needs now. Two 300WSM in finlights (their only one serial number apart in production), both shoot hole in hole at 100yrds. My other favorite is a 338 Kodiak, it also can put hole in hole, and is a definite critter stopper. As mentioned abover the price of Sakos are on the rise, and it is becoming more difficult to obtain them at some dealers. If you can get one for 1600-1700 new it's a good purchase. Mag Guns in Lloyd still sells them for about 1899.

[sns2]

I guess the better question would be to ask, "How many of you regret buying a Sako rifle?"

Doubt you would get many people.

There are production guns that are as good, but I don't think you can early say that there are better production guns. That would be pretty subjective statement.

So did the OP buy one yet?