Louis Toadvine
AH enthusiast
Finally getting a chance to post some pictures of new rifles. I had these on order since last year and they both arrived within a few days of each other this spring. Very excited about these two--they are better than anticipated!
Both are from their respective "custom shops"--I understand that doesn't make them truly "custom", but rather upgraded versions of regular production rifles. They are aesthetically what I wanted, and their performance thus far has been terrific--sub MOA with factory rounds in both.
Sako 85 Deluxe in 8x57mm. This has a high grade Turkish walnut stock with a hand rubbed oil finish that I am quite happy about. I'm very keen on the figure in both sides of the buttstock. The 85 Deluxe has the internal magazine with hinged floorplate vs. detachable mag seen in many other versions of the 85. Both triggers (regular and set) are very smooth and crisp. It came with a Negrini hard case--I've never had one before, but really like it. I mounted a Swarovski Z8i 1-8x scope with the 4A-IF reticle on the rifle; I originally intended to mount a Leica Amplus, but the metal Leica logo on the end of the tube and overall short length prevented it from my mounting correctly. The Z8i is by far the nicest scope I've ever owned.
Steyr Mannlicher SM12 Stutzen in 9.3x62mm. Full stock/stutzen rifles are some of my favorites and I'm excited to have one in 9.3x62! This has a very nice European walnut full stock with a double flame cheek piece. While it doesn't have the same figure in the buttstock as the Sako, it has more through the grip, action, and forend. The regular trigger has a tiny bit of creep to it (though it's not bad at all), but the set trigger is phenomenal--by far the lightest trigger pull I've ever felt. I haven't measured it, but it can't be more than a few ounces. You can basically set it off by rubbing the tip of your finger along the side of the trigger. Definitely need to be ready (and careful) with such a trigger. I mounted the aforementioned stubby Leica Amplus on it with Talley QD rings.
(this last picture is from before I mounted the scope)
Both are from their respective "custom shops"--I understand that doesn't make them truly "custom", but rather upgraded versions of regular production rifles. They are aesthetically what I wanted, and their performance thus far has been terrific--sub MOA with factory rounds in both.
Sako 85 Deluxe in 8x57mm. This has a high grade Turkish walnut stock with a hand rubbed oil finish that I am quite happy about. I'm very keen on the figure in both sides of the buttstock. The 85 Deluxe has the internal magazine with hinged floorplate vs. detachable mag seen in many other versions of the 85. Both triggers (regular and set) are very smooth and crisp. It came with a Negrini hard case--I've never had one before, but really like it. I mounted a Swarovski Z8i 1-8x scope with the 4A-IF reticle on the rifle; I originally intended to mount a Leica Amplus, but the metal Leica logo on the end of the tube and overall short length prevented it from my mounting correctly. The Z8i is by far the nicest scope I've ever owned.
Steyr Mannlicher SM12 Stutzen in 9.3x62mm. Full stock/stutzen rifles are some of my favorites and I'm excited to have one in 9.3x62! This has a very nice European walnut full stock with a double flame cheek piece. While it doesn't have the same figure in the buttstock as the Sako, it has more through the grip, action, and forend. The regular trigger has a tiny bit of creep to it (though it's not bad at all), but the set trigger is phenomenal--by far the lightest trigger pull I've ever felt. I haven't measured it, but it can't be more than a few ounces. You can basically set it off by rubbing the tip of your finger along the side of the trigger. Definitely need to be ready (and careful) with such a trigger. I mounted the aforementioned stubby Leica Amplus on it with Talley QD rings.
(this last picture is from before I mounted the scope)
