Sako 500 jeffery review

[colorado]

I appreciate that lol

 

[Milan]

Ok folks , this has been a while coming and is still not complete but hopefully will sate you for a while. Sako 85 Brown Bear in 500 jeffery weighing in at 9.5 lbs she is light , but it's quick pointing. Starting from the front , we have a hooded front sight with a BIG WHITE BEAD , i have swung this outside in twilight and can see it quite plainly ( makes the front sight on my Win Safari look miniscule ).
Working down the 22" barrel , we find a barrel band for sling attachment and an island rear sight with 1 standing blade with a wide cut V , i find this very easy to line up.
The action is smoooooth , with a 3 lug bolt , pushfeed with a typical sako extractor ( i have only put 20 rnds through it so far but it has not failed to extract the rebated case. The magazine has a hinged floorplate and holds 3 rounds in a staggered pattern , so far it feeds flawlessly as long as you work the bolt like you mean it , if you try to be gentle the rnd catches on the feed ramp , all my rnds are norma cases with 570grn Woodleigh sn. This will be tried with different projectiles and i will report back. Ejection is no issue with the 6 o'clock blade , except it whacks the case into the LH reciever wall on it's way out , putting a large flat in the mouth of the case , this is only an annoyance for handloaders and only if you really flick them out .
The laminated stock is a dark nutmeg that i find quite attractive , it is also fitted with crossbolts and 3" of bedding from the front of the receiver forward , i have not had it apart so i cannot report on recoil lugs. The stock has been relieved around the tang to aleviate splitting and is topped off with a pad that could do to be a bit thicker on this calibre , it's not like a ruger red but it could have been better. Load data is still ongoing so i'm afraid this will have to do for now. I like it.... a lot , definatly going to have fun with this.
Hope this doesn't put to many to sleep.

I briefly had a Sako 85 Kodiak in 375 H&H. What a peach of a rifle. Handled like a dream, trigger second to none, great sights, etc. I even purchased the U shaped rear and smaller bead front sights for it to make it more usable for smaller game. Then I put some ammo in it. Mine had the detachable magazine that can be loaded from the top while inside the rifle. It loaded nicely but would not feed some ammo, especially blunt nose bullets. It would eject fine. Until I put a scope on it. Then if trying to eject full round (normally this should not be a concern but misfires do happen), they'd end up back in the receiver, jamming the next round. No matter what scope (I tried several), no matter what height mounts (also tried a couple different ones), they'd bounce right back at any angle but pointing the ejection side down. Then I shot it. It kicked like a mule, and the empties still ended up inside the receiver unless I yanked the bolt back really hard (much harder than one should have to - this is not my first bolt gun after all ) and even then, on occasion, the empty case would find its way back in. Extremely frustrating. However, it was very accurate (3 shot clover leafs and bug eyes at 50m even with my rattled teeth - yes I was shooting sitting from a bench other wise I'm not that accurate). I then spent a lot of time grinding and polishing the feed ramp and adjusting the front of the magazines and and the way they held the follower. Got it to feed flawlessly any ammo I could try, including the blunt-nosed ones. But could never swallow down the ejection issue. In the end it kicked so hard it would have been better without a scope anyway and that took care of that issue. Otherwise a great gun and metal finish typical Sako - impeccable. So I considered keeping it. But I traded it and Ruger Scout for a CZ550 in .458 Lott and a VZ24 in .375 H&H. Of course, only to find out later that the VZ had been butchered and did not feed either. However that is not a factory build issue and I'm working on resolving that. Yet, the expensive Sako is what jumps into my mind when people talk about CZs having feeding issues (I'm feel CZs are no worse than any other brand and better than most and even if they have some feeding flaws, they too can be fine-tuned and at least hey eject well ).

Anyway, sorry for a long-winded and probably irrelevant reply. What I really wanted to say was that you can get smaller front bead sight or even different rear sights for your rifle from Sako, should you desire one. Then also, that you should ensure it feeds well anything you put in it and to watch for ejection issues when a scope is atop. Otherwise I'm glad you like it and hope it works as well for you as the rifle looks - they do look damn fine to me.

 

[boldo 42]

Hi Milan , because the jeff is really designed for close up work i was never going to fit it with a scope , but i still think the 6 o'clock ejector is a flaw. The big white bead on the front shows up real good in the dark...plus my eyes arn't getting any better. I have out loaded the capabilities of the kick pad and will be replacing it real soon. I can't fault the feeding or ejection , has worked perfectly so far. A mate has a kodiak 375 , and it is snappy. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Milan]

Yes. And I agree on the 6 o'clock ejector being a farce. I was also referring to the .375 being more usable with smaller sights but even there I liked the big white bead. I just like having options where they can come in handy. I have a big white bead on the .458 Lott. And the .458 could not even keep a scope in one place so I too left it as open sights only. I imagine the .500 is even more suited for that. I faulted the hard kicking on the pad and the stock. Somehow it beat me up more than usual. So do Rugers for some (or maybe same?) reason. Glad your rifle works for you and your buddy's for him. They are very nice. Thanks for starting this topic.

 

[spike.t]

@Milan is there a part no for the smaller front bead ? as i want to get a smaller one for my black bear 9.3x62. the big one obscures too much and really dont like it. cheers mike

 

[Milan]

@Milan is there a part no for the smaller front bead ? as i want to get a smaller one for my black bear 9.3x62. the big one obscures too much and really dont like it. cheers mike

I bought them from a guy on local hunting forum. I believe it is the first one (black) from the parts list (http://www.sako.fi/sites/default/files/documents/Sako_85_SPC_A.pdf):

16 Front sight adjustable S5850320
16 Front sight adjustable S/S S585R320
16 Front sight M05, pearl white (Bear series) S53062393
16 Front sight M05 stainless, pearl white (Kodiak) S53062394

All Sako parts are darn expensive. But one or two small pieces won't break the bank.

As to the bead, I too prefer fine front and rear metal sights but 1) with age, bigger is better and 2) in the case of one meant as short range DGR, I thought the white bead would be easier to see on, say, buffalo. However, I hunt mostly deer and PG, so that's why I went for the other parts as well. Then again, I now use scopes mostly (I can't see a thing at 100m )

 

[boldo 42]

Get as close as ya can laddie , then get 10 yards closer.

 

[Milan]

Get as close as ya can laddie , then get 10 yards closer.

Hahaha...I think I have read that somewhere.

The 100 m remark was just to show how much my eyesight has deteriorated. I do manage to get much closer sometimes. But since I never know if I get close, I have optics on QD mounts. I thought that was smart as I could remove the scope when needed. Then things usually happen so fast, there is no time to remove anything. So now I view the QD feature more as a backup or convenience (when there is time or for travel, cleaning, etc.) Besides, big white bead may be fine on a dark big buffalo but kind of obtrusive on a small, light-colored white tail surrounded by snow.

It is funny how much, with aging eyes, one starts to focus on seeing well enough when hunting. I bring my glasses with me, I bought better binos, I use higher end scopes, etc. It is also reason why for hunting I am now trying simpler old German #1 post reticles and the Trijicon post reticles. I suppose the big fat post reticle is akin to using a big front bead but I like that it has a fine/pointy tip.

Again, too much reply on account of a simple comment and not really all that relavant to DG big bores...oh well, that happens sometimes.

 

[CAustin]

Blood sounds like you got a nice rifle!

 

[spike.t]

I bought them from a guy on local hunting forum. I believe it is the first one (black) from the parts list (http://www.sako.fi/sites/default/files/documents/Sako_85_SPC_A.pdf):

16 Front sight adjustable S5850320
16 Front sight adjustable S/S S585R320
16 Front sight M05, pearl white (Bear series) S53062393
16 Front sight M05 stainless, pearl white (Kodiak) S53062394

All Sako parts are darn expensive. But one or two small pieces won't break the bank.

As to the bead, I too prefer fine front and rear metal sights but 1) with age, bigger is better and 2) in the case of one meant as short range DGR, I thought the white bead would be easier to see on, say, buffalo. However, I hunt mostly deer and PG, so that's why I went for the other parts as well. Then again, I now use scopes mostly (I can't see a thing at 100m )

ok thanks for the info. i like small front beads on all my rifles even the the bigger cals. dont like the bead covering too much close or far

 

[Daniel Cary]

Can I ask what the apx. Retail is on a 85 500 Jefferey? … It is a stunning. Addl, if I were to find a dealer that's willing to work with Sako to find one, are they readily available, per say. Or do they build this upon request. … Sorry as im new to current manufactures, but any info would be appreciated.

Regards, Dan.

 

[ve7poi]

They were approx 3200.00 cad when I bought mine

 

[TOBY458]

Can I ask what the apx. Retail is on a 85 500 Jefferey? … It is a stunning. Addl, if I were to find a dealer that's willing to work with Sako to find one, are they readily available, per say. Or do they build this upon request. … Sorry as im new to current manufactures, but any info would be appreciated.

Regards, Dan.

They are around $2600 US

 

[IvW]

A 9.5 lbs 500 Jeff with full power loads will beat you into submission.....

 

[steve white]

its alright, ive earned a permanent man card by firing a 750gr bullet at 2500fps from a 585 HE (will never do that again though).

-matt

Sounds like it was very satisfying--in fact I think I would be satisfied for life!

 

[colorado]

I briefly had a Sako 85 Kodiak in 375 H&H. What a peach of a rifle. Handled like a dream, trigger second to none, great sights, etc. I even purchased the U shaped rear and smaller bead front sights for it to make it more usable for smaller game. Then I put some ammo in it. Mine had the detachable magazine that can be loaded from the top while inside the rifle. It loaded nicely but would not feed some ammo, especially blunt nose bullets. It would eject fine. Until I put a scope on it. Then if trying to eject full round (normally this should not be a concern but misfires do happen), they'd end up back in the receiver, jamming the next round. No matter what scope (I tried several), no matter what height mounts (also tried a couple different ones), they'd bounce right back at any angle but pointing the ejection side down. Then I shot it. It kicked like a mule, and the empties still ended up inside the receiver unless I yanked the bolt back really hard (much harder than one should have to - this is not my first bolt gun after all ) and even then, on occasion, the empty case would find its way back in. Extremely frustrating. However, it was very accurate (3 shot clover leafs and bug eyes at 50m even with my rattled teeth - yes I was shooting sitting from a bench other wise I'm not that accurate). I then spent a lot of time grinding and polishing the feed ramp and adjusting the front of the magazines and and the way they held the follower. Got it to feed flawlessly any ammo I could try, including the blunt-nosed ones. But could never swallow down the ejection issue. In the end it kicked so hard it would have been better without a scope anyway and that took care of that issue. Otherwise a great gun and metal finish typical Sako - impeccable. So I considered keeping it. But I traded it and Ruger Scout for a CZ550 in .458 Lott and a VZ24 in .375 H&H. Of course, only to find out later that the VZ had been butchered and did not feed either. However that is not a factory build issue and I'm working on resolving that. Yet, the expensive Sako is what jumps into my mind when people talk about CZs having feeding issues (I'm feel CZs are no worse than any other brand and better than most and even if they have some feeding flaws, they too can be fine-tuned and at least hey eject well ).

Anyway, sorry for a long-winded and probably irrelevant reply. What I really wanted to say was that you can get smaller front bead sight or even different rear sights for your rifle from Sako, should you desire one. Then also, that you should ensure it feeds well anything you put in it and to watch for ejection issues when a scope is atop. Otherwise I'm glad you like it and hope it works as well for you as the rifle looks - they do look damn fine to me.

I'm sorry to hear about your issues and had some of my own. In the end my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery shoots, functions flawlessly, but it took a bit to get it right. It was well worth it. I have both a scope (Leupold 1.5-5x) on Talley steel QR rings and open sights. I practice with both.

 

[Milan]

I'm sorry to hear about your issues and had some of my own. In the end my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery shoots, functions flawlessly, but it took a bit to get it right. It was well worth it. I have both a scope (Leupold 1.5-5x) on Talley steel QR rings and open sights. I practice with both.

View attachment 522410

That is very nice. I believe any rifle can have issues and many can be fixed witha bit of love.

 

[Daniel Cary]

In 500 Jeffery ..

Does anyone know "what load works best/More favorable" .. I've only run Norma's 540 Grn @ 2400 fps. Unless it's me/the Recoil. Idk if I'm hitting anything with it.
There's an AHR here regulated for 600 grn @ 2100fps/50 yrds. and it's spot on.

Thank you.

 

[grand veneur]

I think it varies from rifle to rifle, and from shooter to shooter. I also load my cartridges caliber 12,7x70 Schüler / 500 Jeffery with the 535gr FMJ bullet from Woodleigh at 2400 fps. The recoil is certainly not soft in a weapon that weighs around the 9 Ibs. I am but satisfied as far as the accuracy is concerned, and I shot some with it in Africa. I have never tested another load.

 

[colorado]

If you're recoil sensitive (I am) I recommend you drop your load down a bit. I'd also recommend using H4895. My load which is a bit stiff is a 570g TSX or A-Frame 103g H4895 which gives 2300 fps. Using 100g of H4895 drops it down to 2150 fps in my rifle which is 500 NE levels which will kill anything on the planet. Faster powder equates to less recoil all other things being equal. A slip on Limbsaver recoil pad helps a lot, also don't shoot from the bench unless your sighting your rifle in or doing load developement (i use a Caldwell lead sled which you'll here some negative things about which are probably true, but I'd don't do it much) Once your rifle's sighted in, shoot off hand or off sticks the recoil will not bother you nearly so much and don't shoot more than 10 rounds in a session. Bring a lighter recoiling rifle to practice your shooting with. Hope this helps.