Sako 85 - Discontinued?

[Dr Ray]

New rifle - S100 I gather
Big promotion later today

 

[krish]

Will be interesting to see what they come up with.
Krish

 

[Dr Ray]

when I come back I’m going to identify as a Sako
Or maybe
Kimber Caprivi

 

[TOBY458]

when I come back I’m going to identify as a Sako
Or maybe
Kimber Caprivi

You drink Bud Light? LOL!

 

[Graham Hunter]

Model 100 Bolt Action (not straight pull) Switch barrel.Calibers from 243 to 375. Synthetic stock. Also wood. $4000.00 to $6000.00 USD.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I am pretty excited for this one. Hopefully they come out with a stainless .416 Rigby

A new Sako in 416 anything and I'm in.
A stainless model would be a bonus.

 

[Graham Hunter]

A new Sako in 416 anything and I'm in.
A stainless model would be a bonus.

Nothing bigger than 375.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Nothing bigger than 375.

Disapointing if true.

 

[Dr Ray]

You drink Bud Light? LOL!

Not likely

 

[perttime]

Soo... we have the new Sako 90, a more traditional rifle, pretty much a development of the 85.

Sako 90

Sako 90 - Reborn to enhance your senses

www.sako.global

new thread: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/sako-90.75125/

 

[Louis Toadvine]

I posted this over on the Sako 90 thread, but will repost here:

Not seeing a lot of "improvements" over the 85, to be honest. That the calibers top out at 375H&H is not surprising given what we've seen from other manufacturers in recent years, but it's definitely disappointing. Also, unless I missed it, no .30-06 in any of the rifles? That's bold. The dovetail Optilock mounting system appears to be different, as well. Guessing the 90 won't be backwards compatible with the existing Sako Optilock mounts and rings?

Just visually comparing the two new walnut models (Hunter and Bavarian) to their equivalents in the 85, I prefer the 85.

There are some differences (solid knob on the 85 bolt handle vs. scooped out one on the 90; shape and contours of the receiver and action) that I think look better on the 85. I much prefer the traditional open action vs. the semi-covered and contoured one we're seeing on the 90.

85 action

90 action

Lastly, I wonder if the Sako custom shop will still be in operation and if you can order customized 90s? Given the industry trend away from big calibers and custom rifles, my gut tells me the custom shop might be shuttered.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The Sako 90 is leaving behind its European heritage. A 6.5 CM instead of 6.5 Swede. A 7mm-08 instead of 7x57. No 9.3 either. I guess they are trying to appeal to the US market.

 

[Northern Shooter]

The Sako 90 is leaving behind its European heritage. A 6.5 CM instead of 6.5 Swede. A 7mm-08 instead of 7x57. No 9.3. I guess they are trying to appeal to the US market.

Where are you see the caliber options? Can't seem to find that listed on the website.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

Other things to note:

They've also changed from controlled feed (Sako extactor) to fully push feed with plunger ejectors on the 90 (discussion of the bolt starts at 9:00 in this video). Sako heard the feedback about some of the 85's ejection issues on longer cartridges (ejecting up and hitting the scope)--if you go to 5:35 in the video, the guy even mentions the issue--and apparently the change to plunger ejectors was an answer to it.

I own some push feed rifles and have never had a problem with them, so I'm not steadfastly against them by any means. I suspect quality ones (Blaser, Steyr Mannlicher, etc.) are just as safe and reliable as CRF, though obviously for safari calibers like .375 H&H it's disappointing that they've moved away from the Sako extractor.

 

[Beck]

You can never tell what Sako is doing because they are very poor communicators, but from what I can tell:
-They are no longer offering anything larger than a .375
-They are no longer offering any European Calibers
-They have changed the action
-There are now some models with a integrated picatinny rail

This makes me all the happier to own several Sako 85's.

 

[MS 9x56]

You can never tell what Sako is doing because they are very poor communicators, but from what I can tell:
-They are no longer offering anything larger than a .375
-They are no longer offering any European Calibers
-They have changed the action
-There are now some models with a integrated picatinny rail

This makes me all the happier to own several Sako 85's.

As the saying goes "another one bites the dust". Damn shame.

 

[Beck]

As the saying goes "another one bites the dust". Damn shame.

Agreed, really happy with myself for buying a third brown bear now

 

[TOBY458]

Seems like a cross between the Tikka T3, Sako A7 and the Sako 85. Will probably be a solid rifle, but not very conducive to safari calibers. The 375 with iron sights is about as close as you could get to a DG rifle. Maybe they could make one in 416 Rem Mag, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[krish]

I am glad I got my Sako safari Deluxe in 450 Rigby before it becomes unavailable .
Krish

 

[Beck]

I am glad I got my Sako safari Deluxe in 450 Rigby before it becomes unavailable .
Krish

Nice! Would love to see a photo. Also other than the stock, are there any big differences between the brown bear and the safari deluxe?