Sako 85 - Discontinued?

Beck

AH fanatic
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Messages
722
Reaction score
1,210
Location
Saint Louis, Missouri
Media
9
Hunting reports
Africa
1
I am hearing that Sako is discontinuing the Sako 85 line. Anyone else hearing the same thing? Anyone know what they are planning to replace it with?
 
Yes, and the new website no longer lists the 85.
 
The model 100 is the new model. It's a interchangeable barrel model. They had one at SCI in Nashville sitting in a glass case. Looked nice.
 
The model 100 is the new model. It's a interchangeable barrel model. They had one at SCI in Nashville sitting in a glass case. Looked nice.
Push feed or CFR?
 
I've heard the same thing. Hopefully they'll come up with something different than the Model 100. Looks way to tactical for me. I suppose their Tikka T3 line pretty much covers the standard bolt action deer/PG calibers in a price range that most people are willing to pay. Pretty soon the R8 isn't going to seem so overpriced after all....
 
... Model 100. Looks way to tactical for me. ...
Tactical?
sako 100.jpg
 
A little. Just lacks the shorter overall length that the R8 has. Also, a standard turn bolt instead of being a straight pull. Kind of a hybrid between both a standard bolt gun and an R8.
I'm stressing the ish, safety rear of bolt, scope mount, the barrel.
Screenshot_20230405_181143_Google.jpg
 
And @ $4800.00 they really want to be an R8
 
This has been discussed a bit around parts of the internet, including some threads on this site. I first heard about the 85 being discontinued in summer 2021. I was looking for a Bavarian Carbine and a Beretta rep I knew basically said there weren't going to be a lot of 85s imported into the U.S (from that point forward) as it was being phased out. Regular factory or "stock" models went out of stock most places around that time and became difficult to find from shops/dealers (the secondary market stayed active), with some legacy orders trickling in late 2021-early 2022.

I believe JD Outfitters in Oklahoma bought the rights to all the remaining Sako custom shop orders headed stateside. Not sure if the customs are still being ordered or arriving in the U.S. as of 2023, but I know he has more 85s in stock than just about anywhere (at a premium, but they're in stock). I ended up ordering a custom shop Bavarian Carbine through him with upgraded wood and am very happy with it.

It's disappointing to see the 85 sunsetted. It's a very beautiful, well made, and classic looking rifle. I love both of mine (the aforementioned Carbine and an 85 Deluxe).
 
What I posted to .375&up couple of months ago:

Sako 100 is not the replacement for the Sako 85 line. 100 is different product just like the S20 is.

Word on the street here in Finland is that the 85 line will be replaced with new "Sako 95", to be announced some time in the mid 2023. Of course, the first rifles are not going to be 500Js and 416 rigbys but definately no reason to start paying old 85 rifles their weight in gold when purchasing.

p.s. Also, people who have been working with/for Sako for years and have not liked the S20 or 100, are legitimately excited about the upcoming rifle.....
 

Forum statistics

Threads
59,647
Messages
1,295,198
Members
108,396
Latest member
TabathaHam
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

schwerpunkt88 wrote on Robmill70's profile.
Morning Rob, Any feeling for how the 300 H&H shoots? How's the barrel condition?
mrpoindexter wrote on Charlm's profile.
Hello. I see you hunted with Sampie recently. If you don't mind me asking, where did you hunt with him? Zim or SA? And was it with a bow? What did you hunt?

I am possibly going to book with him soon.
Currently doing a load development on a .404 Jeffrey... it's always surprising to load .423 caliber bullets into a .404 caliber rifle. But we love it when we get 400 Gr North Fork SS bullets to 2300 FPS, those should hammer down on buffalo. Next up are the Cutting Edge solids and then Raptors... load 200 rounds of ammo for the customer and on to the next gun!
 
Top