Sako crf?

[wysongdog]

Found a Sako Kodiak in 375 h&h that I’m looking at pretty hard. I’ve looked and looked but can’t seem to find; is the Sako a crf? And suitable for dg?
Thanks Bryan

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Sako is a controlled round feed. A non rotating claw extractor does not make a rifle controlled round feed. On the Sako the case rim slips up under the extractor.
As to the suitability of a Sako for DG, or CRF vs PF I feel that needs to be decided by the user after extensive and realistic testing.

 

[dchum]

No it’s not.

I would still buy it and use it

 

[375Fox]

It’s an ongoing debate. Someone previously called it a semi controlled feed and I think that is best description. I’ve used that rifle in 4 African countries. It’s been 100% reliable for me and is my primary rifle for Africa. However, it has a bad habit of ejecting the shells at too high an angle and hitting the scope turret. The easiest solution is limiting yourself to a standard duplex scope (no illumination or range dials) and rotating it 90 degrees counter clockwise. Medium rings will also fix the issue but I find them too high.

 

[mark-hunter]

My Sako 85 in 30-06, is 100% reliable.
Considering that rifles in 375 + are disappearing from production fast, I wouldn't think twice.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Sako is a controlled round feed. A non rotating claw extractor does not make a rifle controlled round feed. On the Sako the case rim slips up under the extractor.
As to the suitability of a Sako for DG, or CRF vs PF I feel that needs to be decided by the user after extensive and realistic testing.

Well put.

I’ve Killed Buff, Hippo, Croc and PG with SAKO without issue. With Two different model SAKO’s, both chambered in .375 H&H. One Left Hand Model 85L and the other Right Hand AV DELUX FINNBEAR.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It’s an ongoing debate. Someone previously called it a semi controlled feed and I think that is best description. I’ve used that rifle in 4 African countries. It’s been 100% reliable for me and is my primary rifle for Africa. However, it has a bad habit of ejecting the shells at too high an angle and hitting the scope turret. The easiest solution is limiting yourself to a standard duplex scope (no illumination or range dials) and rotating it 90 degrees counter clockwise. Medium rings will also fix the issue but I find them too high.

Sounds like good advice. Probably want to make sure the scope selected has a tube with enough length between bells. I imagine extended rings would not work if the empty cases are ejected high.

 

[HankBuck]

Sako is a controlled round feed. A non rotating claw extractor does not make a rifle controlled round feed. On the Sako the case rim slips up under the extractor.
As to the suitability of a Sako for DG, or CRF vs PF I feel that needs to be decided by the user after extensive and realistic testing.

@Wyatt Smith - I love the Sako action because of the very short rotation of the bolt - very fast to cycle another round —— mine is a PUSH feed. It was purchased in 2004 in .25-06 and I liked this action enough to have it custom made into a .30-06, my gunmaker also spoke very highly of the action — he also liked the Sako trigger enough to ‘keep it’ and not replace with a “Jewel or Timney”.

 

[Luvthunt]

The ejection issue has been talked about before.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Post in thread 'Rigby Highland Stalker vs Sako 85 Deluxe'

Nov 4, 2024

I would choose a 30 cal for plainsgame, either 30-06 or 300WM.
As for the Sako 85 v’s Highland Stalker I have never used a Highland Stalker. I did own a lovely Sako 85 Classic in 375h&h, damned thing would drop empty shells back in the action. Doesn’t anyone have issues with theirs?

I have the 85 L in .375 H&H (Left Hand) I use a NF scope. Never had an issue with it… Not once.

• NIGHTHAWK

• 

 

[Wyatt Smith]

@Wyatt Smith - I love the Sako action because of the very short rotation of the bolt - very fast to cycle another round —— mine is a PUSH feed. It was purchased in 2004 in .25-06 and I liked this action enough to have it custom made into a .30-06, my gunmaker also spoke very highly of the action — he also liked the Sako trigger enough to ‘keep it’ and not replace with a “Jewel or Timney”

I’m surprised it’s a push feed. The bottom of the bolt face is enclosed? Either way I’m sure it’s a fine action.

 

[HankBuck]

@Wyatt Smith - look I’m Not a gunmaker, just a Hunter/shooter and assumed if it’s Not a Mauser type claw extractor then it’s a Push Feed by default…I might be wrong.
What I am certain of - love the action, very fast, smooth and accurate, I wouldn’t have spent $5000 having made into a custom .30-06 if I didn’t like it.

 

[uplander01]

I could be mistaken but I think sako made 2 different bolt faces…one is real similar to a Ed brown 704 which is a complete ccontrolled round feed, just done differently without the large full length claw,..and others are a push feed. For a while they were building quite a few safari type rifles, not so much anymore, and the ones you see are quite expensive.

 

[Bush Buck]

If by controlled round feed (CRF) you mean a Mauser type action then a Sako 85 is not CRF.

However, from a field use perspective the 85 offers some of the CRF benefits.

The 85 bolt does capture the case rim before the bolt is all the way forward and before it is fully closed. If you push the bolt forward and pull it back without closing the action you will see the cartridge "controlled" by the bolt.
I like this because I can push a bolt forward and then pull partially back to make sure I have a cartridge in the camber before I start the stalk.
Because I do this a true push feed like a 700 causes me grief. I have double fed a 700 because of this (I know this is user error). You must close the bolt all the way before a push feed will control the round.

If you make the same error in the heat of battle you can double feed a push feed. This is much harder to do with a CRF or Sako 85.
I also like that the Sako 85 smoothly top feeds just like a Mauser type rifle by pushing rounds down into the magazine. I never remove the magazine and it is very secure.

So I sold off my 700 type rifles - but I like my Sako 85 Kodiak.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

This is one of them from the SAKO AV DELUXE FINNBEAR. It is often copied.

SAKO Model 85 has an open section on the bottom. I’ll find a picture of it…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Post in thread 'Rigby Highland Stalker vs Sako 85 Deluxe'

Nov 4, 2024

I would choose a 30 cal for plainsgame, either 30-06 or 300WM.
As for the Sako 85 v’s Highland Stalker I have never used a Highland Stalker. I did own a lovely Sako 85 Classic in 375h&h, damned thing would drop empty shells back in the action. Doesn’t anyone have issues with theirs?

I have the 85 L in .375 H&H (Left Hand) I use a NF scope. Never had an issue with it… Not once.

• NIGHTHAWK

• 

Perhaps because the scope is mounted very high. Look at the gap between objective bell and barrel. That 375 obviously won't aquire target very quickly. Not the best setup for a DGR in my opinion.

 

[fourfive8]

The high ejection angle on some Sakos can be a very real issue. I would not discount that possibility, especially on a DG rifle. A work around is to use a regular, two knob scope that can be rotated 90 degrees left to keep windage knob/cover clear of the ejection. The potential for this possibility has been brought up on this forum a few times in the past and in this thread twice now w/o explanation. Proceed with eyes open

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Here's the two Sako bolt faces compared. One (model 85) is definitely CRF and one (model 75) is definitely push feed. Not having a rotating claw does not disqualify model 85 as CRF. Only in appearance but function is still controlled feed.

It would appear the Finbear model pictured above (clearly push feed) would not have the same ejection issues because it only has two locking lugs and ejector is cut into lug exactly opposite of opening in receiver. Because the 75 and 85 have three lugs and because the ejector slot is cut between the lugs, the ejector is situated below the opening in the receiver. Empty cases must be ejected upward. The Finbear will eject them laterally.

Correction. Given the placement of extractor vis bolt handle in background, I would assume Finbear would also eject cases upward.

 

[Beck]

This is one of those debates that can go on forever! I'll tell you this, I've killed two species and four members of the big five with a Sako 85 - no issues

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

You know what are opinions are like? Right?

I’ve killed a lot of animals with that rifle and scope; Including very rapid follow up shots. I don’t piece together junk and try to justify it by criticizing other’s quality gear. Now I understand the distain for you and your BS opinions.

I’ve killed a lot of animals with different types of rifles and scopes over the years and long before I was on this site or hunting Africa, if something didn’t work well, I wouldn’t use it. I would also report why.

If you are recoil sensitive, limp wristed, or quick to flench, you would probably need the psychological advantage that you think you have with your bargain basement set ups, but that’s what works for you and your style.

To each their own…