My birthday was this month, and I decided to get myself a new rifle. I had originally planned for next year, but given the Covid weapons rush and unsure climate for next year with gun stealing (or attempting) democrats coming into political power, I decided to jump a year early. My work, like many others, is cutting our unused vacation days. At least they are "graciously" paying me for a few days of what they are cutting from carry-over amount, so that is helping with costs.
Gun sales are at an all-time high here in the U.S. In March, over 176,000 were sold PER DAY. Over 19 Million were sold thru November, and still counting. This has resulted in shortages, shipping delays, and also a surge/shortage in ammunition available.
I started my search in October, planning to replace one of my favorite rifles I was passing along to one of my sons. I started off knowing what caliber I wanted (.22-250), but undecided about which rifle. I really love shooting the .22-250, I has great ballistics, meaning that it shoots very flat compared to most rifles. A 50 yard zero results in about 1 inch high at 100 yards, and return to zero again at 200 yards. Maximum effective range varies depending on who you ask, but is typically considered very solid out to 600 yards, or even 800-1000 if shooting special heavier than average bullet weights and faster twist barrels. This is perfect for my uses, which is typically shooting targets out to 600 yards (my local range limit) and occasional small game/varmit hunting.
I initially had the search narrowed to three choices that I felt were good value for the money.
Choice #1 was Browning X-Bolt (Because I have an older A-Bolt in 7mm Magnum that I love).
Choice #2 was a Savage BTCSS varmit (because I have a Savage .338 Lapua Magnum that I love, and option for 1/12 twist barrel).
Choice #3 was a Tikka 3x (just because so many people seem to love their Tikka's, and good reputation for accuracy, plus had options for tighter twist barrel).
I found a place with the Browning in-stock, (so they claimed). I placed my order, waited patiently for 3 weeks or so, then they just cancelled my order. No explanation, no apology, just a cancellation notice. A bit discouraged, I went searching again. No joy.
As I was expanding my search parameters to other weapons of this caliber, I ran across the Savage BTCSS in stock (again so they claimed). Only to be contacted 2 days later by the store owner claiming that his vendor had the wrong skew number listed, and the one they had in-stock was for a different caliber .243, which I was not interested in. A fine caliber, just not what I wanted.
Totally frustrated at this time, I started searching for TIKKA or others and still struggling to find ANYTHING in this caliber available, I talked to my brother who said he had found a SAKO model 85 in-stock and had I ever considered that. I confessed I really hadn't, I knew SAKO's were expensive and didn't really want to spend that kind of money. I then started doing some research on them and was surprised at what I found. The cost wasn't much more than I would pay for the others after I had upgraded stock, trigger, etc. (Yes, I am a bit of a trigger snob). And best of all, it was actually in-stock and could ship that week (Yes, I confirmed this time!)
Some Interesting Sako history:
SAKO is an acronym for Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Osakeyhtiö, which translates to Firearms and Machine workshop of the Civil Guard. It is based in Helsinki, Finland where it has operated since 1921.
They will be celebrating their 100 year anniversary next year, in 2021.
The top sniper in the world during the 100-day Winter War Simo Hayha, AKA "The White Death" used a SAKO produced variant of the Mosin Nagant to kill over 500 Russian Soldiers.
SAKO and it's sub-company, TIKKA were bought by well-known Italian company Beretta Holding in 2000 and still owned by Beretta.
Specifications:
Model: 85 Varmit Laminated Stainless
Caliber: .22-250
Action: Short (S)
Bolt: 3 locking lugs, control round feed, mechanical ejection
Rate of twist: 1/14"
Weight: 8 5/8 lbs. (3.9 kg)
Overall length: 43 1/2" (1105 mm)
Barrel length: 20" (510 mm)
Magazine: Detachable 5 + 1 (also can top load)
Trigger: LAM set trigger 2-4 lbs adjustable, Special .75 lb set trigger mode.
I am a firm believer in the adage, "There's no such thing as coincidence, only synchronicity". I like to think all the previous difficulties were so I could end up with this particular rifle, which actually seems FAR better than any of the others I was considering. I am VERY pleased with this rifle so far, but haven't had it out to the range yet. Some of my favorite pros (and cons) are:
Pros:
Visuals - The stainless, fluted barrel, recessed crown, and wood grain laminate stock look great and will hold up well.
Accuracy guarantee - SAKO guarantees less than MOA - 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I am anxious to test this out with real ammo!
(My 2 lb. 8 oz. trigger setting after quick, minor adjustment)
The action and the trigger are incredibly smooth, more so than any rifle I own by far. The trigger is also adjustable for over-travel, although I didn't need to touch it. They claim the trigger is set to around 3 lbs from the factory. I found my to be just under that at 2 lbs, 13oz. from the factory, which I lowered just a bit to 2 lbs., 8 oz. I usually go a half pound lower on most of my target rifles, but this one is so smooth, I left it here.
(Single Set 6 oz. trigger, wow!)
The single set trigger. This was actually what convinced me to "pull the trigger" (pun intended). I generally end up replacing the stock trigger in all my rifles, but this one came not only with the 2 - 4 lb. adjustable trigger out of the box, but also the "magic" LAM single set trigger, which provides a claimed 7 - 9 oz. target pull. I actually found the Single Set trigger on mine tested at 6.2 - 6.8 oz.! This is achieved by simply pushing the trigger forward when cocked to "set" it, ready for the feather touch, similar to a "Quigly" style double set trigger, only it's a single. I am itching to test this mode for benchrest shooting!
Removable Magazine - I like a removable magazine. While I don't expect to be speed swapping 30 round bananna mags, I do like the ability to carry a spare magazine in my pocket when hunting. This one can be top-loaded as well as removed for those that prefer it. I've seen some folks complaining on forums about the fact that you have to push up on magazine in order for it to be released, but I don't have a problem with it, makes it much harder to accidentally dislodge and lose in the field. I found it easy to do with one hand after a few practice attempts.
(Dovetail mount with factory 2lb, 13oz trigger setting).
Cons:
The only con I see so far is the scope mounting. They use a dovetail system that is tapered to hold the mount, and want to sell a proprietary "Optilok" two piece mount for this. I'm not confident that these will hold securely, even on this light recoil rifle. I'm choosing an aftermarket picatinny rail mount, made by "Recknagel" instead. It will have a 20 MOA rise to it, to allow for greater distances to be dialed into the scope before running out of adjustment. This can be done via certain model rings as well, but I prefer the rail method. I may also want to swap the normal day scope for an ATN X-Sight Day/Night Vision scope occasionally as well, which only has a picatinny clamp, not rings.
Other info:
You may have noticed there's no scope on it yet. That's because I'm waiting for the mount to arrive. I have the scope and the rings, just waiting on that custom picatinny mount. I'll upload pics in another post along with some targets soon! Weather is below freezing here all week, but hope it breaks next weeked a little bit and that the mount comes in. I'll be mounting a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 on this. It's my new favorite scope, I just can't quite bring myself to spend over 2K on something better or bigger brand-name yet.
(Blackhawk Picatinny sling swivel adapter, awesome!)
(Atlas quick release bipod)
Other additions:
Blackhawk Picatinny rail sling swivel adapter - Of course, I'm not a fan of sling swivel bipods any more. I added a Blackhawk Picatinny rail adapter. (I love these!) This way, I can quickly swap my Atlas Bipod between rifles, or quickly fasten a light to the rail as desired. I don't really like using sling swivels for slings anymore either. If I am going to use a sling for a long hike, I prefer to use "shotgun slings" which just have a loop at either end and don't require the swivel studs, or to be dedicated to a rifle. I can just quickly slip them on and off any rifle or shotgun that I choose.
Burris XTR rings: I like Burris rings. The xtreme models have three screws on each side for maximum holding power without over-tightening (Always use a torque wrench!). This XTR model only has two screws on each side, but their 34mm size tube options still a little limited. It does however offer the ability to raise / lower by 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 MOA inserts. I'm generally not a fan of this and prefer the rail, but got this just in case I end up having to go back to the Optilok mounts. I can still add 10 - 20 MOA of rise to allow for more scope adjustment.
Ammo: I'll be starting with factory ammo, Hornady Superformance 50 grain Vmax going at a blistering 4,000 fps. This should stay supersonic at further distances than the regular 55 grain Vmax, and I'm hoping stay accurate out to 500 or 600 yards. My previous Ruger model 77 liked them, so that will be my starting place. I will be saving the brass, and may start handloading it later, really depends on how well it does with the factory stuff.
(Graph courtesy of Hornady Superformance website).
Congrats if you made it through this whole post, I think it's the longest one I've ever done. I hope a few find it interesting!
