Gunsmithing sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

[Jmilera]

Gents i have a sako 85 long action with a standard magnum boltface and I am itching to build a rifle for thick skinned african plains game and the occasional south Texas deer. which caliber will fit in the magazine and would it be safe to open the bolt face to 338 norma magnum type calibers. the magazine measures 3.60 exactly.
calibers in mind
338 norma magnum ( this is what I would prefer)
300 rem ultra mag maybe
300 norma magnum
7mm rem ultra magnum with heavy bullets

 

[Chabrone]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

That is a little short for the RUM cartridges. I have two Sako 75 .300 RUM and they have hinged floor plates to accommodate the length. My load for the 208 amax is 3.75 coal at mag max length and I am still jumping pretty far. The 208's shoot so good, I would give up the juice and go with a 300 win too stay in the Sako. Or try and find a used 75 in 300 rum.

 

[Jmilera]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

I just put three of my AIAW 338 lapua rounds in the sako mag without a problem. The rounds do not great hung up on feed lip. So now it's a question if the bolt face can be opened up?

 

[Jmilera]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

any info will help gents thanks Joe

 

[Jmilera]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

Really gents any comments

 

[valentine]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

Hi Joe,

as you already checked the length of the cardride I don´t comment on that but what I would consider is: bolt thrust creaded by the pressure inside the cardride. This thrust must be beared by the bolt lugs. So I would check for the bolt lugs locking interfaces and see if the stresses caused by the thrust ist bearable for the locking lugs. If so, I would see in a next step if machining is feasible.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: sako 85 long action build question for the smiths

Not sure if this fits your application, materials, etc, but I inquired about having a Sako M591 opened up (473 bolt head) to accept the 300WSM round and they wouldn't even consider it due to the Sako bolt being so hard. Been there done that, ruined bolts was the basic response.