Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter - REPHRASED

[GentleBen]

REPHRASED QUESTION BELOW BUT THIS WILL HELP YOU SEE WHERE I MA GOING ...

How much difference is there in recoil and handling among the .308 Sako 85s in Hunter Stainless, Varmint Stainless and Varmint Blued?

I've seen the specs and the hunter is 7 lbs., and the varmint in stainless and blued are 8.5 lbs. Varmint stainless has laminated stock, while the hunter and varmint blued have real walnut stocks. But how much is there in contour, recoil, distance, accuracy, etc. In essence, how do they handle. I will be shooting mostly off a bench or bipod under 500 yards. Not a hunter but the idea of a lighter hunter rifle appeals to me, but I am accustom to varmint style rifles. Kind of torn, as you can tell.

They are about $150-$200 difference so price to me at $1,800 to $1,999 is not much of a difference. Any help appreciated from people who have used these rifles.

I have one .223 in a Tikka T3 already.

Any other brand rifle to consider other than Rem 700, and below $1,800? Keep in mind I already have a .308 tactical build in the works at Phoenix Custom. This is for other target shooting and varmint shooting.

 

[GentleBen]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

OK, let me rephrase my question.

I have a Rem 700 action at Phoenix Custom undergoing a tactical rebuild in .308, Rock Creek 22-inch barrel, A5 Mc-Stock, Badger metal, etc. It will get a new Nightforce atop it.

I want to buy a factory .308 right now to shoot until my build is ready sometime in April. I have a Swaro Z5 5-25x52 to put on it to shoot target and varmint.

What would you go with in a factory gun - say $1,500ish -- that I would not have to do very much to?

 

[fish30114]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

I would take a hard look at a FN TSR http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/commercial/rifles/tsr-series/tsr-xp/

You shouldn't have to do much but mount your Swaro on it and rock and roll. These rifles have an excellent reputation, and I have been in the factory and was quite impressed, Thay start around $1000.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

+1 on the FN. A lot of gun for the money. IMHO.

Regards,
Paul

 

[GentleBen]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

Thanks for the advice.
Got a good source for someone who carries the FN and might have them in stock?

 

[cbennett]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

Ben, I have a Sako 85 Varmint Laminate in .308, I also have a Hunter blued / walnut in .25-06. That being said they are both great rifles. I bought the .308 because I could not find a FN at the time. The Sako is not a full bull barrel, I can measure it later but it is about halfway between a sporter and varmint contour,I would say around a Number 5 barrel.
The gun shoots very well out the box and the push forward to set trigger is one of the best features. I routinely use this .308 for off hand plate matches and can say that I feel that the weight and balnce are about perfect for that game. The stock fore end is a fairly wide so that it is more stable off of the bags. These thing feed smoothly and the bolt travel is glass like. I am a huge Winchester 70 fan so but these things are also good.

 

[fish30114]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

GB, I took a quick look and although they list them, they show out of stock right now. Able Ammo is a great dealer, I have bought a bunch of gear from them--it might be worth backordering from them.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/herstal-...h-p-113424.html
I also own the Sako 85 in the laminate stainless, and it is a fine rifle--this one has the bull barrel and I consider it a true varmint gun, it has the flat beavertail forend on it and it IS heavy. It is however a very smooth rifle as are all 85's, and the trigger is good. I think for what you are describing the FN is a better choice though. I'm a huge SAKO fan, I have over a dozen, so I'm a true believer, just trying to shoot you straight.

 

[cbennett]

Re: Sako 85 varmint/stainless/hunter model differencf?

GB, I checked by barrel contour last evening and it measured .865 at the muzzle , so it is about the same as a Douglas number 7 contour. These guns just have a great balance to them as Fish stated they are heavy but they feel good in your hands.