Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

[ancientmariner]

Dear All,

I intend to purchase a Sako 85 Varmint in 308 win as a primary rifle for 500 yds F-Class competition. Therefore, I would very much appreciate your opinion on this choice, especially of those guys shooting 85 varmint on a regular basis.

Best,
AM

 

[1shot2kill]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

i think you would be beter off with a savage f class rifle dont get me wrong the sako is a very nice rifle but not really a f class gun

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

The 2nd choice is Steyr SSG 69. What would you think about that?

 

[1shot2kill]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

IMO the problem with your choices is these guns are not built for f class wich is what you stated was the sole intent for the gun the sako 85 varmint is .....well a varmint gun and the steyr is a tactical rifle that will be working long after cockroaches are extinct so if money is no object have a rifle built but if you are on a budget get a savage f class and good reloading components and you will be good to go

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

Thanks. The thing is that I don't like wobbeling savage action and its 70cm long barrels. You have an impression as if you were holding a spear. it's cheap though.
SSG 69 and sako 85 varmint are available in my neighbourhood for approx. 1700 EUR (Sako) and 1900 EUR (Steyr). If I go for a steyr, I would take the 508mm barrel, since with 650mm one the overall length would be like 119cm (almost like savage). In case of sako with a 600mm barrel you got 110cm of overall length. In terms of accuracy and reliability I heard nice things on both rifles.

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

if you have local F class comps, show up, check out what people are shooting and ask some questions. usually these people are nice and willing to help you in any way possible. If companies as large and mainstream like savage have begun to offer "F class" specific guns, that would tell me that the F class shooters needs are different enough from the rifles available that they need a special build for it. most guys need an "all around" rifle, and they might participate in F class matches for the trigger time. but if your fortunate enough to know exactly what you want to do (unlike myself,) get one specialized for that. if not you could put yourself in the position of buying a perfectly good rifle and having to waste time and money altering it to suit your needs. "Good" smiths are usually not fast smiths, beacuse everyone wants them to work on their gear. that can put you without a rifle for much longer than you'd like.

I'm no expert by any means, but i do shoot local F class for fun and the guys that I have a serious time competing with have specialized rifles. not better, just purpose specific and they benefit because of it.

best of luck to you, its one seriously fun, money pit of a sport.

 

[sakohunter]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

AM,

I have/had both and they fine rifles.

As previously stated, whilst they may have not been designed for F Class...you WILL cut a fine figure!

Of those two rifles in that application, I think the SAKO has the edge over the SSG if looking to change the barrel down the track.

Regards,

SH

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

that being said, i do understand the "available in my local neighborhood" aspect. i have made compromizes in order to buy locally and in the end i usually feel better about my purchase because of it.

case in point:http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=193629&Number=2161962#Post2161962

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

Thanks. I was leaning towards Sako 85 varmint because (a) it's cheaper than the ssg, (b) nice wooden stock, (c) no plastic mag, (c) interesting safety mechanism.

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

Another issue- would you go rather for 223 or for 308 as for 500yds?

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

Your going to get a lot of back and forth about this and probably start a debate. :223 can and will do it just fine, I like the round. 77grain, or most quality 70+ will do it well if your twist and load are right. I personally shoot my 500 Fclass with .308. The guys that are shooting 6.5s have a pretty easy time of it. The 6.5/260s seem to make very light work out of med-light wind and in heavier winds seem to be more predictable if there are sporadic gusts.

Put it this way, the last match I shot the winds were kinda rough and variable. When I compared the .308 class to the open class (almost all 6:5 variant) they consistantly had more bulls and less horisontal stringing.

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

I assume 223 may be a little bit more pleasant in daily use, since shootin ca. 100 rounds per training session with 308 could be a little bit annoying due to recoil.

 

[Chanonry]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

I have 2 75 varmints one in 223 one in 308. Both shoot <0.5 moa with reloaded ammo. Neither seems to be very sensitive to load and I have not played with load or seating depth to see how much better it will do as I can't shoot 0.5 moa!

Other than controlled feed, the two rifles seem very similar to me.

If it was me, I would buy a TRG in 308 but that's because I own two already.

 

[snipedogg]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

If your looking to do F class don't use a 223. A 6.5mm is ideal but a 308 will work. I shoot against a couple guys in F class with 223's and as soon as any wind picks up the shots go to hell. I hear Savage is coming out with rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 for next year so I'd wait until you can get your hands on either one of those. They are very accurate and enjoyable to shoot. The Creedmoor is great because of factory brass and factory ammo if you need it. I shoot a Creedmoor and it kills the wind I absolutely love it.

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

I'm with snipe dog on the .223. It will "work" but its far from ideal, the wind will beat you up. 6.5 recoil is less than .308 but if your concerned about either just throw down a couple hundred on a muzzle break and any of these will become very moderate.

This is a place I will definately say to drop by a local match and see what guys are shooting. How the wind is locally and what is working. I'm sure they will tell you with a quickness what hasn't worked for guys.

 

[1shot2kill]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nly205</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm with snipe dog on the .223. It will "work" but its far from ideal, the wind will beat you up. 6.5 recoil is less than .308 but if your concerned about either just throw down a couple hundred on a muzzle break and any of these will become very moderate.

This is a place I will definately say to drop by a local match and see what guys are shooting. How the wind is locally and what is working. I'm sure they will tell you with a quickness what hasn't worked for guys. </div></div>


i thought muzzle breaks are not allowed in f-class

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1shot2kill</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nly205</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm with snipe dog on the .223. It will "work" but its far from ideal, the wind will beat you up. 6.5 recoil is less than .308 but if your concerned about either just throw down a couple hundred on a muzzle break and any of these will become very moderate.

This is a place I will definately say to drop by a local match and see what guys are shooting. How the wind is locally and what is working. I'm sure they will tell you with a quickness what hasn't worked for guys. </div></div>


i thought muzzle breaks are not allowed in f-class </div></div>

your correct sir. makes sense since everyone is prone youll be blowing dirt in the next guys face. if needed you can get a removable break and thread protector and he could remove it for comps. i guess i was more referring to 100-200 rnd practice sessions can beat on you a little and it would be nice if he wanted one.i usually only fire about 22-44 rounds at matches. not enought to really beat on you. get yourself a nice decelerator pad and you should be ok. especially with the .260, but with that youll be shooting open, and theres some stiff competition there.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

for sure no brakes in f class

 

[Buzzsaw]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

ALSO, if you stray from .223 and .308, you will have to shoot in F-Class Open, not "tactical Rifle, TR" You will be going against a whole new enemy, basically heavier rifles and calibers. You will see some fine 6.5X.284, 7mmWSM, 300 WSM, all the way to big .30 cals. ,etc. Most F-Class matches are mid-range 600yrd. and long range 800-900-1,000yrds.

I love the Sako 85 , a good informal F-Cass gun. I would go to a match as suggested above, you will learn a ton and probably be building a custom, so start saving now.

 

[neeley205]

Re: Sako 85 varmint- good choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ancient Mariner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I assume 223 may be a little bit more pleasant in daily use, since shootin ca. 100 rounds per training session with 308 could be a little bit annoying due to recoil. </div></div>

your right, i have an 700 sps tac .223 dropped into a manners T4 with a minichassis as a "trainer" and i love that rifle. great for practice saves me tons of money and just flat out fun to shoot. but eventhough i have about 5X the trigger time behind that rifle i wouldnt expect to be competitive in an Fclass here because of the gusty winds. the guys i see do it are great shooters but the wind just beats them up. its wonderful practice, but i wouldnt do it if i was trying to be honestly competitive.