SAKO 85 S
Posted Jun 15, 2023
Esteemed firearms enthusiasts are no stranger to the Sako 85. Manufactured in Riihimäki, Finland for over twenty-five years the Sako 85 has been one of the best-selling Series of high-end rifles in Europe. It’s not hard to understand why. The Sako 85 is a precision rifle, built for accuracy and designed for longevity. The Sako 85, also known as the Finnlight in many markets, is a popular choice among hunters, target shooters, and police/military forces.
The Sako 85 has been redesigned over the years and is now offered in a variety of calibres, based on the size of the action. For this review, we’ll take a look at the Sako 85 S.
The Sako 85 S is a short action rifle that was designed as a compact hunting rifle for use in thick brush. It features a stainless steel receiver, with an integral recoil lug. The stock is made from Makassar ebony, and is fitted with a rubber butt-pad for comfort. The trigger is adjustable from 2.2 to 4 lbs, and the barrel is chrome-moly steel, with a twist rate of 1:8 for optimal accuracy and lead-free performance.
The Sako 85 S uses the same robust three-lug bolt as its larger siblings – the Finnfire and Finnfire II. The Sako 85 S has a slightly shorter magazine than the Finnfire, but it still fits up to three rounds of .223 Remington. Out of the box, the Sako 85 S includes an attached scope mount and mounts for a bipod. The scope mount is positioned in the perfect spot, allowing the user to easily and quickly mount a scope without any sort of awkward adjustment.
The Sako 85 S is designed to handle almost any kind of hunting condition, as it excels in multiple types of terrain. It’s also chambered in a range of calibres, from .223 Remington to 7mm Remington Magnum. This wide range of calibres makes the Sako 85 S the perfect fit for almost any type of hunting situation.
The Sako 85 S has also undergone extensive testing by Finnish Army forces, where it was found to be extremely reliable and accurate, even under extreme conditions. This is largely due to the quality of the components, and the philosophy of design that Sako employs. All Sako 85 models utilise a three-lugged bolt pattern, which provides maximum strength and reliability with a minimum of parts. The Sako cold hammer-forged barrel is cold-steel treated for wear and corrosion resistance, and is pressed into the receiver with an exacting fit.
The Sako 85 S is available with either an adjustable or fixed trigger – we highly recommend that you go for the adjustable version, as the user can easily make adjustments to the trigger weight to suit their personal preference. The stock of the Sako 85 S is very comfortable to hold and shoot, even if you’re in the middle of thick brush or in steep, rugged terrain. The checkering pattern along the fore-end and the textured grip areas makes the Sako 85 S easy to control, even for inexperienced shooters.
When it comes to accuracy, the Sako 85 S is no slouch. The accuracy of the Sako 85 S has been consistently proven in tests and comparisons across multiple different calibres. A 3-shot group of 1/2 MOA at 100 yards is an achievable accomplishment with the Sako 85 S. This level of accuracy is only possible when precision craftsmanship and quality materials are used, and only Sako provides that.
In conclusion, the Sako 85 S is an excellent rifle for those looking for a precision-built, accurate rifle, as well as one that is reliable and highly portable. The Sako 85 S is available in a variety of calibres, allowing users to easily choose one that best suits their needs. With its robust design, performance-driven anatomy, and accuracy in mind, the Sako 85 S proves to be the rifle of choice for those who demand the best in fineness.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Highly accurate: The SAKO 85 is renowned for its accuracy due to its cold hammer forged barrels, adjustable triggers and high grade steel construction.
- Durable and reliable: This rifle is built to withstand the wear and tear of hunting in any terrain or climate.
- Variety of calibers: The SAKO 85 is available in a range of calibers from .22-250 to .338 Win Mag, providing excellent versatility in the field.
- Ergonomic design: The SAKO 85 features an ergonomic and comfortable design with a textured pistol grip and cheekpiece for increased shooting comfort.
Cons:
- Price: The SAKO 85 is an expensive rifle, with most models costing over $1,500.
- Limited availability: The SAKO 85 is hard to find in many retail shops, making it difficult for some hunters to purchase one.
- Heavy: The SAKO 85 can be quite heavy, making it unsuitable for long distance hunting.
Who Should Buy
The SAKO 85 S is an excellent choice for intermediate and experienced hunters who need a high-quality, reliable, and accurate firearm. It is not recommended for first-time shooters who may not have the experience necessary to operate or maintain the rifle correctly.
Comparisons
| Attribute | SAKO 85 S | BERGARA B-14 RIDGE | STEYR PRO HUNTER | Bergara B-14 HMR Wilderness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .308 Win | 6.5 PRC | .270 Win | 6.5 PRC |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 Rounds | 3 Rounds | 4 Rounds | 3 Rounds |
| Barrel Length | 22in | 24in | 24in | 24in |
| Finishes | Blued | Matte Blued | Brown Marlin | Woodland Camo Molded |
| Stock | Walnut | Synthetic | Wood | Mini-Chassis Stock |
Features / Specs
• Caliber: .223 Rem up to .416 Rem Mag
• Available Models: Varmint, Standard and Classic
• Action: Bolt-action
• Magazine Capacity: Varmin 5 rounds / Standard/Classic 4 rounds
• Barrel Length: Varmin 20" / Standard 22" / Classic 24.4"
• Overall Length: Varmin 41.3" / Standard 43.3" / Classic 45.3"
• Standard Weight: Varmin 6.4 lbs. / Standard 6.5 lbs. / Classic 6.9 lbs.
• Stock: Walnut
• Safety: Two stage manual safety lever
• Sights: Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
Popular Accessories
- Optics: Scopes, Rings, and Bases
- Stocks: Wood, Laminate, and Synthetic
- Safety: Trigger Locks and Pistol Grips
- Bipods: Harris, Atlas, and Monopod
- Magazines: Long Action, Short Action, and Magazine Extension Kits
- Slings: Sling Swivel Mounts and Sling Adapters
- Bolt Handles: Tactical, Extended, and Knob-Style
- Recoil Pad: Limbsaver, Pachmayr, and Decelerator
- Sling Studs: Picatinny and Tactical
- Cleaning Kit: Gun Cleaning Cradle, Rods, Brushes, and Patches
Accuracy
The accuracy of the SAKO 85 S is impressive to say the least. The gun features a cold hammer-forged barrel for increased accuracy and shot-to-shot consistency. It also features a two-stage adjustable trigger which allows for fine-tuning the trigger pull for improved accuracy and smoothness. The accuracy of the SAKO 85 S has impressed many shooters, especially those who are using the rifle in precision-shooting competitions. Its cold hammer-forged barrel and adjustable trigger create an ideal combination for pressing the tightest groups possible with the SAKO 85 S.
