Sako85 carbon wolf barrel pitted and machine marks evident after borescoping. Just over 2years old.What to do.?!

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Thought about that process also Ian. Much deliberations have went on. My head is on overdrive with different strategies. Think a new barrel is my way to go and a long term solution.
Confidence and pleasurable shooting. 👍
Thanks again for the added input Ian.
It’s just a shame the barrel isn’t a shooter and that’s its the way it is...
 
It was said a some time ago that the barrel steel on the newer sakos wasn't as good a quality as it used too be.but I've never owned a 85 sako.may be other 85 owners may comment
 
Steve curry said:
It was said a some time ago that the barrel steel on the newer sakos wasn't as good a quality as it used too be.but I've never owned a 85 sako.may be other 85 owners may comment
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would love to hear other 85 users and owners on their experience and any issues.?!
Thanks Steve, very valid point here and viewpoint.?! 👍 Good talking point...
Thanks for Input. Much appreciated.
 
deanobadge said:
would love to hear other 85 users and owners on their experience and any issues.?!
Thanks Steve, very valid point here and viewpoint.?! 👍 Good talking point...
Thanks for Input. Much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Have 2 85's......a 22" .270 stainless finnlight that's only shot 2 types of factory, Federal and Norma 130g and it's very accurate with both. Have some loads already worked up to test when I can. The second is a 20" 6.5 Cr Carbon Wolf that puts factory Norma Match through the centre each time and shoots outstanding 130g Accubonds across a range of loads.

Both have only done a small number of rounds so time will tell. The CW uses a Lawrence Precision and the Finnlight a Hardy moderator.
 
I have had 2 85's both stainless / synthetic
A 22.250 that honestly shot like a laser and a .243 that would not hit a barn door no matter what we tried.
My pal bought it from me and went through the same scenario - bedding / loading but in the end concluded it was a bad one !
 
jall55 said:
I have had 2 85's both stainless / synthetic
A 22.250 that honestly shot like a laser and a .243 that would not hit a barn door no matter what we tried.
My pal bought it from me and went through the same scenario - bedding / loading but in the end concluded it was a bad one !
Click to expand...


I would contact Sako before you spend any more money on this project though !
 
Maybe that’s the problem!

You’re never going to be happy with the pitting so bite the bullet and fit a new barrel. I doubt Sako will provide much support.
 
deanobadge said:
Don’t know what has caused the pitting. Always cleaned before and after use. Moderator never left on. Stored in a clean dry cabinet. Can’t understand it. Really disappointed in the built quality of the barrel. Seen many machine marks on the inside of the barrel whilst scoping also.
I have had 3 Sako 85s have had bedding issues with two. Have had tikkas and used 75s also. Loved them but now my opinion and view has drastically changed.
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I have had exactly the same issue in my 85.. .270.. Its been starting to loose its accuracy, so took a look with a bore scope.. Pitted through the length and some large machine marks. Barrel has had around 500 -700 rounds and has been cleaned after every outing and then oil coated and patched through before usel. Stored with moderator off in a very dry gun safe.. It was a huge shock to see the state of the barrel, I could not believe it. So in the the process of "upgrading" to a replacement stainless barrel..
I did wonder if the issue is the cleaning fluids effecting the Sako steel they are now using.. Initially I used Butches bore shine, but switched to eliminator.. No issues with my other rifle barrels though, which are Heym and Christensen arms. Its just the Sako barrel which is a mess.. I will not buy another Sako 85.
 
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Triumph_Dave said:
I have had exactly the same issue in my 85.. .270.. Its been starting to loose its accuracy, so took a look with a bore scope.. Pitted through the length and some large machine marks. Barrel has had around 500 -700 rounds and has been cleaned after every outing and then oil coated and patched through before usel. Stored with moderator off in a very dry gun safe.. It was a huge shock to see the state of the barrel, I could not believe it. So in the the process of "upgrading" to a replacement stainless barrel..
I did wonder if the issue is the cleaning fluids effecting the Sako steel they are now using.. Initially I used Butches bore shine, but switched to eliminator.. No issues with my other rifle barrels though, which are Heym and Christensen arms. Its just the Sako barrel which is a mess.. I will not buy another Sako 85.
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thanks again for the reply Dave.
Glad to know I am not the only one with issues and there has been quite a few contacting me with similiar issues. Certainly a flaw somewhere in the production of these rifles. Whether it’s the material, process, design, quality control, testing etc...
Probably a multitude of problems all
Combining to make a big issue.
 
My mate bought a new stainless tikka, a year later he bought another in carbon steel.
I bore scoped both rifles for him recently and the stainless barrel was perfect but the newer carbon steel barrel had quite a bit of pitting.
He has another sako carbon steel barrel that has very bad pitting as well.
All the rifles are still shooting very well though.
 
I’ve got a Sako 85 finnlight 2 in .270, only bought it in February this year and shot about 20 rounds through it. Fingers crossed 🤞
I’ve cleaned it after the season ended and will check zero before it’s first outing again....next month i hope
 
Hereford said:
Have you shot any Sako ammunition through it ever? I thought they guaranteed accuracy with their ammunition?
Click to expand...
Maybe one for the lawyers. The Certificate says that the in-house testing was done with Sako ammunition but does not specifically say that the warranty is restricted to Sako ammo.

BTW, I have four Sako 85s purchased over a seven year period. Have had no accuracy issues with any of them. They all shoot better than 0.3MOA even with me behind the butt. One of these sits in a pillar-bedded GRS stock but the others are "untouched". My last (latest?) purchase was a .223 Sporter in a laminated stock. Had a problem with the lips of the magazine, rounds wouldn't feed correctly. This was exchanged by Beretta Australia, toot sweet.

Cheers

LgSOMjd.jpg
 
Barrels are hammer forged
There are no machines to leave machining marks
you may have residual imprint marks from the mandrel but if you are seeing radial machining marks that is post manufacture.

Pitting can happen very quickly despite cleaning regimes
My Tikka is pitted to F#@k.
Combination of long days in the rain and acidic moderator vapour.

Two years is a long time to chase accuracy
That said if you produce a group like the one centre right most makers will shrug and ask you what the problem is.
If it has never been consistent what did you check initially?
why bore scope now?

You can but ask....

I agree with the "stop cleaning it so hard"
pitted barrels like fouling on the whole
 
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