6x42 on Sako 85

Wilf102

Well-Known Member
I have a S&B 6x42 on a low mounts on a Sako 85. I want to get the scope lower. Apart from the 2mm of an extra low set of rings, is there any other way of getting the scope mounted lower? I have a comb raiser but am still trying to lower the scope.
 
Wilf102,
Just had the same problem on a Sako 75 with 42 mm objective and 30 mm tube diameter. I have the extra low Optilock rings and it is still a bit high. So I had a Hunters of England "Snipers Cheekpiece" recommended to me by a gunsmith. I just fitted it and bingo no more problem, very comfortable to use too. It holds 6 rounds too if you wish. Its neoprene and can be fitted/removed easily. Initially I didnt like the look of it but I tried one already fitted to a rifle and it works. Its worth a look and then you can forget about looking for rings.
 
I have a S&B 6x42 on a low mounts on a Sako 85. I want to get the scope lower. Apart from the 2mm of an extra low set of rings, is there any other way of getting the scope mounted lower? I have a comb raiser but am still trying to lower the scope.

I had the bottom half of the ring machined slightly to improve scope alignment after I had the moderator fitted. I suppose you could take 3-4 mm off the bottom of each bottom half ring. Be aware that the screw coming up from the base will need shortening too.

Keep in mind you still need bolt handle clearance to work the bolt.

The other option is to get an adjustable cheek piece installed or even fit a better stock. I spent a lot of money on my Sako 75.

Have fun.

JCS
 
Dont suppose you could measure from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the scope recess. My scope is 1".

I would, but I'm not in possession of them yet. The download associated with the ring mounts on the page I linked to will give you dimensions.
 
Dont suppose you could measure from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the scope recess. My scope is 1".

OK - measurements for the combined ring/base Optilocks so on my SAKO 75, from the upper flat of the dovetail to the bottom edge of the tube of the 1" S&B 6x42 is a shade over 11mm. They are AFAICT about 1.5mm lower than the extra-low rings and 3.5mm lower than the low rings used with the separate ring'n'base mounts. And neater.
Any lower, in fact, and there would be no light showing between the objective and the barrel over the end of the .270Win chamber.
 
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Thanks Dalua. Which version are they? Low? Not sure if they do an extra low.

They are the ones which are NOT separate rings and bases - see Mr Campbell-Smith's link. There's only one hight of those for each scope-diameter.
Compare the dimensions in that link to the diagrams for the separate rings & bases on Malxwal's link, and all should become clear...

:)
 
I have a S&B 6x42 on a low mounts on a Sako 85. I want to get the scope lower. Apart from the 2mm of an extra low set of rings, is there any other way of getting the scope mounted lower? I have a comb raiser but am still trying to lower the scope.

buy a set of blank rings from NECG and have a local gunsmith machine and dovetail them to work on the sako, then blue them nicely.
 
As jcampbellsmith said, make sure your bolt handle will clear, if you get the scope too low.
That is a problem with the Nikons on some rifles, even a 2-7x32 has to be mounted high enough.

Do you really need the scope lower? Why?

It makes no real difference in trajectory. Put it in a ballistics calculator, with 1.5 inches above the bore and 2.5 inches above the bore, and compare the outputs.

And you can certainly learn to shoot with a head-erect style, rather than scrunched down on a straight comb. Just look at all the older rifles with a lot of drop on the comb, very little cheekpiece, and high scope mounts; the owners had no problem shooting them... just a different cheek weld.
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You might want a Delta Cheekpiece riser for something as high as an AR-15 carry handle mount.
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buy a set of blank rings from NECG and have a local gunsmith machine and dovetail them to work on the sako, then blue them nicely.

...or get the lovely Optilock one-piece mounts off the shelf and never think about how the scope stays on the rifle ever again.

It makes no real difference in trajectory. Put it in a ballistics calculator, with 1.5 inches above the bore and 2.5 inches above the bore, and compare the outputs.

I've never really thought about this aspect of scope-hight, and this is probably why - as you say, it makes very little difference.

And you can certainly learn to shoot with a head-erect style, rather than scrunched down on a straight comb. Just look at all the older rifles with a lot of drop on the comb, very little cheekpiece, and high scope mounts; the owners had no problem shooting them... just a different cheek weld.
I've no experience of using scopes on rifles like those lovely vintage ones with stocks designed for iron sights.
However using a No4 rifle at 700yds and further, with the rear-sight well wound up, is certainly not especially comfortable.
You're right - one can learn to do it: but if there is the option to get one's face more comfortably on the stock by changing mounts, then why not take it?
:)
 
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I've never really thought about this aspect of scope-hight, and this is probably why - as you say, it makes very little difference.

I've no experience of using scopes on rifles like those lovely vintage ones with stocks designed for iron sights.
However using a No4 rifle at 700yds and further, with the rear-sight well wound up, is certainly not especially comfortable.
You're right - one can learn to do it: but if there is the option to get one's face more comfortably on the stock by changing mounts, then why not take it?
:)
If shooting a No.4 Enfield with the ladder wound up high, or with a scope, like an L42, I would want the little wooden cheekpiece riser on the buttstock.

If you are shooting prone, you might want the scope low, but standing, sitting or kneeling, a high scope is no problem, and can actually be much faster to get a cheek weld and line up the scope on target, after becoming accustomed to it. I don't want to have to press my face down on a DGR rifle or driven game rifle. Like a shotgun, I want to bring it to my face, not my face to it.

So try just getting used to your mounts as they are, and try some low ones on someone else's Sako before spending money on something which may not suit you any better than what you have.
 
If shooting a No.4 Enfield with the ladder wound up high, or with a scope, like an L42, I would want the little wooden cheekpiece riser on the buttstock.
...but you said it was easy to learn to shoot with your face flapping about a mile above the stock! In any case - keep your chisels and screwdriver off my No4s!

If you are shooting prone, you might want the scope low
Yup
but standing, sitting or kneeling, a high scope is no problem
..except when it's too high. In any case, nor is a low one

...and can actually be much faster to get a cheek weld and line up the scope on target, after becoming accustomed to it. I don't want to have to press my face down on a DGR rifle or driven game rifle. Like a shotgun, I want to bring it to my face, not my face to it.
Good point. I wonder is that's what the OP is after?


So try just getting used to your mounts as they are, and try some low ones on someone else's Sako before spending money on something which may not suit you any better than what you have.
Also a good point. However, I must confess a bias to lower being better in practice and aesthetically.
 
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