Sako 90 Finnlight

tarponhead said:

I know this is picking up an old thread, but can you help me understand the allure of the Sako 75 and its enduring appeal, please? I’m looking at at a 75 in 6.5x55 and potentially a .223 as well, now so have slots for both. I like to buy good quality used firearms, as it normally means I can get great quality and pedigree for much less than used. I love my Sauer 202 that I bought off here - perfect for me. I generally don’t like Tikka stocks, although I know the aftermarket choices are legion and I’ve had a Bergara from new which has issues even though very accurate. So the Sako 75 feels like a good choice but I can’t find much in terms of facts to back my instincts up. Am I just kidding myself that it’d special and different, or should so just get over my Sako itch and buy modern, new rifles?

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wytonpjs said:

It just works. Bolt action is smooth, all metal mags reliably feed, you can top load them, you can unload with the trigger locked. I’ve had my 75 since 1995 (first rifle bought) and whilst it’s not the stainless that I now covet, it’s practically perfect in all respects although I did have the barrel (.243) chopped and re-crowned by Mike Norris to 20”. Using 80gr TTSX I have a superb ro/muntjac deer legal round that’s perfect for Summer stalking. It’s handling with a lightweight mod on is perfect

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Utectok said:

My buddy has one in .270 which he loves. Unable to maintain shot picture though. I have shot his which was fine except no visibility of impact. I shot one unmoderated in .308 that was pretty nasty to shoot despite the light calibre. On the whole I favour a slightly heavier rifle and a stock that’s better at controlling recoil.
I think the sako 90 quest would be more shoot able and is probably one of the most accurate rifles you can buy

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tarponhead said:

That very helpful - many thanks! I’m eyeing up a 6.5x55 synthetic stained with 20” barrel…What moderator do you use? I had a Roedale on my previous rifle which was very light but not robust enough for volume range work (which I’m unlikely to do). I also have a chance to get a .223 wylde-chambered 75 that has been rebarrelled with a match grade 21” - a bit long for a .223 foxing rifle, but still…the agonies of choice.

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Keith Edmunds said:

I am not a great fan of the 90 recoil lug bedding system - that's about the only thing putting me off. I do like the S20 aluminium chassis.

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tarponhead said:

I know this is picking up an old thread, but can you help me understand the allure of the Sako 75 and its enduring appeal, please? I’m looking at at a 75 in 6.5x55 and potentially a .223 as well, now so have slots for both. I like to buy good quality used firearms, as it normally means I can get great quality and pedigree for much less than used. I love my Sauer 202 that I bought off here - perfect for me. I generally don’t like Tikka stocks, although I know the aftermarket choices are legion and I’ve had a Bergara from new which has issues even though very accurate. So the Sako 75 feels like a good choice but I can’t find much in terms of facts to back my instincts up. Am I just kidding myself that it’d special and different, or should so just get over my Sako itch and buy modern, new rifles?

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Tim1 said:

As far as I'm concerned, the 75 is the epitome of a sporting rifle - everything is right and particularly the mag system; they're a joy to use. The only negative as far as I'm concerned is the lack of aftermarket stocks if you happen to break or damage the factory offering. Since McMillan stopped inletting, the only viable option are the Krosegs, at a price, which I hope to put on my 75s soon.

The 85 introduced so called improvements to solve problems that didn't exist - semi-controlled feed and a mag retention latch. I'm not technically minded enough to comment on the recoil lug but I think the general consensus is that the 75 lug is the best design.

If Beretta and its accountants had any sense, they could have produced the 75 in perpetuity much like the Remington 700.

T

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wytonpjs said:

Thanks @Bowland blades, I do reload and have fettled loads for all my 20" to produce 100% powder burn in barrel whilst achieving sufficient mv to achieve expansion on contact with the Barnes TTSX I use (80gr .243, 110gr .270 and 130gr .308). Having lived with my CF rifles across the varied terrain I stalk from open heath, dense woodland to Scottish hill, I've become very settled in the 20" barrel and a lightweight stock arrangement. The trade-off is more recoil but it ticks my box. As I outlined earlier, this will be probably my last rifle and it's telling that I still have my first Sako, the 75 I had Mike Norris shorten to 20". In doing so, I fell back in love with that rifle - its pointable, crisp, accurate and relatively lightweight. It's my summer go-to.

The real issue I'm struggling with is paying £4,500 for a 90 Quest in 20" .270 vs another Tikka T3X Veil Wideland 20" .270 at £1700 (there's even one here at £1200).................

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beef1986 said:

Good afternoon

Just after peoples views on the Sako 90 Finnlight? I think this will be my chosen rifle in .270 but it was a toss up between this and the Tikka T3
Thanks

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WTMR said:

Similarly I have my eye on a Finnlight in 6.5 CM, with other option being an S20 in one of the slightly more tactile stock finishes.

Would be interesting to know if OP went for the Finnlight and first impressions!

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beef1986 said:

@WTMR what scope have you paired it with out of interest?

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rem284 said:

Is it the same as the 85, it looks like an after thought

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