Howa 1500 or sako 85
- Thread starter rick1127
- Start date
South Pender
Active Member
The Sako is the more refined rifle in most ways. I have not heard of accuracy issues with the Sako 85; most of those I know about are very accurate. The recoil lug/plate is a little unusual (pictured below), but I've not heard of anyone experiencing problems with it.
The vertical section that drops down bears against the back side of the recoil-lug cutout in the stock and absorbs the recoil. The two screws do not absorb the recoil and should not loosen. I guess it’s possible to glass/pillar bed a Sako 85, but I’d be wary of doing that.
The only real problem with the 85 is that, with a small number, there is an issue with ejection. The ejector being at the bottom of the ejection port throws cases in too-vertical a fashion, and, in some cases, this results in the cases bouncing off the scope turret and falling back into the ejection port. From what I’ve read, the prevalence of this is low, but worth keeping in mind. If considering purchasing an 85, I’d recommend testing the rifle with fired cases to ensure it doesn’t manifest this problem. The new Sako 90 has solved the problem with twin plunger ejectors and is a slight improvement of the 85.
The vertical section that drops down bears against the back side of the recoil-lug cutout in the stock and absorbs the recoil. The two screws do not absorb the recoil and should not loosen. I guess it’s possible to glass/pillar bed a Sako 85, but I’d be wary of doing that.
The only real problem with the 85 is that, with a small number, there is an issue with ejection. The ejector being at the bottom of the ejection port throws cases in too-vertical a fashion, and, in some cases, this results in the cases bouncing off the scope turret and falling back into the ejection port. From what I’ve read, the prevalence of this is low, but worth keeping in mind. If considering purchasing an 85, I’d recommend testing the rifle with fired cases to ensure it doesn’t manifest this problem. The new Sako 90 has solved the problem with twin plunger ejectors and is a slight improvement of the 85.
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antsa
Well-Known Member
Maybe. My 260 Rem Stainless does have it and I use it with a Tikka style lug in a GRS stock.
Cheers
I've 2 centrefire rifles, a 243 Howa and a 7 x 57 Proctor.
Massively different firearms, but I use the Howa far more as 1. It's accurate as hell 2. It didn't cost too much so the odd scrape on stock/barrel doesn't make me sad
3. It always loads and shoots without problem.
Yes the bolt is slacker, general feel is different but it still works.
I've no experience of the Sako, but have of friends new Browning and Tikkas. I did note the Howa was heavier than them both, particularly the Browning, but I like some weight in a rifle and have a 750gr DM80 mod on the end.
So if weight is an issue that's something maybe to consider, but otherwise I would suggest a Howa will do all you need, spend the change in better glass!
Massively different firearms, but I use the Howa far more as 1. It's accurate as hell 2. It didn't cost too much so the odd scrape on stock/barrel doesn't make me sad
3. It always loads and shoots without problem.Yes the bolt is slacker, general feel is different but it still works.
I've no experience of the Sako, but have of friends new Browning and Tikkas. I did note the Howa was heavier than them both, particularly the Browning, but I like some weight in a rifle and have a 750gr DM80 mod on the end.
So if weight is an issue that's something maybe to consider, but otherwise I would suggest a Howa will do all you need, spend the change in better glass!
the prowler
Well-Known Member
Six sako rifles. Simply the best.
I’ve had four or five Sako 85’s. I’m not a brand snob but I do love them for their functionality. I love the double stack mag with top loading and the controlled round feed (cue folk telling me it’s not crf) which makes it so much easier to unload if you don’t fire a round.
Folk will usually recommend a tikka because they’re just as accurate and half the price but their function is rubbish. Long action for everything, taking the mag out every time to put the bullet back in. They’re just not good ergonomically. I’d much prefer a rem 700 if I’m looking for cheap. Love the safety and trigger functions.
I did have one bad Sako. It kept kicking scopes off because that bloody awful nonsense dovetail wasn’t machined to spec. Ironically, the only brand new one I ever had. I really liked that they’d sorted the dovetail out with the 90 but I still can’t buy one because they did away with the crf and put a stupid trigger in it and then added £1000 to the price! I handled one in a shop recently, didn’t think much of the finish of it.
Never looked at Howa, I’ll have to give one a go.
Folk will usually recommend a tikka because they’re just as accurate and half the price but their function is rubbish. Long action for everything, taking the mag out every time to put the bullet back in. They’re just not good ergonomically. I’d much prefer a rem 700 if I’m looking for cheap. Love the safety and trigger functions.
I did have one bad Sako. It kept kicking scopes off because that bloody awful nonsense dovetail wasn’t machined to spec. Ironically, the only brand new one I ever had. I really liked that they’d sorted the dovetail out with the 90 but I still can’t buy one because they did away with the crf and put a stupid trigger in it and then added £1000 to the price! I handled one in a shop recently, didn’t think much of the finish of it.
Never looked at Howa, I’ll have to give one a go.
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