I bought a second-hand Sako 85 in 30.06 a few years back and it was tack-driving 0.5moa performer with Sako factory ammo.
I then took it to Africa where both it and I performed well. On my return it still shot well, but I was aware that a significant sample of Africa's sand was esconced between the timber and the steel, so off came the stock for a good clean. When I re-married all the parts, I was lucky if I could achieve 1.5moa! Same ammo, same bench, same everything. Clearly removing the stock had introduced some issue.
The Sako 85 recoil lug is a shallow and less robust design than some others.
But it clearly works when set up right. However, web searches reveal that lots of folk have issues with accuracy.
Well...after I first posted details of my accuracy problem after stock removal, I stumbled on a solution! It may work for you so I will share here.
In addition to the recoil lug having a shallow shoulder, the Sako 85 lug on the barrel/receiver is also significantly narrower than the slot it dogs into in the stock-attached plate when action and stock are screwed together. What I discovered was this: the first time I re-assembled the rifle post cleaning, I had failed to take the "slop" out of that marriage between lug and plate.
It is probably easier to describe the fix and then all will be clear: post cleaning, offer action up to stock and finger-tighten action screws. Now stand rifle vertically and let the butt plate rest on a carpeted floor, barrel pointing at ceiling. Lift the rifle 1" and drop back down onto carpeted floor. Tighten screws a bit more. Repeat until your preferred torque setting is applied. Now the action lug and rear edge of the recoil plate are better married. Results speak for themselves, back to 0.5moa:
I then took it to Africa where both it and I performed well. On my return it still shot well, but I was aware that a significant sample of Africa's sand was esconced between the timber and the steel, so off came the stock for a good clean. When I re-married all the parts, I was lucky if I could achieve 1.5moa! Same ammo, same bench, same everything. Clearly removing the stock had introduced some issue.
The Sako 85 recoil lug is a shallow and less robust design than some others.
But it clearly works when set up right. However, web searches reveal that lots of folk have issues with accuracy.Well...after I first posted details of my accuracy problem after stock removal, I stumbled on a solution! It may work for you so I will share here.
In addition to the recoil lug having a shallow shoulder, the Sako 85 lug on the barrel/receiver is also significantly narrower than the slot it dogs into in the stock-attached plate when action and stock are screwed together. What I discovered was this: the first time I re-assembled the rifle post cleaning, I had failed to take the "slop" out of that marriage between lug and plate.
It is probably easier to describe the fix and then all will be clear: post cleaning, offer action up to stock and finger-tighten action screws. Now stand rifle vertically and let the butt plate rest on a carpeted floor, barrel pointing at ceiling. Lift the rifle 1" and drop back down onto carpeted floor. Tighten screws a bit more. Repeat until your preferred torque setting is applied. Now the action lug and rear edge of the recoil plate are better married. Results speak for themselves, back to 0.5moa:
