Sako 85 accuracy - poor / help?

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Thanks all, the calibre is .308. The first shot is always spot on I suppose, and if left to cool completely, like 3 minutes between shots like has been suggested, I'm sure I would have one single hole.

Maybe I am expecting to much.

you are not
send it back
sorry let me rephrase that, get them to collect it at their cost

one flyer and then predictable groups is not fit for purpose let alone matching the description of 0.5 moa
You should not have to hand load to excuse a mechanical anomaly


if you had a car that did 30mpg all day long except for the first 10 miles on a monday morning where it did 10mpg would you tolerate it?

 

[stubear]

Agree with Ed.

Ok stalking rifles aren't designed to be 1000yd tack drivers and I agree if you want that get an F class TR.

But. They should be consistently accurate at stalking distances and this one isn't.

There should be some brand of factory ammo that shoots well. Have you tried Federal 150gn power shok? A lot of guys I know use that brand to great effect, but frankly if you think at the rifle - change it.

You've got to consider your confidence as well and if you're always thinking "is this round going to be a flier" then that will adversely impact your stalking.

 

[collieman]

Have you tried a few shots without the mod on could be bullets clipping mod, I had one doing exact same
thing.

 

[hairlesshunter]

Thanks all, the calibre is .308. The first shot is always spot on I suppose, and if left to cool completely, like 3 minutes between shots like has been suggested, I'm sure I would have one single hole.

Maybe I am expecting to much.

Have you had a 308 before or is it the first you have had
Has I had a similar problems till I mastered it and it was all down to my Technique

 

[GSP84]

Have you tried a few shots without the mod on could be bullets clipping mod, I had one doing exact same
thing.

The middle group is without the mod!

Have you had a 308 before or is it the first you have had
Has I had a similar problems till I mastered it and it was all down to my Technique

it is my first .308... but today we bench rested it. No margin for user error. Did the same result 3 times. One bang on, then two high when doing 3 shot groups.

didnt expect such a mixed response with some saying it's fine and others saying replace. Left me more confused perhaps lol

 

[hairlesshunter]

The middle group is without the mod!



it is my first .308... but today we bench rested it. No margin for user error. Did the same result 3 times. One bang on, then two high when doing 3 shot groups.

didnt expect such a mixed response with some saying it's fine and others saying replace. Left me more confused perhaps lol

And the results are the same when someone else is pulling the trigger one spot on and two high. that s how I realised it was down to me when a friend pulled the trigger as is groupings were fine when he shot it just hope you get it sorted

 

[takbok]

From the sound of it you've only tried one type of ammo at 100m. Maybe worth trying a different type before jumping to conclusions. Get someone else to shoot it too.

Also, get someone to take the action out of the stock and check that everything is fine and all screws are tight.

 

[bullet chucker]

When you first bought the gun did it do as it shows now on your photo? Did you clean the bore before your very first shot from new? It may be that there is a problem, and where is the test card if there was one?
I have found that GMK are very helpful, I would tell them you are not happy and that after all this advice from fellow SD members looking to resolve an accuracy problem on a new gun is not right.
Let us know what their reply on Monday is.

BC...

 

[GSP84]

When you first bought the gun did it do as it shows now on your photo? Did you clean the bore before your very first shot from new? It may be that there is a problem, and where is the test card if there was one?
I have found that GMK are very helpful, I would tell them you are not happy and that after all this advice from fellow SD members looking to resolve an accuracy problem on a new gun is not right.
Let us know what their reply on Monday is.

BC...

Did everything by the book, will see what the supplying fealer and GMK come up with Monday.

My little Sako quad .17hmr shoots 5p sized groups at 100m

 

[Cottis]

How many different types/brands/weights of ammunition have you tried? It sounds like most things have been tested including shooting without the Mod and when different people (I presume at least one of whom is a sound shot) are having the same results which are not in keeping with how it should shoot, then it will make you wonder.

I have just started putting rounds through a new .243 and to give an example, Sako 100grain gameheads I was struggling to keep within 2inches. Sure, that is "good enough" to drop a deer but although I don't want to shoot steel at 700yards, I do want to be able to hit a specific part of an animals body in order to humanely dispatch it. 2 inches is fine but reduces margin for error for external influences like wind, wobbles, being out of breath etc etc etc.

Anyhow, I then put some 100grain federal power shok in the spout and it grouped in half an inch which is great. I have no complaints with that and have better things to do with my time than press ammo, so Federals it will be.

If you have tried a few different brands and weights of ammo and are still getting the same results, then the gun has to go back. I do think you would be unlucky to get a pup but I also bet you wouldn't be the first.

Best of luck with it

 

[GSP84]

Yeah I tried federal, Winchester, Sako and tried 123gr upto 164gr. I've had people who are exceptional shots get the same results. I've tried everything you typically read you should try. I don't expect 20 round target rifle performance, but would like the guaranteed 5 round performance.

I wonder whether the first shot is heating the barrel sufficiently for it to fowl and stop the barrel free floating. I don't want to be the one to start pulling it apart and tweaking it though whilst it's still covered under warranty and the sub MOA guarantee out of the box.

 

[VSS]

Only the first shot counts in "real life"
Probably just a factor of the barrel heating up.
Try leaving it 20 minutes in the shade between shots.

 

[GSP84]

Only the first shot counts in "real life"
Probably just a factor of the barrel heating up.
Try leaving it 20 minutes in the shade between shots.

20 minutes between shots, and there would be one hole. The first shot with a cold barrel is always in the exact same spot as can be seen in the attached picture. Doesn't help with follow up shots, but if Sako come back and say that is how they test the rifle then fair enough I will accept that.

 

[Fursty Ferret]

I wouldnt be happy enough with those results.
I get the whole barrel heating up thing but come on guys the rifle should be able to put a decent 3 shot group together without having to "let it cool for 20 mins" between shots!!!!.....i couldnt/wouldnt accept that.
What happens with the groups if you dont "clean" it between groups? Is the first shot just a "cold" barrel or is it always a "clean" barrel? If the latter then adjust the poi after the first shot, dont clean it and see how it goes. If all good then crack on.....obviously it will need cleaning at some point though. I put a pull through on mine after every outing and poi is the always the same whether its first/cold shot or not but a mate cleans his once or twice a year and gets the same consistancy.
Reloading your own may or may not resolve things.
If your not prepared to try any of the above then just ask for a replacement or refund

 

[GSP84]

There is no cleaning between the groups on that picture. I'd say that was a bit excessive, we are talking 3 shots at a time.

Like you I will clean after every use, whether that be 12 shots or 1 shot. I wasn't cleaning between groups / shots on a single range session.

 

[Mungo]

Based on recent experience with rifles doing almost exactly this, your problem is stock-action fit. Simply put there's something wrong with the bedding.

As Bewsher has pointed out, the Sako 85 recoil lug is an abomination designed by committee, and it's a miracle any of them are accurate.

 

[Lateral]

you are not
send it back
sorry let me rephrase that, get them to collect it at their cost

one flyer and then predictable groups is not fit for purpose let alone matching the description of 0.5 moa
You should not have to hand load to excuse a mechanical anomaly

if you had a car that did 30mpg all day long except for the first 10 miles on a monday morning where it did 10mpg would you tolerate it?

Would you not suggest trying some other factory ammunition first, or is it reasonable to expect all rifles, to shoot all ammunition sub 1 moa ?

And to be honest, if my truck would do 30mpg all day long, but I had to tolerate 10mpg, for 10 miles on a Monday morning, I'm in

 

[big ears]

Have a similar issue with my T3, and no of a friend with a Sako which does the same. Both are cured by putting a Meths soaked patch up before shooting first shot. Works a treat and I bet it will group really well.

 

[ejg]

308 is simple. Get a box of Hornady match 168gr bthp. Fire two thee rounds to get the barrel conditioned to the new "copper", cool off and check grouping.
If the Sako does not group with that it is the rifle /scope etc. My guess is bedding/action screw tension or crack in the stock?
5nm is good for Sako or T3 action screws but one must re-check a few times until it is consistent.
I would not like to spend that money on a rifle and have those groups. All new T3's we had/have in the last years have all been fantastic. We don't do Sako but the barrels are the same.
edi

 

[GJE]

I have had a similar problem with an 85, it also shifted zero occasionally. Took it to PRS, the bedding screws were grounding out. The screws were filed down, tightened. Problem solved