Sako 85 finlight 2

[Antsinpants]

Hi guys and girls, I’m looking to sell off a few of my guns and buy a nice .308. Had one before (tikka t3) and loved the caliber but fancied a change so got rid and wished I hadn’t. As a lefty I’m a bit limited but I’ve come across a sako 85 finlight 2 with a 20”barrel online, as I’ve never had a play with one and can’t find one in a shop to have a look and feel of I was wondering if anybody has any experience with them… pros cons etc? Don’t want to waste money if they’re crap as I’m looking for something to hold on to.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have.

 

[Andy seatrout]

I’ve got one in Stainless -6.5 x 55, fluted barrel, it’s the same spec being a finlight 2…. Groups well with 120 to 140 grain bullets…. As it’s a lighter rifle the felt recoil may go up a bit but tbh I weight 23 stone so it’s not that relevant to me. The trigger is adjustable, I put mine down to 2lb which is the same as my fox rifle, I think it also stops my pulling the odd shot….. people will say different but it’s the trigger pressure for my .223 and my .243 so I’d rather be consistent…

Some people don’t like the magazine release- you push the level and push up, but there’s no accidental release…. Just make sure you hear a nice click when putting it in. Other than that they look great with sako optilocks….

I forgot to say/ I love it!

 

[Antsinpants]

Thanks for you response. Not to bothered about the recoil either really, I got enough meat to soak it up as well . Like I said I’m just looking for something well built that will last for the money.

 

[Roebuck9]

Hi you could try a Sauer 202 LH in 308 nice light, well made, stalking rifle, numerous specifications to suit your taste. Wood or synthetic standard or thumhole stocks, best of luck with your search.

 

[scotch_egg]

I’m a huge fan of the Sako 85. I have one that’s heavilt customised with a 6mm creedmoor chamber and lothar walther barrel in a KKC stock. I’ve also used a Near picatinny rail.

What I like about the Sako 85:

Holds the cartridge on the bolt face
Mechanical ejection so you can control how far spent cases travel
Double stack metal magazine.
60 degree bolt throw
Three lug bolt
Magazine release is controlled so you can accidentally release it
I actually like the dovetails rails.

The factory Finn light 2 stocks look really nice with the adjustable cheek piece.

I would also look at the one piece optilock mount and not the two piece design. They look sleek and less to go wrong.

 

[Antsinpants]

Hi you could try a Sauer 202 LH in 308 nice light, well made, stalking rifle, numerous specifications to suit your taste. Wood or synthetic standard or thumhole stocks, best of luck with your search.

Thanks a lot. Haven’t looked at sauer.

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

Had an 85 for about 12 years ive treated it like a tool not a peice of art and its never missed a beat still shoots under 1/2 moa, people cry that its not as good as the 75 but ive owned one of those too and honestly its just as robust and just as acurate

 

[Antsinpants]

I’m a huge fan of the Sako 85. I have one that’s heavilt customised with a 6mm creedmoor chamber and lothar walther barrel in a KKC stock. I’ve also used a Near picatinny rail.

What I like about the Sako 85:

Holds the cartridge on the bolt face
Mechanical ejection so you can control how far spent cases travel
Double stack metal magazine.
60 degree bolt throw
Three lug bolt
Magazine release is controlled so you can accidentally release it
I actually like the dovetails rails.

The factory Finn light 2 stocks look really nice with the adjustable cheek piece.

I would also look at the one piece optilock mount and not the two piece design. They look sleek and less to go wrong.

Yeah I’m thinking of going 1 piece qd mounts to swap between night and day scope to use it for foxing and stalking.

 

[Antsinpants]

Had an 85 for about 12 years ive treated it like a tool not a peice of art and its never missed a beat still shoots under 1/2 moa, people cry that its not as good as the 75 but ive owned one of those too and honestly its just as robust and just as acurate

That’s good to hear as I’ll probably be using it for everything from foxing to boar and deer . It won’t be a show piece

 

[antsa]

Had an 85 for about 12 years ive treated it like a tool not a peice of art and its never missed a beat still shoots under 1/2 moa, people cry that its not as good as the 75 but ive owned one of those too and honestly its just as robust and just as acurate

I have four 85s. Two in .223 Rem (sporter and varmint), a .260 Rem and a .308 Win. Had three of them since 2012 and one about five years. They have never failed me.

Go for it

Cheers

 

[alasdair]

I've had my Sako 85 Finnlight 2 .308 synthetic stainless for about a year (had a 75 in 243 before that).
I try to be a one rifle man and to learn to use that one rifle well. Got the .308 as I wanted a heavier gun for use with non-toxic (copper) I wasn't comfortable with the stopping power of copper in .243 for deer.
The Finnnlight 2 I like and has the stopping power I want running light (for .308) fast copper. It has no more recoil as far as I can discern than the .243
I really like the adjustable cheek piece and feel it has improved my accuracy a lot especially for rapid target acquisition.
The only struggle I've had with it is to do with stock length and eye relief (I'm only 5ft 10").
I have a Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x56 P L A4-300 and was struggling to find mounts that would allow me to mount it far enough forward - a scope with shorter eye relief might not have this problem. I eventually settled for Leupold RM Sako 30mm Matte Rings - Super High, which have so far proved entirely satisfactory and are coincidentally quite light and look OK. But even then I have one spacer between stock and butt pad (available from Sako at ridiculous price or find someone to make one for you!) - if all of my shooting was prone I'd use 2 of the Sako spacers, but that makes it just a smidgeon too long for high seat work so one spacer works fine for me (I suppose a thicker jacket would work too!)

One piece of advice: while most of the metal work is stainless and cerakoted, the inner workings of the adjustable cheek piece are not stainless. So a bit of oil/grease there; and after use in rain it's worth taking off the adjustable cheek piece to dry it out!

Alasdair, in Scotland (where in rains).

 

[RM100]

Have a Sako Finnlite 2 in 6.5CM, really do like it

 

[Antsinpants]

I've had my Sako 85 Finnlight 2 .308 synthetic stainless for about a year (had a 75 in 243 before that).
I try to be a one rifle man and to learn to use that one rifle well. Got the .308 as I wanted a heavier gun for use with non-toxic (copper) I wasn't comfortable with the stopping power of copper in .243 for deer.
The Finnnlight 2 I like and has the stopping power I want running light (for .308) fast copper. It has no more recoil as far as I can discern than the .243
I really like the adjustable cheek piece and feel it has improved my accuracy a lot especially for rapid target acquisition.
The only struggle I've had with it is to do with stock length and eye relief (I'm only 5ft 10").
I have a Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x56 P L A4-300 and was struggling to find mounts that would allow me to mount it far enough forward - a scope with shorter eye relief might not have this problem. I eventually settled for Leupold RM Sako 30mm Matte Rings - Super High, which have so far proved entirely satisfactory and are coincidentally quite light and look OK. But even then I have one spacer between stock and butt pad (available from Sako at ridiculous price or find someone to make one for you!) - if all of my shooting was prone I'd use 2 of the Sako spacers, but that makes it just a smidgeon too long for high seat work so one spacer works fine for me (I suppose a thicker jacket would work too!)

One piece of advice: while most of the metal work is stainless and cerakoted, the inner workings of the adjustable cheek piece are not stainless. So a bit of oil/grease there; and after use in rain it's worth taking off the adjustable cheek piece to dry it out!

Alasdair, in Scotland (where in rains).

Thanks so much for the advice. Really looking forward to owning one, as the same as you I want to be a one caliber man… wel apart from the .22lr for bunnies

 

[Tom C]

I have a finnlight 2 in 308 with a 20inch barrel, (left hand) it’s a lovely light stalking rifle! Should probably get it out more!

 

[ditchvisitor]

I’ve just bought a Sako 85 Carbon Wolf .308 in 20” and absolutely love it.