Sako 85 - which optilock height

[paultap]

Hi guys
I am picking up a new stainless synthetic Sako 85 in 243 calibre this week. I have a Zeiss Duralyt 3-12 x 50IR scope to put on it, I want to mount the scope using a set of stainless steel Optilock bases and 30mm rings but I could do with a bit of advice as to which height rings to go for. I am probably going to fit a set of butler creek lens covers on so I think the medium height rings are probably the way to go, But I wondered if I could get away with using the low version without the objective scope cover rubbing the action.
Also is there any real advantage of using low rings compared to medium ones. I have read that the lower the scope is mounted to the bore the better, but in reality does it make any noticeable difference?. You views would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

 

[UK Guy]

Low Optilock will do the job. I have same setup in 30-06 with 8x56 S&B with butler creeks and mine are low's

hope this helps
​UK Guy

 

[Effnjeff]

I'd go for the lowest set possible. The low mount height not only gets the scope closer to the bore, but for me gives a better cheek weld on the low comb of the 85's stock.
I use the one piece 'Ringmount' Optilocks, which are a tad lower than two piece extra lows, and I have a mm or two barrel clearance to spare under a 50mm objective with Butler Creek cover. Mine is a standard hunting weight barrel in a long action.

 

[30-06]

Hi

Would agree with the voys. Go for the low. I have the low with a 3-12x50 swar on my 85. Its perfect.

 

[palo]

Go for the 30mm low ringmounts or the extra low 30mm rings and bases.
You will still have enough clearance to fit a scope cover.

 

[paul o']

same rifle same scope use'g medim optilocks but iv got around 10 mm under front obj so if i had a set would have gone low or ex low .i use a 1/4 riser cheek so its fine for now

 

[paultap]

It looks to be lows or even extra lows then.
many thanks for the replies , much appreciated .

 

[Onelesscharlie]

Hi
I think you are collecting the sako from me..... look forward to meeting up.

 

[The deer man]

If you go on the Sako website it gives you all the measurements you need to decide which mounts you need. I use the Optilock 30mm LO mounts and they fit either my Docter Optic x48 or my S&B x50 with caps - on a Sako 85.

 

[paultap]

Thanks for the info guys, I am starting to really like the look of the one piece optilock ring mounts as opposed to the normal 2 piece Optilock rings and mounts which most people seem to use. The 30mm stainless ring mounts only come in one height (low ), interestingly I phoned GMK to seek advice, I have been told by them that the maximum scope objective lens that can be used with them is 43mm according to the data they have, this appears to be wrong as SD members who have actually used these mounts have found that a 50mm scope can be used with butler creeks fitted also.
A bit frustrating when the importers are giving out inaccurate information!... I have just missed out on a very good condition used set advertised in the classified adds so I will be looking at getting a new set ASAP, failing that it will be the two piece Lows I think.
Many thanks for your replies.

 

[AnthonyR]

I have a 56 objective Z6i mounted on my Sako 75 with Extra Low Optilocks and still just (and I do mean just) have room for a Butler Creek cover.

 

[palo]

I use the sako ringmounts and prefer them to the opti-lock rings and bases.
The 30mm low ringmounts will work with your setup but if you cant get them use the extra low rings and bases.

 

[Wsm]

I've got the low Ringmounts with a Swaro 50mm objective scope and theres room to spare.Another case of someone at the supplier (in this case GMK) having no practical experience of their products and just quoting from a brochure

 

[fraslew]

I just purchased a new SAKO 85 .270 with an ASE Ultra Jet Z Compact sound moderator and fitted the Victory HT 2.5-10 x 50 scope using the optilock base and mount. Unfortunately I found that the mount that was put on was a little to high (it was the high mount), so I decided to buy the optilock low ringmount. What I failed to foresee, was that I now see the top of the moderator through the scope, which is not ideal. I now have 2 optilock mounts that I don't want. Before I splash out on a medium set of mounts, I wanted to get some advice, to make sure that the medium rings on the base would allow me to set the scope as low as possible without seeing the moderator. Does anyone have this setup and can confirm that this is what I need? I've had an epic fail with the mounts, so I really don't want a 3rd failure.

 

[gmart122]

Optilock do a chart which will tell you almost all you need to know. Can't advise weight of barrel though. From my experience lows will fit best and as already advised, it's the resultant cheek weld you are looking for.

I really like the look of the Optilock ring mounts. Same quality and great 'gimbled' design as the 2-piece, but with one junction eliminated and I would think a bit of weight saved. The only draw backs I see are the fact the rings can't be swapped with Tikkas (I have both Sako & Tikka) so that is an advantage to me. Also the 2-piece design with the 'gimbled' plastic inserts allows a shim to be placed between the ring & base, creating a MOA cant of the scope. Not possible with the ring mounts.

All that said, I'd look into the optilock ring mounts.

 

[simon1979]

mounts

hi there,
i use medium mounts for both 6x42 and 8x56 scopes, a bit to much gap on the 6x42 scope but ideal on the 8x56 scope. But dont have any probs with either, i may change the 6x42 scope to low mounts if i can pick a cheap set up.
atb
simon